Chemical Suicides Are Threat To Responders
First responders are being warned about a deadly threat occurring across the country in both small and large jurisdictions – chemical suicides.
“It’s probably only a matter of time before one of these happens in your community,” Greensboro, N.C. Fire Capt. Mark J. Schmitt told crews during a session at Firehouse World last week.
Schmitt urged responders to err on the side of caution when responding to calls about unresponsive people in vehicles. In the 72 documented cases from around the country, all have been successful. Intervention would not have made a difference.
While many victims leave notes on their vehicle’s windows warning responders to stay away, many don’t, Schmitt said adding that crews need to approach vehicles cautiously. “Do not rely on warning signs. Sometimes they fall off the window.”
Usually, these people don’t want to hurt anyone else, just themselves.
“Step back. Do a walk around. Is there staining on the ground or residue on the dash or windows?”
Other warning signs include taped up windows, open containers of household chemicals, buckets or other containers that can be used for mixing. “Also look for discolored pennies…”
“Once a reaction starts, there’s no going back,” he said, adding that hydrogen sulfide gas is colorless, highly flammable and extremely toxic.
If some of those signs are visible, Schmitt warned responders to back away and keep by-standers at a distance as well. “There’s nothing you can do…”
The incident should then be treated as a crime scene, and the hazmat team should be notified. Personnel in the area while the vehicle is opened should be in PPE.
Schmitt says there also have been chemical suicides in homes.
Precautions on these incidents are essential, Schmitt says, because responders want to go home the same way they came.
