Miami P&DC 'Drills' Its Preparedness

As part of the U.S. Postal Service's commitment to the safety of its employees, customers, and the mail, a Biohazard Detection System (BDS) in the Advanced Facer Canceler System (AFCS) Operation is used to detect the presence of a dangerous biological substance/agent at mail processing facilities.

Recently, the Miami Emergency Management Team, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division, and local First Responders participated in an interagency Emergency Preparedness/BDS Drill at the Miami Processing and Distribution Center. Postal Inspector/Dangerous Mails Team Leader Jeffrey Esser served as Incident Commander and Manager, In Plant Support Maxine McFarlane as Emergency Manager.

The BDS equipment operates primarily on the afternoon shift -- Tour 3 -- as mail passes through the high-speed, high-impact areas of the postmarking operations. The BDS collects air samples from this area on an hourly basis, and then analyzes each sample to determine whether anthrax is present.  If the BDS detects anthrax, the system shuts down this operation and sounds an alarm to evacuate the plant.  During the drill, all employees, customers, contractors, vendors and any visitors to the facility immediately evacuated the Miami P&DC and reported to assigned rally points for additional instruction.

A consensus of postal participants voiced their appreciate for the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and local First Responders who worked together for the safety of employees and the community.

Since the inception of BDS nationwide, there have been more than seven million tests, but not one positive or false-positive result.

Postal Inspector/Dangerous Mails Team Member Claudia Angel (L) reported drill activity to Inspection Service Headquarters in Miramar, FL.  As Incident Commander, Postal Inspector/Dangerous Mails Team Leader Jeffrey Esser (R) communicated with team members onsite and coordinated the overall drill.  Photo:  John Zeigler

Employees lined up for a simulated gross decontamination, although some volunteers walked through the elevated giant shower. Decontamination would be critical to the safety and health of individuals exposed to hazardous substances, including anthrax. Photo:  Bladismir Rojo

Following decontamination, employees reported to the tent area where health professionals would have given instruction and distributed medication, if there had been a live anthrax event. Photo: Bladismir Rojo

National Preparedness Specialist Teresa Parrett (L) discussed drill activities with Miami-Dade Fire Department participants.  Photo:  John Zeigler

Postal Inspectors trained as Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Specialists retrieved the BDS cartridge from the Miami P&DC.  Photo: Bladismir Rojo

Homeland Security Coordinator Mike Balcom of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division observed the various components of the drill and was pleased with the outcome. Photo:  John Zeigler