Policy Text
Policy
406Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/06, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentHazardous Material Response - 1Hazardous Material Response
406.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Exposure to hazardous materials presents potential harm to department members and the public.
This policy outlines the responsibilities of members who respond to these events and the factors
that should be considered while on-scene, including the reporting of exposures and supervisor
responsibilities. To comply with 8 CCR § 5194, the following is to be the policy of this department.
406.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Hazardous material – A substance which, by its nature, containment, or reactivity, has the
capability of inflicting harm during exposure; characterized as being toxic, corrosive, flammable,
reactive, an irritant or strong sensitizer and thereby posing a threat to health when improperly
managed.
406.2 HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RESPONSE
Members may encounter situations involving suspected hazardous materials, such as at the scene
of a traffic accident, chemical spill, or fire. When members come into contact with a suspected
hazardous material, certain steps should be taken to protect themselves and citizens.
The following steps should be considered at any scene involving suspected hazardous materials:
(a)Attempt to identify the type of hazardous substance. (Identification can be determined
by placard, driver's manifest, or statements from the person transporting).
(b)Notify the fire department.
(c)Provide first-aid for injured parties if it can be done safely and without contamination.
(d)Begin evacuation of the immediate area and surrounding areas, depending on the
substance. Voluntary evacuation should be considered; however, depending on the
substance, mandatory evacuation may be necessary.
(e)Notify the local health authority. Such notification is mandatory when a spilled or
released item is a pesticide (Health and Safety Code § 105215).
(f)Notify the Department of Toxic Substances Control. This is mandatory when an
officer comes in contact with, or is aware of, the presence of a suspected hazardous
substance at a site where an illegal controlled substance is or was manufactured
(Health and Safety Code § 79355).
406.3 REPORTING EXPOSURE
Department members who believe that they have been exposed to a hazardous material shall
immediately report the exposure to a supervisor. Each exposure shall be documented by the
member in an employee memorandum that shall be forwarded via chain of command to the
Division Lieutenant as soon as practicable. Should the affected member be unable to document
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Hazardous Material Response
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/03/06, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentHazardous Material Response - 2the exposure for any reason, it shall be the responsibility of the notified supervisor to complete
the report.
Injury or illness caused or believed to be caused from exposure to hazardous materials shall be
reported the same as any other on-duty injury or illness in addition to a crime report or incident
report as applicable.
406.3.1 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
When a supervisor has been informed that an employee has been exposed to a hazardous
material, he/she shall ensure that immediate medical treatment is obtained and appropriate action
is taken to lessen the exposure. The supervisor will then place the employee on the "Injured on
Duty" (IOD) Log with an appropriate explanation of the exposure.
To ensure the safety of employees, safety equipment is available through supervisory personnel.
Safety items not maintained by the Department will be obtained through the Fire Department.
406.4 CLANDESTINE DRUG LABORATORIES
A clandestine drug laboratory is any location where illicit drugs or narcotics are being
manufactured. Generally, operators of illicit drug/narcotic laboratories keep precursor chemicals
available to manufacture their product. These chemicals are extremely dangerous and should
only be handled by trained and qualified personnel. In the event officers come across what they
believe to be a clandestine drug/narcotic laboratory the following procedure shall be followed:
(a)The officer at the scene will notify a field sergeant of the suspected drug laboratory.
(b)The field sergeant will verify the presence of the suspected drug laboratory. If the
sergeant confirms the officer's suspicions, the sergeant will make the necessary
notifications.
(c)IMPORTANT: DO NOT REMAIN IN THE ROOM. DO NOT TOUCH OR HANDLE
ANY OF THE CHEMICALS OR THEIR CONTAINERS. CLEAR THE ROOM AND
MAINTAIN SCENE SECURITY.
The Garden Grove Police Department field sergeant will notify the Watch Commander and the
Special Investigations Unit supervisor. The SIU sergeant will assign an SIU investigator to respond
to the scene or will provide the field sergeant with notification instructions.
406.4.1 CLANDESTINE DRUG LABORATORY RESPONSE
In the event that the SIU sergeant and/or SIU investigators are not available, the field sergeant
will notify the ORANGE COUNTY CLANDESTINE LABORATORY EMERGENCY ACTION
NETWORK (OCCLEAN) at (714) 538-2694 .
For OCCLEAN After Hours Response call (714) 412-5732 or (714) 659-4198.
OCCLEAN personnel will take necessary samples and arrange for the packaging, transporting
and disposal of the hazardous chemicals. OCCLEAN will prepare a report detailing their findings
and the report will be forwarded to GGPD for future court proceedings.
The Garden Grove Police Department will be responsible for all necessary crime reports.