An MPD district squad will be dispatched to the scene of any complaint regarding hazardous material spills. The on duty watch commander shall be notified and will assist the ranking Minneapolis Fire Department official. Personnel first arriving on the scene shall avoid committing themselves to a hazardous position or situation, and will ensure the Fire Department HazMat Team has been dispatched at the earliest possible time.
When approaching the incident squads shall slow down or stop, depending on the available information, and cautiously assess the situation. As part of this assessment:
- Evaluation of any visible activity shall include the effects of wind, topography and location of the problem;
- Always approach from an upwind direction;
- Avoid walking on or touching material;
- Avoid inhaling fumes, smoke or vapors; and
- Do not assume odorless/colorless gases, vapors or fumes are harmless.
The primary police role in hazardous material incidents will be to support the Fire Department in perimeter security, evacuation, traffic and crowd control, and first aid. The priorities shall be:
- Removing and keeping unnecessary persons from the scene (denying entry); and
- Isolating the hazard area (establishing a perimeter).
Any additional information obtained regarding the hazardous material shall be provided to the Emergency Communications Center (MECC). If it is safe to do so, officers shall survey the scene and take steps to identify the material. Such steps include:
- Checking the Safety Data Sheets (for fixed sites); or for transportation related incidents, DOT ID Number, shipping manifest, bill of lading, or information from the driver/operator; and
- Contacting those responsible for storage, shipping or receiving the material.
If it is not safe to proceed or you are not able to identify the product, treat each unknown as an immediate hazard, isolate the area and deny entry to anyone but those with an authorized response or operational need.
When the Minneapolis Fire Department arrives, they will assume the primary role of incident command. However, if it is determined that the material is an explosive compound and capable of detonating in its present state, the incident becomes the responsibility of the Police Department's Arson/Bomb Squad. Assigned officers shall remain at the scene until relieved by a superior officer and shall complete required reports.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- Crowd Control: Techniques used to address unlawful public assemblies.
- MECC: Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center is the city's 911 center that answers emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinates the appropriate response by public safety services.
- MPD District: A geographical area within a sector usually determined by the precinct Inspector.