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Training offered about managing ITD emergencies

Possible mail contamination prompted a lockdown of ITD’s main building at Headquarters in Boise on April 6, 2015. Employees were denied access to the building upon returning from lunch or outside appointments. Those inside the building were told to shelter in place while responders checked the white powder as a possible hazardous material.

Although the powder proved to be harmless, the incident served as a wake-up call for employees and resulted in a thorough review of ITD’s procedures for evacuations and lockdowns. In the weeks that followed, a team of ITD employees reviewed the response and identified areas where improvement was needed.

ITD now has a robust plan for responding to potentially harmful mail, for evacuating and securing buildings, and communicating critical information to employees.

As a result of the incident, ITD has developed a response kit for mail handlers that will help protect them while handling incoming mail and provides specific guidelines for requesting help. The kit contains protective gloves, a plastic containment bag for suspicious material, and specific response procedures.

“The incident in August gave us a chance to look at the process we had in place and to make significant improvements to protect employees,” said Deputy Director Scott Stokes. “Our employees acted responsibly to what could have been a very serious event. But the incident showed several areas for potential improvement, especially handling mail and communication.”

As part of the lessons learned, training will be offered for primary mail handlers at Headquarters, demonstrating how to use the emergency kits, a review of evacuation procedures, and alternative ways of notifying employees of an emergency. An updated guide for emergencies at ITD facilities also is available on the Emergency Program Sharepoint site.

The revised plan focuses on events at Headquarters, but can be easily adapted for use at all district offices and maintenance facilities, said Mel Coulter, ITD’s emergency program supervisor. He encouraged district staffs to consider ways they could implement similar plans.

“Planning and training are essential to emergency response. We want to use the August incident as a catalyst for change and improvement so we are all better prepared when an emergency arises,” Coulter added.

Headquarters training is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 19 in the Auditorium. Response kits will be distributed at the training. All primary mail handlers, alternates or others who occasionally handle mail should plan to attend. The following mail drops especially need to attend:

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