01-30-2012 – HazMat Incident – “B” Shift

Incident # 12-00576 – The HazMat team responded as mutual aid to Walterboro Public Safety units at the scene of a suspected mobile meth lab in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart on Bells Highway near I-95. DEA officials were also on the scene and requested that a female suspect be decontaminated prior to going to jail. A male suspect had already been transported to the ED at CMC. Firefighters donned Level “B” suits and set up a single station decon line to complete the task. Fire apparatus and tarps were used to shield the scene from public view. The woman was deconed, then provided a Tyvex suit and a blanket prior to being transported to the Detention Center. County units were on the scene for over an hour. Walterboro PS units remained on the scene for several hours. The eastern end of the Wal-Mart parking lot was closed to the public until the incident was mitigated.

Engine 26, HazMat 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 118 responded. Battalion Chief Ben Heape served as HazMat IC. WPS Chief Otis Rhodes served as Incident Commander. Walterboro Public Safety Engine 3 responded.