By
Graham Davis
Emergencies
have been declared twice at HMAS Albatross in the past month following
the discovery of white powder on mail.
In the first incident a total of seven workers had to be de-contaminated
and taken to the base’s medical centre for observation.
The second incident saw four employees being de-contaminated.
The white powder, collected by firefighters wearing protective
suits and breathing apparatus, was placed in sealed containers
and handed to police for forensic examination. “The powder was
found to be innocuous.
Police inquiries are continuing,” an official Defence spokesman
said.
The first incident occurred on February 17 when white powder was
found on letters in the mail sorting room of the base.
A call brought emergency services including the base’s own Serco
Sodhexo firefighters and the NSW Fire Brigades from Nowra with
a HAZMAT appliance, to the base.
“Seven people were found to have been contaminated and were subsequently
de-contaminated,” a spokesman for the Nowra Brigade said.
“Our firefighters deemed the powder to be potentially hazardous
and wore fully encapsulated suits and breathing equipment to collect
and place the powder in double sealed bags.”
The seven workers were taken to the medical centre for observation.
At 9.30am on March 8 white powder was again found on mail in the
mail distribution room.
All emergency services were again called and four people were
found to be contaminated. Firefighters again donned protective
suits and collected the powder for forensic examination.
“Ten firefighters and two appliances attended.
The incident concluded at 11.24am,” the Nowra Brigade spokesman
said.
The Defence spokesman said staff were allowed to return to work
just before lunch. “No-one presented with illness,” he said.
“Police investigations are continuing.”
