Hazardous Materials Response to the 2700 Block of W. El Camino Real

On Saturday, April 13 at 12:49 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received reporting an envelope had been opened in a multi-family residence in the 2700 block of W. El Camino Real, revealing one Scrabble letter and white residue, causing one person to feel nauseous. Mountain View Police (MVPD) escorted the occupants of the residence to the building's lobby before firefighters arrived. MVPD placed the box containing the envelope outside the building.

City of Mountain View Fire Department (MVFD) units were dispatched at 12:49 a.m. and arrived on the scene at 12:56 a.m. The MVFD response included one Battalion Chief, Engine 51, Engine 53, Engine 55, Rescue 51, Truck 51 and Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Unit 55. The MVPD closed Del Medio Avenue and the number three lane of W. El Camino Real for almost two hours while fire units and equipment were on the scene.

The MVFD HazMat team members arrived and established isolation zones to protect the public and first responders from possible contamination. MVFD team members conducted tests using specialized equipment to ascertain information on the substance within the opened envelope. The tests revealed inconclusive for hazardous material and determined to be the over-the-counter medication ephedrine.

One person was medically treated on scene by MVFD paramedics and not transported to the hospital. The occupants of the unit were allowed to return to their residence.

The MVFD's HazMat Unit 55 is certified by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services as a Type 2 Unit. HazMat Company resources are "Typed" based on an identified operational capability. Being certified as a Type 2 Unit demonstrates that MVFD HazMat Unit 55 is capable of operating in unknown industrial chemical incidents, including vapors, gases, and known Type 3 scenarios. These levels of operation are based on an increasing capability of intervention with an identified minimum amount of training and equipment.

Media Contact
Robert Maitland, Fire Department PIO
650-903-6825 or [email protected]