Police Commission adopts revised General Order 8.07 clarifying hazmat response roles

The Police Commission adopted a revised department general order (8.07) on March 11 clarifying SFPD—s role in responses to hazardous materials, hazardous waste and weapons-of-mass-destruction incidents.

Inspector Sergeant Matt Krimsky of the Environmental Crimes Unit presented the order and told commissioners it is intended to reinforce the charter provision that the San Francisco Fire Department is the lead agency for hazardous materials mitigation while documenting specific police tasks such as establishing perimeters, evacuations, evidence preservation, and coordination with the district attorney for potential prosecution. "What the order is designed to do is a 3 item. Number 1, it reinforces the city charter that the San Francisco Fire Department is the lead agency in terms of the response..." Krimsky said.

Krimsky also described SFPD—s force protection training and the department—s acquisition of protective clothing and positive-pressure respirators to allow officers to establish and hold perimeters in certain hazardous scenarios; he noted that full Level A protection and some specialized equipment remain the purview of the Fire Department and mutual-aid hazmat teams.

Motion and vote Commissioner Sparks called for a motion to adopt the general order. The motion was seconded and the commission adopted the revised General Order 8.07 without objection.

Next steps The department will continue coordination with the Fire Department, mutual-aid hazmat teams, and state and federal agencies; the Commission asked staff to provide supplemental materials and references cited in the presentation.