MEDIA ADVISORY
LAFD TO DISPLAY LAX’S MASS CASUALTY DECONTAMINATION UNIT

WHAT: Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion 4 will display the mass casualty decontamination unit stationed at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Firefighters will permit the news media to walk through the system and learn about its capabilities. The system permits LAFD to respond effectively to events requiring decontamination of large numbers of people. Personnel can set up the unit quickly to decontaminate 750 people per hour who have been exposed to hazardous materials, chemical substances, or biological agents. The two-piece unit costs $243,000.

Los Angeles World Airports is the only airport system in the U.S. with three of these systems.

WHO: Firefighters and emergency medical personnel assigned to LAX trained in the use of the decontamination system. LAFD Battalion Chief Michael Reagan and LAFD Public Information Officer Captain Steve Ruda will describe the unit's operations.

WHEN: Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Imperial Terminal, 6661 W. Imperial Highway.

Directions to Imperial Terminal: Westbound I-105 to westbound Imperial Highway. Turn north (left) onto California Street. Turn west (left) on to frontage road parallel to Imperial Highway.

WHY: The threat to the traveling public posed by chemical and biological agent exposure has increased dramatically since Sept. 11. LAFD and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) are committed and ready to provide a safe and efficient airport to the traveling public.

MEDIA CREDENTIALS: Media with credentials issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles Police Department will be allowed in the demonstration area on the restricted-access airfield. Media without these specific credentials MUST notify LAWA Public Relations to arrange clearance.

CONTACT: LAWA Public Relations at (310)-646-5260.

TDW/10-24-01