Fire District 1 personnel are assisting Sheriff\’s Office detectives with an investigation into an apparent methamphetamine lab in the Kingspoint subdivision near Slidell.
Early this afternoon, STPSO investigators contacted FD1 pursuant to a cooperative agreement under which the Fire District assists with safety and decontamination on meth lab scenes. Sheriff\’s Office personnel are using air quality monitors to prevent injury from the fumes that often result from methamphetamine production.
\”Deputies are making primary entry, documenting the scene and collecting evidence, while we set up a HazMat scene for decontamination,\” said Capt. Van Joffrion with FD1.
The scene, at 312 Foxcroft, in the Kingspoint subdivision east of Slidell, is currently staffed with seven Sheriff\’s Office personnel, including the STPSO\’s Narcotics and HazMat-trained units; eight personnel from FD1, including firefighters, a Rapid Intervention Crew, and decontamination team; and two personnel from Acadian Ambulance.
Meth labs are highly dangerous operations, with a risk of explosion.
\”We are providing hazardous material decontamination for their personnel,\” Joffrion said. \”We have the decon apparatus and firefighters in place for suppression in case there\’s an explosion. We are also providing weather monitoring from our mobile HazMat Unit, and we are coordinating EMS from Acadian.\”
Because of the dangers of meth labs, anyone making entry must be trained in hazardous material situations, suited in protective gear, and must be decontaminated upon egress.
Additional information will be forthcoming from the Sheriff\’s Office regarding the criminal investigation that led to the meth lab being taken down.
Media contacts
FD1: Capt. Joffrion, 985.201.5566
STPSO: Cpl. Sean Beavers, 985.768.1146