It was better safe than sorry, as Medicine Hat Fire Service’s hazmat team responded Monday to the Canada Post depot on Kipling Street over a parcel leaking white powder — powder that ultimately turned out to be wheat flour.
A report from 911 dispatch came in at 9:38 a.m. that a package around the size of a shoebox had leaked white powder, said Platoon Chief Terry Flaig.
An engine crew and hazmat team was sent, he said, with firefighters isolating the item in the shipping and receiving area, shutting down the HVAC system, and having employees shelter in place.
Another truck was ordered down, should more assistance be needed.
“The entry team went inside, in full self-contained breathing apparatuses and after extensive testing it was confirmed that the material was a wheat flour,” said Flaig.
Once this was determined, post office staff were informed and were able to return to work.
“It could have been something serious, but it turned out all right,” said Flaig, adding that every precaution was taken by firefighters — and luckily, they had staff trained in hazmat on duty that day, as opposed to having to call them in.
Fire service staff train year round for possible situations like this, said Flaig, although they’re usually only called out two or three times a year where they may have to deal with a hazardous material leak.
