Westport Fire Department UPDATE:
At 9:34am, the Westport Fire Department at the request of the Westport Police Department, responded to a private residence in the Colyetown Fire District to assist in the investigation of a reported suspicious package. Seven firefighters responded, three of which are Hazardous Materials Response Technicians. These firefighters are trained in responding to incidents that may involve hazardous materials. They were able to properly identify the material in question as non-hazardous.
Suspicious packages can come in all shapes and sizes. In general terms, a suspicious package is any bag, box, backpack, package or other item left unattended or that otherwise seems “out of place”. The Westport Fire Department would like to remind our residents that if you see or suspect that you have received a suspicious package, immediately call 911 to report it.
How to Recognize Suspicious Packages and Mail:
- Misspelled words.
- Arrives unexpectedly.
- Restrictive markings such as “Personal” or “Confidential” or “do not x-ray”.
- Postmark does not match return address.
- Badly typed or written.
- Excessive postage or no return address.
- Wrong title or name in address.
- Excessive tape or string; lopsided, rigid or bulky package
- Protruding wires.
- Strange odor.
- Crystals or powder-like residue.
- Oily stains, discolorations or crystallization on wrapping.
- Ticking sounds.
Procedures for Handling Suspicious Packages and Mail:
- Stay calm.
- Do not open the letter or package (or open any further), do not shake it, do not show it to others, or empty its contents.
- Leave the letter or package where it is or gently place it on the nearest flat surface.
- Alert others nearby to relocate to an area away from the site of the suspicious item.
- Take essential belongings, like cell phones, keys, purse, etc. with you in case return to your office is delayed.
- Immediately call 911 to report the suspicious package.
- Leave and close the door to the space containing the suspicious letter or package, keep others away.
9:40am–#Westport CT– First responders at 7 Bruce Lane for a suspicious white powder.
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