FIREFIGHTERS TUTORED ON METH LAB DANGERS

One In Four Meth Labs Blows Up, So The OPP Is Training Firefighters How To
Stay Safe.

STRATFORD -- Firefighters and road crews are being schooled by the OPP on
handling the growing dangers lurking within illegal drug labs springing up
in Perth County. In the past two years, 10 methamphetamine labs have been
found in Perth.

The labs rely on a dangerous mix of substances, including propane and
ammonia, to manufacture the street drug, commonly known as speed.

To fight the danger, the OPP's Western Region drug enforcement section has
held information sessions for fire and road crews to teach them what to
look for.

In mid-December, road crews in Perth East attended a session after the
manager of public works and parks, Glenn Schwendinger, requested it.

"We wanted to make sure our guys know what to look out for so they're
safe," he said.

Discarded propane tanks that haul anhydrous ammonia, used to make the drug,
have been found in rural areas, said Perth OPP Const. Glen Childerley.

If the valve on a tank has turned blue, it's a sign the tank has been used
as a container for ammonia.

"If the valve is blue, it could be explosive," Childerley said. The
chemicals are volatile and so are the fumes, he said.

"We've actually encountered some of the materials, so the training has
definitely paid off," Schwendinger said.

Perth firefighters have attended information sessions held around the county.

Last week, Milverton firefighters battled a fire now being investigated as
a meth lab.

Statistics compiled in the U.S. suggests one in four meth labs blows up.

Shakespeare station Chief Gerry Witzel organized a training session with
firefighters from Shakespeare, Sebringville, Milverton and Tavistock.
Witzel is considering holding a refresher session once a year, much like
those used for CPR training.

"It's the little things to watch for and be observant of before you go
running into a fire, because nowadays you never know what you're running
into. (Meth labs) are popping up all over the place."

Before the training, it wasn't something he thought about often, but now
he's more vigilant, he said. Besides explosions, the chemicals in meth labs
can cause injury if skin is exposed to them.

"Once you know what's out there and what the possibilities are if things go
wrong, it's a little scary," he said.

Speed operations aren't just a problem in rural areas. Two have been found
in Stratford -- one of which blew up.

Some Stratford firefighters have taken training and Stratford fire Chief
Jim Clements said the department has requested training from Stratford police.

"(Training) can be extremely important. The situation can be volatile and
certainly life-threatening."