EVERETT, SEPT. 16: The Everett Fire Department responded to a report of a suspicious substance at Naval Station Everett on Monday afternoon, prompting an evacuation. The material was determined to be nonhazardous.
At approximately 12:40 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, first responders reported to a hazardous materials (HazMat) incident at Naval Station Everett. A report was made regarding a package containing a suspicious substance in the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit health clinic, Everett Fire said in a press release.
Upon arrival, Naval personnel were already on scene. Individuals exposed to the substance were evacuated from the clinic. First responders then conducted gross decontamination to remove most of the hazardous material.
As the situation unfolded, a third alarm HazMat response was requested by the incident command to ensure sufficient HazMat personnel were present. A unified command was established, integrating Naval Station Everett personnel with Fire Incident Command, the press release said.
Following the evacuation, officials entered the building. They located the package and conducted several tests, concluding that the substance was an inorganic material determined to be nonhazardous.
Those exposed were then medically evaluated and triaged at the scene. Fortunately, no one exhibited signs or symptoms of illness or injury. However, personnel closest to the package were transported to the local hospital out of precaution.
Following the assessment, Naval Station Everett was temporarily closed but reopened shortly after the substance was classified as nonhazardous.