"Meth labs" can be emergencies too!

Especially when they explode in an apartment building with a common HVAC system where there are children present....

A former colleague (from MI, no less) once stated to me that he thought meth lab emergency resposne was only second to "WMD/terrorism" emergency response in complexity and # of agencies/responders involved. Think about it, here's a few of them:
- fire department respond to the fire,
- police respond by taking control of the crime scene and calling in other resources,
- specialized meth entry/remedial teams from local, state, regional sources help "put out the fire" and take evidence
- DEA regional contractors show up to remove chemicals and document everything
- child protective services come take the kids who need help
- local or state health department may need to coordinate the clean up and re-entry efforts, perhaps in conjunction with other agencies (housing, code enforcement, environmental quality, etc.)
- private contractor(s) needed for pre-remedial assessment, actual clean-up, and post-remedial assessment and/or validation of clean-up

Not to mention the court system, jails, rehab facilities, etc.... the societal costs of these are huge. There's really no money available to home owners impacted by this. Insurance doesn't cover thses things. There's no local or state grant money, although in the past, federal EPA "Brownfields" money has been available to help pay home owners back once they have footed the bill for a clean up (which typically can be 3,000 to 8,000 dollars).

Here's a typical story for you, perhaps you've read about one closer to your house:

Meth lab explodes in apartment complex
Dec 12, 2007 03:24 PM EST
PAW PAW - A meth lab exploded on the balcony of an apartment building, causing a fire that nearly reached the attic of the 16-unit complex.
The explosion just after 9 a.m. sent the fire department to the 800 block of E. St. Joseph Street. Witnesses told Paw Paw police about a man seen running from the scene.
A Van Buren County Sheriff Department K-9 joined the search and found a bag with a large amount of methamphetamine and meth-making products.
Police searched the apartment involved and found the suspect's girlfriend and her three young children. Child Protective Services was called and is on the case.
The suspect, though, remains at large and the investigation continues. No injuries were reported.
24 Hour News 8 will have more information as soon as possible.