An incident when SIP was used for special needs population.

In the late 1990s, there was a small chemical release from an industrial facility. This incident caused a brief release of unknown chemicals into the air, and the release appeared to be complete prior to the first responders and HazMat team arriving.

Upon arrival the IC assessed the situation and realized that a County developmental center which cared for approximately 125 mentally handicapped children and a staff of approximately 50 was located down-wind from the release. The level of handicap varied with ambulatory, ambulatory with assistance (walkers, etc.) and non-ambulatory (wheelchair bound) children. During the early stages of this incident, there was a recommendation to evacuate an unspecified area downwind.