Emergency Services
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
THE DCLS EMERGENCY PAGER HAS BEEN DISABLED
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SUPPORT CAN BE REACHED BY CALLING 804-335-4617
Requesting Emergency Service: Emergency laboratory support may be requested from the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) through the main switchboard during normal working hours. The operator will direct callers to the appropriate contact for service. DCLS also provides a laboratory emergency response officer who is on call 24/7, 365 days a year, to respond to any emergency. This officer can be contacted by emergency blackberry. On rare occasion, a submitter may deliver emergency samples directly to DCLS Sample Collection and Shipping. DCLS emergency responders will collaborate with site commanders to select appropriate testing strategies, ensure proper sample collection, and insure that preservation and transport procedures are followed.
Emergency Testing Services: Prior to sample arrival at DCLS, a team of scientists will be assembled and this team will be tasked with identifying and implementing effective analytical solutions specific for the emergency event. Response teams are usually composed of one or more Ph.D. level, lead scientists that direct the activities of several senior chemists and microbiologists. Members of the team are well-trained for specific analytical tasks which include handling highly infectious or toxic agents. All DCLS staff members are designated as "Mission Essential" and subject to recall. DCLS maintains a test menu with over 650 analytical methods and a large and diverse inventory of state-of-the-art equipment capable of meeting most analytical challenges.
Result Reporting: Testing results will be called to the individual indicated on the DCLS chain of custody and sample submission form. Results will also be mailed to the address indicated on the submission form on the next business day after testing is completed.