Crime and Trauma Scene Remediation
Who Can Do It?
MAY 4, 2020 by REBECCA WALLACE
In the state of Arizona, to remove, and dispose of biomedical waste, you must be licensed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). In Northern Arizona, there are a few local companies that transport biomedical waste, but only 1 local, licensed company that works with city, state and federal agencies, and remediates, removes and transports biomedical waste, that company is Bio-One. Bio-One also has a location that is in Scottsdale and it services Central Arizona. Our branch in Scottsdale is trusted by city and state agencies throughout the area and has multiple contracts to speak to that.
When you have a leak, you call a plumber; when your car breaks down, you call a mechanic; so when there is a crime or trauma that occurs, you call Bio-One. There are many special protocols that need to be taken to properly and safely remove and dispose of biomedical waste from a scene, so licensing is important. You cannot just throw anything away with biomedical waste on it in the local landfill. There are designated facilities throughout Arizona. Most facilities are in Maricopa county, with only 1 north of Maricopa county in St. Johns and a couple south of Maricopa County. Companies who are not licensed by ADEQ are not allowed to remove any biomedical waste (human blood and blood products) from the scene, they cannot transport it and they cannot dispose of it. ADEQ can impose multiple fines for not using a properly licensed company. That fine can be given to everyone involved with at scene (homeowner, property management company, referral partner, company doing the remediation without the proper license, etc). Do not put yourself at risk of getting fined from ADEQ for allowing a company to clean a scene and remove the biomedical waste that is not properly licensed and maybe not even properly trained. Bio-One is trained and licensed and has locations all over Arizona including Flagstaff (with satellite offices in Cottonwood and Prescott), Scottsdale, Goodyear, Mesa, Tucson and Glendale.
Our technicians are trained and certified to clean crime and trauma scenes as well as help the families. Each technician not only learns to remediate properly but also takes multiple OSHA courses and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. We all take MHFA training because it is important to treat each victim/client with the dignity and respect they deserve and to know how to respond to the trauma and crisis they are in. OSHA training is important to make sure our technicians are always working safe and making each scene safe for the victims/clients returning home. Our training never stops as there is always something new to learn.
Because of our proper ADEQ licensing, MHFA training, attitude of helping our community above all else and ability to help in all corners of Arizona, we are the preferred Bio-Remediation company in Arizona. We partner with first responders, victim advocates, city entities, state entities and federal branches. Don’t let a company tell you they can do the work if they are not licensed with ADEQ, properly insured and trained in crime and trauma scene cleaning if they are not. When you experience a loss from suicide, homicide, unattended death, decomposition, accident, etc, you need someone you can count on. Bio-One is trusted, professional, available 24/7/365 and ready to help.
The link included is to the ADEQ licensed bio-medical waste transporter list.
https://static.azdeq.gov/wpd/biohazard_medical_waste_transport_list.pdf
