Training Exercise Goes Awry: Chemical Agents Affect Nearby School

A training exercise conducted by the San Francisco Sheriff's Office resulted in dozens of students and staff at a nearby elementary school being exposed to chemical agents, sparking concern and an investigation.

The San Francisco Sheriff's Office faces scrutiny after a training exercise with chemical agents went awry, affecting dozens of students and staff at a nearby elementary school. The incident occurred on Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. during a two-hour crowd control training session.

Tara Moriarty, Director of Communications for the Sheriff's Office, explained that deputies were testing various chemical agents in an "isolated section" of the San Bruno jail when the agents unexpectedly drifted beyond the designated training areas. The affected agents included CS (2-chlorobenzylidene malonitrile) gas and OC gas (oleoresin capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray).

These irritants are typically employed by law enforcement as a non-lethal means to subdue combative individuals. Moriarty emphasized the importance of these training sessions in ensuring the safety of equipment and providing officers with hands-on experience.

However, the training exercise had unforeseen consequences when chemical gas drifted outside the jail premises and reached Portola Elementary School, located in close proximity. Teachers and students reported experiencing symptoms such as burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat.

The Sheriff's Office quickly notified the San Bruno Police Department and Fire Department about the incident, which prompted the evacuation of the school as a precautionary measure. Moriarty confirmed that approximately two dozen students and teachers were affected by the chemical agents.

Interim principal John Nazar described the situation as perplexing, initially unaware of the cause of the irritant. "It was challenging," he remarked, unsure whether to keep the children indoors or outdoors.

The Sheriff's Office acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and issued an apology to the school community. Moriarty expressed regret for the distress caused to the children and stated that command staff had personally visited the school to explain the incident and apologize.

In response, the department has temporarily suspended all future chemical agent training exercises while it reviews its practices to enhance safety and minimize the impact on the community.

The incident has raised concerns about the proximity of training facilities to residential areas and the potential risks associated with the use of chemical agents. The Sheriff's Office has assured residents that it is committed to investigating the matter thoroughly and implementing necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.