Frequently Asked Questions

What is crime scene cleanup?

Crime scene cleanup is the phrase used to specifically refer to the area of an actual crime that requires a forensic cleanup and must be decontaminated and disinfected. Crime scene cleanup is really just one spoke on the wheel of biohazard remediation, commonly called biohazard cleanup.

It’s often used to indicate any situation that ordinary cleaning products will be ineffective, or circumstances that contain a very real risk to the individuals responsible for cleaning up the area.

Biohazard cleanup is a more appropriate term for any situation that doesn’t involve a crime, such as accidents, unattended death or suicides, sewage backup, industrial spills, animal contamination and other cleanup operations that contain potentially serious health risks.

Are there any benefits for first responders, firefighters and law enforcement officers and agencies?

We at 911 Knoxville Decon Services respect and appreciate the law enforcement officers and agencies in our community, as well as the 1st responders and firemen.

So to those giving of their service Individuals and their families, we do wish to take special care of these individuals and work out a rate affordable for these in the event that insurance does not cover a portion of their bill.

Law Enforcement Agencies and law Enforcement Vehicles receive an Agency discount. CONTACT our own Emergency Medical Service Tech’s and 1st Responder Owners for additional information:
*Will Steward 865.719.4069
*Daniel Thomas 865.770.2593

Whom do we gladly serve?

Ambulance Services
Apartment Managers
Business Offices
Cabin Managements
Churches
Dental Offices
Funeral Homes
Government Agencies
Gyms
Hoarding Companies
Homeowners
Hospitals
Industrial Manufacturing Facilities
Insurance Companies
Jails & Detention Centers
Law Enforcement
Malls
Medical Clinics
Mortgage Companies
Property Owners
Renters
Restaurants
Schools
Storage Facilities
Trucking Companies
Vehicle Owners
Warehouses

We gladly respond to the needs of all facilities having outbreaks of any INFECTIOUS DISEASES, BIO-HAZARDS, ACCIDENTS in any public or private place.

We offer everyone the unique ELECTROSTATIC DISINFECTION TREATMENT as part of the Decontamination Process.

What is the typical response time?

Since no one can predict when they may need our services, we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. When we receive a call, we try to make sure someone is at the scene within a couple of hours to evaluate the situation and give you a free estimation of the time involved and approximate cost of the cleanup.

Is crime scene or biohazard cleanup really risky?

Crime scene cleanup or any situation that may contain biohazardous substances is indeed very risky for anyone except trained, skilled, properly equipped bio-recovery technicians.

These cleanup scenes can actually be quite dangerous, and should never be attempted by untrained individuals. Blood and other bodily fluids can be contaminated with highly communicable infectious diseases like hepatitis, MRSA and AIDS. Attempting to clean up without the proper safety equipment puts your health at great risk.

Does homeowners insurance cover biohazard cleanup in my home?

Each cleanup situation is unique and overall cost will vary from one case to another, depending on a wide range of variables.

We’re unable to say with absolute certainty whether your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of cleanup in your specific circumstance, but in most cases, homeowner’s insurance does cover the expense of cleanup in these situations of loss and subsequent biohazardous environments.

Because we value and truly appreciate the service and sacrifice made by these individuals and their families, we’re happy to offer special rates for law enforcement, emergency services and military personnel. We sincerely thank you for your brave and unselfish dedication. We also offer free estimates for all our clients.

When are cleanup services needed?

Our customers include anyone who has suffered a loss or other emergency situation that requires a thorough cleaning, decontamination and disinfection. These situations can happen to almost anyone, and includes families, business owners and homeowners, as well as law enforcement and emergency services.

Many people don’t realize that once the police are finished with a crime scene and the medical examiner has removed the body or bodies from the scene, their responsibilities for that crime scene are finished. Cleanup work is not done by law enforcement or any other government agency.

Responsibility falls to the owner of the home or business, or if necessary, to the next of kin. How tragic to have the burden of cleanup thrust upon family members who have just experienced devastating loss.

This is why 911 Knoxville Decon Services exists. We want that burden to be passed from grieving family members to our staff of trained and licensed professionals so we can handle the cleanup operation from start to finish for you.

How long does crime scene cleanup take?

Every crime scene cleanup operation is different, and cleanup time will vary depending on a number of factors. In general, cleanup time ranges from just a few hours to as much as a couple of days, based on the severity and the seriousness of the scenario. After our initial evaluation, we should be able to give you a rough estimation of how long you can expect cleanup to take as well as an approximate cost.

What does the cleanup process involve?

Each cleanup operation is unique and our processes are customized, depending on the specific needs of each situation. Regardless of the circumstances, every cleanup operation utilizes hospital-grade cleaning agents and disinfectants. These products are specially formulated and EPA-approved for use in forensic cleaning.

Who are the technicians coming to clean my home, workplace or
loved one’s home?

Our team of bio-recovery technicians are all in-house, company employees. We never sub-contract our work out to any other company. Our employees are screened and well-vetted, and their backgrounds scrutinized carefully before they’re ever even considered for hiring.

Once on board, every employee is thoroughly trained and bonded before attending their first cleanup operation. In addition to the required training and certifications to do the job, it’s important to us that every member of our team is compassionate, dedicated and service-minded. These are a few of the qualities that enable us, as a company, to provide quality, compassionate, and rapid response service to each client in need.

What laws are in affect regarding biohazard cleanup?

There are currently no federal laws in place to regulate forensic cleanup operations. However, there are some guidelines, regulations and restrictions that exist for everything we do on the job and we adhere to all of them. We’re also licensed, OSHA compliant and fully insured.

Some of the current standards in existence include:

• Guidelines established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for the treatment of blood and other biological substances
• Regulations are in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) for handling, packaging and labeling, transportation and disposal of medical waste
• Standard S540 was established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for procedures and precautions to be taken by professionals in the cleanup of trauma and crime scenes
• Recommendations and requirements are in place from NIOSH and OSHA for the highest levels of safety and training of forensic cleanup professionals and their clients

1910.1030 – Bloodborne pathogens. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030

What are four of the most common types of biohazard waste?

Did you know that the improper disposal of biohazard waste could potentially expose healthcare workers, waste handlers, patients, and the community at large to infection, injuries, and toxic effects, according to the World Health Organization?

The reason disposing of biohazard waste improperly happens is because there are so many different types of medical waste; many people might forget that certain items need to be properly and safely disposed of. In other cases, they may simply not be properly trained on how to handle said waste. Here are a few of the most common biohazards.

Microbiological Wastes.

One of the most common types of biohazard waste is microbiological waste, which is any laboratory waste that contains or has been contaminated with concentrated, infectious agents. For example, specimen cultures, discarded live viruses, stocks of etiologic agents, and devices used to transfer, inoculate, and mix cultures.

Human Body Fluids.

All human body fluids in a liquid or in a semi-liquid sate, including any and all human blood and blood products, are a form of biohazard waste. Items that have been contaminated with blood, saliva, secretions, cerebral spinal fluid, amniotic fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, pleural fluid, and/or synovial fluid in any way, shape, or form, are biohazardous. These wastes represent the majority of hazardous waste.

Animal Wastes.

Any animal carcasses, body parts, or bedding material which an infected animal may have used, are also a form of biohazard waste. That is, unless the bedding material is inoculated with pathogenic microorganisms that aren’t infectious to humans. However, it’s most often better to be safer than sorry in these cases, and treat the bedding material as such anyways.

Pathological Waste.

Pathological waste is any and all human body parts, organs, and tissues, including any materials that may have come from surgical procedures, biopsy materials, or any unfixed human tissue.

Keeping these biohazard wastes separated is paramount for their proper disposal, just as appropriate education and incentives can help hospitals reduce red bag waste.

Luckily, there are biological waste treatment professionals out there who can help ensure that they’re properly disposed of. If you have any questions, or need to get rid of any biohazard waste, contact a medical waste treatment company today.

***911 Knoxville Decon Services can assure you that we are in full compliance with the local regulations, to the proper disposal of these wastes.***

Is there financial Assistance for victims of crime here in Tennessee? Might even Pay for the Decon of our home and such?

Yes! The Criminal Injury Fund…. this website will give you more information.  Our Director of Operations here at 911 Knoxville Decon Services, will help you!
https://treasury.tn.gov/Services/Claims-and-Risk-Management/Criminal-Injuries-Compensation
Program Information