In the past few months, emergency responders have seen a series of anthrax scares caused by hoax letters and prank phone calls. In California alone:

* A secretary at the Perris School District in Riverside County opened a letter that said, "You've been exposed to anthrax." About 20 people were isolated and decontaminated.

* A telephone threat emptied two Van Nuys courthouses and forced about 1,500 people into quarantine for several hours.

* On Christmas Eve, a Mervyn's store in Palm Desert was the target of a hoax, and 200 people had to disrobe and be rinsed with a bleach solution.

Anthrax hoaxes also have happened in Colorado, Kentucky and Tennessee. In the case of threats sent by mail, some letters were found to contain an inert powder with an accompanying note advising the reader that he or she had been exposed to anthrax. Other notes had only the warning.

The reaction to these events by first responders has resulted in wide-scale evacuation and decontamination. As a result of these scares, terrorists now know that the mention of anthrax will immediately cause such a disruption, according to the Justice Department's National Domestic Preparedness Office.

First responders and potential victims should note that anthrax spores are harmful only if inhaled or ingested. People exposed to anthrax are also not contagious. Therefore, first responders should follow local protocols for hazmat incidents involving Class 6 biological hazards. Authorities on the subject of biological agents and weapons of mass destruction incidents should be consulted early in an incident, ensuring timely dissemination of appropriate technical advice.

It's important that public safety officials complete a thorough hazard risk assessment, including a determination of whether the substance has been weaponized. An indication of weaponization would be any means that could deliver the material in an aerosol form.

If the material hasn't been weaponized or aerosolized, immediate isolation of the area and decontamination of any persons potentially contaminated is recommended. Responders can be protected from anthrax spores using splash protection, gloves and a full-face hepa respirator or scba.

Technical assistance can be immediately provided by contacting the National Response Center at 800-424-8802 or your local fbi office. The threatened use of weapons of mass destruction is a federal crime and should be reported to the fbi as soon as possible.

In Lufkin, Texas, the decision to improve the town's water-supply system presented the chance to build a new fire station - in the base of a 2-million-gallon water tower.

The new station, which opened last November, protects a high-growth area and runs about 9,000 calls per year. The facility holds an ambulance and a fire engine and houses nine firefighter/ paramedics. Vehicle storage and working areas are on the first floor, and living and training quarters are on the second.

This turnkey renovation cost about $275,000, including landscaping. The station is fully sprinklered and has emergency lighting; an exterior emergency escape ladder; and heat, smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.