Santa Barbara County Stations Bill Brown Sheriff - Coroner Buellton Headouarters*

The buildings that the Coroner Bureau occupies are dangerous to the health and safety of the Coroner Bureau staff; they present an ongoing health hazard to everyone who works there. Sheriff's Office Response: Disagree partially with explanation We respectfully disagree with this statement based on the significant modifications and improvements that have been made to the Coroner Bureau's facilities. These upgrades include: 1. Facility Modifications: Decedent Storage/Autopsy Suit: In 2014, we removed the door between the decedent storage and autopsy suite to enhance workflow and safety. This modification was made to eliminate odors in a publicly accessed area and to prevent cross- contamination between the autopsy suite and areas accessed by the public and personnel not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). This adjustment completely separates the potentially contaminated areas of the facility from the office areas occupied by our personnel. Autopsy Observation Window: In 2014, an observation window was installed to limit the number of individuals required to be physically present in the autopsy suite, during an autopsy, thus reducing potential contamination and exposure risks to non- Coroner personnel not wearing full PPE. Negative Airflow System: The negative airflow system in the autopsy suit was upgraded in 2014 to a system that was specifically engineered to ensure a safer environment by effectively managing air quality and reducing airborne hazards. The system still functions efficiently and properly. 2. Ongoing Improvements: • Roof and Structural Enhancements: The County of Santa Barbara General Services has made substantial investments, including installing a new roof and structural improvements, in June 2024, to address existing concerns. Mold Abatement: In July 2024, General Services has undertaken comprehensive mold abatement measures to ensure the health and safety of all personnel. 3. Additional Corrective Actions Bathroom Ceiling: The unfinished work noted by the Grand Jury on the bathroom ceiling has been corrected and completed through General Services in June 2024. Walkway Replacement: The rotting walkway into the detective's office mentioned in the report has been removed and replaced through General Services in July 2024. 4. Personnel safety and OSHA compliance a. In 2014, the Sheriff's Office instituted a comprehensive Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) that is specific to our Coroner's Unit facility and functions. The comprehensive IIPP includes general safety, bloodborne pathogen safety, Respiratory Protection and Airborne Pathogen protection components. i. This included evaluating, refining, and expanding the respiratory protection equipment available to and utilized by our Coroner staff. b. The IIPP includes extensive policy, procedure, and training for all personnel assigned to the Coroner Unit While the Sheriff's Office and General Services have gone to great lengths to ensure that the facility is safe, it is nevertheless antiquated, in some ways substandard, and in need of replacement. We concur with the

There have been no independent safety or health inspections or audits conducted at the Coroner's facility. Sheriff's Office Response: Disagree with explanation We disagree with this finding. The County has developed a plan to replace the Coroner's facility and ensured timely repairs to address any safety or health issues for our employees and the public. Ongoing efforts have been made to address immediate concerns and plan for a new, state-of-the-art facility to ensure long-term safety and health standards.

It will be beneficial to conduct parallel testing to confirm that the new rapid toxicology equipment on order is calibrated accurately and produces accurate results. Sheriff's Office Response: Disagree partially with an explanation Prior to purchasing the Randox Rapid Toxicology instrument, we conducted thorough reviews of the product and its reliability, including consultations with other Sheriff-Coroner facilities in California that have utilized Randox for more than a year. In addition, we continue to verify results with a traditional toxicology laboratory for all homicides, jail deaths, and deaths involving law enforcement officers. Other cases are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if they should be sent to a lab for further verification.