Add 1 - BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Flashcards
BIOLOGICAL INCIDENT?
NOT immediate (Chemical attack/immediate) -may take several hours/days or weeks
however
RICIN/MYCOTOXINS may present IMMEDIATE symptoms that mimic exposure to CHEMICAL AGENT
DEPT. Has NO devices that currently detect the presence of biological agent in REAL TIME/INSTANTANEOUSLY
-biological toxins are thousands times more lethal than chemical nerve agents
Chemical Agents:
- signs and symptoms are fairly consistent between victims and typical of the mode of action of the chemical
- biological agents will have patients exhibit DIFFERENT signs/symptoms
NON CONTAGIOUS:
contained to scene /not contagious (can’t be transmitted person to person )
however, transferred to other people through DIRect contact with CONTAMINANT—-NOT PERSON TO PERSON
ANTHRAX,BOTULINUM, RICIN, MYCOTOXINS
CONTAGIOUS:
scene of RELEASE or PUBLIC HEALTH NOTIFICATION spread PERSON TO PERSON through direct contact or aerosol release : small pox, sars,
SIGNS of BIOLOGICAL RELEASE :
OUTWARD sign of releasee may be the presence of suspicious SPRAY DEVICES/ABANDONED SPRAY DEVICES OR SPRAY DEVICES OUT OF PLACE …crop dusters, street sprayer, individual spray containers , spray attachment for hose, compressors, tanks
- UNUSUAL NUMBER of SICK/DYING PEOPLE or animals
- suspicious incident involving explosives where the damage is MINIMAL may be considered suspect and meant only as tool for dispersion of a biological agent
- SUICIDE bombers may considered tool of bio terrorism
- biological agents delivered in liquid or dried form
Initial EXCLUSION ZONE:
300 FEET IN ALL DIRECTIONS FROM SOURCE OR POINT(S)
- mandatory respiratory protection
- extended ops within or near the EXCLUSION ZONE, MAY REQUIRE a HIGHER LEVEL OF PPE, determined by HAZMAT GROUP
IF RELEASE is indoors:
- evacuate IMMEDIATE AREA and seal off by CLOSING DOORS/WINDOWS AND USING PLASTIC COVER FOR OPENINGS
- AVOID ENTRY to the site for a MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES - 1 HOUR to allow biological to settle to REDUCE EXPOSURE OF THE INHALATION HAZARD
-weaponized biological agents are often engineered to remain airborne
What is TOP priority before establishing COMMAND post?
PROTECTION FROM SECONDARY DEVICE
ICP is located in the ?
SUPPORT ZONE
When will BIOLOGICAL agent have GREATER impact?
released at DAWN, DUSK, NIGHT
- temp above ground is cooler–will keep aerosol cloud hovering closer to ground…increasing exposure potential
- Sun will help destroy some agents
- HIGHER HUMIDITY, WILL FACILITATE DISPERSAL OF LIQUID AGENT
-LOW HUMIDITY IS MORE CONDUCIVE TO DISPERSAL OF DRIED BIOLOGICAL AGENT
UPWIND…evacuate civilians that are downwind to safe location.
identify number exposed and direct them to SAFE REFUGE AREA
-ensure decon as necessary
if object is considered suspicious, DO NOT TOUCH OR MOVE it or alter existing environmental conditions …evacuate immediate area and notify IC
FDNY response to AT RISK call type:
- enter scene with RESPIRATORY AND PPE
- REVERSE ISOLATE (mask patient, wrap patient in sheet/gown)
- notify hospital
- avoid contamination of ambulance, by removing PPE before entering , and donning new set of PPE UPON ARRIVAL TO HOSPITAL
COVERT BIOLOGICAL RELEASE:
- similar symptoms and signs
- increased calls from “worried well”
MINIMIZE number of FF’s making patient contact on CFRD RESPONSES
-USE PPE for BSI
reverse isolate patients
use antiseptic or wash hands
Emergency and gross decontamination is usually not necessary because MOST BIOLOGICALS CANNOT PENETRATE INTACK SKIN…however patients do need to be provided with respiratory protection if decon is delayed
With biological agents, RESPIRATORY protective devices should be the LAST item removed from the victim or responder during the DECONTAMINATION PROCESS
