Haz Mat 7- Decon Procedures

Question 1

Single MOST IMPORTANT Action associated with effective decontamination?

Answer 1

RAPID PHYSICAL removal of the MATERIAL from the victims

Question 2

All exposed people must be removed from area of release to SAFE REFUGE…in the ?

Answer 2

WARM ZONE AKA CONTAMINATION REDUCTION ZONE

Question 3

Concept of MASS DECON is to establish?

Answer 3

” GROSS DECON CORRIDOR”
-process contaminated victims from the Hot Zone OR area of safe refuge to the COLD ZONE, where they can be safely released or transported to medical facility

-purpose of this corridor is to remove contamination from the victim

Question 4

Process is accomplished in 2 steps?

Answer 4

1. have victims remove OUTER CLOTHING (removes up to 90 percent of contamination)…if victim is reluctant to remove clothing…encourage them to remove this clothing and allow them to remove what they will and continue through process
2. Wash victims down with WATER- soap can be added to process if available

Note: For FF wearing bunker gear, SCBA , gloves and a hood, the percentage of contamination eliminated by removing outer clothing is even HIGER THAN 90 PERCENT….Bunker Gear remove, while continuing to WEAR SCBA WITH THE FACEPIECE…SCBA is removed , with Faciepiece on and member can hold the SCBA by the strap, while ANOTHER MEMBER REMOVES THIS MEMBERS BUNKER GEAR…after bunker gear removed, Facepiece is they taken off, and FF will proceed to GROSS DECON

Question 5

MOST expedient approach is to use ?

Answer 5

standar FF equipment to provide emergency LOW PRESSURE STREAMS SUPPLYING HIGH VOLUMES OF WATER..allowing for large amounts of people to be deconned quickly

Question 6

After Removal of clothing, victim should be moved through ‘GROSS DECON CORRIDOR”, which utilizes water spray to remove the remaining contamination…

Answer 6

Factors affecting CHOICE OF DECON:
No.Time.Wash.People
a. NUMBER of victims
B. type of material
C. impact of weather conditions on use of water sprays
D. PPE available to members performing decon

Question 7

Options for Mass Decon: HANDLINES (2 1/2” FOG)

Answer 7

1. stretch 2 1/2” handline with AQUASTREAM FOG NOZZLE–avoid contact with victims, UNITIL PROPER PPE IS IN USE…50-80 PSI (monitor , so that line is not too forceful)…additional handlines as necessary
2. use of 2 HANDLINES operating opposite each other 25-30 feet apart to form large shower …care must be taken to avoid pushing contamination across to the opposing nozzle team

Question 8

MASS DECON using PUMPERS: this greatly increases our decontamination capabilities

Answer 8

A. 2 pumpers PARALLEL to each other approx. 25 feet apart with CONTROL PANELS facing OUTSIDE

B. AQUASTREAM ON EACH PUMPER on selected INSIDE DISCHARGE GATE…additional discharges and nozzles can be used if available

C. OPERATE NOZZLES IN FOG POSITION

D. monitor operating pressure….50 to 80 PSI

Question 9

What can be placed at EDGE of water spray formed from the pumpers?

Answer 9

A. TOWER LADDER with Turbomaster fog nozzle

B. Aerial LADDER with ladder pipe and Aquastream fog nozzle

C. if neither unavailable or delayed, a 3rd pumper with Aquastream fog nozzle attached to apparatus mounted multiversal nozzle can be positioned PARALLEL to and in line with ONE of first two pumpers ….this should produce water spray area of 20 feet wide and 30 feet long

Question 10

In IMMEDIATELY life threatening exposures where emergency decon is necessary, FOG NOZZLES can be attached to the multiversal on an engine , or to a TL outlet for very quick Gross Decon setup

Answer 10

As victims exit water spray, EMS Haz TAc personnel or other EMSC units, will meet them and determine further needs

Question 11

Who supplies Disposable Clothing?

Answer 11

SOC DECON SUPPORT UNIT –issued as victims exit gross decon ..for matters of privacy and weather related exposures

Question 12

Victims may proceed to holding area where EMS can evaluate them … Secondary decon MAY BE WARRANTED…

Answer 12

after this, secondary decon, victims should be considered clean and they can be removed from scene

Question 13

Members INITIALLY staffing DECON OPERATION MUST WEAR ?

Answer 13

FULL PPE, including mask, gloves and hood

• SCBA will give adequate protection from INHALED CONTAMINANTS which is PRIMARY route of exposure
• bunker gear is NOT VAPORT tight and members should avoid contact with victims
• as soon as resources become available, FF’s should be removed from DECON process and then go through DECON themselves
• if DECON OFFICER deems necessary, the operation may be staffed by members wearing CPC

Question 14

Basic rule for protection from HAZARDOUS materials is ?

Answer 14

TIME, DISTANCE, SHIELDING

Mass DEcon is key to REDUCING AMOUNT OF TIME THAT VICTIMS ARE EXPOSED TO THE HAZARD

Question 15

SECONDARY/PERSONNEL DECON:

Answer 15

more complete process/more time consuming

-requires brushes/soap, heated shower units

Question 16

CPC Ladders, HMTU’s and HMC1 :

Answer 16

water contaminant tubs and LOW VOLUME GARDEN HOSE EQUIPMENT

Question 17

Who carries INFLATABLE TENTS, with designed shower hoses and portable water heaters ??

Answer 17

several HMTU’S

SOC DECON SUPPORT UNIT