Vocabulary 46-52 Flashcards
1
Q
Belt noise
A
A chirping or squealing sound, synchronous with engine speed
2
Q
Brake fade
A
A sensation that an emergency vehicle has lost its power brakes
3
Q
Brake pull
A
A sensation that when an operator depresses the brake pedal, the steering wheel is being pulled to the left or the right
4
Q
Disinfection
A
The killing of pathogenic agents by direct application of chemicals
5
Q
DOT KKK 1822
A
Federal standards that regulate the design and manufacturing guidelines of emergency medical vehicles
6
Q
Drift
A
A finding that when the operator lets go of the steering wheel, a vehicle consistently wanders left or right
7
Q
Medevac
A
Medical or trauma evacuation of a patient by helicopter
8
Q
Peak load
A
A time or day or week in which the call volume is at its highest
9
Q
Posting
A
The placement of an emergency vehicle at a specific geographic location to cover larger areas of territory and reduce response times
10
Q
Steering play
A
A sensation of looseness or sloppiness in a vehicle’s steering
11
Q
Steering pull
A
A drift that is persistent enough that an operator can feel a tug on the steering wheel
12
Q
Sterilization
A
A process, such as heating, that removes microbial contamination
13
Q
Type I emergency medical vehicle
A
Conventional, truck-cab chassis with a modular body that can be transferred to a new chassis as needed
14
Q
Type II emergency medical vehicle
A
Standard van, forward-control integral cab-body
15
Q
Type III emergency medical vehicle
A
Specialty van, forward-control integral cab-body
16
Q
Wheel bounce
A
A vibration, synchronous with road speed, that can be felt in the steering wheel
17
Q
Wheel wobble
A
A common finding at low speeds when a vehicle has a bent wheel
18
Q
Closed incident
A
A contained incident in which patients are found in one focal location and the situation is not expected to produce more patients than are initially present
19
Q
Demobilization
A
The process of directing responders to return to their facilities when work at a disaster or MCI has finished, at least for the particular responders
20
Q
Disaster
A
A situation declared by local, county, state, or federal government for the purposes of providing additional resources and funds to those in need
21
Q
Hospital surge capacity
A
The capabilities of a receiving hospital to handle a large number of unexpected emergency patients, such as those seen in a MCI
22
Q
IAP
A
Incident Action Plan
An oral or written plan stating general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident
23
Q
ICS
A
Incident Command System
A system implemented to manage disasters and MCIs in which section chiefs, including operations, finance, logistics, and planning, report to the incident commander
24
Q
JIC
A
Joint Information Center
An area designated by the incident commander, or a designee, in which public information officers from multiple agencies disseminate information about the incident
25
Medical incident command
A group of operations in a unified command system, whose three designated sector positions are triage, treatment, and transport
26
Multiple-casualty incident
As opposed to a mass-casualty incident, a situation with more than one patient but which will not overwhelm available resources
27
Mutual aid response
An agreement between neighboring EMS systems to respond to mass-casualty incidents or disasters in each other’s region when local resources are insufficient to handle the response
28
Open incident
An ongoing or uncontained incident in which rescuers will have to search for patients and then triage or treat them; the situation may produce more patients (ex. school shootings, tornadoes, hazmat release, floods)
29
Primary triage
A type of patient sorting used to rapidly categorize patients; the focus is on speed in locating all patients and determining an initial priority as their condition warrants
30
Secondary triage
A type of patient sorting used in the treatment sector that involves retriage of patients
31
Single command system
A command system in which one person is in charge, generally used with small incidents that involve only one responding agency or one jurisdiction
32
Span of control
In incident command, the subordinate positions under the commander’s direction to which the workload is distributed; the supervisor-to-worker ratio
33
START
Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment
A patient sorting process that uses a limited assessment of the patient’s ability to walk, respiratory status, hemodynamic status, and neurologic status
34
Unified command system
A command system used in larger incidents in which there is a multiagency or multijurisdictional response to coordinate decision making and cooperation among the agencies
35
Accountability system
A method of accounting for all personnel at an emergency incident and ensuring only those with specific assignments are permitted to work within the various zones
36
Belay
A technique used to control a rope as it is fed out to climbers
37
Box crib
A pallet-like framework used to shore up a heavy load
38
Cold-protective response
A phenomenon associated with cold-water immersion in which the body reflexively lowers its metabolic rate in an effort to preserve basic bodily functions
39
Cold zone
A safe area for agencies involved in a rescue operation; the IC, command post, EMS providers, and other necessary support functions should be located in the cold zone
40
Complex access
Complicated entry requiring special tools, advanced training, and the use of force, such as breaking windows
41
Cribbing
A type of basic physical support, such as blocks or short lengths of wood, used to stabilize a vehicle during a rescue operation
42
Hand tool
Any tool or piece of equipment operated by human power
43
High-angle operation
A rope rescue operation in which the angle of the slope is greater than 45°; rescuers depend on life safety rope rather than working from a fixed support surface, such as the ground
44
Hot zone
The area that directly surrounds an incident site and is considered immediately dangerous to life and health; all personnel working in the hot zone must wear all appropriate protective clothing and equipment; entry requires approval by the IC or a designated sector officer; complete backup, rescue, and decontamination teams must be in place at the perimeter before operations begin
45
IDLH
Immediately dangerous to life and health
An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive, or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or could cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects; there are three general IDLH atmospheres: toxic, flammable, and oxygen-deficient
46
Low-angle operation
A rope rescue operation carried out on a mildly sloping surface (less than 45°) or on level ground; the ground is the rescuer’s primary means of support, and the rope system is the secondary means of support
47
Operations level
The technical rescue training level geared toward working in the warm zone of an incident; training at this level allows responders to directly assist those conducting the rescue operation and to use certain rescue skills and procedures
48
Scrambling
A cross between hill climbing and rock climbing used to ascend rocky surfaces and ridges
49
Self-rescue position
A position used by a swift-water rescuer to avoid objects below the surface; the rescuer rolls into a face-up arched position, with the lower back higher than the feet (which are held together and face in the direction of travel) and the arms at the sides
50
Shim
A slim, low-profile, wedgelike object used to snug loose cribbing under a load or to fill a void
51
Shoring
A hydraulic, pneumatic, or wood system to support a trench wall or reinforce building components such as walls, floors, or ceilings to prevent collapse
52
Simple access
Access easily achieved with the use of simple hand tools or application of force
53
SWAT
Special Weapons And Tactics
A specialized law enforcement tactical unit
54
Spoil pile
The pile of dirt unearthed from an excavation; may be unstable and prone to collapse
55
Step chock
A specialized cribbing assembly of wood or plastic blocks arranged in a step configuration
56
Technician
The level of training necessary for a rescuer directly involved in a rescue operation; indicates a high level of competency in technical or hazardous materials rescue
57
TIM
Traffic Incident Management
The process of coordinating different partner agencies to detect, respond to, and clear traffic incidents as quickly as possible to reduce the impacts of incidents on safety and congestion, while protecting the safety of on-scene responders and the traveling public
58
Warm zone
The area located between the hot and cold zones at an incident; decontamination stations are located in the warm zone
59
Wedge
A tapered shaft of wood or other material used to snug loose cribbing
60
Absorption
A type of decontamination that is done with large pads that the hazardous materials team uses to soak up liquid and remove it from the patient
61
Asphyxiant
Any gas that displaces oxygen from the atmosphere; can be deadly if exposure occurs in a confined space
62
AHJ
Authority Having Jurisdiction
An organization, office, or person responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure
63
Bill of lading
A document carried by drivers of commercial vehicles that should provide specific information about what is carried on the vehicle
64
CAMEO
Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations
A tool to help predict downwind concentrations of hazardous materials based on the input of environmental factors into a computer model
65
Carboy
A glass, plastic, or steel nonbulk storage container, ranging in volume from 5 to 15 gallons
66
Chemical asphyxiant
A substance that interferes with the use of oxygen at the cellular level
67
CHEMTREC
Chemical Transportation Emergency Center
A resource available to emergency responders via telephone on a 24-hour basis
68
Corrosives
A class of chemicals with either high or low pH levels; exposure can cause severe soft-tissue damage
69
Dilution
A type of decontamination method that uses copious amounts of water to flush the contaminant from the skin or eyes
70
Disposal
A type of decontamination in which as much clothing and equipment as possible is disposed of to reduce the magnitude of the problem
71
Dose effect
The principle that the longer a hazardous material is in contact with the body or the greater the concentration, the greater the effect will most likely be
72
DUMBBELS
A mnemonic that stands for the signs and symptoms that can be produced by exposure to organophosphate and carbamate pesticides or other nerve-stimulating agents
Diarrhea, Urination, Miosis/Muscle weakness, Bronchorrhea/Bronchospasm, Bradycardia, Emesis, Lacrimation, Salivation/Sweating/Seizures
73
Flammable range
An expression of fuel-air mixture, defined by upper and lower limits, that reflects an amount of flammable vapor mixed with a given volume of air
74
Flash point
The minimum temperature at which a liquid or solid releases sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air
75
Hazardous material
Any substance that is toxic, poisonous, radioactive, flammable, or explosive and causes injury or death with exposure
76
HAZWOPER
HAZardous Waste OPerations and Emergency Response
The federal OSHA regulation that governs hazardous materials waste site and response training
77
Ignition temperature
The minimum temperature at which a fuel, when heated, will ignite in air and continue to burn; also called the autoignition temperature
78
Label
A type of signage at least 3.9 inches on each side that is often required on all four sides of individual packages and boxes that are being transported
79
LD50
A dose that would be lethal to 50% of the test population
80
Lethal concentration (LC)
The concentration of a material in air that, on the basis of laboratory tests (inhalation route), is expected to kill a specified number of the group of test animals when administered over a specified period
81
Lethal dose (LD)
A single dose that causes the death of a specified number of the group of test animals exposed by any route other than inhalation
82
Level A ensemble
The highest level of protective suit worn by hazardous materials personnel; may also be referred to as fully encapsulating because the suit covers everything, including the breathing apparatus
83
Level B ensemble
Personal protective equipment that is one step less protective than level A, but provides for a high level of respiratory protection
84
Level C ensemble
A level of personal protective equipment that provides splash protection
85
Level D ensemble
The level of protection that firefighter turnout gear provides
86
Lower flammable limit (LFL)
The minimum amount of gaseous fuel that must be present in the air for the air-fuel mixture to be flammable or explosive
87
Neutralization
A type of decontamination that uses one chemical to change the hazardous material into two less harmful substances; rarely used by hazardous materials teams
88
Permissible exposure limit (PEL)
The maximum concentration of a chemical that a person may be exposed to under OSHA regulations
89
Placard
A type of signage at least 10.8 inches on each side that is often required to be on all four sides of transport vehicles identifying the hazardous contents of the vehicle
90
Primary contamination
An exposure that occurs with direct contact with the hazardous material
91
Secondary contamination
Exposure to a hazardous material by contact with a contaminated person or object
92
Solvent
A substance that is capable of dissolving other substances
93
Specific gravity
The measure that indicates whether a hazardous material will sink or float in water
94
Threshold limit value (TLV)
The concentration of a substance that is supposed to be safe for exposure no more than 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week
95
Threshold limit value/ceiling (TLV/C)
The maximum concentration of hazardous material to which a worker should not be exposed, even for an instant
96
Threshold limit value/short-term exposure limit (TLV-STEL)
The concentration of a substance that a worker can be exposed to for up to 15 minutes but no more than 4 times per day with at least 1 hour between each exposure
97
Threshold limit value/skin
The concentration at which direct or airborne contact with a material could result in possible and significant exposure from absorption through the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes
98
Upper flammable limit (UFL)
The maximum amount of gaseous fuel that can be present in the air if the air-fuel mixture is to be flammable or explosive
99
Vapor density
The weight of an airborne concentration (vapor or gas) as compared with an equal volume of dry air
100
Vapor pressure
The pressure associated with liquids held inside any type of closed container
101
Waybill
A cargo document kept by the conductor of a train; also referred to as a consist
102
Ammonium nitrate
A commonly used industrial-grade fertilizer that is not in itself dangerous to handle or transport, but when mixed with fuel and other components, forms an extremely explosive compound
103
Anthrax
A deadly bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) that lies dormant in a spore, or protective shell; the germ is released from the spore when exposed to the optimal temperature and moisture; the route of entry is inhalation, cutaneous, or gastrointestinal
104
Apocalyptic violence
A type of violence sought by some terrorists, such as violent religious groups and doomsday cults, in which they wish to bring about the end of the world
105
Botulinum
A very potent neurotoxin produced by bacteria; when introduced into the body, this neurotoxin affects the nervous system’s ability to function and causes muscle paralysis
106
Buboes
Enlarged lymph nodes (up to the size of tennis balls) that are characteristic of people infected with the bubonic plague
107
Chlorine
The first chemical agent ever used in warfare; it has a distinct odor of bleach and creates a green haze when released as a gas; initially, it produces upper airway irritation and a choking sensation
108
Contact hazard
A hazardous agent that gives off little or no vapors and typically enters the body through the skin; also called a skin hazard
109
Cyanide
An agent that affects the body’s ability to use oxygen; it is a colorless gas that has an odor similar to almonds; the effects begin on the cellular level and are very rapidly seen at the organ system level
110
Decay
A natural process in which a material that is unstable attempts to stabilize itself by changing its structure
111
Disease vector
An infected animal (or human) that spreads a disease to another animal
112
DuoDote
A nerve agent antidote kit that contains a single injection of both atropine (2 mg) and 2-PAM chloride (pralidoxime chloride, 600 mg)
113
Elevated
A threat level in which a terrorist event is suspected, but there is no specific information about its timing or location
114
G agents
Early nerve agents that were developed by German scientists in the period after WW1 and into WW2; there are three such agents: sarin, soman, and tabun
115
Imminent
A threat level in which a terrorist event is known to be impending or will occur very soon
116
IED
Improvised Explosive Device
An explosive device built from unrestricted and often common equipment
117
Incubation
The period between the person’s exposure to the agent and the onset of symptoms
118
Ionizing radiation
Energy that is emitted in the form of rays or particles
119
Lewisite
A blistering agent that has a rapid onset of symptoms and produces immediate intense pain and discomfort on contact
120
MARK 1
A nerve agent antidote kit containing two auto-injector medications, atropine and 2-PAM chloride (pralidoxime chloride)
121
NTAS
National Terrorism Advisory System
The US system for informing citizens of a potential terrorist threat; replaced the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System
122
Nerve agents
A class of chemicals called organophosphates that function by blocking an essential enzyme in the nervous system, which causes the body’s organs to become overstimulated and burn out
123
Neurotoxins
Biologic agents that are the most deadly substances known to humans; they include botulinum toxin and ricin
124
Organophosphates
A class of chemical found in many insecticides used in agriculture and in the home; nerve agents fall into this class of chemicals
125
Patient collection point
A location to which responders move patients to allow for safe assessment and treatment; also known as a casualty collection point
126
Patient generator
The source that is causing people to become sick or injured
127
Phosgene
A pulmonary agent that is a product of combustion, such as might be produced in a fire at a textile factory or house or at the site of metalwork or burning Freon; a very potent agent that has a delayed onset of symptoms, usually hours
128
Phosgene oxime
A blistering agent that has a rapid onset of symptoms and produces immediate intense pain and discomfort on contact
129
Pneumonic plague
A lung infection, also known as plague pneumonia, that is the result of inhalation of plague bacteria
130
RDD
Radiologic Dispersal Device
Any container that is designed to disperse radioactive material (like a dirty bomb)
131
Ricin
A neurotoxin derived from mash that is left from pressing oil from a castor bean; causes pulmonary edema and respiratory and circulatory failure, leading to death
132
Sarin
A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; a highly volatile colorless and odorless liquid that turns from liquid to gas within seconds to minutes at room temperature
133
Smallpox
A highly contagious disease that may be spread in an aerosolized form as an act of warfare or terrorism; it is most contagious when blisters begin to form
134
Soman
A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; twice as persistent as sarin and five times as lethal; it has a fruity odor as a result of the type of alcohol used in the agent and is both a contact and an inhalation hazard
135
SADM
Special atomic demolition munition
A small suitcase-sized nuclear weapon that was designed to destroy individual targets, such as important buildings, bridges, tunnels, or large ships
136
Sulfur mustard
A vesicant that is generally considered very persistent; it is a yellow-brown oily substance that has the distinct smell of garlic or mustard and, when released, is quickly absorbed into the skin and/or mucous membranes and begins an irreversible process of damaging the cells
137
Tabun
A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; 36 times more persistent than sarin and approximately half as lethal; it has a fruity smell and is unique because the components used to manufacture the agent are easy to acquire and the agent is easy to manufacture
138
VX nerve agent
A nerve agent that is one of the G agents; over 100 times more lethal than sarin and extremely persistent; it is a clear, oily agent that has no odor and looks like baby oil
139
Vapor hazard
An agent that enters the body through the respiratory tract
140
Vesicant
A blister agent; the primary route of entry is through the skin
141
VHFs
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
A group of diseases that include the Ebola, Rift Valley, and yellow fever viruses, among others; this group of viruses causes blood in the body to seep out from the tissues and blood vessels
142
Weaponization
The creation of a weapon from a biologic agent generally found in nature and that causes disease; the agent is cultivated, synthesized, and/or mutated to maximize the target population’s exposure to the germ
143
AAR
After-action report
The official internal report of the entire event, such as a disaster, which should contain the facts of the incident reflected in a chronologic, accurate manner
144
All-hazards approach
The act of conducting comprehensive preplanning that will apply to any disaster
145
Cold stress
A psychological condition that can develop in people who are exposed to cold weather for long periods of time, even if sheltered
146
COOP
Continuity of operations plan
The detailed plan describing the functioning of the agency in situations that disrupt normal operations
147
Directed area
An area away from the command post or emergency operations center, considered by engineering expertise to be a safe place to stage until directed otherwise
148
Dust suffocation
A phenomenon that can occur during an earthquake, in which particles of dust and debris are loosened and released into the air, producing a toxic and hypoxic atmosphere
149
EOC
Emergency operations center
A central command and control facility, found at all government levels, responsible for strategic overview; tactical decisions are left to incident commanders
150
Forward surgical team
A team, usually staffed with physicians, nurses, and EMS providers, that performs minor surgical procedures and debridements in the field, taking some load from the hospital facility
151
Lister bags
Heavy canvas bags that can be hung from trees containing water in amounts from 40 to 100 gallons
152
Overtopping
A situation in which a reservoir overflows its borders
153
Pyroclastic explosions
Blasts from flowing or standing lava that can have a wide dispersal circumference, spewing ash and magma
154
Space junk
Debris from satellites and other man-made objects that reenter the earth’s atmosphere
155
Tag lines
Rope or cord tied to a person who is entering a dangerous environment; used for quick retrieval, usually in conjunction with a harness
156
Thermals
Differing temperatures and swirling patterns of moving air with changes in wind speed
157
Water buffalo trailers
Portable trailers that contain 500 to 3,000 gallons of water
158
Concealment
Protection from being seen
159
Contact and cover
A technique that involves one paramedic making contact with the patient to provide care, while the second paramedic obtains patient information, gauges the level of tension, and warns his or her partner at the first sign of trouble
160
Cover
Obstacles that are difficult or impossible for bullets to penetrate
