WMD Manual Flashcards
Etiological
involves a living microorganism, or its toxins, which causes, or may cause, human disease. Biological agents are the most obvious example of etiological agents
Exclusion Zone
Also referred to as the hot zone
Radiological Frisking
to survey external surfaces of people and objects using radiological meters and probes
Roentgen
unit of measurement for the exposure of x-rays and gamma rays
Single Pot Method?
Use of one sealed container which is generally flipped upside down to cause the reaction needed to turn several toxic ingredients into meth
What are the four main categories of WMD?
-CBRNE
Chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear, and explosive
Organophosphate exposure causes?
SLUDGEM: salivation, lacrimation, urination, defication, GI upset, emisis, and miosis.
-antidotes are carried on predesignated units, referred to as CHEMPACKS
If stockpiles of antidotes kits for organophosphate is needed who should be notified?
RHCC
During decon what should you be aware of?
That perpetrators may be among the victims
What are the two types of decon that are available to first responders?
Emergency Gross Decon: spraying someone off with a hose
Mass decon: setting up pumpers and using fog master streams or other nozzles to set up a shower
How is radiation measured in the NOVA region?
R-roentgen
Different roentgen measurements?
uR=micro-R
mR=milli-R
R=R
1,000 uR=1mR
1,000 mR= 1R
What does the exposure rate measure?
How much radiation is present
What does the exposure dose measure?
Total amount of radiation exposure an individual has received
What is the natural background radiation in the DC area?
5-20uR/hr
What is the lethal radiation dose for 50% of the population without medical treatment, with medical treatment?
w/o: 300-400R
w/: 600R
What are the basic principles of ALARA?
as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
- maximum distance
- minimize exposure time
- maximize shielding
If there is need for extended operations in a radiation field what is one way to reduce each person’s exposure?
rotating personnel
What should personnel always wear on a radiation event?
-Structural PPE including SCBA
Dose limits (radiation) per activity?
5R: all activities
10R: protecting major property
25R: lifesaving or protection of large populations
>25R: lifesaving or protection of large populations; only by volunteers who understand the risks
What is the most dangerous type of radiological exposure to the body?
inhalation, wearing SCBA affords the greatest protection for all firefighters in any WMD event
If you are responding to an event with numerous people down every effort should be made to approach the incident from?
uphill and upwind; additionally, begin the approach 500’ from the incident or at the edge of the debris field
If a firefighter runs out of air what can be done to minimize inhalation of radioactive materials?
- do not remove face piece, improvise by covering face piece regulator hole with something that has not been contaminated
- at a minimum, cover hole with a glove or hood until emergency decon can be done
If initial FD personnel are not equipped with radiological dosimeters how long may they conduct life saving operations?
15 min
What takes precedence, treatment of life-threatening injuries or decon?
treatment
When treating contaminated pt’s personnel must wear?
Respiratory protection, at a min. surgical mask, gloves, and gown. FF PPE or Level C ensemble is recommended
If no victims are present on a WMD incident actions should be limited to:
- Establish a control zone
- Isolate the area
- Evacuate the area
- Deny entry
- Establish staging area for incoming units
- Establish extended action plan
Maximum Zone Limits for RDD with Life Safety?
Cold Zone: 2 mR/hr
Warm Zone: 2mR-10R/hr
Hot Zone: Over 10R/hr
Absolute Turn Back: 200 R/hr
When creating hot/warm/cold zones for a radiological event will they typically be in concentric circles?
not likely
For the cold zone the 2mR/hr line should only be used when there is no contamination present within the cold zone, if contamination is present the cold zone line should be pushed back to levels consistent with:
two times background or 50uR/hr
When wearing external dosimeters they should be read and reported every?
15 minutes
