Definitive Decon

Definitive Decon

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Preparing for In-house Definitive Decontamination of Personnel Involved in Haz-Mat Incidents

ONE OF THE MOST important but often overlooked aspects in preparing to deal with hazardous-materials incidents is planning to perform effective decontamination.

There are two basic levels of decontamination: gross decon, the removal of a major portion of contaminants; and definitive decon, the thorough removal of all contaminants.

At some incidents—a minor chlorine leak at the local swimming pool, for instance—gross decon is sufficient. Providing that there are provisions to catch run-off, a simple rinsing of protective clothing at the scene and a shower back at the station is all that’s necessary to accomplish gross decon.

Exposure to some hazardous materials, such as poisons, warrants definitive decon system implementation. These are substances that can incur serious short-term and/or long-term health effects if complete decontamination is not carried out quickly and efficiently. The definitive decon system, therefore, merits our serious attention.

Setting up a definitive decon system may seem beyond the resources of some departments, as with other areas of preparation for haz-mat incidents: equipment, training, manpower, etc. Expenditures are sometimes hard to justify for something that’s seldom (if at all) needed. However, if we’re to protect our personnel properly, we must be prepared to provide definitive decontamination. An in-house decon system can be designed and implemented with minimal funding and a lot of planning.

Definitive decon systems for warmweather use can be designed inexpensively, and many excellent articles have been written suggesting ways of definitive on-scene decon. Of course, out-ofdoors definitive decon is not very practical in cold weather. Imagine stripping down and showering in a portable onscene shower, with only a sheet of plastic or salvage cover draped over the shower frame to protect you from subzero wind chills!

The alternative to out-of-doors definitive decon in cold weather is an inhouse system. The main priority of an in-house definitive decon system is to decontaminate personnel in a quick, thorough, and efficient manner. Decon of equipment, clothing, and apparatus can be accomplished later in a less urgent manner in cooperation with the EPA, water treatment officials, and other knowledgeable people who can help you monitor and decon these items.

An in-house decon system moves contaminated personnel from the incident scene to another location, usually a fire station. There still needs to be an on-scene decon, consisting of a quick gross decon and removal of outer protective clothing, such as a chemical suit. The personnel are then transported to the definitive decon location, while keeping breathing apparatus in place. A station wagon or other utility vehicle can be used for transportation. In serious contamination incidents, the driver of the transport vehicle may also be required to wear breathing apparatus and may also have to go through decon. The vehicle will have to be checked for contaminants and decontaminated if necessary before being put back in service.

Step signs are kept with the decon kit and deployed prior to the decon to ensure that proper procedure is followed.

(All photos by Ken Folisi.)

The supplies needed to decon 12 members.The entire decon kit can be easily stored in the fire station.

DEFINITIVE DECON

The first thing to consider is location. Survey your department and find an appropriate station or area within a station that can be taken out of service with a minimal effect on fire protection coverage. A fire station, in most cases, has all the areas essential for definitive decon: a large open area on the apparatus floor to store contaminated equipment and clothing; some sort of shower area; compartmentation; and an environment control system.

Once you decide on the location, study the station’s floor plan and design a step-by-step decon system, taking advantage of the compartmentation within the station. You may want to consider making decon step signs indicating each step in your decon procedure.

Some elements to include are:

  1. An area to drop breathing apparatus and other outer clothing (shirts, pants, coveralls, etc.).
  2. An area to drop underclothing.
  3. An area to shower (two consecutive showers are ideal).
  4. An area to dress.
  5. An area to provide medical evaluation.
  6. An area for R & R and debriefing.

With the step-by-step system completed, check with the EPA and your local water department about the potential for hazardous run-off. Usually, run-off from personnel showers poses no problem to the environment, but it’s a good idea to contact those authorities because their experience and expertise may be helpful.

After you design the step-by-step decon procedure, write a simple, concise SOP for setting up your decon system. Some items to consider are:

1)Moving noncontaminated equipment from the apparatus floor to a safe location. Any noncontaminated apparatus can be moved to another location. Equipment usually stored in the station, such as bunker gear and spare hose, can be moved to a safe location within the station, perhaps to a storage room or hose tower that can be secured by closing internal ventilation ducts and taping doors closed.

2) Placement of decon supplies.

3) Shutting down the station’s environment control system, or restricting ventilation in controlled areas.

Some of the supplies you’ll need are plastic bags and salvage covers for contaminated clothing and equipment. Clean clothing, shower supplies, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and towels will also be needed. These items can be put together at minimal cost, stored in duffle bags, and kept in the station. This will ensure that clean supplies are ready for deployment.

A definitive decon system for personnel is an integral part of haz-mat response. We must be prepared to mitigate all effects of a hazardous materials incident, including exposures to our most important asset, our personnel.

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