1. Unit 5.2 MISSION SPECIFIC: Technical Decontamination

2. Decontamination Contamination Exposure vs. contamination Direct
Secondary
Exposure vs. contamination
Unit 5.2  2

3. Decontamination
A systematic process of removing contaminates from victims, responders or equipment in order to reduce exposure and prevent the spread of contamination
Unit 5.2  3

4. Decontamination Types Based on chemical and situation
Emergency decontamination
Mass decontamination
Technical decontamination
Based on chemical and situation
Unit 5.2  4

5. Decontamination Methods
Wet or Dry
Absorption
Adsorption
Chemical degradation
Dilution
Disinfection
Evaporation
Isolation and disposal
Neutralization
Solidification
Sterilization
Vacuuming
Washing
Unit 5.2  5

6. Stages of Decontamination
Gross
Takes place at the edge of the hot zone
Goal: Remove bulk contaminates and leave them in the isolation area
Combination of dry methods
Unit 5.2  6

7. Stages of Decontamination
Secondary decontamination
Occurs after gross decontamination has been completed
Is conducted in the warm zone
Goal: Systematic removal of contaminates in a head to toe fashion
Involves a thorough wash, rinse and removal of protective equipment
Unit 5.2  7

8. Stages of Decontamination
Tertiary decontamination
Removal of remaining contaminates
Usually happens in health care facility
May be accomplished by personal shower
Unit 5.2  8

9. Additional Considerations
Preservation of evidence
Tools and equipment including weapons
Animals and criminal suspects
Ambulatory victims
Non-ambulatory victims
Contain runoff
Determine the effectiveness of decontamination
Unit 5.2  9

10. Emergency Decontamination
Life threatening emergency
Strip and flush
Medical treatment
Secondary decontamination
Runoff not an issue
Unit 5.2  10

11. SERC Model Nine Basic Steps Tool drop Outer glove/boot removal
Gross wash (hot zone)
Primary wash/rinse
Final wash/rinse
Garment removal
Go off-air station
Inner glove/face piece
Rehab and medical evaluation
Unit 5.2  11

12. Mass Decontamination
Goal: Rapid flush of large numbers of victims in order to reduce the likelihood of the spread of contamination or long term adverse health effects
Methods: Numerous methods exist
Single engine company
Multiple engine company
Unit 5.2  12

13. Mass Decontamination Considerations
Large numbers of panicked people may be encountered; scene control will be a major concern
Use of hand lines and deck guns in a controlled and safe manner is necessary
These are hands-off operations; getting too close to a panicked crowd can be dangerous
Unit 5.2  13

14. Video
“Technical Decontamination”
Unit 5.2  14

15. Summary Types of decontamination Methods of decontamination
Stages of decontamination
PPE considerations
Unit 5.2  15

16. Activity 5.2 Field Evolution – Establish Technical Decontamination
Unit 5.2  16