FEMA US&R
Enhanced Operations In The Contaminated Environment
ENHANCED OPERATIONS
MODULE 4: STANDARDIZED DECONTAMINATION PROCEDURES
Requirements
Facility:
Classroom with table and chairs
Area large enough to perform hands-on use
of equipment (indoors or outdoors)
Materials:
Module 4 Student Note Taking Guide
Equipment: Projector and computer
Chalkboard/whiteboard or easel pads with
markers
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FEMA US&R
Enhanced Operations In The Contaminated Environment
National Urban Search & Rescue
Response System Enhanced Operations in
The Contaminated Environment
Slide 4-1
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Slide 4-2
Terminal
Objective
At the end of this module the
student will be able to
describe the entire US&R
decontamination process
including the need for, types
of, and the equipment required
to perform decontamination.
Slide 4-3
Enabling
Objectives
 Students will define
decontamination
 Students will identify
the need for
decontamination.
Students will discuss the
various types of
decontamination
 Students will identify
US&R decontamination
equipment
 Students will describe
staffing for the
decontamination
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system.
 Students will describe
the decontamination
process.
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Add overview
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A. Decontamination Theory Overview
Decon is time consuming. Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or
Explosive (CBRNE) event may involve
hundreds or thousands of contaminated
people.
Decontamination planning and execution
must be an integral part of any Urban Search
and Rescue (US&R) WMD Task Force (TF)
operations.
All TF members and victims must be
decontaminated prior to leaving the incident
scene to keep task force personnel and the
public as safe as possible and prevent
spreading the problem.
Slide 4-7
Decon is personnel and equipment intensive.

Decontamination is time consuming

Resources and personnel required
will tax most communities.

There is a need for:


Tight scene control,

Well-established zones, (hot,
warm, and cold)

Rapid decontamination methods,
Control of runoff (if possible),
Assigned personnel to work the
decon lines. Decon should be
conducted so that the least amount of
evidence is destroyed.

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The type of decontamination
equipment is selected based on
mission requirements, ie; the
Hurricane decontamination
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reduction kit. etc…
A working definition of decontamination is:
“A chemical and/or physical process to remove and
prevent the spread of a contaminant from an emergency
scene because of the contaminant’s ability to cause
harm to living beings and/or the environment.”
Slide 4-8
Decontamination

Prompt, safe, and effective
decontamination procedures are
essential to protect and/or reduce the
effects of exposure;

Develop procedures for team member
and/or non-ambulatory victims; and

Plan for medical decontamination such
as, antidote administration and wound
decontamination.
Slide 4-9
E. . Decontamination Situations
Normally the Tactical Operations Plan and the
Decontamination Plan dictate decontamination.
Decon is performed or driven by:
Obvious contamination by a known
substance;
Suspected contamination by a known
substance;
Suspected contamination by an unknown
substance
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Any likelihood of exposure to a hazardous
substance in the hot zone;
To prevent spread of contaminant; or
To ensure environmental protection.
. Perform DECON by Priority

TF Members and canines that are ill,
symptomatic, or have compromised PPE

Rescued survivors

TF Members with intact PPE and canines
that are asymptomatic
Slide 4-11
A. Decontamination Process
Some points to remember about decon are:

Hazmat Specialists supervise
decontamination process.;

Primarily to protect Task Force

Decontamination is always
confirmed with monitoring
equipment

Survivor decontamination

Everyone goes through some level
of decontamination

This provides protection against
contamination spread to EMS,
Hospitals, etc
Slide 4-12
Protect TF members
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. The types of decontamination are:
 Emergency

Gross Decon
o

Field DECON Kit
Technical
o
CPC
o
Personnel
o
Vehicles
o
Equipment
o
Canine
Slide 4-13
Emergency Decontamination

A fire hose at the point of Entry/Exit is an
excellent choice.

Field Decontamination Kit

Design system as appropriate for the mission at
hand
Slide 4-14
Field Decontamination Kit:
 Packed in a Hardigg Box

Include inventory of Field (Hurricane)
Decontamination Kit.

This DOES NOT replace any technical
decontamination.
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Technical DECON

Multi Step Process

Gross Wash

Wash and Rinse

Doffing of CPC and Respiratory
Equipment

Metering/Screening

Medical assessment

Personal Shower
Slide 4-16
Technical Decontamination Equipment

Buckets, brushes, and soap

DECON solution and containment system

Dedicated water supply
Trash containers
Slide 4-17
•
Technical DECON Equipment (cont)
•
Electrical extension cords & water hoses
•
600 gallons waste bladder
Run-off and waste water pumps •
Gross DECON showers
•
Modular DECON Tent
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Technical DECON Equipment (cont)
•
Canopies/Tents
•
Air space heater
•
Water Heater
•
Generators
•
Tube lighting
•
Work lights
Slide 4-19
Technical DECON Equipment, Cold Weather Use
•
Tents with Sidewalls
Space Heater
Hot water heater
Zippers for entrance and exit
May need and “Event Tent” if weather is severe to
cover entire corridor
IST or Local Jurisdiction help
Slide 4-20
Water Heater Portable
60°F to 105°F + at 16 gpm
Fuels - diesel, JP-4, JP-8, or kerosene
Solid state ignition - ignites when water flows
Onboard pressure reducing valve
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Technical DECON Equipment
Portable with wheels and handles
Provides breathable heated air -110,000 btu output,
850 cfm fan
Multi-fuel (kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, JP 4/8)
16 hours on 1 tank of fuel
Slide 4-22
Specialized DECON Equipment

MERLIN foam generator

Sandia Foam may be available

Hazmat Specialist can arrange for other
solutions if needed

Requires a 3 year service by manufacturer
Slide 4-23
Standardized DECON Staffing

DECON supervised by Hazmat Specialist

DECON positions filled by any available
personnel

All Task Force members receive basic DECON
training

Medical Specialist conduct Triage
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Decontamination Supervisor

Responsible for final walkthrough of corridor

Ensures supplies are present

Addresses runoff containment

Ensures safe, efficient and effective operations
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Medical DECON Liaison

Responsible for medical assessment and
treatment

Liaison with DECON supervisor

Positioned to observe all persons leaving the
exclusion zone
Slide 4-26
When assigned to DECON

Don Selected level of PPE/CPC

Operate in PPE/CPC

Establish operating time Log

Setup and operate DECON line

Conduct triage

Communicate while in PPE/CPC
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Standardized TF DECON Site Layout

Situated upwind from the exclusion zone

Locate uphill, drain toward exclusion zone or
off to side

Place heaters upwind and uphill to help avoid
contamination

Plastic bags on hand to collect personal items
Slide 4-28
Establish the decon corridor:

Face into the wind with your back to the
hot zone.

Position so cold zone is upgrade or at
least the water drains to the side.

Place corridor close to the incident site with
enough space for gross decon area,
modular wash and rinse tent, doffing tent,
personal shower, and Medical and
Rehabilitation area. Space will also be
required for the generators and heaters.
Slide 4-29
Place close to water
source from the
city utility, lake, or stream. (The cleaner the
better.)

D. Establish the decon corridor:
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
Face into the wind with your back to the
hot zone.

2.Position so cold zone is upgrade or
at least the water drains to the side.

Place corridor close to the incident site
with enough space for gross decon area,
modular wash and rinse tent, doffing
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tent, personal shower, and Medical and
Rehabilitation area. Space will also be
required for the generators and heaters.
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
Place close to water source from the city
utility, lake, or stream. (The cleaner the
better.)

On hand for collecting personal
possessions and for contaminated
items.

Ideal site has low-lying area to collect
contaminated runoff. Dispose of
collected water in accordance with EPA
regulations.

Use traffic cones and highly visible tape
to cordon off the area except for those
passing through decon. Establish
warning signs to keep people away
except for those who need to be
decontaminated.

Injured patients will process through the
decon site. They will not be taken to the
hospital until the Hazmat Specialist
verifies decontamination.

Your decon plan must be flexible
enough to establish a decon corridor in
various situations.
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US&R Standard DECON Process
Step One – Gross DECON (Shower)
Step Two – Wash and Rinse
 Modular pre-plumbed 3 lane shower
Step Three – Remove Outer Protection
 Respiratory protection removed last
 Meter to determine DECON efficiency
Step Four – Personal Hygiene Shower
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Step 1. Gross Decon
 Rinse thoroughly in shower
Slide 4-32
Step 2. DECON Wash and Rinse
 Scrub clean ( helpers on hand)
 Person spread arms and legs, rotate for cleaning
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Step 2, DECON wash and Rinse (cont)
 Wash from top down
 Assistants MUST DECON themselves before
they leave the decontamination corridor.
Slide 4-34
Step 3. Remove Outer Protection
 Remove CPC: not respiratory protection
 Place CPC in container for disposal
 Prevent cross contamination
Turn CPC inside out as it is removed
Peel CPC off rescuer without touching inside of
CPC
 Remove respiratory Protection after leaving the
area.
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Step 4. Personal Hygiene
 May be on or off site
 Personnel MUST be clean before evacuation
 Personal hygiene can range from hand washing
to showering
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Post DECON Monitoring
 Personnel exiting DECON checked with
monitoring instruments by HazMat Specialist
 If contaminants still present after removing
CPC, or working in known contaminants, then
personal hygiene is high priority
Slide 4-37
Post DECON Considerations
 Medical Evaluation
 Rehabilitation and replacement clothing
 Reports and exposure logs
 Hazmat tracking
Slide 4-38
Water Run Off Consideration
 Collapsible berms
 Sump Pumps
 Water Bladder
 Plastic Sheeting
The EPA position on runoff states that
you can avoid capturing waste water in
an emergent life safety situation
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DECON Water Disposal
 Collected water should be removed by an
appropriate agency(s) or contractor
 Ask for established policy as per
DECON Plan
IST
EPA
Slide 4-40
SUMMARY
 Decontamination Theory
 Standard Plan
 Provide protection to all
 Hazmat Specialist coordinates DECON
 Emergency DECON is four steps
 DECON Layout
Review and Examination
Module 4 Activity:
Setup and Operate the DECON Corridor
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Activity
 Layout containment berms
 Assemble tents and showers
 Setup and operate water heater
 Setup and operate space heater
 Walk through the DECON process
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