mission-speciﬁ c competencies: technical...

Mission-Specifi c Competencies: Technical Decontamination

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Competencies for Operations Level Responders Assigned Mission-Specifi c Responsibilities

This chapter shall address competencies found in NFPA 472 for the following operations level responders assigned mission-specifi c responsibilities at hazardous materials/WMD incidents by the authority having jurisdiction beyond the core competencies at the operations level.

Knowledge Objectives After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

■ Plan a response by selecting a technical decontamination pro-cess that will minimize the hazard. ( NFPA 6.4.1.2.2 , p. 206–211)

■ Identify the personal protective equipment required to sup-port technical decontamination at hazardous materials/WMD incidents based on local procedures. ( NFPA 6.4.3.1 , p. 213)

■ Identify and describe the limitations and advantages of technical decontamination operations and the technical decontamination methods. ( NFPA 6.4.3.2(1)(2) , p. 208–211)

■ Identify resources for determining the correct technical decontamination procedure in a hazardous materials/WMD incident. ( NFPA 6.4.3.2(3) , p. 206–213)

■ Identify the supplies and equipment needed for technical decontamination. ( NFPA 6.4.3.2(4) , p. 213)

■ Identify tools, equipment, and procedures for processing evidence during technical decontamination. ( NFPA 6.4.3.2(5) , p. 206–211)

■ Identify the role of the operations level responder assigned to technical decontamination. ( NFPA 6.4.4.1(1) , p. 206–215)

■ Identify procedures, equipment and safety precautions for handling tools, equipment weapons, criminal suspects, and law enforcement canines brought to the decontamination corridor. ( NFPA 6.4.3.2(6) , p. 206–207)

■ Identify procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of tech-nical decontamination. ( NFPA 6.4.5.1 , p. 215)

■ Identify the importance, steps, and requirements of main-taining records. ( NFPA 6.4.6.1 , p. 215)

Skills Objectives After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

■ Describe the procedures for implementing technical decon-tamination duties as assigned. ( NFPA 6.4.4.1(2) , p. 211–213)

■ Demonstrate the ability to set up and implement technical decontamination operations in support of entry operations. ( NFPA 6.4.4.2 , p. 213)

C H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E R

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You Are the Responder You Are the Responder You Are the Responder You Are the Responder You Are the Responder You Are the Responder

Introduction According to NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents , contamination is “the process of transferring a hazardous material, or the hazardous component of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) from its source to people, animals, the environment, or equipment that can act as a carrier.” Also by de� nition, decontamination is “the physical and/or chemical process of reducing and preventing the spread of contaminants from people, animals, the environment, or equipment involved at hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents.”

Those two de� nitions, when placed into context, should frame the concept of decontamination for any responder to a hazardous materials incident. Although there are many factors and in� uences surrounding the task of decontamination, the relationship of contaminant to decontamination is clear—if contamination of PPE is suspected or con� rmed, it must be removed ef� ciently in a systematic fashion. In short, decon-tamination is a process driven activity, driven by the nature of the contaminant. The three major categories of decontamina-tion are emergency decontamination, mass decontamination, and technical decontamination. Each category has its place in a response and a best practice associated with it. This chapter provides an overview of emergency decontamination and goes into detail on technical decontamination. The speci� cs of mass decontamination are covered in the chapter Mission-Speci� c Competencies: Mass Decontamination .

To begin, it’s important to recognize the different types of decontamination processes and when to employ the proper type at the proper time. Emergency decontamination is used in potentially life-threatening situations to rapidly remove the contaminant from a person. It is quick and less “formal” than technical decontamination. The goal is to reduce the effect of an exposure and get a victim clean enough to receive medi-cal care from � rst responders and, if needed, be admitted to a receiving hospital. Victims who receive emergency decon-tamination often must remove some or all of their clothing to reduce the harm posed by the contaminant.

Mass decontamination is a way of performing emergency decontamination on a large number of people; it can take place anywhere, with the same goal as emergency decon-tamination—remove the contaminants as quickly as possible to reduce the impact of a chemical exposure. The chapter Mission-Speci� c Competencies: Mass Decontamination covers this in more detail.

Technical decontamination is a different process, aimed at reducing or eliminating contamination from responder PPE prior to removing it. It is not intended for exposed per-sons, or as a way to reduce the health effects of an exposure. Technical decontamination is often a water-based process, using scrub brushes, some form of catch basin for water, tarps, and perhaps a cleaning solution. There are many ways to conduct technical decontamination. This chapter describes some of the more common methodologies, but it is up to you to know how technical decontamination, and any other type of decontamination, is accomplished in your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Gross decontamination takes place within a controlled decontamination corridor ; it consists of a prewash that occurs before technical decontamination takes place FIGURE 9-1 .

In some cases, the decontamination process must be � ex-ible and creative. For example, law enforcement or search canines may require some form of decontamination after going on a mission. In these instances, it is best to check with the canine handler to better understand the process. Federal Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams have procedures to perform canine decontamination. Make sure you understand the process, or check with your local jurisdiction for guidance, before undertaking this specialized process.

Additionally, it may be necessary to decontaminate a criminal subject, secured � rearms, or other specialized pieces of equipment (detection and monitoring devices, hand tools, or other equipment used during the response). In these unique situations, it is wise to consult the owner of the piece of equipment, manufacturer guidelines, or an otherwise knowledgeable person, before performing decontamination on unfamiliar items. Unusual items may require unusual methods

Your truck company is dispatched to assist the regional hazardous materials team and law enforcement at the scene of a methamphetamine lab. The hazardous materials team is plan-ning an entry to sample a number of unmarked glass bottles. Your of� cer receives orders

to support the hazardous materials team by setting up a decontamination corridor. You and your crew are trained to all core competencies at the operations level, along with the mission-speci� c competencies of

personal protective equipment (PPE) and technical decontamination. 1. Based on this scenario, should you be operating under the guidance of a hazardous materials technician, an allied professional, or standard operating procedures?

2. How would you handle the samples taken by the entry team as they move through the decontamination corridor?

3. A law enforcement canine is on scene and may have been contaminated during the search. What steps would you take to perform decontamination on the animal?

© Jones &

Bartlett Learning. Photographed by W

illiam Larkin

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of decontamination—think about that possibility before you take any steps that may damage those items.

It may also be necessary to decontaminate a piece of evi-dence, or a sample taken at the scene, prior to analyzing it or turning it over to law enforcement of� cials. When evidence is processed through a decontamination corridor, chain of cus-tody must be maintained. It is imperative to document the identity of any personnel who handled the evidence, the date and time that the decontamination occurred or the item was transferred from one person to another, and the reason for doing so FIGURE 9-2 .

The resulting record, which outlines the chain of custody, is discussed in more detail in the chapter Mission-Speci� c Compe-tencies: Evidence Preservation and Sampling .

Technical Decontamination NFPA 472, Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents , de� nes techni-cal decontamination as “the planned and systematic process of reducing contamination to a level that is as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).”

Technical decontamination may involve several stations or steps. During this decontamination process, multiple personnel (the decontamination team ) typically use brushes to scrub and wash the person or object so as to remove as much of the con-taminants as possible. Technical decontamination may involve water or a special cleaning solution, depending on the hazard-ous material, and takes place in the warm zone, within an estab-lished decontamination corridor. FIGURE 9-3 depicts a technical decontamination corridor. FIGURE 9-4 shows a close-up of one of the catch basins. You can see many components depicted: catch basins for water; hoses, sprayers and scrub brushes; a Stokes litter for possible victim rescue; and so on. The decontamination cor-ridor is oriented with the hot zone to the right of the setup and the cold zone to the left. Notice the “tool drop” buckets in the right side of Figure 9- 3 . This is where a responder would drop con-taminated tools or other equipment that might need to be decon-taminated after the responders have made their way through the decontamination line.

FIGURE 9-2 Evidence taken from the scene should be prepared for decontamination prior to leaving the hot zone. Documentation is the key to ensuring good chain of custody.

Responder Safety Tip

FIGURE 9-1 An example of a gross decontamination setup. This apparatus might be placed at the entrance of the technical decontamination line.

FIGURE 9-3 Example of a technical decontamination corridor.

Courtesy of Rob Schnepp

Courtesy of Rob Schnepp Courtesy of Rob Schnepp

CHAPTER 9 Mission-Specifi c Competencies: Technical Decontamination 207

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Not all decontamination processes require water or other wet decontamination solutions. In some cases, a dry decon-tamination method may be employed. Simply put, dry decon-tamination is accomplished by removing all PPE and placing it directly into bags for disposal. Often it may be necessary to lightly brush off visible contamination prior to bagging the items(s) as part of this process. Additionally there are next gen-eration products that allow responders or victims to use a dry wipe that encapsulates the hazardous materials and is then dis-posed of. As the name implies, water or other wet solutions are not used during outer PPE removal, though they are used dur-ing the personal hygiene part of the technical decontamination. The process of dry decontamination may look similar to that followed in wet (i.e., water-based) decontamination FIGURE 9-5 .

■ Methods of Technical Decontamination In most cases, water is the preferred decontamination solution, but keep in mind that some hazardous materials have chemical properties that may require different methods of decontami-nation, or circumstances may dictate that responders use an alternative to water as a decontamination measure. Alternative technical decontamination procedures may include the follow-ing techniques:

■ Physical techniques • Absorption • Adsorption • Vacuuming • Washing

■ Chemical degradation • Dilution • Disinfection • Evaporation • Neutralization • Solidi� cation • Sterilization

■ Isolation and disposal

Physical Techniques Physical methods of technical decontamination involve the actual removal of contaminant particles from the surfaces of responders and equipment. In most cases, decisions about which techniques to use will be based on the available equip-ment provided by the AHJ. The operations level responder with this mission-speci� c competency should be able to per-form each of these technical decontamination methods while ensuring the appropriate level of protection.

Absorption In absorption , a spongy material (natural soil, sawdust, or synthetic loose absorbents available from a variety of manufac-turers) is mixed with a liquid hazardous material. The contami-nated mixture is then collected and disposed of FIGURE 9-6 . This technique is primarily used for decontaminating equipment and property; it has limited application for decontaminating personnel. Absorption may be used, for example, in a shuf� e pit to clean the boots of responders before they enter the rest of the decontamination line FIGURE 9-7 .

Although materials such as loose absorbent and sawdust are inexpensive and readily available, they become hazard-ous materials themselves once they come in contact with the contaminant and must be disposed of properly. The process of absorption does not change the chemical properties of the involved substance, but rather is used only to collect the sub-stance for subsequent containment. Both the federal govern-ment and most states have laws and regulations that govern the disposal of used absorbent materials. Consult an expert knowledgeable about this type of disposal before discarding any materials suspected of being contaminated.

Adsorption In adsorption , the contaminant adheres to the surface of an added material—such as sand or activated carbon—rather

FIGURE 9-4 A close-up of a catch basin employed to catch the decontamination water. Each responder going through the decontamination line would step into the pool and be washed and rinsed. Courtesy of Rob Schnepp

FIGURE 9-5 Technical decontamination is a systematic and thorough cleaning process. © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS

208 Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Second Edition

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than combining with it as in absorption FIGURE 9-8 . In other words, the sorbent is placed on a contaminant, and the con-taminant sticks to the outside surface of the sorbent; for exam-ple, sand could be used to adsorb motor oil.

Vacuuming Vacuuming is the removal of dusts, particles, and some liquids by sucking them up into a container. A � ltering system pre-vents the contaminated material from recirculating and reen-tering the atmosphere. A special high ef� ciency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum cleaner is used to remove hazardous dusts, powders, or � bers that are 0.3 micron or larger. HEPA � lters allow air to pass through the � lter but capture the particulate matter in the air. HEPA � lters must be replaced regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

Washing Washing is an effective, yet simple decontamination process that is ideal for removing oily substances and solvents from responder PPE, tools, and equipment. When washing is employed for technical decontamination, a simple soap-and-water mixture is usually the solution of choice. The PPE or other item is scrubbed with a brush or sponge, and then fully rinsed with water. The wash–rinse cycle can be repeated as many times as necessary until the item is free of contamination.

Chemical Degradation Typically, chemical degradation occurs when a natural or arti-� cial process causes the breakdown of a chemical substance.

FIGURE 9-6 Spongy materials are used to absorb liquid hazardous materials.

FIGURE 9-8 Sand can be used as an adsorbent.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman

FIGURE 9-7 An example of a shuffl e pit used to clean the responders’ boots. In this case, the responder would step into a basin with dry absorbent and work both feet back and forth to remove as much of the contamination as possible. The absorbent would then be disposed of as hazardous waste. © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman © Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by Glen E. Ellman


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For example, the action of ultraviolet light on a dilute concen-tration of hydrogen peroxide may, over a period of time, cause the chemical breakdown of the chemical, thereby rendering it harmless. This form of technical decontamination, much like absorption, is more suited to environmental decontamination.

One example is the process of chemical degradation for the in situ (in place) remediation of underground soil contami-nation, perhaps from a leaking underground diesel storage tank. In this complex process, chemicals might be pumped into the underground contamination—with the intent of breaking the hazardous material down into less persistent chemical compounds—and then further broken down by the soil itself. When considering these kinds of measures for tech-nical decontamination of responders, you must consult experts in the � eld who can fully appreciate the bene� ts and conse-quences of the proposed action.

Some chemical degradation methods, such as letting contaminated soil sit in the sun for long periods of time, are time consuming yet inexpensive ways of mitigating the dan-gers of chemicals. Heat may also be applied to some materials to promote their chemical degradation. Polyurethane-based plastics, for example, are susceptible to thermal degradation when exposed to certain temperatures over a given period of time.

Many forms of chemical degradation exist, some of which are discussed in the rest of this section. Be sure to consult experts in the � eld when considering an aggressive tactic such as chemical degradation to solve your problem, because this often-complex process is not within the scope of practice of awareness level personnel or operations level responders.

Dilution Dilution most commonly uses plain water to fully rinse off a contaminated person or object in an attempt to weaken the concentration of the hazard. Dilution is both fast and economical as water is readily available from any domestic water supply, � re engine, or � re hydrant. The majority of gross decontamination, technical decontamination, and mass decontamination processes all use dilution—water—as the preferred rinsing agent. Before using water, however, con-sider whether the contaminant will react adversely or gener-ate an unwanted by-product. Keep in mind that the larger the volume of water used, the more hazardous waste generated; these wastes may increase or spread the contamination and later must be disposed of safely.

Disinfection Disinfection is the process used to destroy disease-carrying microorganisms, excluding spores (anthrax, for example). Commercial disinfectants are packaged with a detailed bro-chure that describes the limitations and capabilities of the product. Responders with medical research labs, hospitals, clinics, mortuaries, medical waste disposal facilities, blood banks, or universities in their response area should be familiar with the speci� c types of biological hazards present and the best disinfectants for each hazard. This is a specialized form of decontamination that requires the advice of a knowledgeable expert.

Evaporation Evaporation is a natural form of chemical degradation. It is sometimes used as a safe, noninvasive way to allow a chemical substance to stabilize without human intervention. For exam-ple, a spill of a highly volatile liquid such as isopropyl alcohol, when it occurs on a hot sunny day, may evaporate on its own without any interventions required by responders. In some cases, when liquids with a high vapor pressure are spilled, responders may elect to take no direct action, but instead allow the substance to evaporate. This must be a well-thought-out decision (factoring in ignition sources, downwind conse-quences, time, and other circumstances), but in some cases doing nothing may be the best course of action.

Neutralization Neutralization is typically used when the corrosivity of an acid or a base needs to be reduced. When neutralizing a strong acid (such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, or phosphoric acid), a weak base should be selected for the neutralization reaction. Conversely, when a strong base (such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) requires neutralization, a weak acid should be selected. This method of decontamination should never be selected as an option for skin decontamination . The main rea-son for this warning is the heat generated when acids or bases are neutralized. Additionally, neutralizing a corrosive requires a good working knowledge of chemistry and should not be undertaken by any personnel without the proper training.

One example of a common neutralization reaction involves the combination of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH):

HCL + NaOH ⇒ ⇧ ∆ + H2O + NaCl

The byproducts of a neutralization reaction are heat, indicated by the upward pointing arrow (⇧) next to the ∆ (delta) sym-bol; water (H

2O); and a salt compound. In this case, the salt

produced is sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly referred to as table salt. The chemical reaction shows that if this method were used on personnel it could cause injury.

Solidi� cation Solidi� cation is a chemical process that causes a hazard-ous liquid to become a solid. This transformation makes the material easier to handle, but does not change the inherent chemical properties of the substance. Commercial products are available that cause certain liquids to solidify. Most commonly, they consist of cement-based products that are spread onto the spill, where they turn the liquid hazardous material into a solid, thereby quickly controlling the spill.

Sterilization Biological agents are the most logical candidates for decontam-ination by sterilization . The process of sterilization—whether by heat, chemical means, or radiation—is intended to kill microorganisms, including spores such as anthrax. This pro-cess of decontamination is not intended for responders, but rather is primarily used for environmental decontamination and for decontamination of tools and equipment.


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Isolation and Disposal Isolation and disposal is a two-step removal process for items that cannot be completely decontaminated. First, the contami-nated items (such as clothing, tools, and personal items) are removed from the personnel and/or the primary incident site and isolated in a designated area. The items can be segregated into logical groupings, if necessary; for example, you might put victims’ clothing in one area, responder equipment in another area, and potential evidence in a third area. The items are also tagged, with the tag including the item name, date of collec-tion, item description, location where it was found, and pos-sible contamination. Next, the contaminated items are placed into a suitable container such as a bag, barrel, or bucket. They can then be legally transported to an approved treatment, stor-age, or disposal facility, where the items are stored, incinerated, buried in a hazardous waste land� ll, or otherwise handled.

When this decontamination option is employed, you should consider the legal rami� cations, costs, and responsi-bility for the decision. Also keep in mind that any contaminated item removed from a person or the scene may be used later as evi-dence against the perpetrators of an incident with criminal intent . Be mindful of destroying potential evidence!

The Technical Decontamination Process The technical decontamination process should take place within a predesignated decontamination corridor located

within the warm zone. That corridor should be set up and staffed prior to the entry team making access and going to work in the hot zone FIGURE 9-9 . It would be a mistake to send an entry team in to work without some provisions having already been made for decontamination.

Decontamination corridors can be thought of as a transi-tion between the hot zone and the cold zone. Decontamination operations take place in the warm zone, but in actuality, the warm zone becomes “warm” only upon the commencement of the decontamination process.

Prior to any contaminated responders passing through the decontamination corridor, the corridor can be considered cold. This explains why the decontamination corridor can be set up by responders wearing the type of PPE that is appropriate for cold zone operations.

A clearly marked, easily seen, and readily accessible entry point to the decontamination corridor should be estab-lished, as well as a clearly marked exit. If the decontamination operation occurs at night or in poor weather conditions, the area should be well marked and well lit. Remember that all

FIGURE 9-9 A decontamination corridor should be established prior to responders entering the hot zone.


The warm zone is created when the personnel exiting the hot zone carry contamination into the decontamination corridor.

RESPONDER TIP

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VOICESOF EXPERIENCE

We normally associate technical decontamination with our bread-and-butter hazardous materials incident responses. At times, we become complacent or do not recognize the need for decontamination at other than hazardous materials operations. After the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995, I was assigned as the task force leader for the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force NY TF-1, which responded within 24 hours of the incident. I will offer two instances where proper decontamination was either overlooked or improp-erly administered.

Upon our arrival, there were many people working in and around the site, and there were well- intentioned people in the area offering food and liquids to the operations personnel working in and around the area. Because scene security was not fully implemented yet, these well-intentioned people were able to bring the food in close proximity to where the rescuers were working. As rescuers were taking breaks, there was abundant food available in the form of pizzas, sandwiches, and other easily transportable foods. This food was either eaten immediately or brought back to rescuers working on the site. It didn’t take long for rescuers to become overcome with intestinal ailments. This, in turn, reduced the operational effectiveness of the teams. The need for decontamination in the form of hand and face washing prior to eating was known; however, in the urgency of the moment decontamination was overlooked, resulting in the illness of rescuers. Scene security was later tightened, and food was controlled at central points away from the immediate area, with decontamination of personnel being performed at controlled entry and exit points at the work location.

Although decontamination points were set up, this, too, was not without issue. Someone on the scene had determined that decontamination would be performed at the controlled entry and exit points but that volunteers would be used to perform this function. As we all know, decontamination personnel must be trained and the decontamination methods must be appropriate for the circumstances. In this case, an unknown solution was placed into a sprayer, and the untrained volunteer was directed to spray all personnel leaving the area. Our task force hazardous materials specialist was astute enough to recognize the problems that would be encountered and set up a decontamination procedure and station for our members. It was shortly after this decision was made that a rescuer from another jurisdiction was sprayed by the volunteer at the other decontamination station and was severely burned on the face, particularly around the eyes. It turns out that the liquid in the sprayer was at full strength and inappropriate for the use intended. In the rush to set up decontamination, the wrong solution was used.

The lessons learned at this incident highlight the need to recognize when decontamination is required, even at “non-hazardous materials incidents,” and then use appropriately trained personnel, protocols, and procedures. Either of the described instances could have had a more serious effect on the overall mission success. Thankfully, the adverse effects were not major in nature.

Craig H. Shelley (Retired) City of Rutland Fire Department Rutland, Vermont

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© Jones & Bartlett Learning. Photographed by William Larkin

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responders leaving the hot zone must pass through the decon-tamination corridor.

Once the technical decontamination process begins, the level of PPE worn by the decontamination team is typically not less than one level below what the entry team is wearing. This is a � exible decision, however, and should be based on a risk-based thought process. If the expected contaminant is highly toxic and perhaps dif� cult to remove from PPE, the choice may be made to dress the decontamination team in the same level of protection as the entry team. There are no hard-and-fast rules here—the decisions made should be based on logic and the anticipated hazards of the released substance(s).

Inside the decontamination corridor, anyone who is con-taminated may need to pass through several stations to com-plete the technical decontamination process. These stations may be set up using a variety of tools and equipment, includ-ing the following items (as shown in Figure 9- 3 ):

■ Collection basins to capture the water used during decontamination

■ Portable sprayers to apply water and/or wash solutions ■ Sponges for wiping off gloves or other PPE ■ Buckets ■ Long-handled scrub brushes ■ Tarps

As with most other facets of emergency response, there is no single “right way” to do everything. Consult the standard operating procedures of your AHJ to better understand the tools, equipment, and procedures commonly used for perform-ing technical decontamination. The technical decontamination process should be clearly laid out and easily understood by those being decontaminated. Keep in mind that any responders operating in PPE will be hot, fatigued, and in no frame of mind to have to � gure out what the technical decontamination team wants them to do. It is the decontamination team’s responsi-bility to guide the contaminated victims through the process, removing as much stress from the situation as possible.

■ Performing Technical Decontamination The technical decontamination process actually starts before the entry team sets off for work in the hot zone. The pre-entry brie� ng should include information on the location of the decon corridor; the process to be used, and how the decontamination team will communicate with those moving through the process. Once work in the hot zone is complete, responders should notify the decontamination team (via radio or hand signals) that they are en route to the decontamination area. They should also take note of any obvious contamina-tion on their or their partner’s PPE—this should be relayed to the decontamination team so that special attention can be paid to those areas. If SCBA is worn, take note of the remaining amount of air pressure left in the cylinder of each responder. Once at the decontamination corridor, a decision must be made regarding which responder begins the process � rst. If one team member is grossly contaminated, and both responders have adequate air supply to complete decontamination, the more contaminated responder should enter � rst. If one responder is lower on air than the other, the one with the lowest air pres-sure remaining should enter the decontamination area � rst.

Once at the entrance to the decontamination corridor, both responders should place any contaminated hand tools or other equipment in a tool drop area near the entrance of the decon-tamination corridor. (These items can be cleaned later, after the contaminated responders are taken care of.) This drop area can consist of a container, a recovery drum, a special tarp, or another collection device. Place sensitive electronic equip-ment such as radios and meters away from tools that could affect and damage this equipment. If another trip into the hot zone is required, subsequent teams may use the same tools. It would be at this point that samples taken or evidence collected should be handed over to the decontamination team to move through the decontamination process.

Once tools and equipment are placed in the tool drop area, the entry team proceeds into the decontamination corridor for gross decontamination (if required). The gross decontamina-tion step is optional, depending on the amount and nature of the contaminant. A portable shower using a low-pressure, high-volume water � ow may complete this step (the shower contains the water).

Technical decontamination typically involves one to three wash-and-rinse stations, again depending on the nature of the expected contamination. Only one contaminated responder is allowed in a wash-and-rinse station at a time. The decon-tamination team member who is scrubbing should pay special attention to the gloves, crevices in the PPE, and boot soles, because these are areas in which hazardous materials are likely to collect. The rinser should begin at the top of the head of the responders and thoroughly rinse downward into the collection pool.

After the chemical protective equipment is thoroughly scrubbed and rinsed, it can be safely removed from the responder. The SCBA face piece, full- or half-face air-purifying respirators, or PAPR face piece should remain in place (SCBA harness and cylinder or PAPR fan units can be removed and set off to the side) as long as possible. The members of the decon-tamination team who are responsible for assisting respond-ers with dof� ng the PPE should fold or roll the PPE back so that the contaminated side of the garment contacts only itself. Outer chemical gloves (if worn) are carefully peeled away and off both hands of the responders. If the procedure is done properly, the contaminated side of the garment and gloves will not touch the person wearing it.

The responder then proceeds toward the cold zone end of the decontamination corridor, to an area where helmets, face piece, and any other ancillary equipment are removed and can be placed in a separate area or plastic bag (or other suitable container). Last, remove and discard inner gloves.

With decontamination complete, the responders can exit the decontamination area and enter the cold zone, where

Responder Safety Tip


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personal showers are taken and a fresh set of clothes are donned. Afterward, personnel should proceed to a medical station for evaluation.

To perform technical decontamination on a responder, follow the steps in SKILL DRILL 9-1 :

1 Drop any tools and equipment into a tool drum or onto a designated tarp. (STEP 1 )

2 Perform gross decontamination, if necessary. (STEP 2 )3 Perform technical decontamination. Wash and rinse

the responder one to three times. The wash–rinse cycle is determined largely by the nature of the con-taminant. Remember, the goal is to render the PPE safe to remove. (STEP 3 )

4 Remove outer hazardous materials–protective cloth-ing. (STEP 4 )

5 Remove personal clothing.6 Proceed to the rehabilitation area for medical moni-

toring, rehydration, and personal decontamination. (STEP 5 )


VIDEOVIDEO SKILL DRILL 9- 1 Performing Technical Decontamination on a Responder

NFPA 6.4.4.2

1 Drop any tools and equipment into a tool drum or onto a designated tarp.

2 Perform gross

decontamination, if necessary.

3 Perform technical decontamination. Wash and rinse the responder one to three times. The wash–rinse cycle is determined largely by the nature of the contaminant. Remember, the goal is to render the PPE safe to remove.

4 Remove outer hazardous

materials–protective clothing.

5 Remove personal clothing. Proceed to the rehabilitation area for medical monitoring, rehydration, and personal decontamination.

© Jones & Bartlett Learning. Courtesy of MIEMSS





Most chemical protective equipment in use today is considered to be disposable, with the decontamination process intended to render the garments safe enough to remove and discard, not rendered 100% clean. The concept of removing PPE should follow the same principle as applies when extricating a victim pinned inside an automobile: Remove the car from the person; do not take the person from the car. When it comes to decon-tamination and PPE removal, remove the PPE from the person; don’t take the person out of the PPE.

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Chief Concepts ■ Decontamination is the physical and/or chemical

process of reducing and preventing the spread of contaminants from people, animals, the environ-ment, or equipment involved at hazardous materi-als/weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents.

■ Decontamination efforts should be matched to the known or anticipated physical and chemical properties of the released substance.

■ The three major categories of decontamination are emergency decontamination, mass decon-tamination, and technical decontamination. Gross decontamination takes place within a con-trolled decontamination corridor and generally consists of a prewash before technical decontam-ination takes place.

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■ The decontamination corridor is a controlled area in the warm zone, for which access is limited to only those persons who have entered the hot zone or who are participating in decontamination.

■ Responders may employ any number of technical decontamination methods for personnel, tools, and equipment, including absorption, adsorp-tion, washing, dilution, and neutralization. It is up to the responder to match the best decontami-nation method with the physical and chemical characteristics of the contaminant.

Technical decontamination can be performed in several ways, and your AHJ may have established a speci� c procedure for it. check your policies and procedures for instructions on the preferred way to carry out technical decontamination.

■ Evaluating the Effectiveness of Technical Decontamination

Evaluating the effectiveness of the decontamination is typically done at the end of the decontamination line, and should be based on the nature of the contaminant. The goal is to check for the effectiveness of decontamination using whatever method will offer the most accurate results. If the contaminant is corro-sive, pH paper can be swiped along the PPE at various locations to ensure there is no corrosive residue left. A photo ioniza-tion detector (PID) might be used to determine if any residual organic compounds remain after the protective garment, gloves, or boots have been decontaminated. Radiation detectors might be passed over and around the responder to ensure no radiation contamination exists on the PPE. These are broad examples, and serve only to suggest some tools and actions that might be use-ful to ensure your decontamination efforts are successful. Again, creative thinking and well thought out actions are required when it comes to determining the effectiveness of your decontamina-tion. In some jurisdictions, environmental safety and health rep-resentatives from municipal agencies may be available to assist with this process. Check your standard operating procedures for the proper ways to interact with those representatives if they are to be involved in your operation.

■ Reports and Documentation When it comes to decontamination, the person responsi-ble for the decontamination corridor should complete any documentation and recordkeeping that is required by the emergency response plan or standard operating procedures. This information should be included in the overall docu-mentation process for the incident. Items to record include the names of all persons arriving and processed through the decontamination corridor; information on the released substance; the potential for acute and chronic health effects of an accidental exposure; actions taken to limit exposures; a detailed description of the decontamination activities, including decontamination solutions and the overall effec-tiveness of those solutions; and any breaches or failures of the PPE noted during the decontamination process. As with any other type of incident, this report should be complete and accurate, and should stand as your legal account of the incident.

■ The decontamination corridor is a controlled area in the warm zone, for which access is limited to only those persons who have entered the hot zone or who are participating in decontamination.

■ Responders may employ any number of technical decontamination methods for personnel, tools, and equipment, including absorption, adsorp-tion, washing, dilution, and neutralization. It is up to the responder to match the best decontami-nation method with the physical and chemical characteristics of the contaminant.

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Responders should consult NFPA 473, Standard for Competen-cies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents , for guidance on medi-cal monitoring.

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■ When it comes to PPE removal within the decon-tamination corridor, remove the PPE from the per-son; don’t take the person out of the PPE.

■ After personnel are thoroughly decontaminated and have showered and donned clean clothes, they should proceed to a medical station for evaluation.

■ Use detection techniques to evaluate the effective-ness of decontamination.

■ Document your account of the entire incident.

Hot Terms Absorption The process of applying a material that will

soak up and hold a hazardous material in a sponge-like manner, for collection and subsequent disposal.

Adsorption The process in which a contaminant adheres to the surface of an added material—such as silica or activated carbon—rather than combining with it (as in absorption).

Chemical degradation A natural or arti� cial process that causes the breakdown of a chemical substance.

Contamination The process of transferring a hazardous material from its source to people, animals, the envi-ronment, or equipment, all of which may act as carriers for the material.

Decontamination The physical and/or chemical process of reducing and preventing the spread of contaminants from people, animals, the environment, or equip-ment involved at hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction incidents.

Decontamination corridor A controlled area within the warm zone where decontamination takes place.

Decontamination team The team responsible for reducing and preventing the spread of contaminants from per-sons and equipment used at a hazardous materials inci-dent. The team members establish the decontamination corridor and conduct all phases of decontamination.

Dilution The process of adding some substance— usually water—in an attempt to weaken the concentration of another substance.

Disinfection The process used to destroy recognized dis-ease-carrying (pathogenic) microorganisms.

Emergency decontamination The process of removing the bulk of contaminants off of a victim without regard for containment. It is used in potentially life-threatening

situations, without the formal establishment of a decontamination corridor.

Evaporation A natural form of chemical degradation in which a liquid material becomes a gas, allowing for dissipation of a liquid spill. It is sometimes used as a safe, noninvasive way to allow a chemical substance to stabilize without human intervention.

Gross decontamination A technique for signi� cantly reducing the amount of surface contaminant by appli-cation of a continuous shower of water prior to the removal of outer clothing. It differs from emergency decontamination in that gross decontamination is con-trolled through the decontamination corridor.

Isolation and disposal A two-step removal process for items that cannot be properly decontaminated. First, the contaminated article is removed and isolated in a designated area. Second, it is packaged in a suit-able container and transported to an approved facility, where it is either incinerated or buried in a hazardous waste land� ll.

Mass decontamination The physical process of reducing or removing surface contaminants from large numbers of victims in potentially life-threatening situations in the fastest time possible.

Neutralization The method used when the corrosivity of an acid or a base needs to be minimized. This process accomplishes decontamination by way of a chemical reaction that alters the material’s pH.

Solidi� cation The process of chemically treating a hazard-ous liquid so as to turn it into a solid material, thereby making the material easier to handle.

Sterilization A process using heat, chemical means, or radiation to kill microorganisms.

Technical decontamination A multistep process of care-fully scrubbing and washing contaminants off of a person or object, collecting runoff water, and collect-ing and properly handling all items. It takes place after gross decontamination.

Vacuuming The process of cleaning up dusts, particles, and some liquids using a vacuum with high ef� ciency particulate air (HEPA) � ltration to prevent recontami-nation of the environment.

Washing The process of dousing contaminated victims with a simple soap-and-water solution. The victims are then rinsed using water.

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RESPONDERRESPONDERRESPONDERin action in action in action

It is Tuesday evening when your engine company is dispatched to a vehicle � re. Upon arrival, you � nd a fully involved van in a convenience store parking lot. The driver of the van is in custody away from the � re, sitting on the curb. Your lieutenant gives the order to pull a handline to extinguish the � re. You and your crew extinguish the � re and gain access to the van’s interior through the rear doors. During overhaul, you � nd indicators that the van has been used as a mobile drug laboratory. Local law enforcement personnel and the regional hazardous materials team are also summoned to the scene.

1. Which of the following decontamination methods is likely to be the best choice for technical decontami-nation in this situation?

A. Absorption

B. Neutralization

C. Dilution

D. Solidi� cation

2. The hazardous materials team arrives and enters the van for evidence collection on behalf of the local police. Which decontamination process should be used to decontaminate the evidence containers?

A. Mass

B. Technical

C. Gross

D. Emergency

3. If the entry team wore Level B ensembles to collect the evidence, which level of protection would be the most appropriate for the decontamination team?

A. Level A

B. Level B

C. Level C

D. Level D

4. Law enforcement personnel bring you the victim of the accident. He complains of burning eyes and skin. Which type of decontamination should be used for him?

A. Emergency

B. Technical

C. Mass

D. None

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