Over the years, decontamination has evolved from a booster line and bucket for all situations to a variety of techniques for specific situations. While these techniques are not unusually difficult, learning and retaining various techniques can be challenging for fire department personnel.

Many departments are fortunate enough to have a hazmat team. These teams are great resources, but they shouldn't be relied upon for decontamination; their primary responsibility is to mitigate the hazard threatening your community. Line firefighters should perform decontamination when needed.

All firefighters should have a basic understanding of the types of decontamination. Departments should develop procedures for each type to ensure the ultimate goal — treat as many symptomatic patients as possible in the shortest amount of time. Annual and periodic refresher training helps to ensure quick recall when needed.

Types of Decontamination

There are six types of decontamination: emergency, rapid mass, mass, technical, post-fire and dry. Each type has specific techniques associated with it.

Emergency decontamination typically is reserved for the incident responder and accomplished with a handline or booster hose. Hazmat teams are required to establish a means of emergency decontamination prior to entry unless there is an imminent rescue. Emergency decontamination can be handled easily by an engine company, but must be assigned early.

The state of Oregon doesn't require responders to collect the run-off; however, a “kiddie” pool inflated with an adapter that connects to an SCBA bottle makes a quick catch basin. Small inflatable pools have proved to be the most cost-effective and least-complicated catch basins commercially available. Confirm whether you are required to contain run-off in your state, as the added step takes time and requires additional resources.

Rapid mass decontamination occurs immediately upon arrival to an incident where multiple patients are symptomatic. It is performed by incident responders trained to the awareness or operations level. Again, don't rely on hazmat teams to perform this operation; they should be used as a technical resource. Rapid mass decon can be achieved by “wetting down” patients with a side port discharge or handline as they walk past an engine. Decontamination solutions and systematic washing are not necessary at first. Dry decontamination should be considered as an alternative. As the operation grows, engines, trucks, hoselines and personnel can be added.

Mass decontamination is considered an extension of the rapid mass decon operation. As a decontamination operation develops, additional arriving resources provide the incident commander with the ability to control patients and direct their movement through decon to triage and treatment. The complexity of a decon operation also will grow from a single hoseline or clothing-removal area to a well-coordinated decontamination corridor with multiple hoselines and containment areas. Multiple divisions and groups will develop and the patients that have not left the scene already will be looking for direction. Assigning a decontamination officer will provide patients and firefighters with clear direction in a chaotic environment.

Technical decontamination is defined as the systematic cleaning of personnel to allow them to remove chemical-protection suits. This type of decon is provided to hazmat teams or incident responders and performed by engine and truck companies unless the level of protection required by decon personnel exceeds their level of training. Protocols should require decon personnel to be in the same level of PPE as the entry team, or one level below. In most cases, technical decon is a less-emergent situation that requires a complicated assembly of equipment and personnel. Of the different types of decon, the technical decon corridor set-up is the most challenging for firefighters due to the number and types of decontamination equipment available. Lack of training time and access to the equipment used by a hazmat team can reduce proficiency and confidence.

Post-fire decontamination is a high priority for our department and should be for your department. Studies like the one conducted by the Phoenix Fire Department, and more recently by our department, have shown that firefighters receive high concentrations of known carcinogens and other dangerous compounds during extinguishment and overhaul. Airway protection can be handled with proper air monitoring or continual use of SCBA, but contaminants that embed into the fabrics of our turnouts must also be taken into account. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue uses an ultra-violet detector to determine the types of compounds found at each fire. Based on the findings, a decontamination recommendation is given to the incident commander. Decon can be as simple as a turnout wash-down on scene, a complete turnout washing and firefighter shower, or a blood draw. Unless you have a sophisticated air monitor, basic post-fire decon should be a part of your routine on all fire incidents.

Dry decontamination uses fans to blow contaminants off patients, towels or absorbent pads to wipe down patients, or clothing removal. In cold environments or radiological emergencies, water is not necessarily the best choice for decontamination. Wet decontamination requires a significant amount of resources that most likely will be assigned to other functions in a major emergency. It is well-documented that removing contaminated clothing eliminates 80% of contaminants on symptomatic patients; however, modesty and the environment become factors that should be considered. Providing decontamination kits to both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients can reduce some of the apprehension of removing clothing. These packages are easily stored and can be purchased commercially or assembled by your department. Most contain bags, garments, tags, disposable towels, pens and slippers.

Command Roles

People running toward an engine can be overwhelming. A lack of training, familiarity with equipment and clear direction — as well as complexity of set-up — are just a few of the factors that can contribute to failed operations. The time to address these factors is before an incident occurs.

Training. Review the types of decontamination and establish simple methods or guidelines for implementation. Provide the initial training and incorporate decontamination into your yearly recertification for awareness and operations.

Solicit training from the hazmat team that serves your jurisdiction. In the region served by our department, our team trains with local fire departments on a rotational basis, which provides them with a look at our equipment and the services that we can provide.

Equipment. Research alternative ways to construct a decon corridor with readily available products and materials, including inflatable pools for washing, inflated hoselines for containment, and pre-measured plastic for the corridor that corresponds to the level of decon. Construct a decon manifold that accepts standard fire department fittings and your own gross decon shower.

Provide crews with the necessary PPE to perform decon or simple mitigation safely. Our engine and truck companies carry personal bags that contain chemical-protection gloves, suits, overboots and APRs.

Set up. Divide your technical decon system into three levels that relate to the amount of decon required; then create packets for each level. Each packet should contain diagrams, pictures, step-by-step instructions, and the location of the necessary equipment. The packet is given to the decontamination officer, who then establishes the corridor with an engine company. This simple idea gives personnel the ability to perform the operation with almost no recall or outside input.

Although manufacturers constantly are developing new and improved products, identify and store the best equipment for your department. There are times when the booster hose and bucket are still applicable.

As the incident commander, assign a decontamination officer early and outline clear instructions/directions for the set-up location and operation. The decontamination officer will establish a place for patients to move to, direct their flow and provide clear instructions to decon personnel. A decontamination officer checklist that outlines objectives and tasks can be developed ahead of time.

In the fire service there are more methods for decontamination than there are situations that require decon. Simplify your procedures, update your equipment, work with your hazmat team and provide your crews with initial training. We incorporated readily available equipment that is easy to assemble, task card packets for the decontamination team, and yearly training for all personnel. The result is a system that responders can be proficient at with almost no recall, yet ensures that the decon corridor is set up correctly. Teach your crews the basics and reinforce the fact that they may not be able to decon everyone. Historically speaking, one out of five people running from the event actually needs decon and the symptomatic ones will be evident.

---

Deric Weiss is the hazmat-team captain for Tualatin Valley (Ore.) Fire and Rescue, where he has served for 16 years. He also serves with the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office — Hazmat Region 9, and is a certified hazmat technician and incident commander.

Related Stories

• D-I-Y Decon
• Can-Do Decon
• Cold Shock