The likelihood of a fire department having to respond to a contamination incident has escalated from an “if” to a “when.” With this threat entering every department's backyard, even the smallest departments must be prepared.

Departments are limited by available funds and available space when determining what equipment to use for decontamination, so systems vary dramatically. Some departments use 40-foot enclosed trailers with multiple showers and water heaters, while others use a fog pattern from a partially extended 85-foot ladder truck.

Some 70% to 80% of contaminants can typically be discarded by removing a victim's clothing. This makes clothing removal a logical starting point for a decon line, but it also raises privacy concerns. While modesty may not be the top priority for civilians or departments during an incident, often it becomes an issue after the fact and can even result in litigation after those who were rescued have time to reflect on the incident. As a result, the ladder decon line approach addresses not only departments' financial and space limitations, but also the need to protect citizens both from the press and the elements.

Rapid-decon inquiries showed that many departments were aware of a decon line that used an aerial platform with tarps and hoses, but no one knew of a department that had implemented this system. So I developed a decon system concept that doesn't require significant financial or human resources. This ladder decon system costs less than $250 and is constructed of components that are found readily at most hardware stores. The system can be deployed by five people in less than 12 minutes and can be stored in two cubic feet of compartment space.

This system can be the primary mass-decontamination method for smaller, more financially restricted departments. It also can also used by departments with more firefighters and more dollars to expand their capacities in the event of a large-scale incident or a situation requiring multiple decon stations.

The system requires only minor assembly before it is ready for storage, training or deployment. To assemble the ladder decon system, you'll need:

• Eight 10- by 12-foot tarps.
• 26 hooks that traditionally are used to attach the handle of a one-gallon paint can to the rung of a painter's ladder.
• 26 24-inch bungee cords.
• 62 not-for-climbing carabineers.

If a department finds it necessary to reduce cost, zip-ties or 4- to 6-mm rope can be used instead of the carabineers. Pail hooks can be fashioned from sturdy all-metal clothes hangers or a prussic rope and a small carabineer. Some 5- to 7-mm rope can replace the bungee cords with a little bit of knot-tying knowledge.

To prepare the device, lay four of the tarps flat on the ground end to end to form a 10- by 48-foot foot curtain. Attach the tarps to one another by connecting the grommets with the carabineers. Along one edge of the curtain, attach the hooks that will be used to hang the tarp from the ladder. Attach the hooks to every other grommet using a carabineer. Repeat the process using four additional tarps. Tarps may need to be added or removed to adjust the decon line length once on scene. The tarps then can be stored on a rig for use at an incident.

Deployment also is easy. As the ladder truck arrives, and if the scene permits, have the engineer stage it perpendicular to the direction from which contaminated patients will arrive. Deploy the ladder toward the hot zone so it is fully extended and parallel to the ground. Fully extending the ladder will facilitate passing the hoses through the rungs when assembling the shower.

Working from the front of the ladder back toward the apparatus, place the tarp curtain parallel to the ladder and attach the hooks to the boom.

To create an anchor, extend a single section of large-diameter hose line on the ground parallel to the ladder, beginning at the end and working back toward the apparatus. Place a closed nozzle or cap on this end of the hose. On the other end, attach a closable valve and fill the line with water. Once full, close the valve and remove the supply line to eliminate the tripping hazard for casualties exiting the decon tunnel.

Along the bottom edge of the curtain and at every other grommet, pass a bungee cord under the hose, hooking both ends of the cord into the grommet. Then slide the large diameter line perpendicular to the ladder to remove the slack from the curtain. Repeat the process on the other side of the ladder to form a tunnel.

Extend the first handline from a discharge point on the apparatus, along the rungs, to four feet from the end of the ladder. Place a distributor or fog-pattern nozzle on the end of the hose and turn it to spray water perpendicular to the ground. The nozzle can be secured with rope or a 6-foot tie-down cam strap. To avoid hose kinks, lift the end of the hose off the rungs and secure the last few feet of hose to the rail sections of the ladder before attempting to make the 90° turn toward the ground. This will be the gross decon station.

The next station will be the area for disrobing and no handline is needed. Personnel in appropriate PPE can stand outside the curtain and remove potentially contaminated clothing from the tunnel with a short pike pole. Disconnecting a few of the carabineers to open the curtain slightly at the bottom between the first and second tarps will make this easier.

The second handline should be extended from the apparatus and turned downward approximately 12 feet from the first handline. This area will be a wash station. Persistent or oil-based agents may require the use of some form of soap for decontamination. This should be made available by using small personal bar size soap or a Pro-Pak foam inductor with an appropriate decontamination solution and high-expansion foam nozzle turned toward the ground.

The third handline will serve as a rinse station. It should be extended from the apparatus and turned downward 12 feet from the wash station handline.

The last area will be used for redress. Commercial redress kits are available or 55-gallon drum liners can be used by cutting a head hole in the bottom and two armholes in the sides. With this minimal protection from the elements, it would be particularly important to quickly evacuate individuals to a sheltered area for medical assessment and threat-agent monitoring.

Depending on the agent, the use of damming and diking procedures may be necessary to control runoff. Dilution may be the solution to contamination reduction.

This is not the optimal system for rapid decon. In a world of unlimited resources, a department will buy the latest and greatest technology to do the job. A ladder decon system offers an alternative for departments that do not live in that world. Relying on a homegrown rapid-decon system can create the opportunity to invest in equipment for which there is no low-tech alternative. It is instinctual for a firefighter arriving on scene to preserve life before property. Why not rely on that same instinct when budgeting for alternative decontamination methods?

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Sgt. 1st Class Michael Reynolds is the flight medic and assistant mobile analytical labortory operator for the 4th WMD Civil Support Team in Altanta. He has more than 15 years experience as a firefighter/EMT. Reynolds holds a degree in emergency services management and is persuing his master's degree in WMD response.