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Fire Service Academy

Concept for mass decontaminationThe influence of cultures

Dick Arentsen & Herman Schreurs

vfdb - Jahresfachtagung 2007 vom 20 – 23 Mai in Leipzig

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Definition of mass decontamination

• Mass decontamination is where more than on person can be decontaminated simultaneously using the same equipment.

• The term “mass decontamination” as used here, therefore refers to the capacity of the method, NOT the number of people to whom it is applied.

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Multiple incidents• Organisations have normally

planned on the assumption that they have adequate resources to handle one incident at any time.

• The experience of September 11 2001 and Madrid 2004 has shown that multiple incidents may have to be handled simultaneously, perhaps within the boundaries of a single authority.

• September 11, 2001– New York, Washington and Pennsylvania

• Madrid, 2004– Atocha, El Pozo, Santa Eugenia and Tellez

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Significant incidents

• There will be an early demand for information from the public and the media about how people can protect themselves, their families and their property.

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Media Hype

• Any significant incident will swiftly attract massive domestic and foreign media attention, and strong public and political interest.

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Public confidence

• There could be adverse effects on public confidence.– Depending on the nature of the contamination,

this could cause difficulties at the scene and/orsignificant public disorder.

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High levels of decency

• Responders should display respect and empathy for victims or casualties and their property.

• The issues of public disrobing will be difficult for the majority of people and may be traumatic for some.

• Ensuring high levels of decency is vital.

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Sensitive to other concerns• Responders must always

remain sensitive to thedignity, cultural and religiousconcerns and requirementsof different communities andsocial groups and of the specialneeds of individuals. Sighted victimsshould be encouraged to assistblind or visually impaired victimsthrough the mass decontaminationfacilities.

• The people affected by the release may not speak the language or may have hearing disabilities, perhaps inflicted temporarily due to the nature of the incident. Clear signage, pictograms or direction should be used.

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Clear signage, pictograms

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Family bonds

• Family units are particularly strong during disaster situations. There will be a strong imperative for victims to search for, or re-unite with, loved ones from whom they have become separated.

• Family units should always be kept together for as long as possible and care should be taken to re-assure victims that they will be re-united with family members as soon as practicable.

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Signs and symptoms

• Responders may also experience many of the same emotional and behavioural responses as victims or casualties. Agencies must consider these issues and adopt procedures to minimise the long and short-termpsychological effects.

• Many of the signs andsymptoms associated withbehavioural and emotionalresponses can be similar to thoseassociated with exposure to CBRN.

• This has implications for responder

training to help differentiate thesecharacteristics.

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Mass decontamination

• The Fire Service in The Netherlands is equipped with mobile mass decontamination units including Disrobe and Re-robe packs. These will normally be deployed at the edge of the hot and warm zone. The process will include disrobing, showering and re-robing.

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Mass decontamination methods

• Mass decontamination methods include:– low-pressure water spray from a fire hose,– portable showers,– large, purpose-built mobile units– fixed facilities away from the scene of the incident.

• However, the method of decontamination will depend on the type of material that has been released. The identification and assessment of the hazard jointly by the emergency services will determine this.

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Emergency decontamination

• A procedure carried out in advance of the deployment mass decontamination resources – Where it is judged as

imperative that decontamination of people is carried out as soon as possible.

– Improvisation may be needed

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Decon lanes

• 80 % of the contamination is removed when undressed

Males and females should enter separate decon facilities,if possible Help of Imam and / or Rabin

Young children should bepermitted to accompany parent of either sex

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Hot- / Warm- / Cold zoneCold

Warm

Hot

Wind

Minimaal 25 m

Aankleedplaats

Uitkleedplaats

Ontsmetten

Wachtplaats

Hulpverleners Slachtoffers

Uitkleden

Aankleden

Ontsmetten

Brancard BRW

Brancard ambu

ambu (warm zone)

Ontsmettingsfaciliteit

Overtillen

T3

Sporthalzwembad

o.i.d.

ambu

Effectgebied

Brongebied

Bron

Oorspronkelijkeopstellijn

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Decontamination detergent

• 07-0309 REV Gebruiksaanwijziging Decontaminatie Unit Brandweer - Duits.doc

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Fire Service Academy

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