BY FREDERICK KAUSER
Technical decontamination generally refers to the decontamination of hazardous materials entry team workers. The process, involving multiple washes and rinses, is designed to remove and contain as many contaminants as possible so personal protective equipment (PPE) can be handled or removed. Such is the case when an SCBA bottle requires replacement or the entry team has completed its assignment.
Decontamination as a process has changed little since its introduction to the fire service in the early 1980s; however, the applications have grown to include those not typically recognized as hazardous materials related, such as on the fireground, at mass-casualty incidents, and at incidents involving weapons of mass destruction.
A diagram outlining basic field decontamination procedures in the first edition of Hazardous Materials for First Responders (IFSTA, March 1988) remains fundamentally sound. For nearly 20 years, we have been placing the decon corridor at the transition of the hot and warm zones—considering, of course, grade and wind. We have laid down ground tarps; filled buckets with soapy solution; and placed cones, garden-type hoses, and receptacles for contaminated clothing. We have inflated or set up containment pools. We have maintained clean and dirty sides and have prepared for emergencies involving ill or injured haz-mat workers.
Manufacturers continue to improve decon equipment, providing us with many new options. These options include the basic field decontamination supplies described above (typically viewed as disposable) and portable trailers including self-contained walk-through units. Recently, our planners have discussed engineered, fixed systems incorporated into structures. Regardless of the availability of sophisticated equipment, basic field decontamination using pools, buckets, and hoses remains a staple in any community’s response program.
 (1) The overall setup of a single-station corridor looking toward the cold zone. The dirty side is to the left (outside); the clean side is to right (inside). (Photos by author.) |
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 (2) Closeup of unstaffed single-station corridor. |
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The Mifflin Township Division of Fire in Gahanna, Ohio, is part of the regional hazardous materials response system comprised of central Ohio fire departments and other public agencies. Decontamina-tion has been our contribution to the regional system for nearly 12 years. Our policies and standard operating procedures have evolved during this time, and our goal has been to improve technical field decontamination methodology without compromising the process. Focusing on this one aspect enabled us to evaluate and improve several elements.
As we began to systematically study each aspect of operations to identify areas where we could make improvements, we saw several recurring themes. These include improving the safety of entry personnel, reducing overall setup time, reducing staffing requirements, and simplifying setup and operations. This effort resulted in the development of the Single-Station Field Decontamination System©, whereby only a single platform or containment device is used to perform multiple washes and rinses. After the wash/rinse station, a much simpler, “dry” corridor remains for doffing PPE, SCBA change out or removal, and redress. Dirty and clean sides are always maintained. The study provided an excellent alternative to traditional methods that, although not applicable to every scenario, can be used in many instances.
IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF ENTRY TEAM MEMBERS
Our first goal was to improve the safety of entry team members. Field experience has taught us that decontamination can be challenging and potentially hazardous from the entry team members’ perspective. Physical and mental exhaustion, restricted visibility, and hampered communications greatly influence their ability to understand and follow directions. Our goal was to get them through the decon line and out of their PPE faster without reducing the effectiveness of the decon process. Using the single-station design, we were able to do the following:
- Process the entry team member on a single elevated platform to receive multiple washes and rinses, eliminating the need to travel to additional pools.
- Eliminate the need to stand within the contaminants or to use an elevation device such as a milk or bread crate.
- Provide sure footing that could not slip out from under the user and reduce the step height from an average of 12 to 16 inches to less than six inches.
- Eliminate containment pools with raised sides that can contribute to a fall or containment failure if stepped on. This change eliminated travel time in the corridor while in a suit, provided a more stable footing, kept the suit wearer out of contaminated materials, and resulted in quicker processing—thereby getting members out of their PPE sooner.
IMPROVING SETUP TIME
Since time is of critical importance, we separated this goal to emphasize its value. On average, our setup time would vary between 20 and 30 minutes once adequate staffing arrived on the scene. Ideally, up to three companies were required with staffing between nine and 12 firefighters. These personnel would have to lay down a 50-foot length of VisqueenT; secure the border with a charged 11/2-inch hoseline; assemble or inflate the containment pools; prepare buckets of solution; and place pylons, garden hoses, and chairs. Once the decon corridor was set up, they would then dress themselves or assist in dressing others. In the earliest days, entry team members would have to wait impatiently while decon workers moved as quickly as possible to set up.
With the improved system, a single firefighter can essentially set up the wash/rinse stage of the corridor alone in less than 10 minutes. Add three more firefighters, and the entire decon line can be set up in less than 10 minutes. We also chose to eliminate the VisqueenT, since the containment device is considerably more reliable than previous containment pools.
The new containment device does not require assembly or inflation. In cases where the containment of decontamination solutions is required, the single-station system will shave many minutes from the setup time.
REDUCING STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATIONS
We found that our earliest efforts required closer to 20 responders to set up, fully staff, and sustain operations. We have since reduced the multistation process to approximately 12 to 14 personnel, with a minimum of 10 to initiate operations. Eight personnel, assigned in pairs, operated four stages comprised of a gross rinse, two wash/ rinse, and one doffing/redress. The two remaining personnel consisted of the supervisor and a runner. In most cases, these were the same personnel used during setup. These numbers were also affected by weather or other situational requirements but have remained fairly consistent.
The Single-Station Field Decontamination System reduced our staffing requirements to 50 percent, or about six personnel, with only four personnel wearing the highest levels of PPE. We have found that a single station is adequate for a four- to six-member entry team and that we could operate two complete single-station lines with the original multistation staffing. If reduced staffing is beneficial to a metropolitan area like ours, surely communities with fewer resources can benefit from the practice.
 (3) The nonambulatory setup. The bladder bag is toward the hot zone. |
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 (4) The approximate working positions when the corridor is staffed. |
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 (5) The first stage in operation: rinse, wash, rinse. |
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 (6) The deck is washed and rinsed between responders. |
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SIMPLIFY SETUP AND OPERATIONS
As long as the liquid remained at the feet of the responder, multiple containment pools would be necessary. Our goal was to eliminate the need for multiple containment pools whenever the incident would permit it, which would simplify setup.
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Our improved system does not require a transfer pump, and the number of garden-type hoses was also reduced to just one (plus a charged spare). The decon deck uses a ground tarp to delineate the restricted area and to provide a third layer of abrasion protection for the bladder. The remainder of the decon line is comprised of two or three “dry” stations used for doffing PPE and redressing, rehabilitation, and post-entry medical monitoring.
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The single-station system is divided into three primary stages: wash/rinse, PPE doffing, and redress. Three or four ground tarps are generally placed about six to 10 feet apart, depending mostly on the type of material(s) involved and work site restrictions. The first ground tarp contains the decon deck and its extended bladder. Two or three buckets of solution are placed on the tarp; several more may be located off the tarp on the clean side. A single hose and wand are in the first station. The bucket containing solutions and the brush are usually limited to a single use.
After the final rinse and inspection, the entry worker may proceed to the next stage for PPE removal. The brush is used on the deck surface, and the deck is rinsed. The contaminated brush and bucket may then be placed on the dirty side of the tarp; a fresh bucket and brush may be provided from the clean side for the next team member, if warranted. The next responder approaches the clean deck, and the process is repeated.
The second and sometimes third stages are used for the doffing of PPE. If two layers are used, an additional stage is added to the line. Decontamination workers, wearing a reduced level of PPE, remove and contain the clothing for disposal. SCBA cylinders may also be changed at this stage for reentry.
The final stage is used to redress the worker in coveralls as dictated by the weather and may also be used to assess status and vital signs and begin rehabilitation. In some cases, the entry team leader may receive a cursory post-entry report.
Note: An indirect goal of our endeavor was to limit the amount of changes the system required from a training perspective. This system, when used as described, did not require our personnel to learn new techniques, as they were essentially still performing the same skills.
 (7) The second stage, where PPE is removed and SCBA is changed (if necessary). |
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 (8) The third stage, where SCBA is removed and the responder is assessed and redressed (if required because of weather). |
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EMERGENCIES (NONAMBULATORY)
Our old system called for a stokes basket propped up on sawhorses over a containment pool. Narrow decks are available that are ideal for this use. The City of Columbus (OH) Division of Fire connects two full-size decks. The victim is placed on the sturdy deck and can be rinsed quickly while being rolled from side to side. The victim never contacts the contaminants, and workers cannot inadvertently fracture or puncture the containment deck, thereby releasing its contents. The nonambulatory deck is designed to remain on the ground, which appears safer for everyone working on an unresponsive victim.
The nonambulatory deck is located on the clean side of the decon line. Personnel from the first or second station may be used to operate the nonambulatory station; we keep it staffed at all times.
 (9) When all responders have been decontaminated, those working the front end of the corridor are next. Shown are decontamination workers going through the process. |
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 (10) An overview of tandem decontamination corridors, which are used when multiple entry teams are operating. |
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TANDEM SETUP
When multiple teams are required for very large incidents or when managing an incident involving a highly toxic agent, tandem decon-tamination corridors may be established. There are at least two options for operating two decon lines. The first option is to set up two identical corridors with the “clean side” maintained between the two. The outside is used for the removal and placement of bags, drums, or contaminated items; the nonambulatory deck is placed between.
Another option is to place the nonambulatory deck between the two wash/rinse stages and place a single doffing and redress station behind the two, and centered. This would permit the sharing of the last two or three stages.
ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX
The Single-Station Decontamination Sys-tem may not be appropriate for every hazardous-materials incident and, just like every tool, it has its limitations. Some trade-offs likely exist whenever large gains are made. For example, the single-piece base prevents it from being stored in a small compartment, especially when carrying a full complement of four to six units. This may not be a problem if you are using a trailer or hazardous materials response vehicle.
Another trade-off is that an entry team member will be waiting while the one on the deck is being washed and rinsed. This occurs somewhat in the multistation setup and can be reduced with practice or the use of a tandem setup. Some incidents, such as those posing the highest health risk to responders, may justify separate wash and rinse pools. In such cases, we would use our decks in a multiple-station configuration. Knowing when to use the single-station approach should be addressed through planning, training, and drilling.
Decontamination has become a fundamental duty of all firefighters and is no longer limited to hazardous-materials incidents. Firefighters should be prepared to decontaminate civilians and emergency workers alike and, in some cases, their apparatus, tools, and equipment. This system does not apply to emergency decontamination of firefighters or civilians where immediate flushing is required—when secondary containment is not required or expected.
The Single-Station Field Decontamination System represents an advancement in traditional response methodology. It applies to situations that require contaminants to be collected, contained, tested, and properly disposed of. It offers a measure of improved safety, is quicker to set up than multiple-station systems because it is less complex, and should require fewer staff to operate.
FREDERICK KAUSER is a deputy chief and an 18-year veteran of the Mifflin Township Division of Fire in Gahanna, Ohio. He also serves as a hazardous-materials and CBRNE coordinator for regional planning and re-sponse. Kauser has an associate’s degree in fire science from Columbus State and a bachelor’s degree in fire science from the University of Cincinnati and is pursuing graduate work at the Ohio State University.
