Firefighter Decon: Policy 584 14.02.17

Question 1

What are the hazards associated with FF decon?

Answer 1

• Loss of air supply. If BA, 2nd set procedure may need to be implemented.
• Dehydration due to GTS.
• Comms.
• Cross contamination. If to person not in CPC then emergency decon/medical advice.
• Environment run off not container in bags/dam.
• Slips, trips and falls.

Question 2

What pre-planning can control risk?

Answer 2

• Visits and knowing risks on own ground.

* Info recorded on ORD and accessed via MDT.

Question 3

When gathering info relevant to decon what must personnel consider?

Answer 3

• Size, both of premises and amount of stored Hazmats.
• Suitable areas for decon.
• Any on site facilities for decon.

Question 4

En route considerations if decon may be subsequently required?

Answer 4

• MDT
• Positioning of appliances.
• Hazard Zone.
• Wind direction.
• Drainage.
• Water Supplies.

Question 5

What is default cordon set up unless pre-planning dictates otherwise?

Answer 5

25m cordon and upwind and uphill siting of resources.

Question 6

Name the 3 zones and their descriptions at a HAZMAT incident:

Answer 6

• Hot Zone - Contaminated area where initial release occurs or disperses to. Immediate and high risk. Inner cordon.
• Warm Zone - Uncontaminated by initial release but may become contaminated you movement. Inside Inner cordon but lower risk.
• Cold Zone - Uncontaminated. Between Inner and outer cordon. Ops command and other co-ordination area. Cross service decision if MOP need to be removed.

Question 7

Describe the inner and outer cordon:

Answer 7

Inner - where hazardous activity may occur. Includes and Hot and Warm zones. Min numbers and controls access to immediate scene of ops.

Outer - controlled area where unathourised access not permitted. Hot warm and cold zones and established and maintained by the police.

Question 8

Describe the hazard zone:

Answer 8

An area containing a hazard in which risk assessments and control measures must be applied. Not necessarily an exclusion zone and is both hot and warm zones. Other agencies sometimes refer to it as the ‘evac zone’ as all MOP encourage to leave or possibly shelter-in-place.

Question 9

What is the decon zone?

Answer 9

Area containing FB (possibly other agencies) decon staff, structures and equip. Outside inner cordon and initially Uncontaminated but becomes contaminated by controlled movement of those contaminated.

Question 10

Who advises on location of decon zone?

Answer 10

HMEPO if in attendance or FRU appliance commander in charge of area (they become decon director).

Question 11

When should the decon zone be set up?

Answer 11

Before crews committed to the hot zone unless for firefighter emergency decon.

Question 12

Where should decon zone be set up?

Answer 12

In cold zone on the border of the warm zone. Once set up the warm zone is extended to encompass this area.

Question 13

Who can enter and operate inside decon zone and who determines this?

Answer 13

Once opened only those with appropriate level of PPE. This is designated by IC on advice of HMEPO/SA.

Question 14

Prior to establishing the decon zone the IC and HMEPO will need to consider:

Answer 14

• Type and scale of decon.
• Weather/wind.
• Drainage.
• Gradient.
• Vehicle access.

Question 15

Who carries out decon and emergency decon?

Answer 15

Decon - is FRU crew mobilised for that purpose.

Emergency Decon - personnel in attendance.

Question 16

What are the roles designated for the FRU decon crew?

Answer 16

Commander is Decon director and FFs make up Dirty Operative, Clean operative and Decon support.

Question 17

Who decides on appropriate level of decon and PPE?

Answer 17

HMEPO/SA

Question 18

How do they decide on appropriate additive and what is an additional safety measure if in any doubt?

Answer 18

Depends on material Involved. Soda ash for acids and presept bleach tablets for biological agents. If any question regarding reaction then tested against a small amount of contaminant prior.

Question 19

When should emergency decon take place?

Answer 19

If a FF becomes contaminated and incident and it wasn’t anticipated and correct procedure not set up. Refer to Aide memoir in decon director’s notes, and in ECB pouch and personal issue important codes and hazard symbols card.

Question 20

If no info about contamination what is default level of PPE for decon operatives?

Answer 20

GTS.

Question 21

Once info about contaminant known who decides on level of PPE and what is this usually?

Answer 21

HMEPO/SA/DD.

Normally LTS, chem boots, BA face mask with particulate filter.

Question 22

What is it important note regarding gloves when at a HAZMAT related incident for decon?

Answer 22

Always use Neoprene Gauntlet gloves not FF gloves.

Question 23

During emergency decon some materials may be washed to drain. In this case what needs to be done?

Answer 23

If HMEPO/SA believe it poses a pollution hazard then the Environmental Agency (EA) and local water undertakes must be informed via control.

Question 24

How is water contained during wet decon for a small number of wearers? How is this disposed of?

Answer 24

Over a dam. HMEPO/SA in consultation with EA will agree method of disposal.

Question 25

When would a Hughes shower be deployed?

Answer 25

When 10 or more GTS wearers being committed simultaneously or in close succession.

Question 26

How is run off contained when using Hughes shower?

Answer 26

Run off transferred from shower to a 6000l containment dam outside structure. Early discussion needed to develop a disposal plan for this.

Question 27

Where waste is produced during dry decon how is this dealt with?

Answer 27

GTS, LTS, nitrile gloves etc must be double bagged in clear PVC bags and left with owner/occupier for disposal by specialist hazmat recovery contractors.
FF PPE and boots (FF and Green Hazmat) not disposable and must be cleaned or double bagged for cleaning on advice of HMEPO/SA.

Question 28

How should equip used for decon be dealt with?

Answer 28

Cleaned down at the incident and run off dealt with by method agreed by EA. Some may need to be sent for specialist cleaning and if so double bagged and returned to PEG.

Question 29

What happens to waste when there is no responsible person present?

Answer 29

Incident needs to be handed over to the local authority and they have responsibility for disposal.

On rare occasion this not possible then bagged up and returned to PEG awaiting collection. In this instance an OSU should be requested and the oversized drum or other suitable container used to store these in transit.

Question 30

In the case of cross contamination from decon op to wearer what needs to happen?

Answer 30

If in PPE then emergency decon.
If in workwear then remove with safety knife in decon equip so no need to remove over head.
Immediate attention from LAS and recorded under notification of contamination/possible contamination by hazmat policy 411.

Question 31

What happens when other agencies need decon?

Answer 31

They should have their own processes in place.
However, if not available then ILO (inter agency liaison officer) in consultation with HMEPO and SA decide what is appropriate.

Question 32

What is the Hughes shower carried on?

Answer 32

IRU