Managing mass casualties and decontamination

Abstract

Careful planning and regular exercising of capabilities is the key to implementing an effective response following the release of hazardous materials, although ad hoc changes may be inevitable. Critical actions which require immediate implementation at an incident are evacuation, followed by disrobing (removal of clothes) and decontamination. The latter can be achieved through bespoke response facilities or various interim methods which may utilise water or readily available (dry, absorbent) materials. Following transfer to a safe holding area, each casualty's personal details should be recorded to facilitate a health surveillance programme, should it become apparent that the original contaminant has chronic health effects.

Keywords: CBRN; Decontamination; Disrobing; Evacuation; Hazardous materials; Health surveillance; Medical countermeasures; Toxic industrial chemicals (TICs); Triage; Zoning.