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Permalink Reply by Moose on March 23, 2009 at 11:33am

Do you have any current Haz-Mat training, like First Responder Operations? If you take some training the issue of decontamination is covered in every class. Our team in my County has two classes of membership; Entry, and Support. Support members are EMS trained as either EMT or Paramedic level and provide rehab and on going vital sign checks and welfare monitoring, or some just have basic Haz-Mat training and set up the decon area and run it for the entry team. They also do the research on CAMEO for us, and provide what ever backup support is needed like logistics and PIO work.

Decon can be learned fast, and is an essential tool to every entry team, no entry can be made without decon being set up first. My advice is approach the County leaders and ask about setting up some team training first, get the training you need to better understand the decon process. Than, research what decon set up would work best for you and the entry team you will be supporting, and research the costs involved in purchasing the equipment.

In our County, we received a FREE trailer full of the basic equipment needed to get things started from the Office of Emergency Management through a grant they received after the 9/11 attacks, that was granted to ensure that every county in our state (NY) was prepared to handle the initial response to a terrorist attack until help arrived. You should check into that possibility as well.

Good luck to you, feel free to send me a PM and we can exchange e-mail addresses, I would be glad to help you out as much as I can.

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Permalink Reply by John Cupps on March 23, 2009 at 12:44pm

Brian, thanks for your input. We do have a trailer, it's now in our sub station, this is why I've been put incharge of it! I do have the basic's in Hazmat. I'm trying to get in contact with the Team we would be helping in the event of something. I need to get my feet wet and I was looking for some input. Thank you and be safe.

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Permalink Reply by T.J. on March 23, 2009 at 1:00pm

Hey John, just give it to Bear Creek we take care of it for you................. just kidding, let me know if theres anything I can do to help you out.

Thanks

Also Taylor says get to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by John Cupps on March 23, 2009 at 2:00pm

LOL... I bet he does. You'll be contacted I'm sure, Bear Creek didn't want it. I will be getting 3 people from each department once I get this thing up n going. Ken & Al know what's going on, there the one's that got me into this...along with Tim at Allied! I really owe him! I've left a message in Gaylord, waiting to hear back, once I do I'll be able to move forward with things plus have a better idea of training and what they will require from us. Thanks ...
What are you doing... your not supposed to use that car computer for fun ! LOL

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Permalink Reply by T.J. on March 23, 2009 at 2:11pm

Its a work perk I guess, I'm glad someone is taking the bull by the horns here, it sat for so long I was starting to think it might be a trailor of wasted money.

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Permalink Reply by John Cupps on March 23, 2009 at 2:28pm

LOL...You've got alot of perks out there! You know me, always doing something!!! I know some things in it are out of date, Tim and I were talking about that. So far I think your right thou...wasted money! Hopefully over the next couple months I'll be able to get things moving in the right direction. At least its warming up!

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Permalink Reply by Justin Edling on March 23, 2009 at 3:40pm

Work closely with the team you're supporting. I'm on both sides of the fence on this one (I am a hazmat tech on an entry team, and also a member of the FD that is to be our decon support). It's very difficult when the right hand doesn't know what the left hands doing, so to speak. I know what we expect and NEED to be effective as an entry team, and I know that hasn't been effectively communicated to the decon guys.

If you're lucky, they may have SOPs/SOGs in place for decon already, and you can piggy back off of them. Good luck. Communication and exercising is definitely key!

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Permalink Reply by John Cupps on March 23, 2009 at 4:49pm

Thanks for your input, and I agree, Communication is big. Stay safe.

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