G-POST Post Incident Decon Part 2

Decontamination Kits

• Each apparatus is supplied with a post-incident decontamination kit that includes: 5-gallon pail, long-handled brush, short-handled brush, manifold and garden hose assembly, nozzle, dish soap, FireWipes, and rags.

Preventing Contamination

• Contaminated station uniforms should be washed in a department-supplied washer to prevent cross-contamination with personal items and others.
• Contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) should be contained prior to transport and not transported in the cab area of any fire department vehicle unless contained and secured.

Key Definitions

• Containment: Physically separating contaminants from the environment.
• Contaminant: A polluting or poisonous substance that makes something impure.
• Decontamination: Neutralization or removal of dangerous substances, radioactivity, or germs from an area, object, or person.
• Hygiene: Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness.
• Mitigation: Reducing the severity or seriousness of something, especially reducing exposure to post-fire contaminants like VOCs and PAHs.
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): A class of chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil, and gasoline, and are produced when coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, and tobacco are burned.
• Soiled: PPE exposed to sweat, mild odors, dust, debris, etc. (products of combustion).
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Numerous, varied, and ubiquitous human-made and naturally occurring chemical compounds that can have long-term adverse health effects.