Course Title

Decontamination Operations

Course Description

This comprehensive course provides participants with the knowledge and operational skills required to safely plan, establish, manage, and perform decontamination operations during hazardous material (HAZMAT), CBRNE, chemical, biological, radiological, and industrial emergency incidents. The course covers decontamination principles, procedures, equipment, personnel safety, contamination control, and emergency response coordination.

Module 1: Introduction to Decontamination Operations

1.1 Overview of Decontamination

• Definition and purpose of decontamination
• Importance of contamination control
• Role of decontamination in emergency response
• Types of contamination:
  • Chemical contamination
  • Biological contamination
  • Radiological contamination
  • Nuclear contamination
  • Industrial hazardous materials contamination

1.2 Decontamination Objectives

• Protect life safety
• Prevent contamination spread
• Reduce exposure risks
• Support emergency medical operations
• Restore safe operating environments

1.3 Decontamination in Emergency Management

• Integration with incident command systems
• Coordination with emergency services
• Relationship between detection, protection, response, and recovery

Module 2: Contamination Fundamentals

2.1 Understanding Contaminants

• Physical and chemical properties of hazardous substances
• Routes of contamination:
  • Skin contact
  • Inhalation
  • Ingestion
  • Secondary transfer

2.2 Contamination Behavior

• Persistence of contaminants
• Environmental factors affecting contamination
• Spread mechanisms
• Cross-contamination prevention

2.3 Contamination Assessment

• Identifying contaminated areas
• Contamination zones:
  • Hot Zone
  • Warm Zone
  • Cold Zone
• Risk evaluation and hazard identification

Module 3: Decontamination Planning and Organization

3.1 Decontamination Planning Principles

• Developing a decontamination plan
• Selecting appropriate methods
• Resource requirements
• Personnel responsibilities

3.2 Decontamination Site Setup

• Site selection considerations
• Layout and workflow
• Entry and exit control points
• Emergency access routes

3.3 Decontamination Zones

• Exclusion zone management
• Contamination reduction zone
• Support zone operations
• Personnel movement control

Module 4: Types of Decontamination

4.1 Emergency Decontamination

• Immediate actions following exposure
• Rapid removal of contaminants
• Emergency washing procedures
• Prioritization of casualties

4.2 Technical Decontamination

• Structured decontamination processes
• Equipment and personnel decontamination
• Controlled contamination removal

4.3 Mass Decontamination

• Large-scale public contamination events
• Crowd management
• Multiple casualty operations
• Public safety considerations

4.4 Specialized Decontamination

• Chemical agent decontamination
• Biological contamination response
• Radiological contamination control
• Equipment and vehicle decontamination

Module 5: Decontamination Methods and Techniques

5.1 Physical Decontamination Methods

• Removal of contaminated clothing
• Isolation techniques
• Absorption and wiping methods
• Mechanical cleaning methods

5.2 Chemical Decontamination Methods

• Neutralization concepts
• Chemical cleaning agents
• Contact time requirements
• Safe handling of decontamination chemicals

5.3 Water-Based Decontamination

• Shower systems
• Water management
• Runoff control
• Environmental considerations

5.4 Dry Decontamination

• Dry removal techniques
• Powder and absorbent methods
• Advantages and limitations

Module 6: Personnel Decontamination Operations

6.1 Responder Decontamination

• Self-decontamination procedures
• Buddy decontamination
• Team decontamination procedures
• Emergency escape procedures

6.2 Victim Decontamination

• Casualty assessment
• Medical priority management
• Assisted decontamination
• Vulnerable populations:
  • Children
  • Elderly persons
  • Disabled individuals

6.3 Clothing and Personal Item Management

• Contaminated clothing removal
• Bagging and labeling procedures
• Personal property control

Module 7: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

7.1 PPE Selection

• Levels of protection
• Chemical protective clothing
• Respiratory protection
• PPE compatibility

7.2 PPE Operations During Decontamination

• Donning procedures
• Doffing procedures
• Contamination avoidance
• PPE inspection

7.3 PPE Limitations

• Heat stress
• Fatigue management
• Equipment limitations
• Exposure risks

Module 8: Decontamination Equipment and Systems

8.1 Decontamination Equipment

• Portable decontamination systems
• Shower units
• Decontamination tents
• Sprayers and cleaning systems

8.2 Equipment Operation

• Setup procedures
• Maintenance requirements
• Operational checks
• Equipment storage

8.3 Specialized Systems

• Emergency vehicle decontamination
• Facility decontamination systems
• Industrial decontamination equipment

Module 9: Medical Decontamination Operations

9.1 Medical Considerations

• Recognizing contamination-related injuries
• Treating contaminated patients
• Medical monitoring

9.2 Patient Flow Management

• Triage before decontamination
• Life-saving interventions
• Transport coordination

9.3 Healthcare Facility Protection

• Preventing contamination entry
• Hospital decontamination procedures
• Isolation principles

Module 10: CBRNE Decontamination Operations

10.1 Chemical Incident Decontamination

• Chemical exposure response
• Vapor and liquid contamination
• Immediate emergency actions

10.2 Biological Incident Decontamination

• Biological contamination control
• Infection prevention principles
• Isolation measures

10.3 Radiological/Nuclear Decontamination

• Radiation contamination control
• Monitoring and surveys
• Contamination reduction methods
• Waste control

10.4 Explosive and CBRNE Scene Considerations

• Scene safety
• Secondary hazards
• Coordination with specialist teams

Module 11: Waste Management and Environmental Protection

11.1 Decontamination Waste

• Types of contaminated waste
• Collection methods
• Storage requirements

11.2 Waste Handling Procedures

• Packaging
• Labeling
• Transportation requirements

11.3 Environmental Protection

• Water runoff control
• Soil protection
• Pollution prevention

Module 12: Incident Command and Communication

12.1 Command Structure

• Incident Command System (ICS)
• Roles and responsibilities
• Coordination between agencies

12.2 Communication During Operations

• Radio communication
• Reporting procedures
• Safety briefings

12.3 Documentation

• Incident records
• Exposure documentation
• Operational reports

Module 13: Safety Management During Decontamination

13.1 Operational Safety

• Hazard assessment
• Risk control measures
• Safe work practices

13.2 Responder Health Protection

• Exposure monitoring
• Heat stress prevention
• Rehabilitation procedures

13.3 Emergency Shutdown Procedures

• Equipment failure response
• Personnel rescue
• Incident escalation

Module 14: Practical Decision-Making and Scenario Management

14.1 Decontamination Strategy Selection

• Selecting suitable methods
• Evaluating incident conditions
• Resource management

14.2 Scenario-Based Operations

• Chemical spill response
• Industrial contamination event
• Mass casualty contamination event
• Radiological contamination incident

Module 15: Course Assessment

Knowledge Assessment

• Written examination
• Scenario-based questions
• Operational decision-making assessment

Final Evaluation Topics

• Decontamination principles
• Equipment use
• PPE management
• Contamination control
• Emergency response procedures

Course Duration (Recommended)

Online Theory Course: 8–12 Hours

With Assessment: 12–16 Hours

Target Audience

• Emergency responders
• Firefighters
• HAZMAT teams
• Industrial safety personnel
• Healthcare emergency teams
• Security and crisis management personnel
• CBRNE response personnel
• Facility emergency coordinators

Certification Outcome

Participants completing this course will understand the principles, procedures, and operational requirements for conducting safe and effective decontamination operations during hazardous material and emergency incidents.