DPT 8.0
Current Preparedness
•Must improve state of readiness
•Training and equipment lacking
–Agent recognition
–Patient management
–Patient decontamination
–Patient transport
•Supplies and equipment
–Antidote
–PPE
–Decontamination
CURRENT PREPAREDNESS
Observations made at several major disaster exercises conducted throughout the nation have indicated that the emergency response and medical communities are not adequately prepared to deal with the consequences of an NBC terrorist incident.  During these exercises first responders immediately entered the disaster scene to provide care to “victims” without first considering the possibility that toxic agents may be involved.  As a result these unprotected first responders unnecessarily became secondary casualties.  In addition, many of the contaminated patients who were transported to the hospital by EMS were taken directly into the facility without considering or performing decontamination.  Failure to perform this procedure put hospital personnel at risk of injury and increased the likelihood that the hospital would need to be evacuated or closed due to secondary contamination.
As a result of these observations, plans were developed to train first responders, EMS personnel, fire fighters, law enforcement, and hospital personnel regarding the proper approach to the management of the contaminated patient.  NBC cross-contamination of ambulances and hospitals due to a lack of preparedness, PPE, and decontamination capability could cripple the capacity of the local pre-hospital and hospital systems.  One patient exposed to a hazardous chemical can contaminate a transport vehicle and temporarily close a hospital ED.