KBEMS offers decon links

By CHARLIE O'NEAL
Kentucky Board of EMS

FRANKFORT — EMS providers are encouraged to prepare to deal with their potential role in an incident involving Weapons of Mass Destruction. 

To assist ambulance providers and health care providers, the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services has researched information specific to the decontamination of patients which have possibly encountered materials or atmospheres that have a risk of containing a biological or chemical agent.

Excellent information regarding biological and chemical agents are available from the following web site: www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/AgentList.asp. Other excellent links are available from the Kentucky EMS Connection at http://www.hultgren.org/.

In addition, providers are encouraged to keep in mind some common sense issues:

Plan – This is a new era of EMS response. Research and plan for response to incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction with all emergency response groups and hospitals in your service area. Emergency Management has excellent training resources available. Contact your local Emergency Management Director/Area Coordinator or check the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management web site at http://kyem.dma.state.ky.us/ and click on - Training News.

Isolate – Once the potential for contamination is identified, isolate the area to everyone. Limit the number of victims

Notify – Notify supervisors, local emergency management and law enforcement agencies of the situation. KBEMS regional staff are available to assist if needed.

Utilize – appropriate resources to provide coverage for your service area if needed. Make sure that mutual aid agreements are current and that contact telephone numbers and names are current.

Remove – from service all affect personnel and equipment until all have been decontaminated and personnel have completed medical screening.

Additional response support is available from KBEMS staff member Charlie O’Neal at 502-564-8963 extension 3793.

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