Region 6 OSCs conducted a cutting-edge training and exercise (TTX) in Addison, TX, designed to test the limits of a biological contaminant ER. TTX participants included R6 OSCs, approximately 30 START and ERRS personnel, CMAT's Mike Nalipinski, R2 OSCs with real-time biological ER experience, a guest speaker from TCEQ and an ERRS T&D coordinator, along with other TTX support personnel. While the science, engineering, and startling high fatality statistics on ebola virus (EBOV)-related events were very informative and interesting, these were nearly paled by the presentations on the politics, stigma, and T&D issues impacting hot agent ERs. The TTX simulated recon, cleanup and decon of EBOV-contaminated material under the Incident Command Structure. A good amount of resources were expended to study and prepare for this potentially-imminent situation.
On Day 1, Incident Commander John Martin set the TTX scenario ground rules and objectives. Keynote speaker, NIOSH's Dr. Bruce Bernard, delivered first-hand information about his experiences in West Africa as a primary decision-maker in the concerted International effort to help fight EBOV. Dr. Bernard's presentation was invaluable in helping the OSCs become aware of how they will have to respond and manage an EBOV ER event. There are now very specific donning and doffing of PPE requirements that must be complied in order to meet CMAT's prescribed specifications. On Days 2 and 3, the cleanup scenario was played out in full Level-C "special regalia" under near-extreme environmental conditions. All level-C players underwent strict medical monitoring requirements with emphasis on safety precautions and under continuous Safety Officer instructions. The decon line rollout was not exercised. However, this may be the next phase of training and exercises, for better hot agent ER preparedness.
OSCs must pay close attention to special health and safety issues, oversee precise donning & doffing of PPE techniques and manage a zero defects operation to reduce risk of EBOV exposure to workers entering and working in the hot zone. ER personnel must donn 2 layers of Tyvek PPE taped to cover every inch of every seam, 3 layers of gloves each with taped seams, then perform recon, removal,and decon operations. The lessons learned at two forthright hot-wash sessions with the ERRS and START community at the TTX was enlightening and will be presented later.
I'll give you a hint: there is a need to perform Level 4 Bio Safety ER operations with special emphasis on protecting the responder by sealing them in newly prescribed techniques. The response objective concerns waste minimization during operations. A TQM-like program may need to be implemented during ER operations to achieve zero defects in donning & doffing practices. The prescribed techniques are tedious and cumbersome; related special topics will be added to the website. When time comes, it could be that OSCs may have to acquire specially designed PPE during a hot agent ER, or make sensitive decisions about who can or cannot enter the hot zone. During TTX play, a responder came out the hot zone with torn Tyvek. I can't imagine the liability ramifications that could surface and unfold if a responder blows out his/her suit and contacts ebola virus disease..
