Aid for Decontamination of Fire and Rescue Service Protective Clothing and Equipment After Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Exposures

Published

May 1, 2002

Author(s)

James R. Lawson, T L. Jarboe

Abstract

The first priority for fire service personnel and all emergency first responders when responding to any call is the safety of all emergency personnel responding to the call. Emergency first responders have been called to every recent terrorist attack in North America, and they will continue to be called since it is their job to access the situation, establish control over the situation, and attempt to rescue people threatened by the attack. The threat of chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) attack is apparent, and all first responders must be prepared to address the possibility. This document provides the first responder with basic procedures for emergency decontamination of personal protective clothing and equipment (PPE) in the event that it is exposed to CBR threats. It also addresses processes for safely securing protective clothing and equipment that is considered to be unusable after a CBR exposure. In addition, common methods used for decontamination of HAZMAT protective clothing and equipment are included, and it includes information for normal cleaning of fire service PPE. This document has not been prepared to address decontamination processes for all known chemical or biological agents or radiological materials, but it has been prepared to address approaches that may be used in emergency situations to decontaminate and/or secure PPE that has been exposed to the more common CBR threats.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 981

Report Number

981

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

biological, chemical, decontamination, equipment, fire fighter, first responder, hazmat, protective clothing, radiological

Citation

Lawson, J. and Jarboe, T. (2002), Aid for Decontamination of Fire and Rescue Service Protective Clothing and Equipment After Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Exposures, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed May 12, 2026)

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