EMS Support During a Hazardous Material Response (7 hours - Basic level)

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Objectives: To orient students to proper procedures for supporting the emergency medical needs of a Hazardous Materials Response Team and to allow students to participate in a training exercise providing emergency medical support to the Hazardous Materials Branch personnel.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated by an independent observer as part of the overall exercise. An exercise debrief will include review of the emergency medical support and practices in accordance with material taught in the classroom.

Classroom Session:

1. Overview (15 minutes)
   Students will review basic haz mat skills learned earlier, focusing on use of DOT Guidebook and specifics of exercise they will participate in.  

2. Introduction to specialized responders (15 minutes)
   Students will be briefed on make up of District Haz Mat Team. Attention will be given to team SOP detailing emergency medical support and resources supplied by the team.

3. Haz Mat Team Emergency Medical Needs (45 minutes)
   Students will be instructed in possible emergency medical needs of Haz Mat Team Members, including heatstress, exhaustion, cardiac emergencies, chemical exposure, utilization of hot, cold, warm zones and safe means of entering will be identified.

4. Protection of EMS equipment (30 minutes)
   Students will understand means of protecting EMS equipment from contamination by hazardous materials. Decontamination of exposed equipment will be outlined and procedures for alerting receiving hospitals to reduce hospital contamination will be illustrated.  

5. Rehabilitation needs (30 minutes)
   Students will learn need for staffing Rehabilitation Sector with EMTs and list standard procedures to follow in evaluating medical condition of personnel entering/being released from Rehabilitation (BP, Respirations, Pulse, Temperature, Color)

6. Incident Command System (45 minutes)
   Students will review components of Incident Command System and will understand correct placement of emergency medical support resources within that System. Command chart for specific exercise will be reviewed and Emergency Medical Support placement highlighted.

Practical Session:

1. Site Operating/Safety Practices (30 minutes)
   Students will receive breifing from exercise commander and safety officer stressing safety and proper medical procedures for exercise. EMS manager will be identified and support personnel assigned. Supervisors will review basic life support skills, ensure proper equipment is available and identify safe/unsafe operational zones.

2. Exercise participation (150 minutes)
   Selected students will perform as Emergency Medical Technicians to the Teams as assigned. Remaining students will serve as support personnel or as observers.

3. Debrief (60 minutes)
   All participants will participate in exercise debrief led by exercise commander. Emergency Medical Support will be reviewed and discussed with problems and potential solutions identified in accordance with previously taught materials.