Pendleton Hospital DECON Team Completes Certification

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors from the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton Decontamination Incident Response Team (DIRT) conducted a mass-casualty drill to receive its Bureau of Medicine and Surgery mandated biannual Navy Medical Warm-Zone Operations Training recertification, Nov. 1.

The team was tested and certified in its readiness in handling hazardous material-related casualties and protecting the hospital from contamination. Additionally, they were timed in two areas, mission capable time to be completed within 10 minutes and set up completion time to be completed in 20 minutes.

During the drill, the team recertified with a mission capable time of four minutes, eight seconds, which consisted of four personnel suited in personal protective equipment and the decontamination shelter erected with water flow and heater connected. The 27-person team's complete set up time was eight minutes, 48 seconds, which consisted of all personnel suited and all other equipment set up ready to see patients.

DIRT members route casualties through a mobile shower system while wearing protective suits. The heated-water system uses a high-pressure spray with mechanical scrubs and a soap solution to decontaminate patients.

"When an accident or attack such as a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear, our job is to triage and decontaminate patients before sending them into the hospital," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Scott Jensen, the assistant team chief for the decontamination team. "I think we did outstanding today. I have complete confidence that our team will do a great job when the time comes."

In addition to the recertification, the team also received training on decontamination equipment use, patient triage and treatment and the use of personal protective equipment.

For more news from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhcp/.