Advise the Incident Commander or Operations Section Chief, as assigned, on issues related to specific radiological incidents and emergency response. In conjunction with the Medical Care Branch Director, organize and prepare the Emergency Department to receive radiation exposure casualties in a manner consistent with hospital procedures and best practices to preserve the operational integrity of the Emergency Department.
Update Secondary Person Responsible:
Documents/Tools:
• Incident Action Plan
• Hospital emergency operations plan
• Hospital organization chart
• Hospital telephone directory
• Radio/satellite phone
1. Receive appointment and briefing from the Incident Commander.
2. Read this entire Job Action Sheet and review incident management team chart (HICS Form 207). Put on position identification.
3. Notify your usual supervisor of your HICS assignment.
4. Document all key activities, actions, and decisions in an Operational Log (HICS Form 214) on a continual basis.
5. Request staffing assistance from the Labor Pool and Credentialing Unit Leader to assist with rapid research as needed to determine hazard and safety information critical to treatment and decontamination concerns for the victims and personnel.
6. Verify from the ED Attending and report to the Incident Commander the following information from the scene:
• Number and condition of both uncontaminated and contaminated patients
• Type and amount of radioactive isotopes involved
• Type of radiation incident:
o External radiation exposure only
o External contamination only
o External contamination with internal exposure
• Time incident occurred
• Medical problems present besides radionuclide contamination
• Measures taken at the incident site (e.g., air monitors, fixed radiation monitors, nasal smear counts, and skin contamination levels)
• Potential for industrial, biological, or chemical material exposures expected in addition to radionuclide.
7. Direct the preparation of the emergency department for the arrival of victims using PPE dress-out for radiological decontamination response
8. Designate a person with a survey meter at the entrance of the decontamination room to monitor personnel and equipment leaving the radiation decontamination room.
9. Participate in briefings and meetings and contribute to the Incident Action Plan, as Verify with the Safety Officer and the Security Branch Director that all access to the ED has been secured to prevent media or other non-authorized people from entering into the treatment area during treatment or the decontamination process.
10. Ensure the monitoring and surveying of hospital staff providing patient decontamination and care from the arrival of the patient through the decontamination and care process, and post-event monitoring of all personnel after care is provided.
11. Document all communications (internal and external) on an Incident Message Form (HICS Form 213). Provide a copy of the Incident Message Form to the Documentation Unit.
Ongoing Duties:
1. Meet regularly with the Incident Commander or Operations Section Chief and Branch Directors to update current situation and conditions.
2. Continue to ensure appropriate decontamination processes including:
• Monitoring patients and decontamination team during and after the care of the patient(s).
• Surveying of the contaminated areas, patients and exposed personnel.
• Collecting samples for subsequent analysis.
• Collecting and managing any radioactive wastes (solid and liquid) generated during the decontamination process.
• Evaluating staff dosimeters and ensuring proper follow-up if indicated.
3. Ensure use of all safety practices and procedures.
4. Prepare and maintain records and reports.
