Mass Casualty/Decon Equipment Drill

With so many high technology manufacturing plants within the City of Hillsboro, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue must be ready to respond to possible spills or leaks of the toxic chemicals that are sometimes used in these companies' processes. Due to the large numbers of employees at these plants, there is a potential for mass casualties in the event of an accident. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue has a MASS CASUALTY DECONTAMINATION TRAILER in its fleet of apparatus that can bring the necessary additional equipment to help decontaminate workers who may have come in contact with any chemicals. The unit is also outfitted to respond to terrorism incidents, with chemcial, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) to provide triage and treatment equipment. Hillsboro Firefighters practiced setting up and operating the equipment this week.

The trailer carries additional trauma kits, radiological detection equipment, chemcial spash protection suits, and other gear. It also is equipped with two diesel-powered water heaters that can heat water coming from a fire engine so that it can be sprayed on patients who may have come in contact with chemical, biological or radiological materials. A tent that provides for modesty and protection from the weather allows patients to walk into one end, disrobe, walk through soapy and then rinse water, and emerge from the other end in temporary issued garments.