CHEMICAL DECON OF PATIENTS AND TREATMENT OF CHEM CASUALTIES

File: 970612_sep96_decls6_0001.txt
Page: 0001
Total Pages: 1
Subject = CHEMICAL DECON OF PATIENTS AND TREATMENT OF CHEM CASUALTIES     

Parent Organization = HSC         

Unit = OTSG        

Folder Title = CHEMICAL DECON OF PATIENTS AND TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL CASUALTIES                                 

Document Number =          1

Box ID = BX003206





                                         twclkss, I

      1. (U) OULLS NMERT 22351-15200(00001)* submitted by
      Consvlta=tx, COL Maguire*            (000)498-0823.

             idesert Stem 93. conducted an 02/23192

      3, (U) XMORDS*O None*
      4. (U) TXVL'E: Chemical Decon of patients and treatment of chemical casuali
      decon or treatment* effectively turning every decontaminated
      ambulatory lpatient into am inpatient. The staff vas advised to
      save expirett XOPP suits for issue to such patients, although few
      Vero available for this ipurpose because of the extension of the
      wearout dates for both CPOG and BDO. There was also a universal
      shortage of protective patient wraps. ,
      S. DesignaLted or anticipated decon sites were often
      unrealisf ically spread out anti/or distant from the hospitals,
      considering the threat and the personnel and transport resources
      available, While the plans may reflect textbook doctrine
      written for northern Europe,, they may not reflect co=on xezse,,
      reality or the advice of consultants. The fonr of violating
      standard doctriner. related in some cases of a *no mm do"
      ]paralysis with a resulting lack of any capability.
      6. With the notable exception of the ath Evac, there vas no
      functional traffic control plan apparent to an arriving driver
      that vould effectively exclude contaminated patients from
                                                             marked.
                                                           as to what


      7. Few hospitals,, even those with 400 bedr.,, had plans to put a
      physician an the hot side of the 4decon line to triacle or
      itd;inir.ter what limited life saving treatment is possible. in
      some cases commanders had forbidden physicians to do so,, even
      when staffing was adaqaatoo
      7: (U) L-ESSON LFAM=T
      I TtLe M=D is poorly prep:4reA to receive chemical casualties
     .*r contaminated patients. What capability we have in theater is
      due to'beroic catch-up training, the delay in start: of a ground
      var, and lack of hostile strategic chexical-delivery systems.
      2. There is confusion among line units as to the AMMD*X role,,
      or rather lack thereof., in decontaminating healthy soldiers or
      MV*N.

      8, (U) RECOMMMMED ACTXONS
      1. All AMD personnel should receive annual training,

                                        UNCLASSIPIED