Sheltering in Place –External Chemical SpillSheltering in Place –External Chemical Spill
Cass/Clay County Health EmergencyPreparedness Coalition
Sheltering In Place For ExternalChemical SpillSheltering In Place For ExternalChemical Spill
External chemical spill could be from:- train derailment- industrial accident- interstate/highway accident- terrorist attack- agricultural accident- pipeline leak
Shelter in PlaceShelter in Place
Sheltering-In-Place is the use of astructure and its indoor atmosphere totemporarily separate individuals from ahazardous outdoor atmosphere
A shelter in place will last approximately12 hours or less (usually 1-2 hours),rarely will it go longer for chemical spills
Shelter in PlaceShelter in Place
Please note a Shelter in Place plan is notthe same for every event
Special considerations should be planneddepending on incident threat
Examples:tornado, blizzard, flash flood,chemical release
NotificationNotification
In the event of a shelter in placeemergency, you will be notified by:- local public health/ State Health Dept- police or fire dept/hazmat team- radio or television
Knowledge of communication capabilitiesfor facility is crucial
NotificationNotification
A significant factor is the urgency thatemergency services use for publicwarning and immediate action institutionstake.
Delays in shelter in place implementationor termination can greatly increaseindoor air concentration (Chan et al.2007).
Shelter in Place ActionsShelter in Place Actions
Activate facility emergency plan
Close the facility
Order any visitors/residents/staff insideimmediately
Close and lock all doors and windows to theoutside
Turn on call forwarding or voicemail informingcallers of shelter in place activity
Selection of RoomsSelection of Rooms
Select interior rooms, above ground level, with few orno windows, few or no vents, with accessiblebathroom if possible
Rooms with access to landline phone (cellphones maybe overwhelmed in time of emergency)
Avoid overcrowding if possible by selecting multiplerooms that meet criteria
Close shades, blinds, and curtains if told danger ofexplosion
Selection of RoomsSelection of Rooms
Patient and non-patient areas should beselected
Larger facilities may have many shelterareas
Have a list of all people in each room
Ventilation SystemsVentilation Systems
Shut off heating or cooling systems (HVAC),fans, heat pumps, fireplace dampers, airconditioners
Have employees familiar with the ventilationsystems
If it is possible, do not use the elevators- operating elevators can causecontaminated air to infiltrate interior ofbuilding
Sealing RoomsSealing Rooms
Seal windows with pre-cut plastic andduct tape (from inside)
Seal door edges and bottoms with tape
-Use wet towels to seal the bottoms of doors
Seal electrical & CATV outlets
-with duct tape
Seal HVAC ducts and outlets
-With duct tape and plastic sheeting
SuppliesSupplies
7 day supply of food and water for maxnumber of residents/staff
72 hour supply of potable water stored forresidents/staff
Plan for special diet requirements
Stockpile of common medications
Supply of medications for each resident
Proper medical supplies for resident/patientneeds
SuppliesSupplies
Radios and television
Linens and towels
Extra blankets
Hand sanitizer
Flashlights/batteries
Loss of PowerLoss of Power
In most chemical spill emergencies, poweris NOT lost
Even so, facility should have emergencypower plans in placeex: generator plans
End of Shelter in PlaceEnd of Shelter in Place
Local authorities will determine when it issafe to give the “all clear”
If advised, open doors and windows
Turn on all ventilation systems toventilate building
Other Areas of ConcernOther Areas of Concern
Resident’s family disaster plans
Employees’ family disaster plans
Security
Resident/Patient behavioral health
PlanningPlanning
Prior shelter in place and evacuationplanning is crucial
Many shelter in place templates andchecklists are available
Each facility is different
For additional information pleasecontact me:For additional information pleasecontact me: