February 18, 2005

Hazmat members decontaminate "victims" in the Mobile Mass Decontamination Unit.

Cold weather doesn't stop MGHers

The MGH Hazmat Response Team held a drill Feb. 12 and became the first team in the nation to successfully test its ability to decontaminate in cold weather conditions. The Hazmat team is a volunteer group of hospital employees established to protect staff and the hospital facility from contamination and to provide decontamination of a large number of victims of a mass casualty incident or a major industrial accident in the community.

The drill scenario featured a rail car carrying an unknown substance, later identified as a highly toxic insecticide, colliding with a commuter train at North Station and resulting in more than 100 casualties. Involved in the drill were employees from the Hazmat team, Buildings and Grounds, Environmental Services, Materials Management, Patient Transport, the Safety Office, the Emergency Department and Police and Security. The Boston Fire Department also assisted the Hazmat team, and individuals from the DelValle Institute of Emergency Preparedness and the Boston Public Health Commission observed the drill.