Unit speeds up decontamination

The tent can be inflated in three minutes.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A recent purchase by Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital expands the number of people who can be decontaminated after a chemical spill or other disaster.
The inflatable decontamination unit unveiled by hospital staff Thursday can accommodate up to 30 people in decontamination showers at one time.
Kevin M. Spiegel, chief operating officer, said the facility has always had decontamination equipment. The new device, which may be inflated in three minutes and resembles a large camping tent, just increases the number of people who can be decontaminated at one time.
"Firefighters, EMS or patients who have been exposed can be decontaminated in a rapid manner," Spiegel said. "We'll just open it and be able to handle a rapid influx of patients."
The U.S. Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security allotted a $35,000 grant to Trumbull County's Weapons of Mass Destruction Advisory Board of bioterrorism preparedness. TMH has received about $11,000 of that allotment so far.
The unit will be used by TMH, but John Gonda, a hospital spokesman, said Forum Health Northside and Beeghly Medical Center are expected to purchase similar equipment.
Other details
Tim Richards, trauma coordinator, said the unit is part of a $1.8 million package of bioterrorism preparedness gear that the county hopes to buy. Other equipment includes protective and communication gear.
"We hope to have it up and running within the next month," he said.
Spiegel was administrator of South Hampton Hospital in the Hamptons when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, and also sat on the Suffolk County Bioterrorism Task Force.
"You can plan, but you have to be prepared for an unexpected event," Spiegel said.
denise_dick@vindy.com