Section III. EMPLOYMENT OF THE CHEMICALLY PROTECTED DEPLOYABLE MEDICAL SYSTEMS AND SIMPLIFIED COLLECTIVE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
F-6. Collective Protection in a Deployable Medical System-Equipped Hospital
a. When the threat of NBC action is anticipated in the AO, the CP DEPMEDS components must be set up as the hospital is being established. The system cannot be set up in a hospital that has already been established; to do so requires the hospital to be closed, all TEMPERs be struck, and erected with the M28 liners installed during the erection process. To establish CPS in a DEPMEDS-equipped hospital, follow the procedures as described in TM 10-5410-283-14&P. Training Circular 8-13 provides instructions on establishing a US Army DEPMEDS-equipped hospital (without CPS). [Figure F-5] presents one layout of the DEPMEDS-equipped patient care area of a MF2K CSH HUB employing the CP DEPMEDS with an internal water supply system. [Figure F-6] presents a layout of the patient care area of the DEPMEDS-equipped portion of an 84-bed MRI hospital. [Figure F-7] presents a layout of the patient care area of the DEPMEDS-equipped portion of a 164-bed MRI hospital.
b. When employing CP DEPMEDS, provisions for waste disposal and protected water and food supplies within the system are established. Additionally, Class VIII supplies must be protected from contamination. Supplies not in use or needed in the protected operational areas are stored in medical chests, shipping containers, or wrapped in layers of plastic that are inside covered areas, such as closed MILVANs or tents. When contamination is present, only open these storage areas for operational area emergency resupply. Use plastic sheeting or other leak-proof material to provide an additional barrier between the supplies and the contamination. Wrap supplies in plastic or other barrier material for movement from the storage area to the resupply air lock of the CP DEPMEDS.
- A water supply system with distribution hoses is established inside the CP DEPMEDS areas ([Figure F-5]). Pumps continuously circulate the water from the storage tank through the hose system back to the storage tank. The continuous circulation ensures that the chlorine residual is maintained in the water supply. Personnel in areas that are not included in the continuous flow system must draw water from the system and carry it to their work areas in 5-gallon water cans or other containers. Water resupply is accomplished by passing a hose through the utility port at the end of the TEMPER and M28 liner for a connection to the water transport vehicle. The ends of both hoses must be decontaminated with a 5 percent chlorine solution before connecting them together. The vehicle must have a tank or water supply container that is NBC protected to ensure that the water supplied is free of NBC contamination.
- Rations, as determined by the hospital commander, should be available within the protected area for personnel and patients. Under emergency conditions the commander can authorize feeding patients MRE rations for limited periods of time (up to 72 hours), if they are able to chew and swallow. However, attempts must be made to ensure the required types of rations for patient feeding are available in the CPS. The rations can be stored in any available space; however, the rations must be protected from exposure to possible contaminants, especially liquids. Ration control measures are established to ensure that the rations are only consumed as provided for in the hospital TSOP.
- Two CB protected latrine systems are included in the CP DEPMEDS. The latrines contain bedpan wash areas. The waste from the latrines is collected in an outside receiving container. The waste is removed from the container and disposed of as outlined in the unit TSOP.
- Solid waste (including medical) must be placed in plastic bags. Seal the top of the bags to prevent spillage, odors, or spread of infections/disease. NEVER overfill the bags; always leave enough room in the bag to make a good seal. Place the sealed bags in the supply air lock. Inside personnel close the inner door to the air lock. Outside personnel check to ensure that the inner air lock door is closed before opening the outside door. Remove the bags and take them to the designated waste collection/disposal site. Disposal may be by burial on site or by transport to a designated disposal facility. Transport may be by organic vehicles or contractor support vehicles. The specific technique for disposal will be outlined in the unit TSOP.
- All liquid waste produced within the CP DEPMEDS is collected through a piped liquid waste system to a central collection container. The waste container for the latrines may be used to collect the liquid waste from the operational areas of the CP DEPMEDS. The container is emptied and the waste disposed of as outlined in the unit TSOP.
Figure F-5. Sample layout of a medical force 2000 combat support hospital unit base employing chemically protected deployable medical system.