Chemical Emergencies

Never had a conversation about chemical preparedness? Use these tools to determine where your facility or region are in the planning process for chemical emergency.

• Facility Chemical Surge Emergency Checklist (PDF)
• Emergency Medical Services Checklist for Chemical Emergency Planning (PDF)

Having assessed where you are, use the tools below to help you create a surge plan for your health care facility.

• Chemical Emergency Plan Template (Word)
  This template covers the basics of planning and includes job action sheets (JAS) for roles in a response.
• Minnesota National Guard: 434th Chemical Company
  The 434th Chemical Company is capable of providing mass troop and equipment decontamination in the event of a chemical, biological radiological, or nuclear explosive attack.
• State Emergency Response Teams | Minnesota Department of Public Safety
  Minnesota has 11 Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Emergency Response Teams to respond to incidents.

Want to learn more or train your staff specifically in radiation medical surge preparedness? Below are educational materials for disciplines ranging from physician to emergency manager.

• FEMA Emergency Management Institute Courses
  The following courses have a Chemical Emergency focus: IS-5.A and IS-346.
• University of Nebraska Medical Center: HEROES - Chemical Preparedness and Response
• HHS: PRISM Primary Response Incident Scene Management
  Decontamination guidance for chemical incidents.
• MDH Hazardous Materials Exposure Guide (PDF)
  HAZMAT Cards Specific cards for different types of chemicals with decontamination guidance.

Below you will find material to help you design the right exercise to test your plans for your facility or region.

• MDH Chemical Emergency Exercise in a Box for HCCs (PDF) | (Word)
• ASPR TRACIE: Chemical Emergency Surge Annex Tabletop Exercise (PDF)

Here are useful materials to use during a chemical event. You can print and use these forms or modify them to work for your facility or region.

• HHS CHEMM Triage Guidelines
  Includes resources for triaging during a chemical incident.
• HHS CHEMM Information for First Responders
  Includes resources for first responders responding to chemical emergencies.
• HHS CHEMM Information for the Hospital Providers
  Includes resources for hospital providers while responding to a chemical emergency.
• CDC: Chemical Emergency Information for First Responders
  Information, education, and resources for first responders during a chemical incident.
• MDH: Minnesota Burn Surge
  Includes adult and pediatric order sets, as well as just-in-time materials for determining burn depth and size.
• MDH: Disaster Mental/Behavioral Health & Emergency Preparedness
  A range of resources to address mental/behavioral health issues that occur during and after a disaster in both victims and the professionals who respond to an event.
  • Minnesota Psychological First Aid Just-in-time Training Video (Video: 11 minutes)