Chemical Emergencies

The purpose of this page is to prepare individuals, health care facilities, and regional health care coalitions to respond to incidents that cause an influx in patients due to a chemical emergency.

On this page:
Assessment Tools
Planning Tools and Templates
Education and Training Tools
Exercise Tools and Templates
Response Tools
Additional Resources

Assessment Tools

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

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

Planning Tools and Templates

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.
• DPS: Chemical Assessment Teams
  ​Minnesota has 11 Hazardous Materials (Hazmat)​ Emergency Response Teams that can respond to incidents.
• 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.
• Minnesota Fire Marshall: State Emergencv ResponseTeams at a Glance (PDF)
  State Hazardous Materials Teams, Bomb Teams, or MART. 

Education and Training Tools

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.

Exercise Tools and Templates

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)

Response Tools

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)

Additional Resources

• ATSDR: Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents (MHMIs)
  Resources for EMS, Hospital Emergency Departments and Medical Management Guidelines in relation to hazardous materials. 
• ASPR TRACIE: Chemical Hazards
  Healthcare emergency preparedness information on chemical hazards and emergencies. 
• CDC: Chemical Emergencies (English/Spanish)
  Information, resources and education for professionals and individuals.
• FEMA: Hazardous Response Capabilities
  Materials focused on Hazardous Response Capabilities 
• HHS: Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM)
  Guidance on diagnosis and treatment for health care providers.
• Harvard School of Public Health: Hospital Based Decontamination Preparedness Resources (PDF)
  Material focused on hospital-based decontamination and how to prepare for it.