1. Topic 2.4: Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
Module 2: CBRN Basics
2. Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Presentation2.4.1: Arriving safe atthe scene (accessroutes, hot zone, wind
direction,etc.)
3. Safearrival@ a CBRNscene
ā¢ As a first responder you are either on your way to an incident scene or you
are already there:
ā¢ What information do you have and what do you need?
ā¢ How do you recognize a CBRN scene?
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MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
4. What information doyou haveand need?
ā¢ Time: starting time of incident or time of alarm
ā¢ Location: address or (GPS)coordinates?
ā¢ Type of incident: chemical, biological, radiological, otherā¦
ā¢ Victims: number of victims and type of injuries
ā¢ Weather conditions: wind direction, rain
ā¢ Anything else?
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What tools do you use to gather information?
MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
5. Example ofa tool-METHANE
ā¢ METHANE is a protocol that can be used to ask the right questions to
identify the type of incident
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M Major incident Scale of incident; what happened?
E Exact location Accurate description of the location
T Type of incident Explosion, collapsed building, traffic incident, etc.
H Hazards What (CBRN) hazards are present or could occur?
A Access To what extent and how is the area accessible?
N Number of casualties Estimation of number and type of casualties
E Emergency services What services are already present and who is needed?
MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
6. Example ofa tool-MIST
ā¢ MIST is a protocol that can be used to gather information regarding
victims at the scene
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M Mechanisms of injury What type of incident; what happened?
I Injuries found and suspected How many are injured; what types of injuries?
S Signs What vital functions are impaired? (see also ABCD-methodology)
T Treatment given What type of medication, or other medical aid is given already?
MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
7. How doyou recognizea CBRNscene?
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Hello, I am a
CBRN incident!
MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
8. Examples of clues to a CBRNscene:
ā¢ Information given when the incident was first reported
ā¢ Signs and symbols (e.g. on vehicles and equipment: ADR, UN, GHS symbols)
ā¢ Environmental indicators (Strange clouds, odours, water/soil colourations)
ā¢ Victims (numbers and symptoms)
ā¢ Etc.
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MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
9. Example ofa tool-1, 2,3 rule*
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Step 1 1 victim
ā¢ Approach with care
No CBRN contamination expected
Step 2 2 victims
ā¢ Approach with extra care
CBRN incident possible
ā¢ Ask for advice using dispatch, or
through chain of command
Step 3 3 or more victims
ā¢ Do NOT approach victims
CBRN incident likely
ā¢ Call secondary responders via dispatch
or through chain of command
*An updated versions is available.
MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
10. If you suspecta CBRN incident:
ā¢ If proper PPE is available: perform a (quick) risk assessment
ā¢ Assess victims: numbers and symptoms
ā¢ Assess environment: abnormal gaseous clouds, soil/water coloration)
ā¢ Escalate when necessary (higher command, specialists, etc.)
ā¢ If no proper PPE is available: escalate and keep your distance
ā¢ Escalate (higher command, specialists, etc.)
ā¢ Keep your distance and assist in coordination (e.g. in the cold zone)
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MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
11. Takehome message
ā¢ Assess the incident, using protocols like:
ā¢ METHANE - identify the type of incident
ā¢ MIST - gather information on victims
ā¢ 1, 2, 3 RULE - identify possible CBRN incident
ā¢ Escalate and keep your distance if no proper PPE is available.
Perform a (quick) risk assessment if PPE is available.
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MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
12. Thank you for your attention
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MELODY Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene
Editor's Notes
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 1 / 12
Title slide: Module 2: CBRN Basics
Result: trainees know what part of the curriculum is presented and who is the targeted audience
Instructions for the trainer:
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: -
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP: MELODY
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 2 / 12
Title slide: Presentation 2.4.1: Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Result: trainees know what part of the curriculum is presented and who is the targeted audience
Instructions for the trainer:
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: -
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP: MELODY
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 3 / 12
Title slide: Safe arrival @ a CBRN scene
Result: After the first slide trainees are asked to think about what information they need and/or how they can recognize a CBRN incident.
Instructions for the trainer: This slide is meant for interactive discussion:
When you are travelling/ rushing/arriving to an incident sceneor you are already there
What information do you need?
How do you recognize a CBRN incident scene?
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information:
Depicted illustration:
Fire department on its way to an incident:
Smartphone
Picture source & IP:
File:NSW Fire Brigades Scania pumper - Flickr - Highway Patrol Images (1).jpg - Wikimedia Commons CC-BY-2.0Smartphone PNG image (pngimg.com)
Text source & IP: Text fragment by RIVM
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 4 / 12
Title slide: What information do you have and need?
Result: After this slide trainees discuss their information needs and the tools they use to gather this information
Instructions for the trainer: Explain that most of the time some information will be available. For instance:
Starting time of the incident
Location: address or(GPS) coordinates
Type of incident: chemical, biological, radiological, otherā¦
Victims: number of victims and type of Injuries
Weather conditions: wind direction, rain
Ask them if there is more information they would need. What tools do they have available to gather information?
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: āHandbook for FIRST RESPONDERS, Hazardous Materials ā CBRNEā. DSB/MSB (2014) ISBN 978-91-7383-412-4
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP:
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 5 / 12
Title slide: Example of a tool ā METHANE
Result: After this slide, trainees learned about the METHANE protocol.
Instructions for the trainer: Go through the table and briefly explain the letters of the āMETHANE protocolā.
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: https://www.jesip.org.uk/methane
See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ETHANE
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP: https://www.jesip.org.uk/methane
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 6 / 12
Title slide: Example of a tool ā MIST
Result: After this slide, trainees learned about the MIST protocol.
Instructions for the trainer: Go through the table and briefly explain the letters of the āMIST protocolā.
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: https://www.crisis-medicine.com/mist-report-a-simple-way-to-convey-information/
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP: https://www.crisis-medicine.com/mist-report-a-simple-way-to-convey-information/
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 7 / 12
Title slide: How do you recognize a CBRN incident?
Result: The trainees discussed āhow to recognize a CBRN incident?ā
Instructions for the trainer:
Explain that usually a CBRN incident does not carry a sign saying āCBRN incidentā
However, there might be some clues
What clues can the trainees think of? More on this issue 4.1 First alert Asking questions
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information:
Depicted illustration: Detective vector silhouette image | Free SVG (
Picture source & IP: Text source & IP: Text fragment by RIVM
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 8 / 12
Title slide: Examples of clues to a CBRN scene
Result: The trainee learnt of some āCBRN indicatorsā
Instructions for the trainer:
Go through the bullets in this slide.
Etc. is what the trainees might have discussed one slide earlier.
The trainer might add some other possible clues
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information:
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP: Text fragment by RIVM
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 9 / 12
Title slide: Example of a tool - 1, 2, 3 rule
Result: First responders know what to do in case one victim, two victims, or three or more victims are present at the scene
Instructions for the trainer:
Explain that when only one victim is present, and many people in the near vicinity are not affected, the likelihood of a (large scale) CBRN incident is small
The absence of people who are not affected and increasing number of victims, with no other explanation might be clues for a CBRN incident
Remember that one person down might be a heart attack, but if two or more are down you should be more careful in your approach.
Note that there is an update version available, which can be accessed using this link: https://naru.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/NARU-IOR-A4-X-3-v8a-2.pdf
However, the update version promotes first responders to stand back and NOT intervene in any way until specialist backup arrives.
This contradicts to our lesson to intervene and do life saving for RN casualties in another lesson and also to our message in general āto be 'careful in your approachā.
The full protocol can be found here: Ā
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/888/guidance%20for%20first%20responders%20and%20control%20room%20personnel%20to%20a%20cbrn%20incid....pdf
Discuss what is applicable in your country.
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: BE-CBRNEe awareness_draft11.10.1019
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/888/guidance%20for%20first%20responders%20and%20control%20room%20personnel%20to%20a%20cbrn%20incid....pdf
Depicted illustration: Table with steps 1-3, obtained from BE-CBRNEe awareness_draft11.10.1019
Picture source & IP: BE-CBRNEe awareness_draft11.10.1019
Text source & IP: Translated text (NLļ EN), provided by RIVM
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 10 / 12
Title slide: If you suspect a CBRN incident:
Result: After these slides the trainees have learnt some basic actions to take, when suspecting a CBRN incident
Instructions for the trainer:
Explain the bullets given in the slide
Let them know most āwhat to doāsā are incorporated in other parts of the curriculum
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: āHandbook for FIRST RESPONDERS, Hazardous Materials ā CBRNEā. DSB/MSB (2014) ISBN 978-91-7383-412-4
Depicted illustration: -
Picture source & IP: -
Text source & IP:
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 11 / 12
Title slide: Take home message
Result: After these slides the trainees have learnt the take home message
Instructions for the trainer: In general, the take home message is that you use protocols like METHANE, MIST, or the 1,2,3 rule to assess a potential CBRN incident.
Next: Go to next slide.
References for additional information: āHandbook for FIRST RESPONDERS, Hazardous Materials ā CBRNEā. DSB/MSB (2014) ISBN 978-91-7383-412-4
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP:
Version Curriculum: 2.0
Module: 2 CBRN Basics
Topic: 2.4 Arriving at the scene, basic safety, and own safety
MELODY Presentation: 2.4.1 Arriving safe at the scene (access routes, hot zone, wind direction, etc.)
Learning objective: To clarify a safe arrival procedure
Slide (number/out of): 12 / 12
Title slide: thank you for your attention
Result: trainees and trainer wrap up this part of the curriculum and can move to the next topic.
Instructions for the trainer: Time for questions or remarks
Next: Final slide.
References for additional information:
Depicted illustration:
Picture source & IP:
Text source & IP: MELODY consortium
Version Curriculum: 2.0