scholarly journals PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR RESCUERS INVOLVED IN CBRN INCIDENTS. CASE STUDY FOR SELECTED HAZARD SCENARIOS

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (80) ◽  
pp. 57-87
Author(s):  
Magdalena Gikiewicz ◽  
Karolina Bralewska
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Unified Approach ◽  
First Line ◽  
Main Emphasis ◽  
The Military ◽  
Selection Of

One of the challenges in modern rescue are terrorist attacks in which use is made of chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear (CBRN) agents. The mass nature of such incidents causes participation in the operations of various services. The first stage of responding to CBRN incidents is often attended by several hundred rescuers. Important factor influencing the speed and effectiveness of actions thus increasing the safety of rescuers is the appropriate selection and optimization of personal protective equipment (PPE). Although the discussion on the selection of PPE during CBRN incidents has been going on for many years, the main emphasis is on solutions used by the military. There is much less work on PPE for rescuers who are usually the first line of defence. The variety of tasks performed by them and a multitude of factors determining the selection of PPE makes it difficult to find a unified approach to this problem. The aims of this paper consist of identification of factors that should be taken into account when selecting PPE for rescuers, reviewing the standards in this area and select the optimal PPE for rescuers during CBRN incidents based on the two the most realistic hazard scenarios. This study contains a critical review of literature and standards in the field of PPE for rescuers, includes outcomes from observation and may be a catalyst for a discussion of this problem.

scholarly journals Investigation of Nanogrids for Improved Navy Installation Energy Resilience

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4298
Author(s):  
Alissa Kain ◽  
Douglas L. Van Bossuyt ◽  
Anthony Pollman
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Critical Loads ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Military Bases ◽  
Specific Interest ◽  
The Military

Military bases perform important national security missions. In order to perform these missions, specific electrical energy loads must have continuous, uninterrupted power even during terrorist attacks, adversary action, natural disasters, and other threats of specific interest to the military. While many global military bases have established microgrids that can maintain base operations and power critical loads during grid disconnect events where outside power is unavailable, many potential threats can cause microgrids to fail and shed critical loads. Nanogrids are of specific interest because they have the potential to protect individual critical loads in the event of microgrid failure. We present a systems engineering methodology that analyzes potential nanogrid configurations to understand which configurations may improve energy resilience and by how much for critical loads from a national security perspective. This then allows targeted deployment of nanogrids within existing microgrid infrastructures. A case study of a small military base with an existing microgrid is presented to demonstrate the potential of the methodology to help base energy managers understand which options are preferable and justify implementing nanogrids to improve energy resilience.

Management of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic in England and the state of New York: A comparative case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 71-89
Author(s):  
Amy Barber, BSc ◽  
Annaëlle Vinzent, BS ◽  
Imani Williams, BA
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
New York State ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Protective Equipment

Background: The COVID-19 crisis placed extraordinary demands on the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) at the beginning of 2020. These were coupled with shocks to the supply chain resulting from the disease. Many typically well-resourced health systems faced subsequent shortages of equipment and had to implement new strategies to manage their stocks. Stockpiles of protective equipment were held in both the United States and United Kingdom intended to prevent shortages. Method: Cross-comparative case study approach by applying Pettigrew and Whipp’s framework for change management. Setting: The health systems of England and New York state from January 2020 to the end of April 2020. Results: Both cases reacted slowly to their outbreaks and faced problems with supplying enough PPE to their health systems. Their stockpiles were not enough to prevent shortages, with many distribution problems resulting from inadequate governance mechanisms. No sustainable responses to supply disruptions were implemented during the study period in either case. Health systems planned interventions along each part of the supply chain from production and importing, to usage guidelines. Conclusion: Global supply chains are vulnerable to disruptions caused by international crises, and existing mitigation strategies have not been wholly successful. The existence of stockpiles is insufficient to preventing shortages of necessary equipment in clinical settings. Both the governance and quality of stockpiles, as well as distribution channels are important for preventing shortages. At the time of writing, it is not possible to judge the strength of strategies adopted in these cases.

Safety and Efficacy of DEET and Permethrin in the Prevention of Arthropod Attack

1998 ◽  
Vol 163 (5) ◽  
pp. 324-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. David Young ◽  
Sandra Evans
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Synthetic Pyrethroid ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Insect Repellent ◽  
First Line ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Protective Strategy

Abstract Many preventable diseases affecting troop strength are directly attributed to disease-carrying insects. The first line of defense against arthropod vectors is the use of personal protective measures. The concurrent application of DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) repellent on the skin and permethrin [(3-phenoxy-phenyl)methyl(±)cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-carboxylate] insecticide on the battle dress uniform, while the uniform is worn properly, is a personal protective strategy officially known as the DOD Insect Repellent System. It is important for troop commanders and field leaders to enforce the use of personal protective measures to prevent insect-borne infectious diseases and to ensure troop and soldier readiness. DEET is a safe and effective repellent. Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide and repellent. Used in conjunction with proper clothing and other personal protective equipment, these repellents provide the best known protection available and are critical in minimizing the occupational health threat of arthropod-borne diseases to troops in the field.

scholarly journals Disposal of Personal Protective Equipment during the COVID-19 Pandemic Is a Challenge for Waste Collection Companies and Society: A Case Study in Poland

Resources ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Nowakowski ◽  
Sandra Kuśnierz ◽  
Patrycja Sosna ◽  
Jakub Mauer ◽  
Dawid Maj
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Waste Collection ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
The Social

One of the social measures applied during the COVID-19 pandemic has been the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)—face masks and gloves. As a result, this waste category has expanded enormously. This study investigates waste management issues from multiple perspectives, including local governments, waste collection companies, and individual citizens in Poland using a telephone survey for institutions and an online questionnaire for individuals. The results of this study show that approximately 80% of local governments in the Silesian region have applied special measures for handling and collection of waste PPE. Only 13% of waste collection companies have applied special collection schedules for the waste generated at quarantine collection points due to the high costs of changing collection schedules, providing additional vehicles, and paying for more labor. The information campaigns focusing on new methods of PPE waste collection have been difficult to introduce on a large scale, and citizens need better information regarding how to handle and dispose of waste PPE. Results indicated the most helpful method in supporting waste PPE collection would be automatic PPE dispensers with waste PPE collection options and waste bags of a designated color. The respondents identified waste PPE pollution of the environment as an issue and the necessity for proper recovery of this waste stream.

scholarly journals VALIDATION OF A BOOKLET FOR THE CORRECT USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Beatriz Pereira da Silva ◽  
Harlon França de Menezes ◽  
Hosana Lourenço da Silva ◽  
Michelle Carneiro Fonseca ◽  
Aurean D'Eça Junior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Delphi Technique ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Content Validation ◽  
Acceptance Criterion ◽  
Graphic Designer ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the process for the elaboration and validation of a digital educational booklet intended for health professionals on the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment in the context of COVID-19. Method: a methodological study conducted between June and September 2020, operationalized in three stages: 1ststage: bibliographic survey; 2ndstage: elaboration of the booklet with the graphic designer to help in the development process of the technology; 3rdstage: content validation of the booklet by specialists through the Delphi technique. The validation was performed by 35 health and biology professionals and the local for selection of these was the Lattes Platform, using the Delphi technique in two rounds. The Content Validation Index was considered an acceptance criterion, with an agreement ≥ 0.78 among the judges being considered a good level. Results: the first version of the booklet obtained a global Content Validation Index of 0.79. There were suggestions for improvement that were accepted and, after the Delphi 2 phase, there was the resubmission of the booklet; it presented a global Content Validation Index of 0.99. Conclusion: the booklet was validated regarding its content and is compatible with its intended purpose, being important for the promotion of knowledge about the correct procedure to put on this equipment so that prevention measures are effective and shared.

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