Decon Team recruiting new members

Georgia Regents University’s Decon Team is recruiting.

Spots on the team are open to anyone who is interested in knowing how to assist victims of chemical or radiological accidents that come to the medical center for treatment.

“If there were to be a Graniteville-level event, every single person coming from that site, before they enter the hospital, has to go through decon,” said Kevin Wells, Emergency Management Supervisor.

The incident Wells referred to took place on Jan. 6, 2011 when two trains collided in Graniteville, S.C., releasing chlorine gas into the air. Nine people died and roughly 250 were treated for chlorine exposure.

Each member of the Decon Team completes a 16-hour course in Basic Decon as well as 12-18 hours of training and exercises annually. The course will focus on the decontamination facilities at Georgia Regents Medical Center, as well as the basic skills of all First Receivers.

The next training course will be offered Oct. 29-30 from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and is offered at no charge. Permission from an individual’s supervisor must be obtained before they can take part in the class.

If you would like to join the team, contact Kevin Wells at kewells@gru.edu.