Risks.
Not performing this step may result in contamination being washed into
uncontaminated areas, subjecting crew and maintenance personnel to hazards.
Step 2.
Wash down vehicle and equipment.
This step limits spread of contamination to clean areas and personnel,
minimizes hazard, and enhances weathering to make Detailed Equipment
Decontamination easier and faster.
Material.
For all forms of contamination, you will need one PDDE; adequate fuel for
water heater and pump unit; an adequate water supply, about 100 gallons per
vehicle; liquid detergent to mix with water, see FM 3-5; and three
Toxicological Agent Protective (TAP) Aprons.
Procedures.
For chemical and/or biological contamination, two soldiers from the
battalion decontamination crew wash down equipment.
A third soldier
supervises.
Soldiers must wear TAP Aprons or wet weather gear worn over
MOPP Gear to keep MOPP Gear from becoming saturated.
Soldiers spray hot,
soapy water under pressure from PDDE onto equipment surfaces. This removes,
neutralizes, or destroys most of the gross contamination trapped in dirt and
mud. Unheated soapy water or plain water may be used, if necessary, but is
possibly less effective than hot, soapy water. Start at the top decks of
vehicles and wash down.
For radiological contamination, remove radiological contamination in the
same way as chemical and/or biological contamination. Gains made could be
greater. Nearly all contamination may be removed. If RADIAC equipment is
available, determine if residual radiation is of negligible risk. You may
be able to lower MOPP levels.
Risks.
If you do not do this step, expect casualties from contact hazards.
Spreading or transferring the hazard may increase. Weathering of the hazard
will be slowed. You will not be able to reduce the MOPP level immediately
because an After-Vehicle Washdown check for contamination is not made.
3-13
CM2300
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