b. Decontaminate only what is necessary.
If you expect to survive and win on the contaminated battlefield, do not waste precious resources
decontaminating everything. Consider mission, time, extent of contamination, MOPP status, and decon
assets available. Decon only what is mission essential to conserve resources and help sustain combat
power.
c. Decontaminate as far forward as possible.
Decontaminate as close to the site of contamination as possible to limit the spread of contamination. Do
not move contaminated equipment, personnel, or remains away from the operational area, if it is
possible to bring decon assets, organic or supporting units, forward safely. This will keep the equipment
on location, speed decontamination, and limit the spread of contamination.
Limiting the number of personnel and amount of equipment in the area helps prevent the spread of
contamination. Make every effort to confine NBC contamination to as small an area as possible. This
also reduces the amount of decon required. Units moving from a contaminated area into a clean area
should decontaminate at or near the edge of contamination. Mark all contaminated areas and report their
location to other friendly units to keep them from entering the contaminated area unknowingly.
Contaminated materiel presents additional problems for limiting the spread of contamination. If the
situation permits, materiel can be left and allowed to weather. If the equipment is mission essential, it
must be decontaminated on the spot or brought back to the rear and decontaminated.
If the situation permits, decontaminate as far forward as possible. If this is not possible, then materiel
may have to be transported to the rear for decontamination. If contaminated materiel must be moved:
■ Use as few transport vehicles as possible
■ Use one route, especially around congested areas.
■ Monitor the route periodically for contamination.
■ Cover the materiel to keep confined.
■ Warn personnel downwind if a vapor hazard is present.
■ Monitor and decontaminate transport vehicles before transporting noncontaminated materiel.
■ Ensure transport crew wears appropriate MOPP Gear.
CM 2506
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