Hazardous materials and CBRN incidents: Fundamentals of pre-hospital readiness in the State of Qatar

Background: Hazardous Materials and Chemical/Biological/Radiological/Nuclear (HazMat-CBRN) incidents represent a serious threat to the population environment1. They require pre-hospital medical response system well equipped supported with logistics clinicians appropriate knowledge skills prevent exposure mitigate risks. Our aim is determine if Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service (HMCAS) fulfils readiness requirements for such incidents. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in HMCAS. An online survey assessed staff behaviour relation HazMat-CBRN Responses were obtained on health risks management of related threats Qatar. Based results, training module “HazMat Incident Management” prepared pre-/post-activity assessments. The results explored using multivariate linear regression non-parametric Wilcoxon test paired samples. Specialized Emergency Management (SEM) opinion about this through an survey. Both surveys’ validity reliability tests conducted. Ishikawa cause effects diagram built identification factors leading successful Results: HMCAS has proper plans manage potential demonstrated that information topic needs reinforcement. (Table 1)and 2) thanks implemented module. course satisfaction showed not only big interest activity but also recommended more topics2. Earlier-RSDAT (Recognition, Safety, Decontamination, Antidot, Transport) tool proposed as acronym build risk-based HazMat CBRN setting3. Conclusion: fulfills safe effective RSDAT matrix might help mitigating