Which is the second type of decon described?

• A. Emergency/gross decon
• B. Technical/secondary decon
• C. Primary/secondary
• D. Quick/slow

Answer: (B)

In decontamination, cleaning happens in stages. The first stage is emergency or gross decon, done quickly on scene to remove most of the contaminant and protect responders. The second stage is technical or secondary decon, which is a more thorough cleaning performed in a controlled environment. This step targets residual contamination that wasn’t removed initially and uses careful technique, proper PPE, and detailed washing of the body and gear. It also ensures contaminated wash water is contained and disposed of safely, reducing the risk of recontamination as you move from the hot zone to non-contaminated areas and before doffing. That combination of thorough cleaning in a controlled setting is why technical/secondary decon is the correct description for the second type.