ATTLEBORO — Members of the Attleboro Fire Department conducted training this week on the department’s mobile decontamination system in collaboration with staff from Sturdy Health to ensure both agencies are prepared to operate the system in the event of a large-scale hazardous materials or contamination incident.
The mobile decontamination unit is designed to rapidly process a large number of patients during emergencies involving hazardous substances, chemical exposure, or other contamination events. The system consists of three separate tents connected by three corridors designed to safely move patients through the decontamination process.
Two corridors are designated for ambulatory patients who are able to walk through the system independently. A third corridor is specifically designed for non-ambulatory patients who may need to be transported through the system on a backboard utilizing a roller transport system.
The decontamination process itself is broken into three stages:
• Gross decontamination and debris removal
• Full washing and rinsing
• Drying and final inspection prior to release or further medical treatment
The system is also equipped to safely contain contaminated runoff water. Water used during the decontamination process is collected and pumped into specialized containment bladders to prevent environmental contamination and allow for proper disposal.
“This type of training is critical because these incidents are low frequency but high consequence,” said Attleboro Fire District Chief Scott Godin, who is also a member of the Massachusetts Hazardous Materials Response Team. “By training together with Sturdy Health staff, we ensure both organizations are familiar with the setup, patient movement, and operational flow should this system ever need to be deployed during a real-world emergency.”
The training comes as public safety agencies across the region continue preparations for large-scale events expected in the area, including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches being hosted in nearby Foxborough. Communities throughout the region are reviewing emergency response capabilities and interagency coordination plans in anticipation of the significant increase in visitors and event attendance.
The Attleboro Fire Department regularly conducts joint training with healthcare and regional public safety partners to maintain readiness for a wide range of emergency incidents.
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