Public registration

User:

Typically fire brigade

When to apply:

At the scene of a radiological emergency for all the public not requiring immediate medical treatment/transport that may have been within the inner cordoned area (evacuated or left on their own before arrival of emergency services).

Steps:

1. Establish a public registration area outside the inner cordoned area (safety perimeter) that is secured and protected from the weather if required
2. If terrorism or criminal activity is suspected, ensure that people are searched for weapons before coming to the public registration area and emergency workers are protected from potentially armed suspects
3. Instruct non-injured members of public who were within the inner cordoned area:
   • Not to take any items that may be radioactive
   • As a precaution to keep hands away from mouth and not to eat or drink until they wash their face and hands
   • To go to a public registration area — where they can wait safely while being processed
4. If contamination is not suspected, register them using a registration form and release them
5. If the public may be contaminated (possible presence of radioactive smoke, liquid or dust) and:
   • Arrangements for decontamination are in place:
     • send them for field or full decontamination. Make sure this action does not interfere with necessary first aid actions
   • Arrangements for decontamination are not in place:
     • register them, using the registration form
     • instruct them:
       • Not to eat, drink, smoke or place hands near mouth until their hands and face are washed and potentially contaminated outer clothing is changed
       • To shower and change clothes when possible, and to place clothes in plastic bag and save them
       • To listen for and follow official instructions given via the media (TV or radio)
   • Release members of the public