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Tuesday, August 17: Respond Strong - Put It On

Sponsored by: TECGEN XTREME®
 
One of the NVFC’s Firefighter Health and Safety Priorities for departments is: Provide and require the proper use of full personal protective equipment (PPE).
 
There are obvious safety reasons for wearing full PPE correctly every time, but there are also important health reasons. Proper use of PPE protects you from inhaling potentially dangerous smoke, debris, and toxins, which could otherwise cause significant harm to your lungs, respiratory system, and general health. PPE also protects your skin so that you don’t absorb harmful particles and toxins through your skin. Protecting your head with a helmet can prevent head injuries that could lead to acute or chronic health conditions.
 
The benefits of wearing PPE fully and properly when responding to incidents or participating in certain training activities are numerous. So are the dangers that come with not protecting yourself with PPE. In addition to wearing PPE correctly, you must make sure the PPE is in good condition and properly maintained.
 
Use this day of National Firefighter Health Week to focus on the benefits of PPE, and impart to department members the critical nature of fully wearing and properly maintaining PPE. Create a culture within your department where proper and full use of PPE is standard and anything less is unacceptable. Make sure the leaders of the department lead by example. Take responsibility for your health and safety and Respond Strong.
 
 
What You Can Do Today
  • Adopt the NVFC’s Health and Safety Priorities in your department, and use this day of Health Week to focus on the Equipment B.E.S.T. Practices: “Provide and require the proper use of full personal protective equipment” and “Maintain all equipment based on established safety recommendations.”
  • Let your members know that they must use their SCBA fully and properly every time. Safety equipment doesn’t work if it’s not being used. Hang flyers, signs, or posters at the station to remind members that this is the policy of the department.
  • Hold a drill on donning your PPE to make sure everyone knows exactly what needs to happen when the next call comes in.
  • Conduct an inspection of all of your station’s equipment and determine which items need to be replaced sooner rather than later. It may not be possible to upgrade everything right now, but make a plan for securing the most needed equipment now and develop a schedule for equipment that will need to be replaced in the future. Ensuring every piece of equipment is working effectively keeps you safer.
  • Review with all members how to properly maintain, clean, and store each piece of PPE and remind them they need to follow these procedures every time.
  • Encourage every member of your department to take advantage of free online PPE trainings and webinars, some of which are listed in the resource section of this page.
  • Make sure all of your respirators are clean and in working order.
 
Resources
 
In this article, which appeared in the November 2009 issue of Firehouse Magazine, NVFC Health and Safety Committee Vice Chair Kevin Quinn (RI) addresses why proper use of PPE is critical to the health and safety of the fire service and the actions fire department leaders and members must take to protect themselves and their fellow emergency responders.
 
The second Fire PPE Symposium, sponsored by the Fire Industry and Equipment Research Organization, will be held on May 2-4, 2011 in Charlotte, NC. The Symposium is designed to be a hard-hitting, factual series of presentations about the PPE that most firefighters use on a regular basis. The Symposium is for members of the emergency services and covers topics such as selecting PPE, care and maintenance, using PPE, legal issues, limitations, and much more. A CD of the presentations will be provided to attendees. There is a maximum of 300 participants.
 
FireRescue1.com provides highlights from the first Fire Service PPE Symposium, which took place in Charlotte, NC, in March of 2009. The Symposium attracted some of the most prominent figures in the industry and featured discussion from fire service experts and major manufacturers about issues facing the fire service as well as trends and technology.
 
Ashburn Hill Corporation developed TECGEN XTREME® garments as a cool alternative to full turnout gear. Non-structural turnout gear provides a lighter-weight, comfortable complement to bunker gear for non-structural calls. Since TECGEN XTREME® protective apparel is suitable for non-structural responses, it can extend the life of bunker gear by wearing it only for structural responses.
 
PPE 101 is dedicated to providing the latest in research and information about personal protective equipment. Sponsored by Globe Firefighter Suits and DuPont, the site features resources for online training, product certifications, news, and tips. It also highlights the latest in PPE technology and science, chronicling the evolution of the products that keep firefighters safe as they protect their communities. PPE101.com is operated by FireRescue1.com, a leading online news and information resource for firefighters.
 
Lion Apparel Webcasts
 
The manufacturer’s guidance for cleaning and sanitizing a respirator should always be followed and is included with the packaging of all products. If you do not have access to that copy, check the manufacturer’s web site. However, OSHA provides these general cleaning and sanitizing guidelines for respirators.
 
This page contains information, research, and recommendations about work-related exposure to asbestos, which is a generic name given to a fibrous variety of six naturally occurring minerals that have been used for decades in thousands of commercial products including insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and textile products, and cement and wallboard materials. People who are occupationally exposed to asbestos have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer.
 
This article discusses the risk firefighters face of asbestos exposure, the diseases asbestos exposure can cause (including asbestosis, lung cancer, and a cancer called mesothelioma), and how proper use of SCBA can protect against asbestos exposure.
 
Fire Engineering has produced many articles that show why wearing proper PPE, making sure to keep your SCBA on until you are out of the risk zone, and selecting the right PPE for optimal protection are critical for firefighter health. Articles include:
 
This story from FDNNTV.com looks at different risk factors firefighters face, including the potential to absorb toxins and carcinogens through their skin if not properly protected by PPE.
 
This article looks at how a liner access opening can help with the inspection of interior layers in PPE.
 
This article looks at how poisoning from breathing in cyanide at the fireground can mimic other illnesses such as heart disease and have fatal results.
 
This article looks at the health effects of wildfire smoke inhalation on firefighters.
 
The IAFF looks at the increased risk firefighters face to harmful inhalants, the effect this exposure may have, and how firefighters can protect themselves.
 
The CDC offers an overview of asthma, a disease that affects the lungs and causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.
 
This site provides information on asthma and allergies, both of which can cause severe respiratory problems.
 
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a common lung disease that obstructs the airways, making breathing difficult. This site provides information and resources regarding COPD and how to treat and prevent it.
 
Breathe California is dedicated to healthy air and preventing lung and other air-pollution related diseases by partnering with youth, advocating public policy, supporting air pollution research, and educating the public. This page talks about the health impacts of particle pollution and diseases and threats that affect the lungs.
 
This page contains information and resources about lung diseases including asthma and COPD/Emphysema.
 
Proper and full use of PPE can help prevent firefighters from breathing in harmful smoke, toxins, and debris, which might otherwise cause or aggravate a respiratory condition. This index from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides a list of some of the most common lung diseases, their causes, and treatments.