As firefighters, we are well aware that our job expectations are dynamic and ever changing. Continually faced with new building construction technologies, advanced modes of transportation, changes in abused substances, and responses to EMS-related incidents, firefighters have greater fire and EMS exposure concerns than ever before. With no control over when or how many of these exposures occur, it is critical that firefighters have reduction procedures and practices that are validated. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach that will keep us safe in all events. But, there are steps we can follow that can decrease our risk to exposures from off gassing of products of combustion, blood and body fluid contamination, physical contamination of bulk chemicals, and the many other forms of contamination we face on a daily basis.
How can we reduce these exposures? Clean our gear! Like washing your hands during flu season, this is one simple, but huge, step in an overall solution. NFPA 1851 currently provides recommendations for the cleaning, inspection, and repair of protective clothing. Unfortunately, the code is vague and does not provide detailed or validated recommendations on what really works. The NFPA committee is working to rectify that. Soon, we will have extensive and validated recommendations for a comprehensive approach, starting from the time of exposure to the frequency of cleaning. We will know how to better reduce exposures on scene; how to properly transport and handle gear; and how to identify and implement best practices to clean, decontaminate, disinfect, and sanitize your gear in response to the incident you encountered.
This is an exciting time. We are on the verge of having a validation tool that will allow the industry to truly test procedures and determine the effectiveness of the cleaning performed. With the truth known, procedures can be improved to further reduce our exposure and protect our overall health.
Tim Tomlinson
Driver Operator/Paramedic
Addison (TX) Fire Department
