BY ROBERT TUTTEROW, PRESIDENT, F.I.E.R.O., AND BRUCE VARNER, CHIEF (RET.), SANTA ROSA (CA) FIRE DEPARTMENT
With the new revision of NFPA 1850, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), the thought of fire departments having a personal protective clothing (PPC) manager and technicians has formally arrived. If you have heard of this, the term PPE was used rather than PPC. The NFPA opted to change the terminology and acronym as there are already SCBA technicians and SCBA is considered PPE. For the 1850 document, personal protective clothing refers to helmets, hoods, gloves, boots, coats, and pants.
Why are these roles needed? It is only in the past few years that PPC has been getting the focus it needs. The emerging knowledge about contaminants and the subsequent cancer rates bring a logical spotlight on PPC. The time is now for designated fire department PPC. Think about it—we already have Firefighter I, Firefighter II, driver/operator, EMT, paramedic, investigator, inspector, and other qualification requirements. We have certifications for emergency vehicle technician, health and safety officer, incident scene safety officer, traffic incident management person, and other tasks designed around an NFPA standard and tested through the Pro Board.
As the world of contamination and PPC evolves, the more we know, the more we realize we need to know. The PFAS issue is an ideal example. New information about PPC is coming at an accelerating rate. It is imperative that fire departments have personnel who get “up to speed” and remain “up to speed” about the PPE world. We now know our PPC is a health hazard if not properly maintained. After all, we are talking about protecting every department’s most valuable asset.
Only a few fire departments have robust PPC programs that include selection, cleaning, repair, storage, and retirement. There is no doubt these departments have one or more people who have passionately engaged in learning as much as they can about PPC—”the last line of defense in protecting firefighters from hazards that cannot be controlled any other way.” But what about the other fire departments? Their commitment to a “real” PPC program varies greatly. Unfortunately, far too many departments have no semblance of a PPC program, as evidenced by many of the photos we all see in national publications and other media sites.
What are the roles of a PPC manager and PPC technicians?
PPC Manager
The new official NFPA definition of a PPC manager is “an individual assigned or authorized to manage the organization’s PPC program.” The functions of the PPC manager include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Maintains an understanding of current NFPA standards (NFPA 1970) as well as other required standards and laws (e.g., OSHA) for the purchase of appropriate PPC.
- Conducts a review of the department operations to complete a risk assessment for the type of PPC required.
- Establishes a policy and procedures for the proper use and care of PPC within the organization that must be reevaluated periodically (at least annually).
- Establishes a system to monitor, track, and document PPC over its life.
- Determines the useful life of the PPC.
- Establishes criteria for assessing PPC selection.
- Actively participates in the selection of the department’s PPC.
- Establishes processes for returning product that does not meet specifications.
- Follows retirement and disposal criteria of PPC.
- Establishes procedures for the inspection, cleaning, and repair of PPC.
- Establishes a process for the fitting of gear for firefighters.
- Develops a training program specific for the job functions of the PPC technicians.
- Develops a training program for the entire department detailing the proper fit, function, limitations, and handling of PPC, as well as the expected inspection and routine cleaning of PPC. Ensures training is delivered to all members who use PPC.
- Assists with, including providing input to, the budgeting process and strategic planning related to PPC acquisition and maintenance.
- Establishes exposure procedures and controls for the handling of contaminated PPE sent for cleaning, inspection, and/or repair.
PPC Technicians
The official NFPA definition of a PPC technician is “an individual assigned or authorized to ensure the organization’s PPE is in proper working condition and is compliant with relevant standards.” The PPC technician role may be performed by the PPC manager, another employee of the organization, a verified organization, or a verified ISP or a combination thereof, depending on the organization’s structure or size. The functions of the PPC technician include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Examines and files information that comes with PPE.
- With the PPC manager, establishes the schedule for cleaning, inspecting, and repairing PPC.
- Determines the need for repair or additional cleaning (bio or specialty).
- Coordinates all repairs.
- Is trained in advanced inspection procedures.
- Determines ability to repair.
- Documents the action taken on the PPE in the tracking system.
- Consults the element manufacturer on major repairs.
- Consults the element manufacturer regarding visibility marking repair.
- Evaluates the moisture barrier repair requirement.
- Consults with the manufacturer for major A seam restitching.
- Consults with the manufacturer for major B seams.
- Performs zipper repair complexity.
- Performs hook-and-loop repair complexity.
- Evaluates helmet serviceability.
- Determines footwear repair feasibility.
- Reports PPC health and safety concerns to the PPC manager.
Note: Depending on the level of training and the organization’s resources, the PPC technicians may complete some or all repairs or coordinate sending PPC needing repair out to an appropriate ISP for the necessary repairs. Any items sent out for repair would be inspected by the PPC technician prior to being returned to service.
Some fire departments might say there is no need for a PPE technician because their personnel are trained by a PPE manufacturer when they purchase PPE from them. But let us be honest, what kind of training is that? Is there testing on the curriculum? If so, does anyone ever fail? We would suggest that such training, while of some value, is basically a “participation trophy.”
If the fire service is going to take contamination control with the subsequent related cancers as seriously as we should, then developing PPC manager and technician qualifications is a must. As a service, PPC manufacturers are held to very strict standards and their products must be certified to those standards by a third-party agency such as UL or SEI. It is only reasonable that the fire service holds itself accountable for the proper care of our PPC.
