Firefighter Cancer Reduction Guidelines

Cancer Reduction Initiative

• This document provides a guideline for the Spring Fire Department to reduce cancer risk to its members.

Executive Summary

• The document details the contents of the apparatus decontamination bag for immediate equipment and personnel decontamination at the fireground.
• It outlines procedures for safe fire scene operations, including SCBA use, decontamination processes, and air quality monitoring.
• Instructions are given for cleaning and decontaminating firefighting equipment to prevent long-term carcinogen exposure.
• Regular cleaning and decontamination of apparatus cabs, compartments, and equipment is required for a safe environment.
• Recommendations for maintaining a clean and safe station environment include keeping PPE out of living quarters and thorough handwashing.

Purpose

• Firefighters have a greater risk of contracting cancers due to their duties.
• Using PPE, SCBA, and gross decontamination limits toxic carcinogen exposure.
• The Spring Fire Department aims to provide a safe and healthy work environment.
• The guideline is intended to reduce cancer risk with best practices to be followed before, during, and after firefighting.

Policy Statement

• All Spring Fire Department personnel must know and comply with this procedure.

Scope

• The cancer reduction guideline applies to all members.

Procedures and Responsibilities

• Members are responsible for reducing their exposure to cancer-causing atmospheres through personal responsibility.

Lifestyle Choices

• It is accepted that lifestyle choices affect the risk of developing cancer.
• Lifestyle changes that can make a big difference:
  • Don’t use tobacco
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
  • Protect yourself from the sun
  • Get immunized
  • Avoid risky behaviors
  • Get regular medical care/medical screenings
  • Moderate use of alcohol

Apparatus Decontamination Bag

• An apparatus decontamination bag contains the following
  • (8) 60-gallon trash bag
  • (4) packets of Inspire pre-moistened quick clean body cleaning wipes
  • (1) small bottle of dawn soap
  • (1) small soft bristled brush
  • (1) box of medical gloves

Use of SCBA Mask Filters

• The Spring Fire Department provides the only filters allowed during overhaul operations.
• The on-duty district chief carries the SCBA mask filters and adapters to be issued to crews overhauling the fireground.
• After, all filters and adapters will be returned to the district chief for disposal and cleaning.
• A 4-gas detector must monitor the atmosphere for HCN or CO.
• Use of SCBA mask filters is acceptable when no HCN or CO is detected.

Fire Scene Operations

• Members must breathe air from a SCBA in an IDLH environment; there are no exceptions.
• The use of an SFD-issued cartridge system and SCBA mask adapter if there is no CO and an ample level of oxygen.
• The SCBA should always be considered respiratory protection.
• The incident commander decides the implementation of the Spring Fire Department's cartridge system.
• Breathing air from SCBA or a department-issued SCBA mask filter must occur from the initial attack to the finish of overhaul.
• Electronic monitoring of the work environment's air quality should be done during the use of the cartridge system.
• The Incident Commander takes climate and workload into account for the final decision.
• After stabilizing the incident and beginning demobilization, the apparatus operator gets the needed apparatus decontamination bag contents.
• The decontamination bag and its contents should be in an easy to access area.
• PPE gross decontamination must remove as much soot and particulate as possible any time PPE has products of combustion or other contaminants on it, or if the company officer/incident commander deems necessary.
• During gross decontamination, members must breathe air from the SCBA.
• Removing the SCBA regulator during decontamination is counterproductive.
• An apparatus booster line at pump pressure with a power cone fog nozzle is the preferred decontamination method.
• If wet gross decontamination is not viable, use the provide bristle brush used to remove debris and contaminants.
• Members shall not re-enter a IDLH atmosphere.
• The incident commander must ensure that the overhaul is complete before the last firefighter is deconned.
• All PPE, including clothing, helmets, and masks, should be placed in the heavy-duty trash bag away from the passenger compartment.
• Use wet personal decontamination wipes to remove soot from skin immediately on site.
• Decontaminate prior to eating or drinking using soap from the apparatus decontamination bag.

Post-incident Procedures

• Based on the severity of the incident, the incident commander may request additional resources to assist in the overhaul process.
• Releasing crews ensures time for them to begin the decontamination process and reduce carcinogens and toxins caused by firefighting.
• Each incident must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the exposure, and the final decision rests with the incident commander.
• Upon return to the fire station, open turnout bags to off-gas contaminated gear outside the station.
• Remove contaminated gear from the heavy-duty trash bag and put it in the gear extractor wearing medical gloves.
• Decontaminate the apparatus interior with adequate ventilation, wearing medical gloves while wiping all surfaces.
• Leave fire apparatus windows down and use an apparatus bay floor fan the ventilate/dry the apparatus' interior.
• Each member uses the Cycle Sauna per SFD.060 after handling contaminated PPE and showering.
• Shower initially to remove loose contaminants and avoid absorbing contaminants into skin.
• Changing into loose-fitting T-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes is recommended for exercise.
• This detoxifying sweat will assist in removing carcinogens form the body.
• Refer to SFD.060 guideline for settings and additional procedures for the unit.
• Shower again thoroughly after the Cycle Sauna detoxification session.
• Place a second set of gear in service and clean the helmet and boots thoroughly.

Overhaul

• Personnel safety during post-fire operations is the primary emphasis.
• When crews exit the structure, it reduces their overall exposure by letting the chemicals dissipate naturally.
• Timely crew removal will allow the Harris County Fire Marshal to gather information.

Best Practice

• The most contaminated crews should be sent home first to detoxify.
• During the structural cooling off period, the incident commander develops an overhaul plan using safety issues and the establishment of hot, warm, and cold zones.
• SCBA, or a SCBA mask filter with adapter is mandatory to be used for work inside the structure during overhaul, monitor fatigue, hydrate, and cool crew members.
• Fire investigators can begin interviews and investigation outside the structure during the structural cooling off period.

Equipment Cleaning

• SCBA facemasks and tools are just as exposed to products of combustion.
• Equipment will continue to expose personnel to carcinogens long after the fire if not properly cleaned.
  • Gross decontamination of equipment should be done at the scene.
  • Fire hose should be transported back to the station by a utility vehicle, or on the apparatus if it can be properly secured; avoid the passenger compartment.
  • Proper PPE should be used Any time contact is made with the contaminated equipment at the scene or while cleaning
  • Contaminated equipment should be grossly decontaminated first on scene and then placed back into the compartment for transporting back to the station, keeping it out of the passenger compartment of the apparatus prevents cross-contamination of the apparatus cab.
  • Clean equipment in the correct location that will allow for proper cleaning without further exposure to personnel or living quarters, As per manufacturer recommendations, most hand tools can be cleaned with mild soap and water, scrub with a soft to medium bristled brush and rinse with garden hose.
  • Gas powered equipment can be wiped free of smoke, soot, and debris with wet towels.

SCBA and Facemask Cleaning

• Remove the cylinder from the backpack to clean.
• Wash all components of the cylinder with warm, soapy water and thoroughly rinse.
• Crack open the cylinder valve after cleaning to blow out moisture in the valve opening.
• Thoroughly clean and sanitize masks inside and out.
• Clean the backpack (minus cylinder) according to the manufacturer's recommendation using warm, soapy water, a sponge and soft bristled brush, while protecting electronics.

Hose Cleaning

• Contaminated hose should be cleaned per NFPA 1962 Standard.
• Gross decontamination is recommended to remove harmful materials and contaminants from the hose on the fireground.
• Roll the hose on scene and place in a safe location for transporting, but not in the apparatus cab.
• Fill a large bucket with mild, soapy, ambient temperature water upon returning to the station.
• Scrub the entire length of the hose with a long-handled, medium to hard bristled broom/brush and turn the hose over to scrub the opposite side.
• Completely rinse the soap from the hose on both sides with the garden hose.
• The hose can be re-loaded wet or if spare hose is available and the officer deems it best to load replacement hose, replacement hose can be loaded and the wet hose dried.
• Ensure the hose is left out to dry that it is not placed in direct sunlight.

Apparatus Decontamination and Cleaning

• All apparatus cabs, compartments, and equipment should be cleaned weekly and decontaminated after every incident or training that involved contaminants.
• Parking upwind, keeping windows closed and heaters and air conditioners off during fireground operations will minimize airborne contaminants from entering the cab.
• All cleaning can be done utilizing cleaning solutions, designated rags, mop buckets, brushes, and disinfectants.
• Apparatus cab cleaning should be done using a top-down cleaning method followed by disinfecting with special attention paid to computers, radios, seats, steering wheel, floorboards, and headsets.
• Disinfecting prevent the spread of contagious illnesses such as C Diff, MRSA, staph, etc.
• All cloth surfaces should be cleaned using a shop vac.
• Remove all equipment for top-down cleaning of apparatus compartments, and clean all equipment before placing it back in the apparatus.
• After cleaning, ensure all rags, mops, and other items are washed in the washing machine and that the mop buckets are rinsed.
• Wash your hands, face, and neck or shower.

Station Best Practices

• Never have the apparatus motor running inside the bay with the bay doors closed; pull apparatus onto front or rear slab anytime the motor is running.
• Apparatus power tools shall be started and idled outside the bay during routine checks and cleaning.
• Keep PPE out of living and sleeping quarters, preferably in a gear bag, or for vehicles, in the trunk or a tool box in a pick-up.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and consistently throughout your time at the station, especially prior to eating meals or preparing food.

Contact Office

• The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is:
• Company Officer
• 1. District Chief
  • a. Deputy Chief of Safety, Health, and Professional Development
    • i. Assistant Chief -1. Fire Chief