Firefighting PPE Policies and Procedures

Overview - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Structural Firefighting

• The outlined document establishes TFD's policies and procedures for PPE use in structural firefighting
• The procedures detailed apply to routine and gross soiled turnout laundering, turnout repair, spare turnout management, and obtaining replacements

Application

• The document's guidelines apply to all TFD personnel issued structural firefighting PPE
• It supersedes the previous policy from November 2001 and General Order 3, Section 9
• Associated forms include:
  • FIR 2530 0021 (PPE Inspection form)
  • FIR 2530 0022 (Individual PPE Inspection and Repair form)
• Related TFD-specific information is available in documents covering respiratory protection, uniform standards, exposure control, waste management, hazardous material response, and post-fire procedures

Responsibilities of Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety

• Develop PPE selection and purchase specifications
• Instruct TFD staff on fabric hazards and firefighting ensemble limits
• Ensure compliance with PPE inspection and maintenance schedules
• Maintain/repair PPE per manufacturer specs
• Inspect repaired PPE prior to reuse
• Maintain/review PPE inspection records
• Oversee PPE inventories and disposal
• Maintain suitable PPE stock levels
• Keep the PPE policy up to date

Responsibilities of Battalion Chiefs

• Confirm PPE inspection for all assigned personnel every March and September
• Ensure timely completion of inspection records

Responsibilities of Incident Commanders

• Ensure on-scene staff wear appropriate protective clothing relative to incident hazards

Responsibilities of Incident Safety Officers (ISO)

• Inspect firefighter PPE every March and September at all stations
• Complete FIR 2530 0021 and/or FIR 2530 0022 as needed
• Inspect spare PPE inventories as needed
• Record inspection findings in the electronic system
• Issue new PPE items and record them in the system
• Verify PPE assignments and update records during inspections

Responsibilities of Safety Lieutenants

• Inspect PPE as directed by the Administrative Battalion Chief
• Inspect PPE of 40-hour personnel every March and September
• Complete FIR 2530 0021 and/or FIR 2530 0022 when required
• Enter inspection results in the electronic system
• Inspect inventory at Headquarters every six months
• Verify PPE assignments and update records during inspections
• Issue new gear and record in the electronic tracking system
• Instruct TFD on fabric hazards and firefighting ensemble limits
• Facilitate PPE cleaning, repair, and replacement
• Enforce PPE inspection and maintenance schedules
• Ensure PPE maintenance/repair adheres to manufacturer specifications
• Inspect repaired PPE before service and record repairs
• Research and recommend new PPE and safety equipment
• Assist with ISO continuing education
• Manage all PPE inventories and final disposition
• Maintain proper new PPE ensemble item inventory levels
• Assist Station 8 and 13 Captains with spare PPE inventories

Responsibilities of HazMat Team Personnel

• Consult on PPE handling and decontamination with the TFD Safety Office and personnel
• Coordinate on proper disposal of contaminated PPE with the TFD Safety Office

Responsibilities of Training Division Personnel

• Provide training on PPE function, limitations, use, care, inspection and maintenance

Responsibilities of Station 8 and 9 Personnel

• Evaluate soiled turnouts for appropriate laundering facility
• Work with the Safety Division to manage excessively soiled turnouts
• Routinely launder turnouts, helmet liners, gloves, and suspenders

Responsibilities of Station 8 and 13 Personnel

• Document and dispense spare PPE to TFD personnel
• Properly perform inventory and store and maintain assigned spare PPE
• Notify the Safety Office when replacement PPE is needed
• Launder spare PPE, when necessary

Responsibilities of the Ladder 2 Captain and the Engine 13 Captain

• Ensure proper management of spare PPE at their stations, including inventory, storage, and maintenance

TFD Personnel Responsibilities

• Follow guidelines for inspection, use, care, laundering, and maintenance of PPE for structural firefighting, as per this policy and other related TFD directives

Definitions

• Chief Officers: Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, or Fire Chief
• Corrective Lenses: Lenses used to correct eyesight
• Designated Repair Facility: Certified facilities contracted by TFD to repair PPE coats and/or pants
• DRD: Drag Rescue Device
• Elements: Individual pieces of the PPE Ensemble
• EMS: Emergency Medical Services
• Ensemble: Complete structural firefighting protective clothing set, which includes helmet with faceshield, gloves, hood, turnout coat, turnout pants, suspenders, boots, safety glasses, and utility strap
• Facepiece: Full face respirator with lens and filter used in dangerous atmospheres
• Faceshield: Helmet component to protect the wearer's face and eyes, not a primary eye protection
• OPIM: Other potentially infectious material
• Overhaul: Search for hidden fires or smoldering materials
• Protective Lenses: Primary protective device that shield the eyes from a variety of hazards
• Primary Eye Protection: TFD approved safety glasses that meet WAC 296-305-02003 standards
• Repair: Restorations, alterations, modifications, additions, deletions or any other changes made to a manufacturer's garment
• SCBA: Self-contained breathing apparatus
• Secondary Protector: A faceshield that meets the current NFPA 1972 standards as adopted by WAC 296-305

References

• Law/Administrative Code WAC 206-305-02001 through 02015, except 02011

General Guidelines

• TFD provides personnel a complete structural firefighting PPE ensemble, with no unauthorized substitutions
• PPE provided by TFD is issued/maintained at no cost to the employee and is type-specific per WAC 296-305-02001, coordinates protection for head, torso, hands, and feet, and coordinates with respiratory protection
• Department shirts/station t-shirts meeting TFD policy 1006 requirements may be worn under PPE
• Avoid clothing with poor thermal stability or flame resistance like Lycra or Nylon
• PPE ensemble:
  • Helmet with secured earflaps
  • Deployed hood
  • Turnout coat with liner and fastened collar
  • Turnout pants with liner and suspenders
  • Gloves and boots

When to Wear Full Protective Clothing:

• Fireground or incident scenes with hazards
• Required training or drills like hose, ladders, extrication work
• Using forcible entry tools
• During overhaul
  • SCBA needed unless Incident Commander says otherwise

PPE Requirements When Responding to an Incident, Excluding EMS

• Turnout coat
• Turnout pants
• Boots
• Hood
• Battalion Chiefs, EMS transport, and apparatus drivers don't need turnout coat until the scene
• En route, ensure:
  • The apparatus is at a legal stop before donning clothing
  • All personnel stay seated and belted.
• Incident Commanders decide what protective gear is needed, even for EMS events

Handling Soiled PPE

• Wear medical gloves and use a protective bag to prevent contamination
• Safety Lieutenants must:
• Label retired gear as "out of service" & manage disposal

Turnout Coats and Pants

• TFD provides turnout coats and pants meeting WAC 296-305-02001 for structural firefighting hazards
• Gear must maintained as per manufacturer
• Personnel must not use damaged and/or non-compliant gear according to WAC 296-305-02001 or the manufacturer's instructions

Head Protection

• TFD provides structural firefighting helmets that meet the current WAC 296-305-02015 requirements
• Helmets come with face shields
• Flash hoods must be worn where head/face injuries are possible
• No stocking caps allowed in firefighting ensemble
• Helmet accessories must not hinder helmet function/degrade performance
• No unauthorized helmet decals/aftermarket accessories without permission from the Fire Chief and helmet manufacturer
• Maintain helmets per manufacturer specs
• No helmet modifications without approval from the helmet manufacturer

Helmet Maintenance

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for:

• Cleaning
• Marking
• Storage
• Inspection details

Helmet Color Assignments:

• White: Chief Officer
• Red: Captain, Lieutenant, Fire Investigator
• Yellow: Firefighter, Fireboat Pilot
• Orange: Paramedic, Paramedic Supervisor
• Blue: Safety Officer
• Black: Chaplain

Helmet Rockers:

• Reflective tape is used to marked helmets according to rank as follows:

• Fire Chief

• Deputy Chief

• Assistant Chief

• Battalion Chief

• Medical Services Officer

• Captain

• Captain Paramedic

• Paramedic Supervisor

• Lieutenant

• Lieutenant Paramedic

• Safety Officer

• Paramedic

• Fireboat Pilot

• Fire Investigator

• Deputy Fire Marshal

• Chaplain

• Finance

Eye and Face Protection

• Primary face/eye protection meeting WAC 296-305-02003 is provided
• TFD Training Division informs personnel of precautions/limitations of the protection given
• An SCBA facepiece counts as the primary eye protection given when worn with a department-issued helmet
• Personnel can wear spectacle corrective lenses fitted for SCBA, gas permeable contact lenses or soft contact lenses when wearing an SCBA facepiece

Standards for those Not Using an SCBA Facepiece:

• Conduct a hazard assessment before operating in situations with possible eye hazards
• Use appropriate eye protection per the assessment or Incident Commander's directions
• TFD face shields must meet WAC 296-305-02003
• Faceshields do not count as primary eye protection
• Faceshields should be used as partial face protection when personnel are not wearing an SCBA facepiece or primary eye protection while operating in a hazardous area
• Faceshields must remain on all helmets unless approved by the Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety

Corrective Lenses Requirements:

• Personnel with vision needing corrective spectacles who also need eye protection per WAC 296-305-02003 must wear one of the following:
  • Spectacles with protective, optical-correction lenses
  • Primary eye protection usable over corrective spectacles comfortably
  • Primary eye protection with mounted corrective lenses
• Personnel using prescription lenses in operations with risks to the eyes need to wear:
  • Eye protection with prescription built-in or,
  • Eye protection that does not disturb either corrective lenses or other approved protective lenses
• TFD personnel must use primary eye/face protection when specific eye hazards are present:
  • Operating saws/tools
  • Pulling ceilings
  • Exposure to:
    • Flying particles
    • Molten metal
    • Liquid chemicals
    • Acidic/caustic fluids
    • Chemical gases/vapors
    • Injurious light radiation

Respiratory Protection:

• SCBAs/facepieces must be fitted, used, inspected, and repaired per the TFD Respiratory Inspection Program and policies
• Personnel must have SCBA ready to don while operating vehicles/apparatus at incidents
• Respiratory protection use/removal needs to comply with the TFD Respiratory Protection Program guidelines

Hand Protection

• TFD provides gloves meeting WAC 296-305-02007 standards for structural firefighting
  • This is inclusive of personnel in emergency medical operations with risks of sharp objects or rough surfaces (e.g., victim extrication)
• Gloves offer limited thermal protection and do not provide protection for proximity fire entry applications, radiological hazards, or hazardous materials
• Structural firefighting gloves must be worn when:
  • Engaged in overhaul
  • Drilling with hoses/ladders
  • Using hand/power tools
  • Doing any activity that has potentially injuries to the hands
  • Carrying out drills or incidents with rope, but special rope gloves are not available
• Use department-approved extrication gloves if using hand/power tools or if involved in extrication type non-fire activities where there is a potential for injury to the hands
• Gloves selection, usage, care, cleaning, maintenance, replacement, and retirement needs to follow manufacturer recommendations
• Gloves must be approved/issued by TFD

Foot Protection:

• TFD provides structural firefighting footwear meeting WAC 296-305-02013
• Understand that this footwear will not protect from proximity fire or radiological/chemical hazards
• Structural firefighting boots must be worn to provide protection when:
  • Drilling with hoses/ladders
  • Doing an activity with a chance of injury to the feet and lower legs
• Boot selection, usage, care, cleaning, maintenance, replacement, and retirement needs to follow manufacturer guidance
• Protective footwear may be resoled and once resoled must meet all requirements of the current WAC 296-305-02013

Marking PPE:

• Use permanent marker to mark turnout coats and pants with first initial and last name
  • Lower portion of the coat, just above or below the reflective stripe, but not on it
  • Rear waist area of the pants
• Mark the following with a permanent marker:
  • Liners
  • Suspenders
  • Gloves
  • Flash hoods
  • Boots (optional)
  • Hose/utility strap

Storing PPE

• Stored clean and dry
• Stored in an area that is clean, dry, and well ventilated
• Keep PPE out of direct sunlight or artificial ultraviolet sources
• Keep PPE at temperatures between -40° F and 180° F
• Store away from sharp objects and abrasive environments
• PPE must be protected against chemicals
• Do not store in airtight containers
• Storing PPE in living/sleeping quarters or passenger area if it can be secured in a compartment is prohibited

PPE Inspection:

• Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety or designee ensures inspection of all issued and used spare PPE at least semi-annually
  • Inspections no more than six months
• Damaged PPE must be removed from service and replaced
• Inspect PPE:
  • Upon receipt of new gear
  • After each use
  • After each cleaning
  • After damage/contamination
• Follow the manufacturer's expiration date per WAC 296-305 and check their specific procedures

Indicators for PPE Removal

• A weakening of PPE material
• A weakening of PPE stitching

General PPE Inspection Criteria:

• Soiling
• Hazardous or bio-hazardous contamination
• Improper fit
• Damaged or missing hardware
• Char, heat damage, or burned areas
• Check for dye loss, strength loss, and three layers if the outer shell is charred
• Rips, tears, cuts, worn/abraded spots, fraying, weak or easily torn spots
• Flex the fabric and attempt to tear with pressure from the thumb or finger
• Skipped, broken, or missing stitches
• Inspect all layers of clothing
• Discoloration
  • Check for the strength of the areas where discoloration has occurred and if a dye has been lost due to heat or chemical contamination
• Non-functioning, melted, loose, burned, or missing reflective trim
• Perform a flashlight test to ensure the the reflectivity of trim shows that it is working

PPE-Specific Inspection Criteria

• Turnout Coat/Pants:
• Less than 2" overlap when bending
• Issues with the liner material (for example: loss or shifting)
• Issues with the wristlets (for example: stretchy is lost, runs or are burn holes)
• Tag can not be read
• Wearing or damaging the Velcro/hook and loop
• Prevention of proper closure due to wear/damage
• Wear/damage hindering liner attachment
• Shrinkage, loss of elasticity, or seam integrity of suspenders
• Helmets:
• Shell shows abrasions, cracks, dents, bubbling, or warping
• Damaged, missing, or worn parts leading to improper function of the helmet suspension and retention system
• Damaged or missing parts preventing the proper operation of the faceshield system
• Damage to the impact cap
• Compromised visibility due to discoloration, scratches, or warping if looking through the goggles/facieshield lens
• Inspect for overall cleanliness
• Hoods:
• Shrinkage
• Material shape or elasticity is lost
• Face hole lost elasticity as well
• Overall cleanliness
• Gloves:
• Liner inversion or pullout
• Loss of flexibility
• Shrinkage
• Loss of shape or elasticity of the wristlets
• Hole or moisture barrier failure
• Boots:
• Cracking or splitting/punctures
• Exposure or deformed steel toe, midsole or shank
• Foreign objects from punctures
• Water resistance lost, leakage
• Excessive tread wear
• Separation of the liner/tears or excessive wear

PPE Laundering

• Turnouts must be laundered at least twice each year and when soiled
• TFD Routine Laundering:
  • Take all helmet liners, turnout coats/pants, gloves, suspenders to Station 8/9
  • Prepare clothing for laundering in compliance with guidelines set forth in this document
  • Obtain a set of spare turnouts in line with the guidelines set forth in this document
  • Retrieve and reassemble turnouts when laundering is done
  • Send spares back to original stations
  • Email ISO your laundered turnouts are cleaned

Instructions for Grossly Soiled Turnouts

• Follow all guidelines when laundering grossly soiled turnouts, excluding the ones that have been contaminated with hazardous or nuclear material.
• Take proper precaution when handling any gear or equipment that has gasoline, blood, OPIM or other materials that are hazardous or non-hazardous or nuclear material when being handled.
• Reach out to your ISO or Safety Office if you have particular inquiries.
• Personnel must, a. Take appropriate actions related to the conditions when transporting or handling such gear, by following this document. i. Prepare clothes and garments for laundering and act by the guide lines set forth in this document. ii. Any spared items are to be in accordance per the guides provided in this document. iii. Send spared items out when no longer needed. iv. Email the ISO that the turnouts have been cleaned.
• Only trained personnel may use the washers at Station 8 or 9.

PPE Decontamination:

• Follow the TFD protocols when isolating an inspecting items that are exposed to hazardous substances.

• Comply with TFD Policy 4004 and speak with the HAMAT Team if any gear is compromised by hazardous material of some kind.

• The HazMat team will work with the Safety Office to ensure the gear or equipment is well taken care of when dealing with contaminated PPE.

• You will not use any thing that is not approved/ supplied by the TFD.

PPE Repair

• All gear or PPE will only be worked on by an approved TFD designated repair facility. -The repair facilities must do all repairs and use materials that comply with all of the required standards in this document.

• Take your gear to the ISO or Safety person when the PPE worn is showing damage or is in need of repair.

• All gear must be replaced in accordance with the guidelines and will ensure that the new issued equipment follows the guides in this document. You will follow the guidelines when replacing issued equipment.

• Prep for the gear needed to be used by the TFD messenger in accordance with the guides found in this document. -Any equipment that has been removed will be listed and spare equipment will be issued in accordance. -Once you are done with gear or equipment, please return to appropriate gear to the allocated station.

• The Safety Office needs to make sure all allocated gear from the field is sent to the appropriate facilities.

• Inspect all items sent for repair.

• Please return gear to the appropriate owner through the TFD messenger.

All equipment that can not be returned will be reported to the owner so they can pick up spared equipment.

Procedure For Routine Laundering of Turnouts for All Personnel

• Reach out to the personnel in stations 8 or 9, and take the turnouts or gear, gloves, helmet liners or other equipment through a TFD messenger.
  • All items being sent through the messenger must be bagged to avoid contamination and tags must be used for distribution.
  • Prior to laundry, there may be loose items that are clearly marked and should be distributed appropriately in accordance with items and materials.
  • Clear/empty all pockets to reduce cross contamination or damage from the machines. -DO NOT WASH WITH TURNOUTS. ALL Drag Rescue Device (DRD) MUST BE HAND WASHED. -Separate the shells from the liners prior to laundry.
• Liners must be placed inside out. -All suspenders must be removed. -Gear should be placed in allocated bin designated for station 8 or 9. Reach out to the person in command for the spared items from station 9 or 13. -When cleaning make sure you get back the equipment. Once items have been cleaned, you will need to replace them at station locations.
• Notify the ISO by email after the cleanings have occurred.
• Conduct inspections to ensure items are not damaged at all stations and follow all steps to replace any items.
• After inspections and washing , reassemble the gear. -Replace any spared items after use and laundry to avoid confusion.

Procedure for Laundering Grossly Soiled Turnouts - All Personnel:

-Comply with guidelines as provided in this document when using or transporting hazardous materials such as ( gasoline, blood, OPIM or other hazardous materials. -Reach out to your ISO or Safety Office for questions and concerns. Empty all pockets and any loose articles in the garments.

• Any equipment that has been removed will be listed and spare equipment will be issued in accordance.

Do not launder gear together when the equipment being used is specific only to that gear.

• Items need to be stored/ placed in plastic bags. -Garments soiled with blood must be in red bags with biohazard stickers.
• If there are any insects (fleas, lice) -contact the Safety Office and place any infected garments in the red biohazard bag.
• Fill out all applicable data for the equipment to identify (name of the contaminant, incident number) and tag the equipment and provide the filled-out information to the stations that the equipment is headed to.

Station 8 or 9 Personnel

Inspect and evaluate the gear by following the guidelines in the provided guidelines in this document. All heavily soiled items must be put in bags when transported via the messenger. Notify the Safety lieutenant via telephone. Make sure all gear is spared, when in use in the station.

Safety Office Personnel

Take action to call for pick up of equipment. Inspect all pieces sent for repair. Send all items to designated personnel by messenger. Contact the owners if items can not be returned to service or exchanged for new items.

Procedure For Turnout/Gear Repair

• Take any torn or abused gear to the TFD or Safety office for evaluations.
  • In events there is a need for action, reach out/ refer to a designated official. The following procedures must be met.
  • DO NOT PUT GEAR IN THE WASHING MACHINE TO BE LAUNDERED/WASHED Leave shells and liners intact.
  • Clear/empty all pockets to reduce cross contamination or damage from the machines.
  • All Drag Rescue Device (DRD) MUST BE removed. When sending items, make sure to send it in a clear labeled plastic bag with the name and station number along with the repairs requested.

Reach Safety Lieutenant by the TFD messenger.

• Make sure and double check to see if spare items have been collected from stations 8 or 13. The Safety Officer will work with the facilities approved to repair and ensure repairs are made.
• Please return gear to the owner through the TFD messenger upon return.
• If repair is not possible, then a notification will be sent out so they can get replacement equipment.
• Keep up all paperwork, to ensure an appropriate line of documentation can be obtained.

Procedures for Returning and Checking Gear

• Notify the Stations needed for the proper equipment use.
• Notify and email the ISO, after the gear has been repaired, launder or replaced and return it to the allocated location.

Staff members at both Station 8 and 13 must make all personnel fully set with the proper equipment and gear.

• Gear will need to be locked up to ensure safe management.
• The team working should all be notified of an equipment shortage.

Returning Gear

• After cleaning the gear needs to be returned, and documents should be labeled with any damage to the equipment.

Both 24- 40 hour stations must notify the Safety Office after inspection so those spared turnouts and loaned equipment can be retrieved.

To Obtain Turnout Gear

All Equipment that is requested to be used, MUST be inspected at the designated stations and all documents/ records must have a documented FIR 2530.

• After the inspection any repairs/ or new garments that the assigned equipment is in dire need of should be done at the stations allocated (24-40 hour).

Contact the Safety Lieutenant if needing anything else. It is important to take your FIR 2530 with you to the fitting to ensure correct issuing.

The next scheduled meeting to update standards and compliance is 1/2014.