Firefighting PPE Policy

• This document outlines TFD's policy regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) for structural firefighting.
• Procedures include routine and gross laundering, repair, spare turnout management, and obtaining replacements.
• The policy is applicable to all TFD personnel who are issued PPE for structural firefighting.
• This policy replaces the one from November 2001 and General Order 3, Section 9.

Associated documents:

• FIR 2530 0021 (PPE Inspection form)
• FIR 2530 0022 (Individual PPE Inspection and Repair form)

Related information (TFD-specific):

• Respiratory Protection Program
• Policy 1006: Uniform and Clothing Standards
• Policy 3505: Exposure Control Plan for Blood-borne Pathogens
• Policy 3506: Infectious Waste Management
• Policy 4004: Hazardous Material Emergency Response
• Policy 5025: Overhaul and Post-fire Decon

Responsibilities of the Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety:

• Develop specifications for PPE selection/purchase.
• Ensure TFD personnel know the hazards of fabrics lacking thermal stability and understand firefighting ensemble limitations.
• Ensure adherence to PPE inspection/maintenance schedules.
• Ensure PPE maintenance and repair follow manufacturer specifications.
• Ensure inspection of repaired PPE before service.
• Ensure the review and maintenance of all PPE inspection and upkeep records.
• Manage surplus, new, used, spare, and out-of-service PPE inventories including final disposition of out-of-service items.
• Maintain suitable new and spare PPE inventory levels.
• Maintain the PPE policy document.

Battalion Chiefs responsibilities:

• Ensuring PPE inspection for assigned personnel every March and September
• Confirming timely completion of all inspections

Incident Commander responsibilities:

• Ensuring appropriate protective clothing for on-scene personnel relative to incident hazards

Incident Safety Officer (ISO) responsibilities:

• Inspecting PPE at all assigned stations/facilities every March and September.
• Completing FIR 2530 0021 and/or FIR 2530 0022 as needed.
• Inspecting assigned spare PPE inventories.
• Entering inspection findings into the electronic tracking system.
• Issuing new PPE items and entering data into the electronic tracking system.
• Verifying PPE assignments during inspection and updating electronic records.

Safety Lieutenant responsibilities:

• Inspecting PPE per Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety directions or document guidelines
• Inspecting PPE of 40-hour uniformed personnel assigned to Training and Administration every March and September
• Completing FIR 2530 0021 and/or FIR 2530 0022 as needed
• Entering inspection results in the electronic tracking system
• Inspecting spare PPE at Headquarters every six months
• Verifying PPE items are assigned to individuals during inspections and updating or correcting individual electronic records

More Safety Lieutenant responsibilities:

• Issuing new PPE items and entering data into the electronic tracking system.
• Instructing TFD personnel about hazards of fabrics with poor thermal stability and limitations of firefighting ensemble.
• Facilitating special PPE cleaning, repair, and replacement.
• Ensuring TFD uniformed personnel follow assigned PPE inspection and maintenance schedules.
• Ensuring PPE upkeep and repair follows manufacturer specifications
• Inspecting repaired PPE and recording repairs in the tracking system before it is placed back in service
• Making recommendations on potential new and replacement PPE and safety equipment
• Assisting with scheduling, organizing and teaching for quarterly ISO continuing education.
• Managing surplus, new, and spare PPE inventories.
• Managing out-of-service PPE, including final disposition.
• Managing PPE ensemble inventory levels.
• Aiding Station 8 and 13 Captains in spare PPE inventory management.

HazMat Team personnel responsibilities:

• Consulting on proper PPE handling and decontamination with TFD Safety Office and/or TFD personnel
• Coordinating proper disposal of contaminated PPE with TFD Safety Office personnel

Training Division personnel responsibilities:

• Training firefighters in PPE function, limitations, donning, doffing, care, use, inspection, and maintenance for assigned ensembles.

Station 8 and Station 9 personnel responsibilities:

• Evaluating soiled turnouts for appropriate laundering.
• Working with Safety Division personnel to handle turnouts that cannot be laundered at the stations.
• Performing routine laundering of turnouts, helmet liners, gloves, and suspenders.

Station 8 and Station 13 personnel responsibilities:

• Documenting and dispensing spare PPE to TFD personnel whose PPE is being laundered and/or repaired.
• Properly performing inventory, storing and maintaining assigned spare PPE.
• Notifying the Safety Office when replacement PPE is needed
• Laundering spare PPE as necessary

Ladder 2 Captain and Engine 13 Captain responsibilities:

• Ensuring spare PPE at respective stations is properly managed; includes proper inventory, storage, and maintenance

All TFD personnel responsibilities:

• All TFD personnel are accountable for proper PPE inspection, use, care, laundering, and maintenance for structural firefighting, adhering to this policy, TFD policies, and directives.

Definitions

• Chief Officers: Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, or Fire Chief.
• Corrective lenses: Lenses to correct eyesight.
• Designated Repair Facility: Certified facility for PPE coat/pant repair and laundering of items that cannot be cleaned by TFD industrial washers.
• DRD: Drag Rescue Device.
• Elements: Individual pieces of the PPE ensemble.
• EMS: Emergency Medical Services.
• Ensemble: Full set of structural firefighting protective clothing, including helmet, faceshield, gloves, hood, turnout coat/pants, suspenders, boots, safety glasses and utility strap.
• Facepiece: Full face respirator with filter or air supply connection for protection from dangerous atmospheres.
• Faceshield: Protective helmet component for protecting a portion of the face, but not primary eye protection
• OPIM: Other potentially infectious material
• Overhaul: Fire suppression operations that involves searching for hidden fires or smoldering material
• Protective lenses: Primary protective device to shield the face or eyes from hazards, and can be used alone or with other protectors.
• Primary Eye Protection: TFD-approved safety glasses meeting WAC 296-305-02003 standards.
• Repair: Restorations, alterations, modifications, additions, deletions or any other changes to the manufacturer's garment.
• SCBA: Self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Secondary Protector: Faceshield meeting NFPA 1972 standards as adopted by WAC 296-305.

Reference

• WAC 206-305-02001 through 02015, except 02011

General Guidelines

• TFD will provide personnel with a complete PPE ensemble for structural firefighting
• No other equipment can substitute TFD equipment unless authorized by the Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety or the Fire Chief.
• PPE must be issued and maintained by TFD at no cost to the employee
• PPE must be of a type referenced specifically by WAC 296-305-02001
• PPE must Coordinate with protection for the head, torso, hands, and feet, and respiratory protection
• Department-issued shirts and/or station-specific t-shirts meet the requirements set forth in TFD policy 1006, and must be worn underneath PPE.
• Personnel cannot wear clothing unsafe due to poor thermal stability when exposed to structural firefighting hazards. Clothing made of Lycra and nylon are examples of unsafe clothing material

More General Guidelines

• Unsafe clothing made of polyester, rayon and polypropylene must not be worn.
• PPE ensemble must include a helmet with earflaps down and chin strap secured, a deployed hood, a turnout coat with liner attached, collar up, and all fasteners employed, turnout pants with liner attached, suspenders worn over shoulders and all fasteners employed and gloves and boots on
• Full protective clothing must be worn when at fire grounds or incidents with hazards, during training or drills requiring personal protection (hose, ladders, extrication), operating equipment or tools, and during overhaul.
• SCBAs are is required during overhaul and fire investigation unless indicated otherwise by the Incident Commander
• Prior to responding to incidents other than EMS, personnel must put turnout coats and pants, boots and hood on.
• Battalion Chiefs, EMS transport personnel, and personnel driving apparatus do not need to wear a turnout coat until they reach the incident scene.
• Travelling TFD personnel who receive a dispatch require the officer or in-charge Firefighter/Paramedic to ensure the driver stops the vehicle legally and safely before donning protective clothing.
• All other personnel riding remain seated with seat belts fastened until the apparatus stops.
• Protective clothing appropriate for the hazards of the incident is required for all incidents, including EMS, as instructed by the Incident Commander.
• When handling soiled PPE, wear protective gloves and store or transport the soiled PPE in a protective bag to prevent cross-contamination
• The Safety Lieutenant must label retired PPE elements as “out of service” and ensure proper disposal.

Turnout Coats and Pants

• TFD required to provide turnout coats and pants meeting current WAC standards for those exposed to structural firefighting hazards.
• Turnout coats and pants used by TFD personnel must be maintained/repaired per manufacturer instructions.
• Using damaged/non-compliant PPE that does not meet the WAC/manufacturer's specifications is prohibited.

Head Protection

• TFD is required to provide helmets meeting current WAC standards for those exposed to structural firefighting hazards.
• Face shields must be provided on all helmets
• Flash hoods must be worn when head/face injury may occur.
• Stocking caps are prohibited as part of the structural firefighting ensemble.
• Helmet accessories must not interfere with helmet function or degrade performance
• Decals or aftermarket accessories are prohibited w/o permission of the Fire Chief and helmet manufacturer.
• Helmets must be maintained per manufacturer specifications.
• Helmet modifications must have prior approval from the helmet manufacturer.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for helmet cleaning, marketing, storage and details of inspections.

Helmet Colors

• White is for the Chief Officer
• Red is for Captain, Lieutenant, and Fire Investigator
• Yellow is for Firefighter and Fireboat Pilot
• Orange is for Paramedic and Paramedic Supervisor
• Blue is for Safety Officer
• Reflective tape (helmet rockers) is used to designate individual ranks.

Individual ranks designated by reflective tape:

• 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

• TFD provides primary eye/face protection meeting WAC 296-305-02003 standards for those exposed to structural firefighting hazards.
• TFD Training Division personnel instruct personnel on precautions/limitations of provided eye protection.
• The facepiece of the SCBA is the primary eye/face protection with a department-issued helmet.
• Spectacle corrective lenses fitted to SCBA, gas permeable or soft contact lenses when wearing a SCBA facepiece, are allowed.
• Personnel not wearing a SCBA facepiece in potential eye hazard areas must perform a hazard assessment and have eye protection based on the hazard assessment or directed by the Incident Commander.
• Faceshields must meet the requirements of WAC 296-305-02003.
• Faceshields are not qualified as primary eye protection.
• Deploy faceshields as partial face protection as needed when personnel are not wearing an SCBA facepiece or primary eye protection in a hazardous area.
• Faceshields must remain on all helmets unless otherwise approved by the Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety.
• Personnel requiring corrective lenses must use spectacles with protective lenses for optical correction, primary eye protection over spectacles, or protection incorporating corrective lenses.
• All personnel that wear corrective lenses and engaged in eye hazards must wear eye protection with prescription in its design or eye protection that can be worn over the prescription.
• Specific hazard to the eyes during operating saws or tools, pulling ceilings, or exposure to flying particles, molten metal liquid chemicals, acidic fluids, chemical gases, or injurious light radiation warrants primary eye and face protection by TFD personnel

Respiratory Protection

• SCBAs and facepieces must be fitted, used, inspected, and repaired per TFD’s Respiratory Inspection Program, policies & directives.
• Personnel must have SCBA ready for donning during vehicle operations at an incident scene in case a wind change or respiratory protection is required.
• Respiratory protection use and removal must comply with TFD Respiratory Protection Program guidelines.

Hand Protection

• TFD ensures that provides gloves that meet the requirements of the current WAC 296-305-02007 for personnel exposed to structural firefighting hazards.
• This includes personnel engaged in emergency medical operations where sharp objects or rough surfaces are likely to be encountered (e.g., victim extrication)
• Gloves provide limited thermal protection of the hands and will not provide protection for proximity fire entry applications.
• Gloves must be worn during overhaul, drilling with hoses/ladders, using hand/power tools, activities where there is potential injury and drills/incidents using rope.
• Wear department-approved extrication gloves available for using hand/power tools extrication type non-fire activities and where there is potential injury to the hands
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for selection, care, use and retirement of department issued gloves.
• The use of non-approved or non-issued gloves is prohibited..

Foot Protection

• TFD must provide footwear that meets the current WAC requirements for all personnel exposed to the hazards of structural firefighting.
• Footwear must be approved for its effectiveness for structural firefighting and must take into consideration fire proximity, fire entry, or hazards involving radiation or dangerous chemicals.
• Structural firefighting boots should be worn when drilling with hoses and ladders, and during activities with potential for injury to the feet and lower legs
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for selection, care and cleaning of footwear.
• Protective footwear may be resoled, provided they still meet WAC standards.

Marking PPE

• Put permanent markings with permanent marker of first initial, last name on PPE.
• Stencil turnout coats in the lower portion of the coat just above or below the reflective stripping and in the rear waist area of the pants
• Print first initial and last name on liners, suspenders, gloves, flash hoods and boots (optional)

PPE Storage

• PPE must be Clean and dry prior to storage
• PPE must be Stored clean and dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and UV radiation, below –40°F or above 180°F, away from sharp objects, and protected from contaminants
• Storage in airtight containers is prohibited.
• Storing PPE in living/sleeping quarters or inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle is not allowed

PPE Inspection

• The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety or his/her designee is ensures that all issued/used spare PPE is inspected at least twice per year, with intervals no more than 6 months.
• Remove Damaged PPE from use immediately and replace it.
• TFD personnel must inspect PPE upon receipt of new gear, after each use, after cleaning, and anytime the gear has been damaged or contaminated
• Inspection should include checking for the manufacturer’s expiration date and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for specific inspection procedures.

Inspection Criteria

• Inspection PPE for soiling, contamination, improper fit, or hardware damage. If the shell’s outer protective layer is charred check all three layers for damage.
• Areas in PPE that have rips, tears, cuts, abrasion, is fraying, weak, and easy to tear should be carefully gone over for integrity
• All layers of a garment should be checked for skipped, broken, or missing stitching.
• Look for damage in areas with dye loss due to heat or chemical contamination
• Evaluate integrity with a flashlight test to check the trim’s reflective properties on any missing, loose, burned, melted or non-functioning reflective trim.
• When inspecting a turnout coat and pants, if it is less than 2” overlap between coat and pants when bending or touching toes, that is cause for concern

Additional Inspection Criteria

• Loss or shifting of the liner material
• Loss of elasticity, stretching, runs, cuts or burn holes in the wristlets
• Illegibility or loss of integrity of the label
• Hook and loop (Velcro) damage
• Wear or damage that prevents proper closure
• Wear or damage that prevents proper liner attachment
• Shrinkage, improper installation or loss of elasticity or seam integrity of the suspenders
• Inspect Helmets for cracks, dents, abrasions, bubbling or warping of the shell.
• Also, inspect the Helmet suspension and retention system is damaged, missing or worn.
• Helmet look for damaged, missing, or components and improper functioning of the faceshield system and look for damage to the impact cap.
• General Cleanliness is key inside and out

Finally, here is a list of things to review for the following:

• The helmet faceshield/goggle lense for scratches, warping and discoloration limit visibility
• Hoods for shrinkage, loss of material elasticity or shape, loss of face opening elasticity, and cleanliness
• Gloves for inversion or pullout of the liner, shrinkage, loss of flexibility; loss of shape or elasticity
• Holes or failure of the moisture barrier, punctures cracking or splitting, penetration by foreign objects
• Damaged, boots with exposed/deformed steel, loss of water resistance, excessive trad wear and excessive wear/separation of liner

PPE Laundering

• Turnouts are required to be laundered at least twice each year and when soiled.
• For routine turnout laundering: Take turnout coats and pants, helmet liners, gloves and suspenders to Station 8 or 9
• Prepare garments in accordance with the set guidelines, obtain spare turnouts according to the guidelines, retrieve and reassemble turnouts when laundering is complete, return spare turnouts to the station from the checkpoint, and inform the ISO by e-mail the turnouts have been cleaned
• When laundering grossly soiled turnouts, use correct handling or transporting, and nuclear material
• Prepare garments according to guidelines, get spare turnouts, return spare turnouts when they are no longer needed, and notify the ISO the turnouts have been cleaned when hazardous or nuclear material

Industrial Washers

• Only trained Station 8 or Station 9 personnel can operate industrial washers.
• Decontamination to PPE is to be done in isolated and inspected areas to established decontamination protocols for hazardous materials
• When Personnel PPE is contaminated with hazardous or nuclear material, follow TFD policy 4004, and consult with the HazMat Team for decontamination procedures
• HazMat Team will coordinate with Safety Office personnel regarding final disposition of contaminated PPE.
• PPE repairs and/or alterations are done only by a TFD designated repair facility approved by the manufacturer.
• There are facilities shall make PPE repairs using materials and methods in accordance with the applicable standards under which the article was produced.

PPE Evaluation

• The Incident Saftery Officer must evaluate any damaged or worn PPE to determine replace or repair is necessary
• Should the PPE require to be replaced then follow guidelines that are set in this document
• The PPE should be prepared for the Safety Office for repair with message via TFD messenger and be routed based on what this document says.

PPE Repair

• TFD Safety Office personnel must send turnouts to the designated repair facility, inspect the returned item, route the repaired item back to TFD personal and recor all repairs in the tracking system
• Garments can be returned to the personnel if they can be returned to service
• Always maintain all records of repairs, item replacements

Procedure for Routine Laundering of Turnouts

• Send turnout coats, helmet liners, gloves and suspenders with the TFD messenger
• Pieces are clearly marked for laundry details
• Empty all pockets and wash the Drag Rescue Device Separately by hand
• Turn liners inside out and also remove any suspenders
• Place gear in holding pin, obtain spare garments and use them, get notified when gear is cleaned and retrieve them
• Notify your ISO and inspect the liner to determine if it is ready to be put back in service

Procedure For Laundering Grossly Soiled Turnouts

• Take note of precautions with gasoline, blood, or nuclear material
• Send the items to the Saftey Office Personnel
• Items can be returned after clealing

Saftey, Station 8 and 9 must

• Evaluate the garments with the safety officials using appropriate personal protection to make sure all items can be cleaned
• Call Saftey Lieutenant to notify him of the situation
• Assist personnel with obtaining spare turnouts

Procedure To Evaluate For Repair Of Turnout

• Have ISO evaluate the turnouts for if they can repair or replace.
• Spare bags need to be routed via TFD messenger
• Go to Staion 8 or 13 to check out spares

To Check Out or retun garments

• Contact personal at 8 and 13 to obtain and retun gear after service