MOP 604-1: IDLH Incident Guidelines

• MOP 604-1 provides guidelines for Incident Commanders (IC) during incidents that present an Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH) atmosphere
• Following MOP 604-1 is a requirement, not an option, for ICs in IDLH incidents
• The health and safety of all personnel is the primary responsibility of the Incident Commander, Battalion Chief, Unit Officer, and Individual Member at all times

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Each field member is issued two sets of PPE
• Members must inspect their equipment before and after each shift
• PPE protects against extreme heat and acts as a barrier against dangerous chemical absorption through the skin
• PPE must be fully donned before entering any IDLH environment, unless directed otherwise by the IC
• A Hazardous Materials Incident or a Swift Water Incident may require a different level of protection, as determined by the IC or their designee
• All personnel are responsible for personal safety and due-diligence

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

• Every member gets a personal Draeger face-piece for use with the Draeger harness and bottle assembly
• SCBA must be used when there is an inhalation hazard
• These hazards include structure fires (including cooking fires until smoke clears and monitoring confirms no hazards), vehicle fires (until fully extinguished and smoke dissipates), and large trash receptacle fires (under the same conditions)

Air Monitoring Group

• The IC must assign a member or members to be responsible for air monitoring during an incident
• For small cooking and trash fires, a single individual can perform this task
• For larger incidents involving smoke or fire extension, an "Air Monitoring Group" must be established by the IC or their designee
• The IC or their designee will designate a Group Supervisor
• The Group Supervisor assigns members to necessary areas after monitoring has been ordered.
• Group members report readings to the Group Supervisor and continue monitoring until ordered to stop by the IC or designee
• The Group Supervisor tracks, documents, and relays all information to the IC or their designee, and should not take readings themselves unless absolutely necessary
• Group members request and recommend increased ventilation through the Group Supervisor
• They also provide continuous updates on conditions and the impact of ventilation efforts to the IC or designee via the Group Supervisor

Respiratory Protection Removal Criteria

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels must be below 35 ppm (NIOSH)
• Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) levels must be below 4.7 ppm (NIOSH recommended Permissible Exposure Limit)
• Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) must be below 10% LEL
• Oxygen (O2) levels must be greater than 19.5% and less than 23%
• Air monitoring and mechanical ventilation should continue throughout overhaul operations
• These measures reduce exposure to toxic and particulate materials
• Changes during overhaul may require renewed SCBA use
• If levels exceed acceptable limits, all unprotected members must evacuate immediately

Exposure

• Anyone found in an IDLH atmosphere without respiratory protection must be removed immediately
• They will be evaluated by on-scene medics and potentially transported for HCN and CO exposure, based on the medic's assessment
• The IC must inform the medic of air monitoring levels to assist with diagnosis
• If transport is needed, the attendant must inform the receiving facility if the member was operating in an IDLH environment containing HCN, which has a half-life of one hour
• Acute HCN exposure symptoms are similar to CO and include: weakness, headache, confusion, vertigo, fatigue, anxiety, shortness of breath, and sometimes nausea/vomiting
• Initially, the respiratory rate and depth usually increase, then later become slow and gasping
• Cyanosis indicates either ceased or inadequate respiration for a few minutes
• Absorbing large amounts of cyanide can cause instant collapse, unconsciousness, with convulsions, followed rapidly by death

Decontamination

• Personnel should wash hands before drinking or eating in rehab or at the station
• Perform a gross decontamination of turnout gear exposed to readings higher than 4.7 ppm of HCN
• Ensure all personnel inside the structure are decontaminated when the Air Monitoring Group identifies this substance
• A positive pressure ventilation fan blows off large particulates
• Use a soft bristle brush if needed, if a fan is not available, briefly rinse with a soft fog pattern without saturating the gear
• All PPE should be decontaminated/cleaned after every exposure to IDLH environments
• The department provides professional cleaning and maintenance at least annually per set and Fire Supply maintains replacement/loaner gear
• Members should regularly rotate their PPE and report any issues to their officer immediately
• Face pieces MUST be cleaned and sanitized after every use
• The Air Cascade (AC) will set up 3-5 gallon buckets on incidents during suitable weather for cleaning face pieces on scene
• The AC driver will change the sanitizer and rinse buckets as needed to prevent cross-contamination
• Only face pieces are to be cleaned using the buckets and judgment should be used during extreme cold weather