Fire Investigator Health and Safety Best Practices (PDF)

Fire Investigator Health and Safety Best Practices Third Edition April 13, 2022 The International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. Health & Safety Committee  This edition of Fire Investigator Health and Safety Best Practices was prepared by the Health & Safety Committee of the Internat...

Fire Investigator Health and Safety Best Practices Third Edition April 13, 2022 The International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. Health & Safety Committee  This edition of Fire Investigator Health and Safety Best Practices was prepared by the Health & Safety Committee of the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. (IAAI), its advisory panel of subject matter experts, and other technical advisors, and has been approved by the IAAI Training & Education Committee and the IAAI Executive Team for publication. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information presented, however, errors can occur despite this. Please direct all correspondence regarding this document to: [email protected] Office The International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. does not endorse specific products for fire investigators. The mention of any company, product, or service is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. or imply that any company or its products or services are preferred over any other. © 2018, 2020, 2022 The International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. All rights reserved. Cover photo credit: Mesa (AZ) Fire & Medical Department by Lloyd Sharp. L: Mike Brewer, R: Eric Peyton Cover design: Scott Muthersbaugh, Perfecta Visuals FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 2  Table of Contents Preface........................................................................................................................................................... 5............................................................................................................................. 6 Health & Safety Committee Members........................................................................................................... 8 Advisory Panel................................................................................................................................................ 8 Additional Subject Matter Experts................................................................................................................. 9 Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 10 Background.................................................................................................................................................. 11 Health Hazards........................................................................................................................................12 Other Fire Types......................................................................................................................................14 Research..................................................................................................................................................14 Discussion................................................................................................................................................16 Safety Hazards.........................................................................................................................................18 Safety Management System....................................................................................................................18 Related Activities.....................................................................................................................................18 The Bottom Line......................................................................................................................................19 Part I Fire Investigator Health and Safety Best Practices.......................................................................... 21 Section 1.0 Employers.............................................................................................................................21 Section 2.0 Vehicles.................................................................................................................................22 Section 3.0 Individual Fire Investigators.................................................................................................24 3.1 Before Going, Enroute to and Arriving at the Incident..........................................................24 3.2 During the Incident................................................................................................................26 3.3 After the Incident...................................................................................................................28 Section 4.0 Training.................................................................................................................................29 Section 5 Equipment...............................................................................................................................30 Part II Fire Scene PPE Precautions and Protection Categories................................................................. 31 Appendix A Fire Scene Categories and Zones........................................................................................... 35 Appendix B Respiratory Protection Guidelines......................................................................................... 39 Maintenance and Cleaning......................................................................................................................42 Program Administration..........................................................................................................................42 Appendix C Decontamination Procedures................................................................................................ 44 Crime Scene Decontamination and PPE Doffing Procedures..................................................................44 FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 3  Hot Scene A & Hot Scene B PPE Gross Decontamination, Doffing, and Cleaning..................................45 Warm and Cold Scene PPE Gross Decontamination, Doffing, and Cleaning..........................................46 Appendix D Risk Assessment and Analysis................................................................................................48 The Post-fire Scene Investigation Safety Management Process.............................................................51 Appendix E Additional Resources.............................................................................................................52 Appendix F - Some Common Plastics and Their Fire Behavior....................................................................53 Glossary........................................................................................................................................................54 Index.............................................................................................................................................................56 References....................................................................................................................................................58 riate PPE on EVERY fire scene. I started my career early and was not very concerned with adequate PPE and decontamination, and just service, and now a lifetime of treatments going forward. Educate yourself and WEAR YOUR David Rivers MIAAI, IAAI-CFI Pageland, South Carolina FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 4 On behalf of the IAAI Health & Safety Committee, we are pleased to bring you this third edition of our best practices paper. As we continue to learn more about the health hazards associated with the post- fire environment and the safety actions necessary to address them, we share that information and the resulting process changes needed with all fire investigators through this document. By extension, this includes everyone else who works in the post-fire environment. This edition contains significant research findings that affect how we should safely conduct our work. Four years ago, what started as a simple, sixteen-page white paper to address the lack of up-to-date information available on this vital subject has evolved into a comprehensive and authoritative resource document used worldwide to ensure that fire investigators and others know and understand the latest information about the hazards present at most post-fire scenes. We greatly appreciate the efforts of our committee members and advisory panel of subject matter experts, technical reviewers, and others who have provided input. It is very humbling to know that the. Be safe, Jeff Pauley, Chairman and Pete Mansi, Co-chairman IAAI Health & Safety Committee In the past, without data, explanations were just hypotheses. Now, each new observation, each morsel of data, wields a two-edged sword: it enables fire investigator health to thrive on the kind of foundation that so much of the rest of science enjoys, but it also constrains right or wrong. No science achieves maturity without it. Excerpted from and adapted slightly for our profession; the red text replaced the word cosmology. Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysics for people in a hurry, 2017, W.W. Norton & Co., pp 60-61 FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 5 This third edition includes many updates, additions, and enhancements based on the latest post-fire environment research and related information and contains the following changes and updates: A new, professionally designed cover to set it apart from previous editions A glossary text words identified in italics, and others relative to the content, are defined The highlights text box and page Fire investigator testimonials A new equipment section More graphics and photos Updated field/gross decontamination procedures New information on safety management systems and total worker health New information about the IAAI accident and near-miss reporting program and data collection Added emphasis and details on hazard and risk assessment, and situational awareness, including an associated new appendix More recommendations to help improve fire investigator health and safety Additional and updated explanatory footnotes Additional training information A revised appendix that lists all the health and safety resource documents available on the IAAI website A new appendix that identifies the fire behavior of some common plastics Lithium battery test burn while wearing proper PPE including a powered air purifying respirator. Credit: Dr. Peter Mansi. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 6  Highlights The single most important takeaway for all fire investigators is that a cold fire scene does not mean a safe scene or that no PPE is needed. With few exceptions, it should be assumed that EVERY post-fire scene contains health hazards that require the use of adequate personal protective equipment, including respiratory protection. A cold fire scene (see Appendix A) is NOT a safe scene due to the continued presence of particulates that may or may not be seen. These remain until the scene is fully Properly attired hot A and B scene fire investigator. Credit: Mesa, AZ Fire & Medical cleaned or demolished. Department o They are stirred up once you walk into the scene, and then more so when you move things or dig. o Once in the air, they can remain suspended there for hours. Under-ventilated fires often produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials, many of which are known, probable, or possible carcinogens. o These can be in the form of gases AND solids o Consequently, fire smoke, and specifically soot (particulates), presents an immediate health hazard in the post-fire scene. Chronic exposure to the toxic hazards at post-fire scenes can have a long-term health impact on those exposed. Fire investigators need to be aware of the possibility of take-home exposures and take precautions to prevent it. There is an underappreciation of the health risks associated with the post-fire scene by fire investigators. This is the Properly attired warm and cold scene fire investigator. Credit: IAAI culture we need to change. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 7 Chairman: Jeffrey Pauley MSOSH, IAAI-CFI, IAAI-CI, CFEI, MIFireE; Partner/Chief Operating Officer and Fire Group Manager, Pacific Pointe Consulting, Inc.; Senior Fire Investigator, EFI Global, Inc.; former Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal, Bedford County (Virginia) Fire & Rescue Co-Chair: Peter Mansi Ph.D. Eng Tech, IAAI-CFI, IAAI-ECT, FIFireE, FFireInv, MCSFS; Partner, Fire Investigations UK; retired Borough Commander and Group Manager of the Fire and Arson Investigation Unit, London Fire Brigade; IAAI past president Devin Palmer Supervisory Special Agent/CFI, ATF; IAAI Director Liaison Michael Brewer IAAI-CFI; Captain/Battalion Safety Officer, Mesa (Arizona) Fire & Medical Department Donald Brucker CFEI and CVFI; Chief Deputy Fire Marshal, Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Fire Marshal's Office James Caton IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI; Senior Fire Investigator, Donan Engineering, LLC Dawn Dodsworth Ph.D., Supervisory Special Agent/CFI, ATF Scott Ebbert CFEI, Captain, Baltimore County (Maryland) Fire Department, Safety Division; fire investigator, Fire & Arson Investigation Consultants, Inc. Brian Gordon IAAI-CFI, CFEI; Fire Investigator, Palm Beach County (Florida) Fire Rescue, Bomb and Arson Unit Gary Hodson IAAI-CFI, IAAI-ECT; Senior Fire Investigator, EFI Global, Inc.; retired Provo, Utah Police Department investigator Bryan Lewis MSN; Fire Investigator, Dutchess County (New York) Department of Emergency Response Tom Mooney IAAI-CFI, IAAI-FIT; Fire Marshal, Redmond (Oregon) Fire and Rescue Karl Morgan MCJ; Captain/Fire Investigator, Division of Investigative & Forensic Services, Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations, Office of Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Florida Department of Financial Services Sarah Pendley IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI, CFII; Contract Investigative Consultant Blair Rowllings, IAAI-FIT(V), Senior Specialist Fire Investigator, Fire Emergency New Zealand Mike Stoddard IAAI-CFI, CFEI; Senior Fire Analyst, Genesis Forensics Dr. Jeff Burgess, Associate Dean for Research and Professor, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona Dr. Alberto Caban-Martinez, Assistant Provost for Research Integrity, MD-MPH Program Deputy Director & Associate Professor, Division of Environment & Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences Miriam Calkins Ph.D. MS, CDC/NIOSH/Division of Field Studies and Engineering Field Research Branch Cindy Ell, President, Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation, Inc. Kenny Fent Ph.D., Research Industrial Hygienist, Team Lead for the National Firefighter Registry Program, CDC/NIOSH/Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 8 A special thanks to these subject matter experts who provided an additional technical review of this third edition: Gavin Horn Ph.D., Research Engineer, Fire Safety Research Institute, Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Columbia, MD Barbara Millet Ph.D., Director of the User Experience Lab, Assistant Professor of Interactive Media, Department of Interactive Media, School of Communication, University of Miami Heidi Sewchok MPH, Physical Scientist, NIOSH, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, CVSDB; Secretary/Treasurer, International Respiratory Protection Society Americas Vicki Sheppard, co-chair of the statewide F.A.C.E. Team (Firefighters Attacking the Cancer Epidemic) of the Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative; retired Division Chief, Training & Safety Division, Palm Beach County (Florida) Fire Rescue structure. During that collapse, I was caught in the debris field as a concrete masonry unit (CMU) wall came down. We had been at the scene for several days and had conducted scene surveys every morning. The weather changed and became warmer, ultimately melting the ice that was holding the CMU wall to the bricks that supported it. It was a very good reminder that you always must have situational awareness, not just each morning as you inspect the scene, but throughout the entirety of the day. As weather changes, winds come, things are moved, the Dan Heenan MIAAI, IAAI-CFI Assistant Fire Chief Fire Investigations Clark County Fire Department Las Vegas, Nevada Retired ATF SSA/CFI FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 9  Text in italics is listed in the Glossary Laboratory staff, clinical researchers, and other subject matter experts. Bracketed numbers are listed references Superscript numbers99 are footnotes This third edition brings readers the latest information on fire investigator best practices based on the newest research from UL Fire Safety Introduction Research Institute, the University of Miami, and other In recent years, research regarding fire investigator sources, as noted in the Reference List that builds on health and safety, and the resulting practice changes, the first two editions. Post-fire environment research has not kept pace with that of firefighters. While continues. There will be future editions as we learn some information can be brought from the firefighter more about the health hazards associated with this environment to the fire investigator's, some cannot. environment. Therefore, in 2016 the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) re-established its Health & Safety Committee with the By necessity, this document includes health and safety knowledge, awareness, discussion, footnotes and appendices to further and action among members of the IAAI, its chapters, explain certain items. Please take the time of the first steps in this process was to conduct a to read and understand all the information benchmark survey to determine the current state of in this document. knowledge, awareness, and practices. 1 The next step was to develop this first-of-its-kind, peer, technical, and administratively reviewed best While parts of this document refer to the U.S. practices paper to help ensure the health and safety Occupational Safety and Health Administration of all who attend fire scenes. Based on the most (OSHA) standards and the U.K. Health and Safety current research and information available, it Executive (HSE), this is by no means a primer on identifies the practices that fire investigators and fire government standards and regulations as they apply investigation companies/agencies/entities should be to the post-fire environment. Readers should review following when working in and around the post-fire the applicable OSHA standards found in Subpart I of environment. Part 1910 for complete information regarding personal protective equipment and the other This can also serve as a training guide and policy relevant sections of the OSHA General Industry template for companies/agencies/entities that wish Standards, the corresponding HSE standards, or the to follow the latest fire investigator health and safety applicable standards/regulations for your country. best practice guidelines. Fire investigator health and safety is a dynamic subject area. Governments can have a difficult time implementing new standards and amending existing ones. This The first edition (2018) represented almost two years means that some U.S. OSHA standards are based on of work by the IAAI Health & Safety Committee research data from the 1960s and 1970s. members, assisted by a panel of subject matter experts. regulations and other countries' regulations can help readers understand the importance of going beyond The second edition (2020) included new and updated the regulatory minimum. This approach is sometimes information on this continually evolving subject. It called best practice. For this reason, and because the also had technical information provided by the U.S. recommendations herein can outpace research so National Institute for Occupational Safety and that adequate protection can be taken, the IAAI has developed this best practice document. Some U.S. 1 See Appendix E FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 10 OSHA material is presented in this document as things It is understood and acknowledged that every fire that should be done in keeping with the conventions scene is different, and no recommendation made throughout, even though compliance with the here is absolute. These are all recommendations on regulation may be required. U.S. agencies/companies how best to do things in most situations while that must comply with OSHA, and considering the unique situation found by the fire agencies/companies in other countries that follow investigator upon arrival at the scene. HSE guidance, should review the appropriate regulations. While this is a stand-alone document, the committee offers companion training through an IAAI-approved Like NFPA 921, this document is a guide that presentation that includes in-depth information provides the latest health and safety best practices regarding many of these recommendations and the information for fire investigators. However, this is not hazards present at post-fire scenes. For information a consensus document. Instead, it is a compilation of on this training, please contact iaai- best practices identified explicitly for fire [email protected]. investigators by experts and literature. It is a tool for individuals, companies, and organizations that want A variety of other documents support this paper. See to minimize the risk of harm by using effective safety Appendix E for a list. practices. These are industry-specific best practice guidelines to address post-fire workplace health and This document references various U.S. safety hazards. regulations/standards, documents, and agencies, as well as U.K., E.U., and international The guidelines in this document also apply to any regulations/standards and documents as necessary. entity providing fire investigator training and live Readers from other countries should refer to the burns, including burn cells conducted for training or similar appropriate items for their country or, if none demonstration purposes. Much of the information exist, use the U.S. or U.K. ones for reference. also applies to others who work in the post-fire environment, many of whom do not understand the All listed website links were valid as of the publication hazards. date. The committee and the IAAI are not responsible for any broken links after the date of publication. Achieving fire investigators' overall health and safety will require a fundamental culture change within the fire investigation profession. Changing culture is not an easy task. However, whether you are a public fire investigator, a privately employed fire investigator, or OUR GOAL IS TO FOSTER A CULTURE another interested party, there is something you can all do that is simple and could easily be the most WHERE EVERY FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND significant shift yet toward that culture of safety THEIR EMPLOYER COMMIT TO A SAFE envisioned in the first Firefighter Life Safety Initiative : Define and advocate the need for a cultural AND HEALTHY WORKPLACE change within the fire service relating to safety, ENVIRONMENT. incorporating leadership, management, supervision, accountability and personal responsibility. To achieve this, we must change attitudes and beliefs. Background Adopting the practices identified in this document The first edition of this document started to turn the simultaneously may be difficult. Still, small changes tide; however, fire investigator health and safety initiated over time, including new safety practices and continues to be one of the most neglected training procedures, will lead to significant health and safety areas throughout the fire investigation community; improvements and set a positive example for our few organizations consider it a priority. The IAAI is colleagues. committed to changing this. Through a resolution FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 11 adopted by the board of directors in September 2018, While these must be considered during a scene safety the IAAI: assessment, they are either present or not. However, Took a position to support, enhance, and educate other toxic hazards are present at almost every fire its members regarding the latest research scene (forest, brush, crop, structure, vehicle, trash). information and best practices regarding fire While fires are typically short-duration events, investigator health and safety matters chronic exposure to these toxic hazards can have a throughout its activities, efforts, and long-term health impact on those exposed. publications. Urges every committee to incorporate, where The primary health hazards for fire investigators are practical, health and safety awareness through from the many aerosols, gases, and vapors contained their publications and activities utilizing in fire smoke and fire debris. Fire smoke consists of information provided by the IAAI Health & Safety invisible vapors and gases, visible particulates, and Committee and approved by the executive board. invisible nanoparticulates, and all are hazardous to Encourages each chapter to embrace and fire investigator health. These become toxicants educate its members on fire investigator health when they contact humans in a sufficient quantity to and safety matters through their activities, be harmful, primarily through inhalation or efforts, and publications, utilizing the educational absorption. materials approved and provided by the IAAI. Asks every member to follow the IAAI's health Fire debris also contains many different chemicals, and safety best practices. gases, and particulates that are hazardous. During and immediately after a fire, there are many fire- Health Hazards related gases present. But after the fire, there are Due to the complexity of the fire environment, it is particulates of many different sizes, vapors, and gases difficult to characterize all the hazards that could be present. However, it is well-established that there are many hazards at almost every fire that can be very the post-fire environment, and how they combine to form other hazardous A significant health problem that fire investigators should be aware of is that sudden cardiac events are a leading cause of on-duty deaths in the fire service. Miriam Calkins Ph.D., CDC/NIOSH The documented risk post-suppression may be partially attributed to fireground exposures. See the present that can threaten the fire investigator. While cited references in. much has been written about the effects of these toxic gases on firefighters in recent years, not enough Beyond all the physical and environmental hazards has been said about their impact on fire investigator that can be present at fire scenes (see NFPA 921, 2021 health, but that is changing. ed., Chapter 13 for additional information), fire investigators must also be aware of the biologic, Several research projects have shown that, in some including toxic and toxicant hazards that may be instances, many of the gases and vapors dissipate present. after several hours. However, particulate hazards can persist for the life of the scene. This presents a long- Biologic hazards can come from human and animal term health hazard for fire investigators. Many bodies, poisonous plants, bug and animal bites, and factors affect particulate behavior in the post-fire mold. These hazards can usually be mitigated using environment, but they can remain suspended for proper personal protective equipment (PPE). many hours once they are in the air2. 2 See: https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1934851O/3m- anz-rpd-fit-test-poster-particle-hang-time.pdf FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 12 The composition of post-fire scene particulate matter visible to. Combustion produces mostly depends on the nature of the burning fuel and the submicron particles (less conditions of combustion. For example, structure particulate matter that can be the most harmful to fires typically involve burning plastics, synthetic fire investigators when inhaled cannot be seen. materials, electronics, and building materials, which can produce a wide range of organic, oxygenated, and A 2010 study by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. inorganic chemicals, as discussed elsewhere in this found that, regarding smoke particles collected document. during overhaul, 97+ % were too small to be visible by the naked eye suggesting that what may appear to be Particulates are important to fire investigators clean air may not be really that clean. These are because they can cause serious health problems the nanoparticulates and persist through the fire when they get into your body. Particulate matter investigation stage and beyond. (PM) larger than 10 µm (microns) is typically removed We know that during the fire and for some time after, defense mechanisms (nasal hair, cilia in the throat carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and formaldehyde (FM) are present, but the duration for enter the lungs) and are potentially problematic for others can vary. Still, it is difficult to judge the extent are of gas formation in fires. Gas composition varies respirable; they can penetrate deep into the lungs widely, depending on the composition of the burning and are potentially more problematic for human material, the temperature, and the oxygen supply. It is believed that between 60% and 80% of all deaths deep into the lungs, all the way into the alveoli, and related to fire are attributed to toxic fumes, are potentially very problematic for human health. commonly referred to as smoke inhalation. Carbon There are more than 500 million alveoli per lung, all monoxide is widely thought to be the primary cause. exposed to everything you breathe in. This is where However, HCN is also formed. Forensic evidence has gas exchange occurs, and the toxins get into your also shown that HCN can be an important contributor bloodstream and organs. See the graphic on page 35 to death in fire victims.. for a size comparison. Because the extent of this problem in the post-fire environment is fluid due to the many scene variables present, exposure precautions need to be taken, especially by public fire investigators who are often at the scene before extinguishment. There are many human-made materials today that, when burned, give off toxic substances that can be very harmful when inhaled or absorbed. These , watercraft, aircraft, and vehicles. The following information highlights just a few of these. A hidden hazard found in many structures is Teflon®, a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) included in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Not only is this product found in virtually every residential kitchen, Source: American Society of Safety Professionals but many consumer electronics and commercial electrical insulation products also contain PFTE. Teflon starts to decompose at between 570°F (300°C) Research by Professor John Cimbala at Penn State and 1,100°F (600°C) depending on whether its rigid or University notes that, on average, most people can plasticized. This leads to hydrogen fluoride, phthalates, and fluorinated organics emissions. Once (microns), about the size of a single strand of hair. If Teflon ignites at temperatures between 1,100°F the particulates are light scattering, they may be FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 13 (600°C) and 1,470°F (800°C), it also emits carbon The large amounts of plastics (see Appendix F) and monoxide, benzene, and other organics. The U.S. composite materials (fiberglass is the most common, National Toxicology Program considers Teflon a but there are others, such as carbon fiber/fibre) reasonably anticipated human carcinogen. There found in watercraft, aircraft, and motor vehicles, may also be other PFAS compounds present at the fire present significant inhalation and absorption issues. scene. In addition to off-gassing, composite materials burn faster and hotter. Fires involving composite Appendix F lists the thermal characteristics and materials release toxic fumes and microparticles into emissions of some other plastics. During a fire, all the air, causing serious health risks. these materials decompose to release hydrocarbons that can be cancer-causing. Wildland and urban interface fires offer their own unique set of health hazards. Wildfire or biomass A particulate hazard of note is asbestos. From the smoke is associated with an increased incidence and 1930s to the 1970s, manufacturers mixed asbestos severity of cardiopulmonary disease and is recognized into a range of building materials as a cheap way to by the World Health Organization as a probable make almost anything more durable. Fires in these human lung carcinogen. Multiple studies report structures can release asbestos fibers from a variety associations between wildfire smoke exposure and of sources. While the use of asbestos was significantly adverse health outcomes, including asthma, reduced in the U.S. after the health hazards became respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, and better known, the material is still used today in some mortality. Of the many components in wildland fire new products so it can be present after any structure smoke, primary and secondarily formed particulate fire. Additionally, the regulations in other matter is a significant concern because they can countries vary greatly, so the possibility of asbestos remain in the air for days or weeks and be transported exposure in the post-fire environment is possible over long distances. anywhere. Another relatively unknown particulate hazard is lead. In addition to lead paint in houses built before it THE BODY OF SCIENTIFIC was banned (in the U.S.) in 1978, many things in EVIDENCE DOCUMENTING THE contain lead, including jewelry, pipes, stained glass, antiques, electronics, and toys. HEALTH HAZARDS OF THE POST- Lead vaporizes at 932°F (500°C) and when it cools FIRE ENVIRONMENT IS RAPIDLY and solidifies, the lead dust is contained in the post- fire nanoparticulates. Exposure to lead INCREASING. nanoparticulates is especially hazardous to young children, newborns, and fetuses. All fire investigators need to be aware of the potential While they are a health hazard by themselves, the for take-home exposures. The proper use of PPE and hazard level increases when wildland fires involve decontamination procedures will minimize this risk residential or commercial structures.. This means that fire investigators working in these Most occupational exposure happens little by little on unique post-fire environments are exposed to health a regular basis. But for fire investigators, exposure hazards that require protection. Proper PPE, including may also come in the form of one or more single respiratory protection, as noted herein, is needed encounters with harmful smoke or debris. when operating at all scenes. Other Fire Types Research While many fire investigators spend much of their One of the first documented research findings time working at residential and commercial structure relating to fire investigators was the NIOSH/ATF study fires, other fire types present the same health in 1996-97 that looked at actual fires & test burns. hazards. They found that fire investigator exposures to FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 14 irritants that cause acute effects and carcinogens that have chronic effects are of concern. The use of. This can reduce gases/vapors but not respiratory protection and mechanical ventilation particulates. equipment can reduce the potential for exposure. There have been several other studies conducted with similar results. The cumulative results of this A 2010 survey of 70 fire investigators attending an research tell us that: IAAI Arizona chapter seminar found that nearly 50% Fire investigators generally are at more fire of the investigators did not routinely use any type of scenes than most firefighters respiratory protection. In 2011, as part of a university Particulates can be present long after the fire is course research project, Phoenix (AZ) Fire extinguished Department fire investigator Willie Nelson used a Fire investigators typically wear less PPE than four-gas meter, and two sampling pumps that tested firefighters for O2, CO, H2S, HCN, and broad-spectrum aldehydes Fire investigators have a high exposure risk to and took air samples while conducting investigations toxic hazards at 16 fire scenes. Eight of the scenes contained While we see more SCBA use by firefighters detectable levels of airborne hazardous toxins, with during overhaul, fire investigators are generally three approaching or exceeding the ceiling/upper not using adequate respiratory protection3 exposure limit levels. Ventilation appeared to be the most significant factor in influencing the amount of In the Fall of 2018, fire investigators were added to dangerous airborne toxins that remained in the fire the U.S. federally funded Fire Fighter Cohort Study scene after overhaul. Time, by itself, however, was https://www.ffccs.org/ as the Fire Investigator not a good predictor of possible hazards. In one Expansion Study (FIES) instance, high levels of formaldehyde were found at a develop a framework for establishing a long-term scene three days after the fire. Other findings firefighter multicenter prospective cohort study included: focused on carcinogenic exposures and health The size of a fire is not a good indicator of the potential hazards Oversight and Planning Board. The size of a fire in relation to the structure is not a good predictor of possible hazards The IAAI Health & Safety Committee is at the o A small kitchen fire produced the highest forefront of promoting new research into the post- readings fire environment. Many factors affect the results: o Amount and type of ventilation One of the more significant studies underway in the o Size and location of the fire wristband project. o Type of structure Public and private fire investigators around the US are Ventilation may help with gases but not with wearing silicone wristband material while working at particulates a post-fire scene. These wristbands are used because These findings are still valid today. silicone can absorb the chemicals and compounds found in residual gases, which can then be analyzed Reported in 2013, NIOSH carried out a study at a fire for 16 US EPA Priority PAHs. service training facility to determine if airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other While cumulative results have not yet been aromatic hydrocarbons generated during live-fire published, in one group of 27 North Carolina fire training contaminate and pass through the skin of investigators, 90% of recorded exposures were firefighters. Their recommendations included 3 When activities are well-planned and staffed there is typically There is a growing trend among public fire investigation units to wear SCBA during the entire post-fire scene examination. only a minimal increase in scene examination time. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 15 attributed to lower molecular weight PAHs4. These Particulate levels ranged from moderate to are produced in smoldering fires versus the higher extremely hazardous AQI levels in most scenes molecular weight PAHs produced during an active out five days. fire. There were significantly high Naphthalene5 and Most gas levels were down after two hours; Phenanthrene6 readings in all 27. The average however, formaldehyde levels increased over exposure was 6.2 days post suppression, with most time in some, and in a couple of cases, exceeded occurring within three days. This strongly suggests the NIOSH ceiling limit. that hazardous gases persist in the post-fire environment for an extended period, creating an (UL exposure hazard that requires respiratory protection. FSRI) study are that 1) elevated and The IAAI Health & Safety Committee was hazardous levels of airborne particulate instrumental in getting fire investigators involved in the University of Miami wristband study. may be encountered during all phases of the post-fire investigation depending on At London South Bank University, particulate filters the activities of the fire investigator and 2) that have been worn one time by fire investigators airborne formaldehyde concentrations are being analyzed to measure the quantity and size could exceed recommended exposure of particulates present. This project was suspended in limits in extended phases of the post-fire 2020 due to COVID but is expected to restart. investigation Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene In a two-year, AFG-funded research project that (see Reference 35 for full citation) started in early 2021, the Fire Protection Research Foundation and the Textile Protection and Comfort Center at North Carolina State University are These results highlight the need for respiratory analyzing the effectiveness of various fire investigator protection during all phases of the fire investigation apparel ensembles in the post-fire environment. This process. study will also be the first independent look at the efficacy of decontamination wipes. Additional research projects in the planning stages will further our understanding of the health hazards associated with the post-fire environment. In late 2020, the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Fire Safety Research Institute conducted experiments to Discussion measure the amounts of gases and particulates in What does all of this mean for fire investigators? First, burned structures over time. This work looked at investigator safety and health need to be a higher post-fire structures up to five days after priority in many agencies and companies. Effective, extinguishment in various situations to simulate fact-based policies and procedures should be typical fire investigator activities, ranging from just adopted and embraced by fire investigators to ensure minor disturbances such as walking through the their long-term health and well-being. The consistent scene, to significant disturbances such as digging out availability and use of appropriate PPE, coupled with the scene. basic knowledge of the toxic and cancerous hazards in the post-fire scene environment, is imperative. This study consisted of 18 (nine bedroom and nine Research has shown that inhalation and absorption common area) test fires with air sampling at one hour hazards remain hours and often days after fire and, for some experiments, one, three, and five days suppression. after extinguishment for gases and particulates. 4 In UL studies, a wide range of PAH molecular weights were 6 IARC Level 3 - Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to produced by structure fires and training fires. humans. See also 5 IARC Level 2B possibly carcinogenic to humans. See also https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/phenanthrene#se https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/naphthalene#sec ction=Safety-and-Hazards tion=GHS-Classification FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 16 Fire investigators must understand the warning signs AND absorbed. Of the 18 PAHs commonly produced of acute toxicity and ensure that area monitoring for of all types, nine are known, probable, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is or possible carcinogens. conducted during the scene investigation at a minimum, whenever possible. Not all hazards are The effects of exposure to products of combustion immediately visible, and the effects of toxic exposure may be acute or chronic. While acute problems are may take years to appear. Low readings obtained typically dealt with in the short-term, chronic issues from monitoring should not preclude using the can take many years to manifest and are affected by minimum level of respiratory protection the concentration and duration of the exposure(s) recommended herein (see Appendix B); these and the entry route. The two most common entry readings do not mean the atmosphere is entirely routes for fire investigators are inhalation and safe, only that alert thresholds have not been met. As dermal absorption. we disturb fire debris during our scene examination, two largest organs are the lungs and the skin. And just levels are also likely to fluctuate. f susceptibility are also a factor as to whether twenty or more years ago, and it is getting more exposures result in cancer formation. hazardous as the use of human-made materials continues to increase. Years ago, what is now called The dermal layers (skin) provide an important legacy furniture was commonplace. These items were pathway for toxins to enter the body. Of importance made of natural products that burned slower and to fire investigators entering the post-fire scene is generally did not produce the same magnitudes of that skin permeability is likely to increase as the skin harmful chemicals commonly seen in the combustion temperature increases7. of today's furnishings. As opposed to the older, traditional construction materials and methods, the Dermal exposure is a significant exposure pathway. modern-built environment has resulted in more cost- Studies have reported PAH contamination in the neck effective building materials that can increase fire region after firefighting activities and shown that spread and decrease the time to flashover. PAHs can be readily absorbed through the skin. As we Unfortunately, households today are also full of become more aware of the risks, we must implement human-made products that produce many harmful control measures to reduce contamination reaching chemicals during a fire, and the list of potential the skin. sources is long, including these common sources in addition to others previously mentioned: Unlike inhalation exposure, there are no U.S. Plastics trash bags, pipes, electronics, occupational exposure limits (OEL) for dermal upholstery, carpet, & clothing exposure. The regular removal of soot and unseen Pesticides home & agricultural particulates from the skin helps limit the absorption Aldehydes insulation, carpet dyes, & glues of the many harmful chemicals found in the post-fire Creosote roofing & wood preservative environment. The World Health Organization Many of these items produce known carcinogens notes that dermal occupational exposure limits are when they burn. The effects of some substances are hard to determine due to the number of variables not yet fully understood. involved and that knowledge of the hazardous characteristics of the compound is necessary. The list of harmful and, in many cases, cancer-causing This is virtually impossible to determine in the post- chemicals in fire-produced gases is long. Most fires fire environment. also give off polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are products of incomplete combustion that Even though we crawl around in and dig up fire debris can exist as particles and gas so they can be inhaled that contains particulates and nanoparticulates and 7. permeability increases with temperature; for every 5°F increase While there can be an increase, the original author of this statement has recanted it as not valid. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 17 can release toxic gases, or the gases just ride along on Safety Management System the particulates on their trip into your unprotected The failure to identify or recognize hazards is one of the root causes of workplace incidents. This can be especially true in the post-fire environment, where many different potential hazards can be present. Just to , this old school like every fire is different, every post-fire scene is mentality is exacerbated by the fact that absent different. something bad happening at or immediately after being at a scene, we go home feeling OK and not The system safety concept calls for a risk thinking about the cumulative or chronic effects of management strategy based on identification, these exposures, so when medical issues do develop analysis of hazards, and application of remedial in later years, it is too late to go back and change controls using a systems-based approach. The things. This is an inherently dangerous attitude that systems-based approach to safety requires the needs to change. application of scientific, technical, and managerial skills to hazard identification, hazard analysis, hazard Chronic exposure symptoms of disease typically do elimination, control, and management of hazards not present themselves for years8; this is known as throughout the life cycle of a system latency. Establishing, following, and enforcing scene safety protocols today will save fire investigator Appendix D more fully addresses the risk assessment lives in the future. The number one way to accomplish and analysis process related to the post-fire scene. this is using PPE, especially respiratory protection. Associated with this is the importance of having a Total Worker Health program; policies, programs, and Safety Hazards practices that integrate protection from work-related While there are many health hazards in the post-fire safety and health hazards with promotion of injury environment, there are also safety hazards. and illness-prevention efforts to advance worker Completed and pending NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality well-being. reports include three that involve public fire See investigators. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/twh/totalhealth.html In January 1999, a fire investigator was killed for additional information. when a chimney collapsed. In July 2000, a fire investigator died from blunt Related Activities force trauma after a fall. It is challenging to quantify the health impact of fire In August 2011, a 55-year-old male fire marshal investigation-related occupational diseases because suffered a sudden cardiac event during a fire of the relatively transient nature of persons who do department physical ability test. this work or otherwise have been exposed to the post-fire environment. Therefore, it is essential for These reports do not include public sector fire fire investigators to document their exposures, and investigator injuries, and no source documents the almost every fire scene attendance is an exposure. injuries or fatalities of private fire investigators. However, these reports do offer examples of fire In July 2018, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act was scene safety hazards. While not every post-fire scene signed into law in the U.S. The Act requires the hazard can be mitigated, it is necessary to make every Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to effort to identify the hazards and assess their risks. develop and maintain a voluntary registry of firefighter exposures. Fire investigators will be included in this registry. This National Firefighter Registry will include the number and type of fires 8 Chronic exposures can lead to leukemia in as little as three years while lung cancer can take as long as thirty years to appear, according to Dr. Burgess. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 18 each person attended. Information in the registry will significant health issues to fire investigators and be used to improve the monitoring of cancer anyone else working in this environment at some incidents among firefighters and collect and publish point in the future. Following the modifiable risk information about cancer occurrences among this factors identified in these best practices can be a population. Registry data will be available for great asset to your long-term health. research for free if the research findings are made public. Many fire investigators work alone or in very small groups where it is easy not to follow this document's The Personal Exposure Reporter (PER) is an app research-supported health and safety developed by the University of Miami as part of the recommendations. Yet, regardless of regulations or Florida Firefighter Cancer Initiative to learn more employer policies, each of us must decide whether about fire service exposures to toxins and identify we want to do the right thing and protect ourselves safety measures to reduce any identified risks. The now from something that may or may not occur at Personal Exposure Reporter is a free, password- some point in the future. protected application allowing firefighters and fire But the other side of this is that we should also be investigators to keep a digital record of their interested in setting a good example for others, exposures to hazardous environments and especially those just entering or who have recently conditions. This data collection tool is available for all fire investigators in every country. See https://per.miami.edu Every fire investigator is strongly encouraged to create an account and document their exposures. While other apps track firefighter exposures, PER is the only one known to include fire investigators specifically. An area lacking in the fire investigation community is accident and near-miss reporting. While there are programs for the fire service in general, they do not adequately address the needs of fire investigators. In the fall of 2021, the IAAI board approved the creation of a unique, dedicated Fire Investigator Accident and Near-Miss Reporting Program. In a cooperative project managed by the IAAI Health & Safety Committee and the University of Miami, PER is the data collection tool for this program. This part of PER is open to fire investigators in every country, like the exposure reporting. With PER user permission, summary data, de-identified, will be shared with IAAI to inform the development or refinement of training programs, policies and procedures, and other processes. We strongly encourage every fire investigator involved in an accident or near-miss incident to anonymously report it using PER. The more information collected, the better the summary data will be, and this helps every fire investigator. The Bottom Line There are many potential hazards in and related to the post-fire environment, which could present FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 19 joined the profession. We set a positive example by teaching the best practices and stressing their use, and by older, longer-serving fire investigators wearing their PPE and following the best practice protocols. This is vital to our profession's future. system. I started performing fire investigations on my days off five years ago. A little over a year ago I was diagnosed with CPTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) from the experiences in my line of work. I had turned to alcohol to drown out all the nightmares, flashbacks, and memories when I ran out of ways to cope. I turned into a very angry person. I held it all in and shoved everything down because I was afraid to look weak. I am proud to say I went to a facility that specializes in first responders to get help with my CPTSD and found out that it's ok to be human. Making that phone call and admitting I needed the help was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I am glad to say that I have been doing very well with the help of my support network and family. I have not had a drink in over 13 months. I do not have nightmares and flashbacks nearly as often as I did. They still occur from time to time, but I have the tools to make them manageable and allow me to live my life. I say this because recovery is possible. I'm back to doing the job I love and most of all being the man my wife married. I get the honor to be there for my two boys and enjoy them. I want to leave you with these Troy Clements MIAAI, IAAI-FIT Danville, Indiana January 2022 FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 20  1.0.1.2.6 See Section 2 for additional information regarding vehicles. 1.0.1.3 A respiratory protection program that addresses (U.S.) 29 CFR 1910.134 or similar for other The following best practices are directed to countries. employers and individual investigators. While 1.0.1.3.1 See Appendix B for additional information individual employers may have specific requirements regarding respiratory protection. that supersede or provide similar variants to this list, 1.0.1.4 A requirement that employees do not have this comprehensive list recommends the processes, facial hair that impedes the effectiveness and procedures, and knowledge that each organization, protection of respiratory PPE11. team, or individual can adopt to reduce the overall 1.0.1.5 Annual respirator fit testing 1.0.1.6 Parameters on when to use respiratory health and safety risks to fire investigators. In protection equipment12. addition, the following items should be accounted for 1.0.1.7 Support mechanisms necessary to have on- when formulating policy and while performing duties site whenever SCBA use is required. related to fire investigations. 1.0.1.8 Control the transportation of contaminated tools/equipment and PPE. 1.0.1.9 Decontamination procedures (See Section 1.0 Employers should: Appendix C) that address: 1.0.1 Develop and implement written policies 1.0.1.10 Cleaning of contaminated clothing. covering all aspects of fire investigator health and 1.0.1.11 Effective personal hygiene practices to safety, including but not limited to: reduce contaminant effects, and 1.0.1.1 Work schedules that consider workload vs. 1.0.1.11.1 The recommendation is to shower hours worked, so they do not increase and hopefully within an hour of concluding the exposure. reduce worker stress. 1.0.1.12 Regular/annual physicals/health checks by 1.0.1.2 A site safety assessment before starting a medical professional aware of the physical demands every fire scene investigation and at the start of each of fire investigations, including PPE use, and that day it continues that includes: includes: 1.0.1.2.1 A methodology to identify and mitigate 1.0.1.12.1 Behavioral health screening. environmental, biologic, and chemical/toxic hazards, 1.0.1.12.2 Skin screening by a dermatologist. in addition to other possible hazards. 1.0.1.13 The inclusion of fire investigators in any 1.0.1.2.2 Air quality monitoring for hot and warm debriefs, CISM activities, after-action reviews, or scenes. similar post-incident analysis activity. 1.0.1.2.3 A hazard communications plan9. 1.0.1.14 A protocol for exposure to occupational 1.0.1.2.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) stress that includes a time out/hot wash immediately ensemble definition, requirements, and user after the event and trauma screening 3-4 weeks after training10. the event13. 1.0.1.2.5 When to use respiratory protection 1.0.1.15 The training identified in Section 4.0. equipment (RPE) and scene placarding to identify 1.0.1.16 Accident and near-miss investigations, areas of required RPE use. including roles and responsibilities for all parties and 9 In the U.S., OSHA regulations (29 CFR 1910.1200) requires 12 While respiratory protection equipment is a part of the full employers to communicate hazard information to employees. PPE ensemble, because of its importance it is listed separately in 10 Rely on known authorities, equipment manufacturers, and this document. What is proper is defined by the situation as industrial hygienists to assist the authority having jurisdiction in found by the fire investigator, using the guidelines established generating written procedures addressing replacement, change by the - out, reuse, and controlled disposal of contaminated respirator employed, using the information and resources identified cylinders, backframe assemblies, face blanks, filtration elements, herein. clothing, gloves, boots, and other human factors PPE. 13 See the Stress First Aid model for firefighters and EMS 11 This is required in 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) for most U.S. personnel for further information employers. https://www.everyonegoeshome.com/training/behavioral- health-training/stress-first-aid-sfa-firefighters-emergency- services-personnel/ FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 21 behavioral health support for the involved person(s) Section 2.0 Vehicles and team. 2.0.1 Vehicles used by fire investigators should support the clean cab concept and be able to store 1.0.2 Have a program for employee behavioral and transport tools and materials separately, with health awareness and support. contaminated items physically separated from the passenger area. 1.0.3 Require that at large-scale investigation 2.0.1.1 Vehicles should not have carpeting or cloth scenes, including multi-agency investigations and seats. If a vehicle does have these, they should be joint scene exams, a safety officer/manager is covered with something that is easily designated and following Section 3.1.12 below. decontaminated or washed. 2.0.1.2 Vehicle electronics should be off the floor to 1.0.4 Ensure that all fire investigator training follows facilitate cleaning. the best practices described herein. 2.0.1.3 Vehicles should have a portable or fixed water system for the decontamination of persons and 1.0.5 Ensure that all live burn training, including burn tools and immediate cleaning of injuries or direct cell demonstrations, requires all participants and contact contamination. observers in the hot and warm zones to use 2.0.1.4 Vehicles should be equipped with a appropriate PPE, including respiratory protection, pressurized water extinguisher and an ABC dry and follow the precautions identified in this chemical fire extinguisher. document and NFPA 1402 and NFPA 1403. 2.0.1.5 Marked vehicles should conform to or follow the principles of the current version of NFPA 1.0.6 Take a proactive approach to managing fire 1901 or a similar best practice document that investigator workplace safety and health by having a addresses emergency vehicle safety marking, such as formal safety and health program. These programs the USFA Emergency Vehicle Safety Initiative or the can prevent workplace illnesses, injuries, and death, FEMA Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity and the suffering and financial hardship they can Study. cause for workers, their families, and employers. 2.0.1.6 All vehicles equipped to operate as an 1.0.6.1 These programs have been linked to: emergency vehicle should have a noise-reducing Improvements in product, process, and service two-way radio(s) quality to limit the occupational noise hazard produced by Better workplace morale udible emergency notification systems Improved recruitment and retention (siren(s), airhorns, etc.) for each seat position. A more favorable image and reputation among customers, suppliers, and the community 2.0.2 cleaned 1.0.6.2 Include a safety management system regularly, regardless of contamination potential. approach as part of the health and safety program. 2.0.3 Containers of collected evidence and 1.0.7 Objectively investigate every employee- soiled/dirty tools and clothing should be stored in involved accident and near-miss incident areas other than the vehicle compartment or trunk/boot to prevent off-gassing 1.0.8 Provide ballistic protection to fire investigators and airborne particulate exposure. When advisable for personal safety. 2.0.3.1 If this is not possible, all items used and worn at the scene should be placed in tight-sealing tubs/containers or sealed in sturdy plastic bags14. 2.0.3.2 All evidence containers should be appropriately packaged and sealed before being placed in the vehicle. 14Turnout gear PPE should be in a minimum 6-mil plastic bag any bag that will effectively contain particulates and off-gassing, because thinner bags have been shown to tear. Softer PPE, such and not tear. Both types are to be sealed after being filled. See as that worn during warm and cold scene exams can be placed in Section 3.3 for additional information. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 22 2.0.4 Do not enter or allow others to enter your potentially contaminated clothing has been removed and all exposed skin areas have been cleaned. 2.0.4.1 In an emergency, such as an evacuation or injury, disposable seat covers or similar should be used to minimize cab contamination. 2.0.5 When examining vehicles, all relevant safety precautions and PPE usage noted in other sections of this document, including the use of proper respiratory protection listed in Appendix B, should be followed. 2.0.6 Fire investigators should recognize that special hazards exist when examining alternative fuel vehicles and educate themselves regarding these hazards before beginning any examination of this type of vehicle15. 2.0.6.1 This includes checking for vehicle type hazards electric and hybrid vehicles with lithium-ion batteries and similar. These batteries may be prone to reignition and have been known to reignite as much as 22 hours after initial extinguishment. 2.0.6.2 Shock, fire, and explosion hazards can be present. 2.0.6.2.1 50 volts DC is lethal. Many electric vehicles have more than 400 volts DC. 2.0.6.2.2 Disconnecting wires/battery cables does NOT equal a safe working environment. 2.0.6.3 Proper PPE and battery-handling precautions are necessary. 2.0.3.1 Investigators should review the applicable safety information for the model vehicle before starting the investigation. This information is available from the version of the NFPA Alternative Fuel Vehicles Emergency Field Guide. 2.0.3.1.1 Some owners have self-modified their vehicles to operate on alternative fuel sources. However, because these vehicles likely do not conform to industry standards, special hazards may Clean cab examples. Credit: Palm Beach Fire Rescue exist and recommended safety procedures may not apply, thus requiring additional precautions to be taken. 15 There are several applicable cfitrainer.net modules available on this subject. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 23 Section 3.0 Individual Fire Investigators should: 3.1 Before Going, Enroute to and Arriving at 3.0.1 Maintain a healthy lifestyle to manage the Incident modifiable health risk factors, including: 3.1.1 It is important to know where you are going, 3.0.1.1 Seven to nine hours of sleep a night. the best route of travel, and the weather conditions 3.0.1.2 A healthy diet. that may be encountered. It is also important to drive 3.0.1.3 Regular exercise. safely so that you can arrive at the incident scene in a 3.0.1.4 Eliminate or limit alcohol intake and tobacco timely fashion and do the job in a more relaxed and use. positive state of mind. 3.0.1.5 Wear a head covering and long clothing as 3.1.1.1 It is important to be proactive and be alert often as possible. to and aware of impending weather conditions as 3.0.1.6 Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30. these can affect overall scene safety. 3.0.2 Be physically fit and able to perform the job, 3.1.2 Know about and understand the type of scene including being fit-tested on assigned respirators and you are responding to before going. safely wear and doffing an open circuit pressure- 3.1.2.1 Ask any necessary questions before going to demand SCBA when necessary. fully understand the scene, including potential health and safety hazards that may be present. 3.0.3 Not having facial hair that impedes the effectiveness of respiratory protection equipment. 3.1.3 Locate and plan a route to the closest emergency medical facility from the scene. Have 3.0.4 Have an annual physical (see Appendix E). readily available the phone numbers to emergency services for the area you are working. 3.0.5 Have an annual skin check by a dermatologist because the fire investigation profession increases 3.1.4 Ensure that you have and use proper clothing skin cancer risk. for the current and forecasted weather conditions. 3.0.5.1 If there is, or has been a prior, positive skin exam, these may need to be done more frequently. 3.1.5 Consider the wind direction and park your vehicle upwind to help keep particulates from 3.0.6 Immediately clean and bandage any skin area that gets a cut or abrasion. system is off to keep particulates from being drawn 3.0.6.1 Any existing cut or abrasion should be into the vehicle. bandaged before starting the scene examination. 3.1.5.1 Vehicle windows should be up, and doors 3.0.6.2 Follow agency/company procedures for should be kept shut as much as possible to prevent documenting any first report of injury. the entry of particulates. 3.0.7 Maintain a written log of every scene 3.1.6 Whenever it may be advisable, wear ballistic examination that includes, at a minimum: protection, if available. 3.0.7.1 The date, location, and nature of each incident. 3.1.7 If still an active fire scene, check in with the 3.0.7.2 The number of hours spent at the scene. incident commander first. 3.0.7.3 The presence of any hazardous condition or 3.1.7.1 Public fire investigators arriving at the any injury or unprotected exposure possibility. scene of a working fire should be part of the formal 3.0.7.4 Use the Personal Exposure Reporter (PER), accountability system if it has been implemented. developed by the University of Miami, to collect this 3.1.7.1.1 If no formal accountability system has information. See https://per.miami.edu been established, checking in with and regular 3.07.4.1 This is the only known electronic data communication with the incident commander will collection tool that includes fire investigators. help provide for the accountability of investigators at the fire scene. 3.0.8 Self-report all operational exposures and 3.1.7.1.2 Fire investigators should be included in any behavioral incidents to a reporting database. on-scene medical screening, including recording vitals on arrival and departure. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 24 3.1.7.1.3 Private fire investigators managing joint 3.1.9 Clearly communicate strategy, tactics, and scene examinations should employ an accountability hazards to all investigation participants. management process and ensure the whereabouts of all persons working at the scene and ensure no 3.1.10 Ascertain all occupants' medical condition(s) freelancing is done. regarding any infectious diseases. 3.1.7.1.4 Fire Investigators should be monitored for any behavioral health signs, symptoms, and 3.1.11 Inspect and verify the status of all utilities exposures while working at fire scenes. before entering any structure. 3.1.7.2 Ask about any known safety 3.1.11.1 Use a lockout/tagout system and electrical concerns/issues. systems/equipment procedures as necessary.18 3.1.7.3 Coordinate and communicate all scene 3.1.11.2 In residential structures, leather gloves and activities with the incident commander. rubber-soled footwear should be used to remove 3.1.7.4 Ask if foam was used; if so, see 3.1.8.3 electric panel covers and conduct similar activities.19 below. 3.1.11.3 Only trained personnel wearing proper arc 3.1.7.5 Identify the fire suppression tactics that flash PPE should examine electrical service were or are being used to help determine any equipment in commercial structures. resulting structural integrity issues, such as the 3.1.11.4 Ensure that you are wearing proper PPE20 amount of water used and its weight effect on the for the incident before approaching the scene for any structure or a portion thereof. reason, including an appropriately selected respirator that is approved by the regulatory authorities of your 3.1.8 Utilizing a safety management system country for fire scene entry. approach, conduct a hazard survey and risk assessment of the entire scene before beginning any 3.1.12 Recognize that special hazards exist when work, at the start of each day thereafter, and any time examining solar panels, especially when located on conditions change. the roofs of structures, and educate yourself 3.1.8.1 As necessary, identify safety zones and regarding these hazards before beginning any escape routes. examination. 3.1.8.2 Check for hazardous materials, including asbestos, and physical and biological hazards, 3.1.13 Recognize that high voltage batteries in including mold. vehicles and solar generators can emit toxic gases 3.1.8.3 If firefighters used foam during and fluids when damaged. suppression, determine the type used16. Special 3.1.13.1 Lithium-ion battery fires generate intense precautions may be needed, including determining if heat and considerable amounts of gas and smoke, PFAS may be present at the scene.17 including significant quantities of hydrogen fluoride. 3.1.8.4 Identify and implement any hazard This can create an IDLH atmosphere that requires elimination methodologies or engineering controls to SCBA, especially in a confined or semi-confined reduce scene hazards. space. 3.1.8.5 Determine the need for additional or specialized resources, including but not limited to 3.1.14 Recognize that there are special hazards when additional personnel and equipment. refrigerants are present. Newer refrigerant blends 16 This can be https://www4.des.state.nh.us/nh-pfas- indicate if there is PFAS in the foam so it might be hard to investigation/?page_id=148#:~:text=Class%20A%20foams%20ar determine quickly. e%20used,known%20as%20%E2%80%9CPFAS%E2%80%9D). 17 18 See OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.147 for additional Class A foams are used to extinguish fires caused by wood, paper, and brush. They generally do not contain per- and information. 19 Arc flash hazard minimum is 200 volts; however, shock hazard can be divided into two categories: fluorinated foams and minimum is 50 volts. fluorine-free foams. Fluorinated foams contain PFAS, and 20 Defined as PPE manufactured and evaluated to a known fluorine-free foams do not. Of the fluorinated foams, aqueous scientific standard of performance (i.e., ANSI, ASTM, ASSE, NFPA, NIOSH, EN, etc.). Specific information regarding respirator amounts and mixtures of PFAS, and of the most concern to selection is found in Appendix B. human health and the environment. FIRE INVESTIGATOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BEST PRACTICES PAGE 25 are more flammable and produce toxic byproducts 3.2.1.2 Monitor CO (carbon monoxide), HCN when burned, and these can remain after the fire is (hydrogen cyanide), and formaldehyde at a minimum. extinguished. 3.2.1.3 H2S (hydrogen sulfide) and LEL (lower 3.1.14.1 Use caution and appropriate respiratory explosive limit) are also good when possible. protection when working fire scenes that involve items that may contain or did contain refrigerant 3.2.2 Use powered ventilation fans to physically chemicals, including refrigerators, air conditioning move ambient air and propel contaminants units (including vehicles), and commercial chillers21. downwind from the investigation scene. For gases and vapors, ventilation is your friend. 3.1.15 Recognize that, in addition to the fire itself, 3.2.2.1 However, recognize that this may fire suppression activities may have affected all or significantly stir up the particulates, making parts of the structure. This can include unseen respiratory protection even more necessary. ventilation openings, weak areas in floors or ceilings, and weakening from water load. 3.2.3 Wear appropriate PPE for the incident attended; every scene is somewhat different. This 3.1.16 At large-scale investigation scenes, including includes: multi-agency investigations and joint scene exams, a 3.2.3.1 Respiratory protection that meets or safety officer/manager should be designated. exceeds the minimum standards as found in Appendix 3.1.16.1 This person should be familiar with and B. preferably certified as a fire service Incident Safety 3.2.3.2 Steel-toed leather or rubber boots/shoes23 Officer and fully understand these best practices and with a puncture-resistant sole, understanding the applicable regulatory requirements. limitations of each type24. 3.1.16.2 This person should be responsible for 3.2.3.3 Protective outer garment(s) appropriate for conducting the site safety assessment (see 3.1.7 the scene category type. See Part II and Appendix A. above), establishing scene PPE use requirements, and 3.2.3.3.1 The goal is to prevent the skin absorption of monitoring compliance. hazardous chemicals and particulates. 3.1.16.3 It can be challenging to maintain situational 3.2.3.4 Protective safety helmet that meets or awareness and follow accepted safety procedures. It exceeds ANSI Z89.1-2014 Type II25 for industrial use or is the responsibility of the safety officer/manager to its equivalent, with a chin strap and high visibility stay on top of this. markings26. 3.1.16.4 This person should have the authority to 3.2.3.5 Hearing protection that meets or exceeds stop work should an immediate safety hazard be ANSI A10.46-2013 or its equivalent. identified. 3.2.3.6 Eye protection that adequately protects the wearer from flying particles and sparks, liquid splashes, and meets or exceeds A