SFD.005.b - Personal Protective Equipment Operational Use PDF

# **Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7** ## **Personal Protective Equipment: Operational Use** ### **Standard Operating Guideline** **SFD.005.b** **Revision No.:** 1 **Issue Date:** 24 July, 2024 **Review Date:** 1 July, 2025 **Effective Date:** 24 July, 2024 **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert...

# **Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7** ## **Personal Protective Equipment: Operational Use** ### **Standard Operating Guideline** **SFD.005.b** **Revision No.:** 1 **Issue Date:** 24 July, 2024 **Review Date:** 1 July, 2025 **Effective Date:** 24 July, 2024 **Approved by:** Scott C. Seifert **Reviewed By:** S ### **1. Executive Summary** * **Procedures and Responsibilities:** Different types of emergency incidents require specific PPE usage, such as full PPE with SCBA for fire attacks and hazardous atmospheres, and specialized gear for wildland fires and water rescues. * **Appropriate PPE at Emergency Incidents:** Members will wear full PPE with SCBA utilized for fire attack, search and rescue, mobile property fires, and while in a hazardous atmosphere. * **Extrication and Entrapments:** Members must start with full PPE or approved issued extrication/rescue PPE, with primary eye protection worn by those operating tools. * **Hazardous Materials Incidents:** Members will report with full PPE with SCBA at the ready, and the Incident Commander will ensure the proper level of Chemical Protective Clothing is utilized. * **Emergency Medical Incidents:** Members will follow the medical providers Guidelines for exposure to bloodborne pathogens, body fluids, and any other communicable diseases. ### **2. Purpose** This guideline provides specific guidance concerning the selection, maintenance, initial issue, use, replacement, inspection and cleaning program for Structural Fire Fighting Protective Ensembles that is used by members of the Spring Fire Department. This guideline will follow the latest adoption of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1851, and other standards as they relate. It is the objective of the program to reduce the safety and health risks associated with improper selection, poor maintenance, inadequate care, excess wear and improper use of PPE. This guideline will also establish what levels of protective clothing are acceptable in most situations. ### **3. Policy Statement** All members must comply with this guideline regarding any personal protective equipment. ### **4. Scope** This guideline applies to all members. ### **5. Definitions** * **See Glossary.** ### **6. Procedures and Responsibilities** * **Appropriate PPE at Emergency Incidents** * **Structure and Mobile Property Fires Operations:** * Members will wear full PPE with SCBA utilized for fire attack, search and rescue, mobile property fires and while in a hazardous atmosphere. * **Members operating outside of a structure but still in the hazard area shall wear full PPE with SCBA at the ready, in the event that conditions change.** * **Any personnel engaged in fire extinguishment or assisting in extinguishment must wear full PPE with SCBA in full operation (on air).** * **Extrication and Entrapments:** * Members operating at these incidents will start with full PPE or approved issued extrication/rescue PPE. Primary eye protection for members operating tools within the vicinity will be worn. Incident and Division Officers will evaluate the removal of protective clothing for special needs. * **Wildland fires:** * Members who have been issued Wildland firefighting gear will utilize that gear when available. Members must remember that should a wildland fire become an interior fire attack of a structure that members will revert to full PPE with SCBA utilized for fire attack. Members may protect structures in Wildland gear. It is recommended that all members keep full PPE readily available in the instance that the emergency incident changes. Members who are not issued wildland gear will report with full PPE and adjustments made if possible. * **Hazardous Materials Incidents:** * Members operating at these incidents will report with full PPE with SCBA at the ready. The Incident Commander will ensure that the proper level of Chemical Protective Clothing is utilized by all personnel on scene. * **Emergency Medical Incidents:** * Members will follow the medical providers Guidelines for exposure to bloodborne pathogens, body fluids and any other communicable diseases. * **Rope/High Angle/Rough Terrain Rescues:** * Members operating at these incidents should not wear full PPE. Department issued rescue PPE or regular station attire may be acceptable. The use of bulky structural firefighting clothing presents the hazard of improper fit of the rescue harness and the hazard of coats becoming entangled rescue equipment. Station boots are permissible for high/low angle rescues, so long as the member's footwear cannot slip off the rescuer's feet. When available protective knee and elbow pads should be used when ascending or descending on rope. Rough terrain rescue clothing should be comfortable yet provide protection against abrasive injuries. Footwear should be suitable for uneven terrain. * **Water rescue:** * Protective or heavy clothing should not be worn during water rescue activities such as swift water or vehicles in high water. Lightweight clothing or water rescue PPE is recommended. Protective clothing when waterlogged would serve only in adding to the possibility of drowning. Footwear used for wading into water should be able to be kicked off if the need to swim arises. (NO FIRE BOOTS). Personal flotation devices will be utilized. * **Confined space entry:** * Members entering confined spaces that have the likelihood to be oxygen deficient will utilize an SCBA, or comparable supplied airline system. If the hazardous area is suspected to present a fire or explosion hazard members will wear full PPE with SCBA utilized. * **Incidents that may arise that are not covered by this guideline will be fully evaluated with the safety of all personnel in mind. When in doubt wear full PPE with SCBA utilized.** ### **7. References & Related Policies** This section provides references to applicable laws, standards, or other related internal policies or guidelines. | **Applicable State or Federal Statutes** | **OSHA** | **Spring FD** | |---|---|---| | NFPA 1851 | | | | NFPA 1971 | | | | TCFP | ISO | TFCA | | CPSE PI | | | ### **8. Contact Office** The appropriate contact office for questions or comments on this SOG is: * **Company Officer** * **District Chief** * **Deputy Chief of Operations** * **Assistant Chief** * **Fire Chief** ### **9. List of Changes** | **Revision No.** |**Description of Changes** |**Approve d by** | **Effective Date** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | ### **10. Errors** See something wrong? Click here or use this QR code to submit an error or inconsistency. This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge a member's legal duty or civil liability in any way. This policy should not be construed as creating a duty to act or a higher duty of care, with respect to third-party civil claims against members or the department. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing member discipline.