Hoffman Estates Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines - Extreme Temperature PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY OPERATIONS – 010 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG T...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: SAFETY OPERATIONS – 010 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Extreme Temperature Revision: 4 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2025 Fire Chief 4 PURPOSE This guideline is written to ensure the safety of HEFD members during training in extreme temperatures. Extreme high temperatures with high relative humidity combine to form the Apparent Temperature or Heat Index. The official Heat Index found in the attached chart is calculated using shaded, light wind (5MPH) conditions. When Heat and Humidity combine to reduce the amount of evaporation of sweat from the body, outdoor activity becomes dangerous even for those members in peak condition. We shall be using the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App for this SOG. It features real-time heat index and hourly forecasts specific to your location. You can access this data on one of the Department’s apparatus phones. POLICY Using the Heat Index chart provided in this SOG the following shall occur. Heat Index of 85 and under: Drills and training shall proceed as normal. Heat Index of 86 to 100: Caution and reservation shall be used in continuing, planning or completing outside training. Heat Index of 101 or greater: The Battalion Chief-Training/Safety (or other staff officer available) shall be contacted. Outside training shall only continue if the Battalion Chief- Training/Safety (or other staff officer available) feels that it is necessary and must not be postponed. Notes: If full protective clothing (Turnout coat & pants, helmet, hood and gloves) is worn during outside training, an adjustment factor of 10 degrees should be added to the environmental temperature before the Heat Index is calculated. If partial turnout gear is worn (just turnout coat or bunker pants and helmet are worn), adjust by a factor of 5 degrees. Members participating in training in warm weather conditions should pre-hydrate and post- hydrate. Smaller quantities taken more frequently are better than one large intake. An approximate intake of 7 oz. of fluid, every twenty minutes is recommended. 1 Some alternatives to consider when this policy is in effect are, but not limited to: 1) Having the drill in the morning or evening hours. 2) Rescheduling the drill to another day. 3) Having the drill inside. 4) Do not wear turn- out gear during the drill if possible. 5) Provide a rehab facility at the drill site (may include the misting tent). 6) Above all - common sense shall prevail. Our health is paramount. Overheating can cause serious, life- threatening conditions such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Limiting our exposure to these potential physical conditions is a major concern. Key rules to remember when coping with Extreme heat are:  Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration  Slow down and cool off regularly  If feeling fatigued, headache, elevated pulse rate or shallow breathing, contact EMS personnel as soon as possible. 2 TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY INDEX - (THI) 3 PROCEDURE DEFINITIONS EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES End of Document 4