202.021 - On-Scene Cleaning Procedures for Personnel and PPE.pdf

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS 202.021 ON-SCENE CLEANING PROCEDURES FOR PERSONNEL AND PPE EFFECTIVE: APRIL 2020 Current Revision Date: 04/21/21 Author’s Name/Rank: Koby Johns, Captain Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II Administrative Support: Next Revision Date:...

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS 202.021 ON-SCENE CLEANING PROCEDURES FOR PERSONNEL AND PPE EFFECTIVE: APRIL 2020 Current Revision Date: 04/21/21 Author’s Name/Rank: Koby Johns, Captain Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II Administrative Support: Next Revision Date: 04/21/24 Review Level: 1 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for the field decontamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus harness (SCBA) after use at structure fires. The goal of the following procedures is to minimize dermal absorption of carcinogenic contaminants and possible cross-contamination of fire apparatus cab interiors and fire station facilities. APPLICATION This policy applies to all Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) personnel who engage in structural firefighting operations at an incident and are exposed to levels of smoke and products of combustion requiring the use of SCBA. Nothing in this policy is intended to limit or discourage the field decontamination of PPE or SCBA if deemed necessary by the individual who wore it, the incident commander, or their designee. OPERATIONAL POLICY Prior to placing PPE and SCBA harness on apparatus after use, personnel shall ensure that their PPE and SCBA harness have been decontaminated from the products of combustion. The standard engine company will include a field decontamination kit which includes: • Green 5-gallon bucket. • One (1) 25’ foot section of marine grade water hose with 1/2” fittings, rated for at least 150 psi. • One (1) gallon Dawn dish soap. • One (1) 20” sea scout brush. Section 202.021 Page 1 of 4 • One (1) 8” sea scout brush. • One (1) quart spray bottle (1/4 teaspoon Dawn dish soap: 32 oz. water). • One (1) garden hose spray nozzle with 1/2” fittings. Battalion chiefs are responsible to provide the following items to support the on-scene gross decontamination process: • Minimum one (1) package of wet wipes. • Plastic trash bags (roll). OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Officers are responsible to ensure appropriate cleaning of PPE and personnel under their supervision occurs before leaving the incident scene, and upon returning to quarters. PROCESS • Remove loose material from PPE/SCBA by dry brush or the use of compressed air. • Mix soap solution in green 5-gallon bucket with approximately 4 gallons of water and 4 teaspoons (2 caps) of Dawn dish soap. (1 cap full of soap from Dawn container = 2 tsp.) • Pre-rinse PPE/SCBA harness with water. Ensure 2nd stage regulator is either in use or clipped into storage cup. • Liberally apply soap mixture to PPE/SCBA harness with 1-quart spray bottle containing ¼ teaspoon Dawn dish soap to 32 oz. water. • Scrub PPE/SCBA harness using scout brush that has been soaked in 5gallon bucket with soap solution. • Rinse PPE/SCBA harness with water until no suds appear. • Allow PPE/SCBA harness to air dry for at least 15 minutes prior to placing back on apparatus which will allow any remaining volatile organic compounds to off-gas. Section 202.021 Page 2 of 4 • Immediately after removal of helmet, hood, and SCBA face-piece, members are advised to remove contaminants from exposed skin of head, face, jawline, throat, neck, and hands using wet wipes. • When possible, do not transport soiled PPE in apparatus cab. • When members return to quarters, SCBA masks should be cleaned with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning solution (Confidence Plus) in accordance with Training and Equipment Manual, Section 311.001, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. • Members are advised to shower thoroughly, don a clean day uniform, launder soiled day uniform items, and place clean turnouts in service as soon as is practical. Soiled PPE should be cleaned and dried in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines. Note: Use of compressed air can potentially damage hearing; appropriate hearing protection techniques should be employed. Compressed air can also cause contaminants to become airborne, this action should be performed away from others, and techniques to avoid inhalation of airborne particulates should be employed. Also, note that the use of hose streams for on scene cleaning of PPE should be used only after active interior firefighting operations have been completed as wet turnouts provide greatly reduced thermal protective performance (TPP). INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, “Contamination of firefighter personal protective equipment and skin and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures” http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2017.1334904 Section 202.021 Page 3 of 4 California Labor Code, Section 6401.7 National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), 1851 Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 202.018, Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Cyanide Monitoring at Structure Fires Section 203.007, Injury and Illness Prevention Program Section 203.010c, Personal Protective Equipment Training and Equipment Manual Section 311.001, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Section 311.005, Firefighter Protective Clothing Cleaning Procedures Section 202.021 Page 4 of 4