Fresno Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures 203.010d Scene Operations PDF

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES HEALTH AND SAFETY 203.010d SCENE OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 2007 Current Revision Date: 5/16/19 Author’s Name/Rank: Kevin Reynolds, Fire Captain Christina Johnson, Senior Administrative Clerk Administrative Support: Next Revision Date: Review Level: 5/16/24 1 P...

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES HEALTH AND SAFETY 203.010d SCENE OPERATIONS EFFECTIVE: AUGUST 2007 Current Revision Date: 5/16/19 Author’s Name/Rank: Kevin Reynolds, Fire Captain Christina Johnson, Senior Administrative Clerk Administrative Support: Next Revision Date: Review Level: 5/16/24 1 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to instruct Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members on appropriate actions during and after emergency incidents to reduce the risk of a possible exposure. APPLICATION This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL POLICY • The blood, body fluids, and tissues of all patients are considered potentially infectious, and Universal Precautions/Body Substance Isolation procedures shall be used for all patient contact. • The choice of personal protective equipment is specified in the Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 203.010c, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Members shall be encouraged to use maximal rather than minimal PPE for each situation. • While complete control of the emergency scene is not possible, scene operations shall attempt to limit splashing, spraying, or aerosolization of respiratory secretions. • The minimum number of members required to complete the task safely shall be used for all on-scene operations where communicable disease exposure is possible or anticipated. • Hand washing is the most important infection control procedure. Section 203.010d Page 1 of 4 o Members shall wash hands:  After removing PPE  After each patient contact  After handling potentially infectious materials  After cleaning or decontaminating equipment  After using the restroom  Before eating  Before and after handling or preparing food  Before and after any routine cleaning of the station or equipment  After participating in physical fitness program activities  After handling any piece of emergency response, training or other related equipment, which could come in contact with the public • Hand washing with soap and warm water shall be performed for 10 to 15 seconds. If soap and water are not available at the scene, a waterless hand wash may be used, provided a soap and water wash is performed immediately upon return to quarters or hospital. • Eating, drinking, smoking, handling contact lenses, or applying cosmetics or lip balm is prohibited at the scene of operations. • Disposable resuscitation equipment shall be used whenever possible. For CPR the order of preference is: o Bag-valve mask o Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation • Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation shall be performed only as a last resort if no other equipment is available. Resuscitation equipment shall be kept readily available during on-scene operations. • Patients with suspected airborne communicable diseases shall be transported wearing a face mask or particulate respirator whenever Section 203.010d Page 2 of 4 possible. Ambulance windows shall be open and ventilation systems turned on full whenever possible. • Personal protective equipment shall be removed after leaving the work area and as soon as possible, if contaminated. After use, all PPE shall be placed in leak-proof bags, color coded, marked as a bio-hazard, and transported back to the station for proper disposal. • On-scene public relations shall be handled by a Department public information officer, if available. The incident commander (IC) shall assume this function in the absence of a public information officer (PIO). The public should be reassured infection control PPE is used as a matter of routine for the protection of all members and the victims they treat. The use of PPE does not imply a given victim may have a communicable disease. • No medical information will be released on scene. Media queries shall be referred to a Department public information officer. Patient confidentiality shall be maintained at all times. • Upon request for blood or body fluid wash down, members shall determine if the potential bio-hazard exists on public or private property. • If determined to be on public property, the area may be washed down to a sewer drain where available. • Members performing wash-down tasks shall wear, as a minimum, the following PPE: gloves, eye protection, and a face mask or particulate respirator. Note: Face shields on structural firefighting helmets shall not be used for infection control purposes. • If a request for blood or body fluid wash down is determined to be on private property, the area shall be cordoned off and the property owner/occupant advised of his/her responsibility for safe cleanup. Environmental Health shall be notified and given details of the biohazard condition. • At conclusion of on-scene operations, all potentially contaminated patient-care equipment shall be removed for appropriate disposal or decontamination and re-use. Section 203.010d Page 3 of 4 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION The Department recognizes that a wash-down request may adversely impact a crew that initially responded to the incident or is receiving CISM intervention related to the original incident. Therefore, company officers may request a battalion chief assign the next closest resource to a wash down. Approval by an on-duty battalion chief is required. Battalion chiefs shall use discretion in approving this change in assignment. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 203.010, Infection Control Section 203.010a, Health Maintenance Section 203.010b, Infection Control Training Section 203.010c, Personal Protective Equipment Section 203.010f, Post-Response Section 203.010g, Post-Exposure Protocols Section 203.010h, Station Environment Section 203.010i, Compliance and Quality Monitoring/Program Evaluation Section 203.010d Page 4 of 4