406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE.doc.pdf

406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE Page 1 of 7 Standard Operating Procedure for Contamination Reduction of Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) No: Reviewed date: Effective date: Supersedes: I. II. FR406.03 3/20 4/20/20 12/22/08; 406.02; 406.04 Type: Safety Procedures– 4...

406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE Page 1 of 7 Standard Operating Procedure for Contamination Reduction of Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) No: Reviewed date: Effective date: Supersedes: I. II. FR406.03 3/20 4/20/20 12/22/08; 406.02; 406.04 Type: Safety Procedures– 400 series Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Department: Signature: 4/20/25 Expires: INTRODUCTION A. Purpose: To provide instructions for contamination reduction and maintenance of Structural Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). B. Scope: C. Author: The Fire Chief, or designee, shall be responsible for the content, review, and revision of this instruction. D. Authority: This procedure reflects recommendations by NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, 2020 Edition. Each member who has been issued turnouts. RESPONSIBILITY A. Incident Commander: The incident commander shall ensure all members and equipment having entered a contaminated space go through the Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process before entering rehab and/or being released from an incident scene. B. Captains: All captains shall ensure that members comply with this instruction. The Captain shall notify Logistics that an exposure has occurred and arrange for pick-up or drop-off of the PPE. C. Engineers: All engineers shall be responsibility of the Engineer of the Pumper or as assigned by the Incident Commander to establish the Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process as soon as possible. D. All Personnel: All personnel shall be responsible to ensure they have completed the Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process before removing the face piece of the PPE ensemble. Personnel are further 406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE Page 2 of 7 responsible for the proper inspection for damage and evaluation of persistent contamination. III. POLICY A. IV. This procedure shall be followed after each use in an IDLH atmosphere or after exposure to an event that could have resulted in soiled, damaged, or contaminated PPE. 1. Contamination reduction shall be initiated at the incident. 2. Contact the Hazmat Team for proper incident decontamination for suspected hazardous materials/CBRN exposure. B. Universal precautions shall be used by all personnel performing and/or preparing equipment for contamination reduction. Personnel performing the Contamination Reduction Process and preparing the PPE to be sent to logistics will wear at the minimum eye protection, an N-95 respirator (SCBA is best protection), and Nitrile gloves. C. Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process – Contamination reduction of turnout gear through a wet or dry process conducted on-scene, before removing the face piece of the protective ensemble, when PPE is exposed to products of combustion (NFPA 1851, 2020 edition) D. Specialized Cleaning (Clean Only) – An independent service provider provides cleaning off-site for contaminated PPE with fuels, hydrocarbons, bio-hazards and/or products of combustion. This cleaning does not include inspection or repairs. E. Advanced Cleaning- Thorough cleaning of turnout ensembles done by LVFR’s independent service provider off-site. This is typically provided for annually at a minimum and includes the annual barrier testing, inspection of components, and repair of the PPE. PROCEDURES A. Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process (on-scene) Firefighters exiting the emergency scene shall remain on air until Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process of PPE has been performed. The exception to this is for SCBA malfunction or out of supplied air. Staying on air will prevent firefighters from getting contaminants splashed or displaced onto their face while providing protection from inhalation of airborne contaminants off-gassing from their PPE. 1. WET PROCESS 406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE 2. Page 3 of 7 a) The Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process wet line will be charged to not exceed hydrant pressure only. b) Assure all pockets and flaps of gear are closed and secured. c) From the top down, use a soft spray/mist to dampen (not soak) firefighter turnouts and air pack to reduce vapors. d) Apply NFPA 1851 compliant detergent by spray bottle to visibly soiled portions of the PPE. e) From the top down, brush in a downward stroke only, soiled areas of helmet, turnouts, air pack, and gloves with NFPA 1851 detergent solution, removing all debris. f) Rinse all detergent off PPE from the top down. g) Doff helmet and gloves. h) Disconnect regulator from face mask going off supplied air and doff air pack. i) Doff turnout jacket, hood, bunker pants and boots in that order while leaving the face mask in place. j) Doff face mask. k) Wipe face mask and SCBA regulator with 3M compliant mask wipes. l) Wipe face, neck, arms and hands with Rescue Wipes. DRY PROCESS (On-scene) Used for bottle exchanges (Recycle) and during cold or inclement weather due to the process of soaking firefighters while performing a wet decontamination may create additional safety hazards such as hypothermia or equipment failure. a) Assure all pockets and flaps of gear are closed and secured. b) While remaining on air, all debris shall be wiped/brushed away from the helmet, face piece, and SCBA regulator using a damp towel to suspend any particulate matter. (1) Personnel may disconnect the regulator at this time to recycle and switch out air bottles for continued operations. 406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE (2) For non-recycle operations, personnel will remain on air through the remainder of the dry Preliminary Exposure Reduction Process. c) Continue using downward strokes with a soft bristled brush and/or towel to remove visible debris and soiling. d) Once the removal of soiling and contamination has been completed: (1) Doff helmet and gloves. (2) Disconnect regulator from face mask going off supplied air. (3) Doff SCBA harness, turnout jacket, hood, bunker pants and boots in this order while leaving the face mask in place. (4) Doff face mask. (5) Wipe face mask and SCBA regulator with 3M compliant mask wipes. (6) Wipe face, neck, arms and hands with Rescue Wipes. 3. Rescue Wipes Use Rescue Wipes to clean soot from face, throat, neck, jaw and underarms while performing rehab activities and one last time before leaving the scene. 4. All PPE should be doffed and placed into trash bags in an outside compartment while returning to the station. If not possible, all turnouts including gloves must be placed in large trash bag and tied closed before placing in cab to reduce cross contamination. a) B. Page 4 of 7 Under no circumstance will non-bagged exposed / contaminated PPE be allowed in the cab. Re-donning Preliminary Exposure Reduction Processed turnouts 1. Re-donning of preliminary exposure reduction processed turnouts is acceptable in order to accomplish on-scene objectives, post rehab assignments. 2. The use of a dirty firefighting hood is never acceptable to don under any circumstance. 406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE a) 3. C. Page 5 of 7 The Air Resource will have clean hoods and it is the expectation each member obtain a clean hood after doffing a hood that has been exposed to contaminate. Once the unit has been released by command and returned to quarters, all personnel are to use an alternate set of turnouts for further responses. On return to the station 1. visual inspection of bunker gear a) Visual inspection includes identifying any damage to any portion of the PPE (rips, tears, cracks, cuts, charring, burns, melting, discoloration). b) PPE will be evaluated for persistent contamination. (1) c) 2. Persistent contamination is indicated if visible soiling, continued off gassing of products of combustion or hazardous materials are present. PPE will be sent to logistics for Specialized Cleaning if persistent contamination is present or Advanced Cleaning if compromises or defects are found on visual inspection. SCBA face piece and Regulator Cleaning a) Prepare two 5 gal buckets. The first with mild dish soap and water. The second with fresh water only. b) Assure the press button activation valve and bypass valve are in the closed positions on the regulator. Both pieces are able to be submerged with the valves closed and open end of the supply hose being plugged with a finger. c) Wash the mask and regulator following 3M’s directions. (1) Refer to department training video for proper procedure. d) Rinse off mask under running fresh water. e) Spray with Fresh Gear solution and let sit for ten (10) minutes while maintaining the moisture on it for appropriate disinfection. f) Rinse in a five gallon bucket of fresh water. 406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE g) D. Dry with lint free towel and hang to air dry completely. Do NOT use compressed air on the mask or regulator. Specialized Cleaning (Clean Only) 1. Specialized Cleaning shall be initiated using Universal Precautions. 2. All PPE that has an odor of combustion products, contaminated by hazardous materials, visible soiling shall be sent to logistics for Specialized Cleaning. 3. PPE garments shall be disassembled removing the inner liner from the outer liner, bagged, and labeled accordingly. 4. Use the green PPE tags when sending PPE in for cleaning, repairs, or annual testing. 5. Fill out tags completely; directions for use are on the back of each tag. a) Copy 1 (green) – stays with the person completing the tag. b) Copy 2 (Yellow) – goes with the PPE garment. c) Copy 3 (White) – will be forwarded to the contracted cleaning company. 6. List garment serial numbers in the spaces provided. 7. For gear contaminated with biological material (i.e., blood, feces, urine saliva, vomit, etc.). 8. E. Page 6 of 7 a) Enclose in a bio bag and use the green PPE tags. b) Tape or tie tags to the outside of the bag to assist in expediting the cleaning and allowing support personnel to track the item(s) without exposing personnel to the contaminant. Support personnel will verify this documentation is included when picking up the PPE items; otherwise, they will not be picked up. Advanced Cleaning 1. PPE that did not pass a visual inspection of integrity or in need of repair will be labeled for Advanced Cleaning following the same procedures as listed in Specialized Cleaning. 406.03 Contamination Reduction of FF PPE 2. Page 7 of 7 PPE being turned in for Advanced Cleaning needs to be handdelivered to Logistics, as they will issue an alternate set of PPE.