Cancer Prevention PDF Chesapeake Fire Department Policy

Policy 918 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Cancer Prevention - 1 Cancer Prevention 918.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE To provide for the health and safety of all CFD members by reducing...

Policy 918 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Cancer Prevention - 1 Cancer Prevention 918.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE To provide for the health and safety of all CFD members by reducing their exposure to carcinogenic agents and the chances of developing cancer, as well as make cancer awareness part of everyday practice. 918.2 POLICY The procedures outlined here will provide guidance to department members to minimize their exposure to carcinogens that are associated with diesel exhaust and products of combustion by identifying procedures to reduce contact time. 918.3 STATION PROCEDURE The following steps should be taken at the fire station to minimize exposures to carcinogenic compounds that are commonly found in diesel exhaust and products of combustion associated with fire suppression operations. Additional practices may be instituted; however, the following have been determined as “Best Practices” to help reduce the chances of cancer: (a) Do not bring turn-out gear into the living quarters of the station for any reason. (b) Avoid propping open doors from the bay into the living quarters. (c) Keep ice machine doors closed at all times and immediately after use. (Stations with machines in bays) (d) Do everything possible not to run apparatus in the bay areas any longer than absolutely necessary. Limit run time until everyone is in or near the apparatus. (e) If applicable, open front and back bay doors when pulling into the station. (f) Never run motors with bay doors closed (This includes apparatus and small engines) (g) Leave bay doors open as long as possible after parking apparatus or after running motorized equipment. Use the buttons located in the bays instead of the remote to provide time for exhaust to be vented from the fire station. (h) Activate the NO SMOKE system before pulling into the bay. (i) Do not stage PPE in direct line or near the exhaust of apparatus. PPE should be staged in a manner that keeps it off of the bay floor or ground. Examples: on the apparatus steps, inside the cab or inside a compartment. 918.4 INCIDENT PROCEDURE 918.4.1 RESPIRATORY PROTECTION SCBA provides the best respiratory protection when operating in environments that are IDLH. This is true for those toxins that pose both an immediate and long-term health threat. The practice of utilizing carbon monoxide monitoring to determine when to remove SCBA is an ineffective method Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Cancer Prevention Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Cancer Prevention - 2 to determine air quality and does not rule out other products of combustion that are known carcinogens such as Benzene and vinyl chlorides. The use of SCBA will continue until all interior operations are completed. The incident commander will make the final determination. This includes: • Overhaul • Salvage • Removal of tools, hose lines and equipment • Determining origin and cause • Any activity that disrupts the contents of the structure Rule of thumb: If the structure’s environment is unfit for the occupants to enter without respiratory protection then SCBA use is required. 918.4.2 ABSORPTION PROTECTION For the purposes of clarification, the “Incident” time frame is from the time the first CFD unit arrives “on scene” until the last unit “goes available”. All members involved in fire suppression or salvage & overhaul operations will not “Go Available” from the scene without being properly decontaminated. 918.4.3 ON-SCENE DECONTAMINATION STEPS (a) Standing in front of a ventilation fan for 10 seconds to remove most of the trapped gases from PPE. 1. Incident commanders should have a ventilation fan, preferably electric, placed at a designated location that will effectively allow members exiting the fire structure to stand in the air cone prior to removing their regulators without effecting any flow paths or fire behavior; evaluate the downwind safety of the ventilation fan. 2. The fan should be set at a slight upward angle 3. This does not apply to those crews who intend to immediately re-enter the structure and are remaining on air. (b) Gross decontamination wash, done prior to going to rehab or returning to service, will consist of rinsing off gear and SCBA while remaining on air. (weather permitting) 1. A decontamination area with a dedicated hand-line shall be established 2. Use of water should be limited to what is required to remove soot and debris 3. Soap and brushes from emergency decontamination kits shall be used in situations when it is necessary to remove heavy soil from PPE 4. During cold weather, dry methods such as brushing shall be used, starting from the head and working down to remove large particles. 5. Does not apply to those crews who are recycling Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Cancer Prevention Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Cancer Prevention - 3 (c) All personnel will clean hands, neck, and face with approved wipes. (d) All SCBA masks will be cleaned inside and out with approved MSA wipes. (e) Apply sunscreen when appropriate. (f) All tools/equipment will be rinsed off prior to leaving the scene. 918.5 REHAB PROCEDURE The following procedures willbe taken in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure3.2.10- Incident Scene Rehabilitation when in structed by the IC, or designee, to go to Rehab: (a) Level 1 Rehab: 1. Use wipes or soap/water to initiate decon to clean neck, face, hands and any other exposed areas. (b) Level 2 & 3 Rehab: 1. Gross decontamination of PPE should be done on the fire ground using such means as water streams, fans, and/or brushes prior to entering the rehab area 2. Members shall remove SCBA, mask, helmet, hoods, and turnout coat (if weather permitting) and stage items outside of the rehab area. 3. Rinse or brush off remaining turnout gear before entering rehab area. 4. Use wipes to initiate decon to clean neck, face, hands and any other exposed areas. 918.6 POST INCIDENT PROCEDURE The following shall be completed prior to leaving the scene: (a) Final gross decon of all tools, PPE and SCBA’s (b) All SCBA masks will be cleaned inside and out with approved MSA wipes. (c) Except for SCBA masks, grossly contaminated PPE shall be placed in a large clear plastic bag and seal it for transportation back to the fire station The following should be completed after leaving the scene: 918.6.1 STATION PROCEDURES (a) Cleaning gloves shall be the minimum PPE used for decontaminating equipment and tools (b) Remove all PPE from sealed garbage bags (c) Thoroughly clean all SCBA’s, masks and equipment using the manufacturer recommended guidelines (d) Wash all exposed hose lines that were used during suppression operations (e) Wash apparatus involved in fire operations (f) Surfaces in the cabs of apparatus should be wiped clean Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Cancer Prevention Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Cancer Prevention - 4 (g) Clean portable radios and straps 1. Use wet wash cloths to clean portable radios 2. Do not immerse radios in water (h) Hang all gear to dry (i) Replace flash hood with clean spare (j) Replace gloves with clean spare set (k) Wash PPE ensembles ASAP (Pants, Coat, Gloves, Flash Hood, etc) 1. When unable to immediately wash structural gear, allow it to air out in the apparatus bay 918.6.2 COMPANY OFFICER OR ACTING OFFICER (a) Will ensure that all hoods and gloves were replaced with clean spares (b) Will ensure that all soiled helmets, hoods and gloves are washed immediately (c) Will ensure all exposure reports are entered into the fire reporting system 918.6.3 PERSONAL PROCEDURES These steps should be completed as soon as practically possible while taking into account call volume, staffing, etc. (a) Shower thoroughly 1. Take a shower, setting the water temperature to the highest temperature tolerable to allow skin pores to open and release any contamination from the skin. 2. Use soaps that do not contain moisturizers. These ingredients promote the adhesion of contaminates to skin. Utilize soap that will be provided through the logistics center. (b) Change into a clean uniform (c) Wash contaminated uniforms in fire station washers only 1. Place uniform into a sealed garbage bag if it cannot be washed immediately or if needs to be transported prior to washing due to a change in station assignment. 2. DO NOT wash contaminated uniforms at home or outside of the fire station. (d) At the end of the shift, members should change into a clean uniform to wear home. 1. It is recommended that members wear civilian clothes to and from the fire station. (e) Transporting PPE 1. It is recommended when transporting contaminated or potentially contaminated PPE via POV to place it in a clear sealed plastic bag and then into the issued gear bag to prevent contaminating the interior of both the gear bag and vehicle. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Cancer Prevention Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Cancer Prevention - 5 2. It is recommended to not store bagged contaminated gear in the passenger compartment of vehicle.