Decontamination.pdf

SOG Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department 332 Fire Procedure Manual Decontamination Protective Ensemble 332.1 FIRST FIVE MINUTES The first arriving Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Company Officer must lead by example and set clear expectations concerning awareness, prevention and essenti...

SOG Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department 332 Fire Procedure Manual Decontamination Protective Ensemble 332.1 FIRST FIVE MINUTES The first arriving Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Company Officer must lead by example and set clear expectations concerning awareness, prevention and essential operational changes necessary to minimize exposure to carcinogens and other toxins. This action has the most influence concerning the team's attitude, operations, and willingness to reduce exposure. The IC is responsible for the prevention of exposures and wellness activities after potential carcinogen producing events (structure fire, live fire training, hazardous materials incidents, etc. This includes: (a) protect co-workers health and safety by adhering to the following procedures (b) determine if decontamination may be necessary for exposed or contaminated civilians and/or emergency responders. 1. There are two types of Decontamination (Emergency/Gross Decontamination and Technical/Secondary Decontamination). 2. Ensure all members are given ample and appropriate time to properly decontaminate themselves, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and equipment. To provide for an orderly and systematic process this Gross Decontamination process shall be utilized for all fires where Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn and exposed to products of combustion. This shall include brush fires, vehicle fires, training fires and/or any other emergency or non-emergency incident where the combustion process occurs. The marking of formal isolation or control zones may not occur at every fire incident. Some incidents will require different levels of "decon" and the IC and Company Officers will determine the level of decontamination to be utilized. Assign a sufficient number of personnel trained in decon activities to staff the decon group to conduct decon activities based on available resources and scene conditions. All personnel should be aware that isolation or control zones still exist. Research has shown modern day fires produces harmful toxins (which may include Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Volatile Organic Compounds, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide etc…). It is important to keep in that mind many of these toxins are colorless odorless gases. 332.2 332.3 332.3.1 GROSS DECONTAMINATION-POST FIRE-ON SCENE (a) Preparation Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Decontamination Protective Ensemble - 1 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Decontamination Protective Ensemble 1. All members of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department shall protect themselves and their co-workers' health and safety by adhering to the following procedures. These guidelines provide a basic framework for most incidents. The Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department recognizes that Company Officers and Chief Officers have the training and experience to make modifications to this guideline based on the nature and extent of the incident. 2. The Driver Operator shall ensure that the apparatus tank water or any water used in the decon process is from a clean municipal (hydrant) water source and is not stagnant or contaminated water. 3. Personnel may find it beneficial to assemble and maintain a personal "Go-Bag" with a clean uniform that can be accessed after any incident where they've been exposed to harmful substances. (a) 4. (b) Personnel shall be ready at all times to implement these health improving and protective procedures. Set-up 1. Generally, Gross Decontamination should be setup by the first arriving suppression apparatus closest to the incident where products of combustion exist. 2. It shall be the Driver Operators responsibility to establish and oversee the Gross Decontamination area and process. 3. The Gross Decontamination area shall be designated by deploying an approved decon Hose Line and marking the nozzle location with a green safety cone. (a) 4. (c) Recommended items would include:Class D uniform (where applicable), socks, clean footwear, "boonie" style hat, towel, sun protection, etc. The decon Hose Line shall include a booster nozzle from the initial suppression apparatus to not embed toxins into any fabrics, the nozzle shall be set to high flow and low pressure. To facilitate Gross Decontamination of multiple personnel, additional decon Hose Lines from other suppression apparatus in proximity may be required. Process 1. All combat personnel including fire investigators that were exposed to products of combustion shall perform Gross Decontamination prior to entering Rehab or leaving the scene. After exiting the Hot Zone, it is recommended that crews will remain on air when possible and report directly to the designated Decon Hose Line. While remaining on air when possible, personnel shall rinse off debris and products of combustion in a systematic and thorough manner from the collarline down, being mindful of higher potential collection points like the armpit and groin areas. Personnel shall be careful to not saturate the inner lining of the PPE. The goal is to keep the PPE operationally dry on the interior, but rinsed as clean as possible on the exterior. Soft bristle scrub brushes and department approved Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Decontamination Protective Ensemble - 2 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Decontamination Protective Ensemble soap/cleaner may be used to facilitate a cleaner process. In all cases, follow NFPA 1851 and the manufacturers recommendations when cleaning PPE. 2. 3. After rinsing the exterior portion of the PPE, personnel may go off air and begin to doff their PPE. (a) All PPE, other than bunker pants and fire boots, shall be left in a prepared Drop Zone. (b) The Drop Zone shall be located in the warm zone. (c) The Drop Zone shall be remote and downwind of Rehab due to off gassing PPE. Next, personnel will have the option to use department approved wipes and/or individual soap bars for a gross cleaning of their head, neck, face, hands and any other exposed areas as deemed necessary. (d) Reporting to Rehab – If exposed personnel are to report to Rehab, they shall first go through the Gross Decontamination process. Once in Rehab, personnel shall lower their bunker pants to allow for rapid cooling and increase the distance between off gassing contaminated gear and their groin and respiratory system. (e) Reporting for an Assignment – There will be times that crews will be called from Rehab back into operations. Personnel shall report ready for assignment as requested. If any new assignment involves further exposure to products of combustion (i.e. Overhaul, Secondary Search, retrieving hose lines, etc), the crew shall then go back through the Gross Decontamination process as stated above. (f) Release from the Scene – To keep the cab of the apparatus as clean as possible and avoid transferring toxins and harmful products back to the fire house, it is extremely important to perform these Gross Decontamination processes prior to leaving the scene. (g) Once released by command and prior to leaving the scene, it is recommended that bunker pants, bunker coats and bunker boots be bagged at the scene using department approved bags (at least 6 mil thickness). The bag opening will be twisted and taped closed, then "goose-necked"(folded over on itself, and twisted and taped a second time). This procedure will prevent off gassing to occur into the apparatus cab or in the "Clean-Cab areas. All other equipment (helmets and liners, SCBA packs and cylinders, tools, radio straps, etc...) will be thoroughly cleaned using water and any available department approved cleaner. Soft bristle scrub brushes should be used to facilitate a cleaner process. Radios shall be wiped with department approved wipes. Once the gear is cleaned it may then be loaded into the apparatus cab. (h) Personal Protection Equipment Exchange – Personnel determined by the Incident Commander and/or Incident Safety Officer to have been exposed shall have their hood and gloves exchanged prior to leaving the scene Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Decontamination Protective Ensemble - 3 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Decontamination Protective Ensemble 332.3.2 DECONTAMINATION-POST FIRE-AT THE STATION (a) It is highly recommended that all personnel exposed to the products of combustion, or any potentially harmful chemical (or biological) toxins, complete a full personal decontamination as soon as possible after the exposure. (b) Showering within the hour shall be a priority. Showering with the department approved cleaner or soap and water at a minimum will reduce the absorption rate of toxins into the body. (c) The following steps shall be taken immediately upon arrival at the fire station to include, but not limited to: 1. Perform a more thorough decontamination of equipment (radio, tools, fire hose, etc.) following NFPA 1851 and manufacturers recommendations. 2. Perform a more thorough decontamination of PPE (helmet, bunker gear, SCBA, etc.) following NFPA 1851 and manufacturers recommendations. 3. Perform a thorough decontamination of the apparatus cab. 4. Return apparatus to a state of readiness. 5. Take a shower within the hour after being exposed to any products of combustion. 6. Change into a clean Class D daily station wear 7. Wash all station attire in an approved washing machine. 332.3.3 POST DECONTAMINATION (a) Ability to Respond - Cleaned PPE ensembles should be hung on a rack to improve drying times and allow for the continued off-gassing of the interior components.Fans should be used to facilitate this process when possible. A priority shall be placed on positioning PPE in such a way that it shall not hinder rapid turn-out times. (b) Maintaining Readiness - All personnel shall ensure there is a clean apparatus cab. The potential for secondary exposures during routine apparatus use is high and must be limited. To aide in reducing secondary exposures, apparatus cabs shall be cleaned and decontaminated on a regular basis. 332.4 DECONTAMINATION OF COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION AND FIRE INVESTIGATORS The Incident Commander shall have no less than one (1) apparatus remain on scene to provide the responding Community Risk Reduction personnel with: (a) Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (b) Equipment (c) Decontamination 1. Upon exiting the scene, Community Risk Reduction Division personnel shall be decontaminated by Operations Division personnel in the same manner as Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Decontamination Protective Ensemble - 4 Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Fire Procedure Manual Decontamination Protective Ensemble Operations Division personnel leaving a working fire would be as outlined in 307.3.1 GROSS DECONTAMINATION-POST FIRE-ON SCENE 2. This decontamination process will happen each time the Community Risk Reduction Division personnel exit the scene 3. Investigators are also required follow Decontamination - 307.3.2 DECONTAMINATION-POST FIRE-AT THE STATION, and 307.3.3 POST DECONTAMINATION listed above Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/11/08, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department ***DRAFT*** Decontamination Protective Ensemble - 5