Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service Fire Chief's General Order 14-10 (PDF)

"Fire Chief General Orders & Information Bulletin" *14-10 – Station, Apparatus, and Equipment Security *16-07 – Respiratory Protection/Cancer Risk Reduction *17-15 – Multi-Patient Dispatch Assignments *18-03 – Utility Task Vehicle Us *19-03 – Leaving Hospital Status *19-04 – Reporting Legal and Admi...

"Fire Chief General Orders & Information Bulletin" *14-10 – Station, Apparatus, and Equipment Security *16-07 – Respiratory Protection/Cancer Risk Reduction *17-15 – Multi-Patient Dispatch Assignments *18-03 – Utility Task Vehicle Us *19-03 – Leaving Hospital Status *19-04 – Reporting Legal and Administrative Actions *20-03 – Infection Control and Hazard Exposure Reduction Manuals (select pages) *20-06 – Use of MCFRS Ambulances for Non-Medical Transports or Reasons *20-07 – ALS to BLS downgrade *21-01 – Fire Routine Incident Responses *21-07 – Protective Measures for Novel Hazards *21-08 – Ambulance Cot & Stair Chair Management *22-01 – Montgomery County Systems – Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) *22-03 – Paramedic Chase Unit (Chase Car) Staffing *22-04 – Leave-Behind Naloxone & Urgent Follow-Up Program *22-05 – Pets, Service Animals and Working Dogs in MCFRS Stations, Facilities & Vehicles *23-01 – Non-Emergency Discharge of Water into the Environment *Information Bulletin 16-02 – Suspicious Activity Reporting Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Fire Chief's, General Order, NUMBER: 14-10 May 8, 2014 TO: All MCFRS Personnel FROM: Fire Chief Steven E. Lohr SUBJECT: Station, Apparatus, and Equipment Security Some jurisdictions have experienced the theft of fire/rescue equipment and apparatus, which later have been used for illegal activity. We all know that MCFRS apparatus and stations contain sensitive equipment and information that are critical to the safety and security of our community. MCFRS personnel are responsible for ensuring the security of our stations, apparatus, and equipment. The unit officer is responsible for maintaining the security of the unit and its equipment. While on emergency incidents, reasonable effort must be made to leave a crew member with the apparatus and equipment. While conducting routine business, (inspections, shopping, etc.), apparatus and equipment should never be left unattended. One crew member must remain with the apparatus at all times. While parked at most stations and MCFRS facilities, apparatus and equipment may be left unattended only if within sight of MCFRS personnel. Stations must remain secured at all times and ready for response. When leaving the station, crews must ensure that bay doors have closed, or will close automatically. Apparatus bay doors must remain closed unless fire rescue personnel are actively engaged in activities in the apparatus bays, or have direct visual observation. All suspicious activity and/or loss/theft must be reported immediately to the station officer. For questions or clarification, contact the Division of Operations Chief.  Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service FIRE CHIEF’S GENERAL ORDER FCGO: 16-07 June 17, 2016 Page 1 of 3 TO: All MCFRS Personnel FROM: Fire Chief Scott E. Goldstein SUBJECT: Respiratory Protection I Cancer Risk Reduction This Fire Chief’s General Order supersedes and rescinds FCGO 14-11. MCFRS Policy 26-06AMll Respiratory Protection Policy requires the use of Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) in atmospheres that are Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) and in "hazardous and/or toxic atmospheres”. A hazardous and toxic atmosphere is defined by Policy 26- 06AMll as "... an environment that may present or contain respiratory hazards during MCFRS activities, including, but not limited to, those related to overhaul, hazardous materials, EMS, and cause & origin operations”. In light of the growing scientific information linking cancer to firefighting, and in an effort to promote the health and wellness of MCFRS personnel, the use (as defined in Policy 26-06AMll) of appropriate RPE during the entirety of overhaul operations is mandatory. By making the use of appropriate RPE during the entirety of overhaul operations mandatory, MCFRS strives to reduce the incidence of cancer among all MCFRS personnel. It is assumed that during overhaul, compartments (rooms, hallways, etc) in structures contain respiratory hazards. When overhaul begins, personnel must continue to use SCBA until conditions meet the parameters outlined below. The issued N95 particulate masks only provide protection from the inhalation of particulate matter, which, for the purposes of this FCGO, includes aerosols. In order to reduce the level of respiratory protection from SCBA to particulate filter masks, all of the following requirements must be met: 1. Each compartment where personnel will be working must be evaluated individually by a Safety Officer, Haz-Mat Officer (HMO), or Chief Officer; 2. The compartment to be tested must be free of visible smoke; 3. Forced-air ventilation using a non-carbon-monoxide generating fan will be in place before any readings are taken;  FCGO: 16-07 Respiratory Protection / Cancer Risk Reduction June 17, 2016 Page 2 of 3 4. Meter readings and atmospheric conditions must be within the limits established by the Safety Section Chief; and 5. Only particulate filter masks issued by MCFRS may be used The Safety Officer (or Chief or HMO with a meter), with the approval of the Incident Commander, may allow personnel to downgrade their respiratory protection during overhaul if all of the conditions listed above are met. The Incident Commander will ensure that the minimum PPE used by personnel conducting overhaul is: 1. Issued particulate mask 2. Long sleeved shirt 3. Gloves 4. Issued eye protection 5. Helmet 6. Issued turnout pants and boots The Incident Commander or designee will also ensure that: 1. No turnout gear is present in the rehab area. 2. The rehab area is free from vehicle exhaust, smoke, or other obvious contaminants. 3. Personnel entering the rehab area wipe all exposed skin surfaces with a cleansing wipes. Personnel should try to remove as much soot as possible from the head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms, and hands. Personnel should review the overhaul information on quicklinks for more details. 4. Food consumed in the rehab area can be eaten without being touched by bare hands unless hand washing is available. 5. Grossly soiled gear is decontaminated by at least brushing off visible contamination before it is donned again or transported in apparatus.  FCGO: 16-07 Respiratory Protection / Cancer Risk Reduction June 17, 2016 Page 3 of 3 Unit Officers will ensure that: 1. Personnel do not wear grossly soiled gear in the passenger compartment of apparatus. 2. Whenever possible, grossly soiled gear is transported back to the station in a separate compartment. 3. Apparatus windows are left open for at least 1 hour after personnel return from suppression or overhaul operations. This is necessary to allow trapped gasses and vapors to escape. 4. Personnel wear hand protection when cleaning or replacing equipment on the scene to include repacking of hose lines. Personnel are responsible to: 1. Clean themselves to remove as much soot as possible from the head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms, and hands. 2. Ensure that they wear at least an issued particulate filter mask and EMS grade gloves when cleaning equipment that contains any visible particulate matter including dry soot, insulation, drywall dust and similar post-fire contaminants. 3. Ensure that they shower as soon possible after each fire. 4. Ensure that they change their clothes as soon as possible after each fire. 5. Wash their firefighting hood, firefighting gloves and utility gloves at least once a month or after each gross contamination 6. Whenever possible, keep a clean second set of gear available for use. 7. Be mindful of transferring contaminates hand-to-mouth while riding on apparatus. *Note: This FCGO also modifies MCFRS Policy 26-06AMll Respiratory Protection Policy, Section 4(d)2 and removes the restrictions on the use of particulate filtering masks. Further inquiries should be made to the Operations Executive Office via chain-of- command  MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE Isiah Leggett Scott E. Goldstein County Executive Fire Chief July 4, 2016 /j To: MCFRS Personnel A/J From: Assistant Chief John J. Gallo Subject: Established Atmospheric Conditions & Meter Readings - FCGO 16-07 MCFRS personnel are exposed to a range of chemical contaminants both inhaled and transdermal while engaged in emergency operations. These exposures are linked to certain types of cancers. Personnel also experience heat stress which lead to elevated core body temperatures. Core body temperature elevation is linked to adverse blood chemistry changes. The focus of Fire Chiefs General Order 16-07 is an attempt to strike a balance between these two risks. When a heat index is greater than 80 degrees, we will engineer an air quality solution, monitor the atmosphere, and allow the downgrade of respiratory and personal protective gear during overhaul. When the heat index is below 80 degrees, there is no benefit gained in reducing protection levels. Below are decision points for the Incident Commander to consider before allowing personnel to downgrade their level of respiratory and personal protective equipment in accordance with the Fire Chiefs General Order 16-07. Atmospheric Conditions: 1. The heat index is 80 degrees or greater (using the 20850 zip code). 2. The heat Index is a combination of the air temperature and the relatively humidity. 3. MCFRS follows the IAFF recommendation to add 10 degrees to the air temperature to account for heat retention of turn-out gear. 4. The OSHA Heat Index Smartphone App is the primary source for heat index determination. 5. In the absence of the OSHA Heat Index Smartphone App, the heat index will be calculated using the air temperature and relative humidity provided by ECC, referencing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency heat index chart. [http://www.srh.noaa.gov/epz/?n=wxcalc heatindex] 6. There is no visible smoke. 7. Existence and continued use of forced air ventilation with a non CO generating fan prior to any meter readings. Health & Wellness Section 100 Edison Park Drive, 2nd Floor Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878-3204 240-777-2219 240-777-0725 TTY 240-777-2443 FAX www.montgomerycountymd.gov montgomerycountymd.gov/311 311 tiUO!li ·il· i II 301-251-4850 TTY Meter Use: 1. The meter user's sole responsibility is to monitor the scene atmosphere and may not serve in any other capacity. 2. Meters must be used in accordance with established equipment operating protocols. 3. Meters cannot be used when there is visible smoke. 4. Metering must be continuous with the frequency of checks not to exceed 15-minutes for each compartment. Minimum Sensor Compliment: 1. 02 sensor with alarm set at 20.7% 2. CO sensor with alarm set at 25 PPM 3. HCN sensor with alarm set at 5 PPM 4. PID 10.6 EV bulb with alarm set at 10 PPM Continued Mandatory SCBA Requirements: 1. If the meter user witnesses any of the following they must immediately recommend the returned use of SCBA: a. The activation of any alarm on the meter. b. Tearing, even in the absence of meter readings. c. Any person complaining of shortness of breath or other respiratory complaints. d. Any person complaining of eye or skin irritation. e. Any time the presence of any substance or container larger than is typical for household use of known or suspected to contain any hazardous material or substance. e.g., pesticides, pool chemicals, etc... Additional Considerations: 1. It is possible for personnel to require respiratory protection because of sensor readings while it is still safe enough for personnel to trade out their turnout coat in exchange for a long sleeved shirt. 2. If there are insufficient resources, either meters or personnel, to implement this process, personnel must not be allowed to downgrade their respiratory protection. This document is meant to be used in conjunction with MCFRS Policy 26-06AMII (Respiratory Protection), FCGO 16-07 (Respiratory Protection/Cancer Risk Reduction) and the Fire Overhaul Risk Management self-study program produced by Assistant Chief Charles Bailey. Additional training materials are provided in Quicklinks under the Human Resources Division tab within the Safety drop down selection. 1>-'-'- M10,f> mr: Additional questions can be addressed to the Health & Welffi's '(;hief. * cc: File