Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow
Preliminary exposure reduction (PER) is the term used for on-scene personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment cleaning, sometimes referred to as decontamination.
The term PER was an output of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Technical Committee responsible for NFPA 1851, Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, soon to be NFPA 1850, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The thinking behind this decision is that the term decontamination implies an item, in this case PPE, is no longer contaminated. With that being said, the term decon, or gross decon, seems to still be the default term used by many. Clearly, it is nearly impossible to completely decontaminate while still on the scene. However, with good PER practices, it is possible to remove up to 85% of contaminants. This is clearly a necessary step in minimizing exposure to carcinogens and other harmful substances resulting from the products of combustion.
Recently, I had an opportunity to see five product lines related to PER that were all developed by firefighters. I found the products to be well thought out, robust in design and build, and user-friendly. After all, they were designed by firefighters!
The first product line was developed by a team of veteran Phoenix, Arizona, firefighters, led by Jason Miller. It is called the StormStick Decon System. The system is designed around a portable shower-type rectangular metal tube about 3.5 feet long that has four nozzles strategically located along the tube. It is for cleaning a firefighter’s PPE while the firefighter is still wearing his ensemble, including the SCBA. The tube can be mounted on a grab rail of the apparatus or installed on a tripod if setup away from the apparatus is preferred. The system has an inline detergent system, and the company sells “detergent” packs specifically designed for the inline detergent container. There is a quick-attach adapter for the StormStick water line to be attached to a 2.5-inch side or rear discharge. In most cases, this will probably be left attached to the discharge. The system self-regulates the water flow and water pressure. In addition, the system comes with brushes specially designed to scrub the firefighter. The company also offers a sponsorship program whereby a company or individual can sponsor a fire truck to receive the StormStick system.
While there has been considerable interest in PER as it relates to PPE, there has been less interest in PER as it relates to other firefighting equipment. One of the most contaminated pieces of equipment is fire hose, especially interior attack lines. However, a retired Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, firefighter, Henry Costco, has developed a very effective hose cleaning machine. The machine is manufactured by Barth, a Germany-based company. In developing the machine, Costco worked with Dr. Bryan Ormond at North Carolina State University, known for its work with emergency responders’ PPE, to determine the machine’s cleaning effectiveness. The findings revealed that the machine removed a substantial amount of carcinogenic soot and particulates. The machine is designed to be used on the fire scene as part of PER. This is also the time that the cleaning process is most effective. The design is such that it will fit in the compartment of an apparatus and takes up about as much room as a positive pressure ventilation fan. The machine uses two scrub brushes and four spray nozzles to clean the hose. Only one person is needed to pull the hose through the machine as it cleans both sides of the uncharged hoseline when passing through. This is an excellent machine for minimizing contaminants that firefighters must handle when repacking hose on the apparatus. And, it minimizes the off gassing of the hose once the rig is back in the station.
Another product line, called the DOT System, offers encapsulating bags for transporting contaminated PPE and equipment. Developed by firefighters in Sweden, the bags are available with welded seams and gas-tight zippers to prevent gas from escaping. The bags can be cleaned in an extractor and reused repeatedly.
Many departments now carry wipes on their rigs to wipe firefighters’ face and neck areas. Not all these wipes are suitable, as it has been found that cancer-causing chemicals are present in a few of them. Avoid wipes that contain aloe or alcohol. However, a chief from Texas has developed a product called Responder Wipes, which use Micellar Water that effectively removes the contaminants and hydrates the skin. Both the Responder Wipes and the DOT System are approved by “HEALTHY FIREFIGHTER,” the Skelleftea Model—i.e., the Swedish way.
Finally, an often-forgotten source of contamination is the radio strap. A group of firefighters from Florida has a sealed strap that is waterproof and easily decontaminated. I have heard of a firefighter putting his radio strap in a pan of water (with a bit of dishwashing liquid added) and placing it on the kitchen table during lunch. By the time lunch was over, the water had turned to a dark amber color.
I think all these fire service members are to be commended for realizing a need to be healthier and developing products that work to make us all healthier.
ROBERT TUTTEROW retired as safety coordinator for the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. His 44-year career includes 10 as a volunteer. He has been very active in the National Fire Protection Association through service on the Fire Service Section Executive Board and technical committees involved with safety, apparatus, and personal protective equipment. He is a founding member and president of the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.).
