keeping it safe robert tutterow
When the fire is out, what do you do with the contaminated equipment? This is another column that is an output of the Cancer Alliance Symposium held last September in Phoenix, Arizona.
One of the workshops centered around the topic of vehicles and exposures, and I was honored to be the presenter. However, I was confronted with a big problem—there is very little information available on the subject. In past columns, I have addressed the cab interiors with an emphasis on seats, flooring, and design, and I have also addressed removing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) from the cab.
In this month’s column, I am presenting thoughts on how to handle contaminated equipment from a vehicle perspective. Paramount to this discussion is the goal of not having contaminated equipment on or in the apparatus. How is this accomplished? There is a variety of ways for departments to consider.
Decontamination Units
One concept is to think of dedicated decontamination units on a regional basis. A somewhat comparable concept is the way we refill SCBA cylinders. Does every fire station have a stationary or mobile cylinder refill station? Of course not. They are regionalized. What about hazmat decontamination units? Obviously, not every station or every department has a dedicated decontamination unit. However, most departments have access to a regional decontamination unit. A regional decontamination unit for contaminated equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) is not a far-fetched thought. I know the idea is being seriously discussed in South Florida. To underscore this idea, it is important to consider a fire as a hazmat incident. Jeff Stull, International Fire Personnel Protection, is clearly one of the foremost experts on exposures, and he is of the thought that fires are more of a hazmat incident than most hazmat incidents as we consider them today. Regional decontamination units could range from large tractor-drawn rigs to “engine-size” rigs to trailers.
Following the presentation on vehicles and exposures, attendees participated in a survey to gather additional information. One of the questions was: “Do you think a mobile decontamination unit is feasible for larger departments, and, on a regional basis, for smaller departments?” Fifty-nine percent thought this was feasible, and 41 percent did not. Clearly, the idea has merit, though there are skeptics.
Another related question was: “If yes, what equipment should be included with that unit?” The answers included larger scale portable showers, soap, brushes, hand wash stations, change of clothing, water, refrigerators, bags for contaminated gear, spare SCBA, etc. A couple of respondents commented that existing hazmat decon units could be used.
Decontamination Kits
The above concept is primarily for structure fires involving more than one company or department. But, what about the smaller fires that require only one company or unit, such as a car fire or dumpster fire? A regional decontamination unit is probably not the solution. A more practical approach is that every engine company (and perhaps ladder companies and heavy rescues, depending on the department) should have a decontamination kit. The post workshop survey contained a question that asked: “What items should be included for an ongoing scene decontamination kit carried on an engine/ladder/rescue?” Responses included buckets, scrub brushes, soap, wipes, gloves, towels, sunscreen, garbage bags for contaminated PPE, spare hoods, garden hose, etc.
Other Solutions
It should be mentioned that studies have concluded that a wet cleaning is far more effective than dry brushing or using an air hose. Also, fire departments should consider retrofitting their apparatus so a heavy-duty garden hose can be attached to the pump panel for wet decontamination. The Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, headquartered in Kent, Washington, and known for its publication and video titled “Healthy In-Healthy Out,” retrofitted its fleet at a cost of less than $75 per unit. The beauty of the design is that the mechanic was able to access the heat exchanger, so the water being used is warm water. For new trucks, apparatus manufacturers can also do this if you put it in your specifications.
There has been lot of emphasis on decontamination of turnout gear, and rightly so. However, firefighting equipment should also be cleaned. Perhaps it is time to do a thorough cleaning of contaminated fire hose, hand tools, SCBA, and other equipment that accumulates carcinogens on the scene. Perhaps a mobile decon until could carry spare equipment to replenish a company so it can get back in service and let the cleaning occur later, maybe even at a central cleaning facility.
Decontamination is a cultural issue, and the culture is changing rapidly in some areas of the country. The idea is not going away as increasingly firefighters are realizing the way we did things in the past when it relates to exposures is not the way to go now and in the future.
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 34-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.).
