102.04 Post Fire Decontamination (Week 4) Flashcards
West Palm Beach Fire Department is a leader in the industry on….
Cancer prevention for its firefighters.
A combination of ___________ __________ and ______________ ____________ will help to reduce the incident of cancer in west palm beach firefighters.
Medical physicals
Operational procedures
A transition has begun toward a ________ ______ _______ for our apparatus
Clean cab concept
Future apparatus will be designed to store all equipment used in IDLH atmosphere where in order to reduce exposure over time.
Outside of the passenger compartment
These changes along with the enforcement of the ___________ _________ will protect firefighters from unnecessary exposure to carcinogens
Tobacco Policy
Asbestos
A demonstrated human carcinogen that causes lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings; also known to cause a serious lung disorder known as asbestosis.
Contaminated
The presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of nuisance materials foreign to the normal atmosphere, blood, hazardous waste, or other potentially infectious materials on an item of surface.
Contamination
The process of transferring a hazardous material from its source to people, animals, the environment, which may act as a carrier.
Classes of contamination:
Class 0
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
Class 0 contamination
New, out of the package
Class 1 contamination
Exposed to light smoke or other contaminants in an open air environment
Class 2 contamination
Exposed to light smoke or other contamination’s in a closed environment
Exposed to median/heavy smoke or other contaminants in an open air environment
Class 3 contamination
Exposed to medium/heavy smoke or other contaminants in a closed environment.
Exposed to medium/heavy smoke or other contaminants in an open air environment.
Class 4 contamination
Immersive exposure to dark, thick heavy smoke or hydrocarbon-based liquids or bodily fluids soaking into the material.
Decontamination:
The physical or chemical process of reducing and preventing the spread of contamination from persons or equipment used at an incident.
Levels of decontamination
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 1 decontamination
Using a soft bristled brush to remove any particulate
Level 2 decontamination
After brushing, using a light pressured (<15 psi) fog pattern water stream to rinse the exterior of the gear. High pressure causes increased imbedding of particulate.
Level 3 decontamination
After brushing, before water is added, spot clean any heavily stained areas of the garment with department approved cleaner.
This gear will be transported in an outside compartment or bagged.
This gear will be washed in a WPBFD extractor machine and dried prior to being placed back in service.
Level 4 decontamination
Gear will be bagged at the scene, for transportation, or as soon as possible to prevent contaminating other surfaces and and turned into logistics to be sent out for contract cleaning.
Full personal protective equipment
Helmet
Bunker coat
Nomex hood
Bunker pants
Boots
Gloves
Suspenders
Mask
Self contained breathing apparatus
Hazardous atmosphere
Any atmosphere, either immediately or not immediately dangerous to life or health, which is oxygen deficient or which contains a toxic or disease-producing contaminant.
Overhaul
The portion of fire extinguishment involving discovery of hidden fires or smoldering materials.
Guidelines at the fire station
- Always have a 2nd set of uniforms on hand for your tours of duty.
- Do not idle or run vehicles in apparatus bays unless leaving or returning from station
- Do not run internal combustion engines in bays. Ensure the proper use of diesel exhaust containment/scrub systems in stations equipped with these systems.
- Ensure the proper sealing and closure of doors leading to living areas of the station.
- Keep bunker gear (PPE) out of living areas of all facilities
- Wash hands thoroughly after running/ checking/ cleaning tools and equipment. Use medical cloves if unable to wash hands
