Cancer Prevention Procedures SOP 103.01

Question 1

Effective date of SOP 103.01?

Answer 1

12/01/2016

Question 2

What do today’s residential fires have more in common with now than ever before?

Answer 2

HAZMAT events

Question 3

Why do today’s fires have more in common with HAZMAT events than ever before?

Answer 3

Due to the materials now common in home such as plastics and synthetics

Question 4

What do commercial and vehicle fires have that are common to HAZMAT events?

Answer 4

Highly concentrated toxic ants

Question 5

What do dumpster fires have in common with HAZMAT events?

Answer 5

Completely unknown substances and toxicants

Question 6

What are firefighters exposed to during fire ground operations?

Answer 6

Many known carcinogens

Question 7

What are Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)?

Answer 7

Carcinogens found as a result of burning rubber or plastic

Question 8

What kind of exposure do firefighters have to PAH’s even while wearing full protective ensemble?

Answer 8

Systemic exposures

Question 9

What are 3 ways that firefighters are exposed to PAH’s?

Answer 9

1. Absorbed through skin during firefighting
2. Inhaled due to incomplete or improperly worn PPE while close to a source of exposure
3. Inhaled from the off-gassing of contaminated gear

Question 10

How long can contaminated gear continue off-gassing?

Answer 10

Several hours or even days after an exposure

Question 11

When are the cancer prevention procedures to be followed?

Answer 11

When responding to incidents that expose personnel to the products of combustion

Question 12

When is an individual considered exposed to carcinogens?

Answer 12

Anytime they come into contact with the products of combustion

Question 13

When is wearing an SCBA critical?

Answer 13

During all aspects of firefighting including:
Size up
Search and rescue
Active firefighting
Ventilation
Overhaul

Question 14

Should an SCBA be worn in post-fire environments including the investigation of the fire scene?

Answer 14

YES

Question 15

What may investigators wear if approved by the fire Marshall?

Answer 15

Alternatively approved filter mask

Safety glasses

Question 16

Who must approve investigators to wear an alternatively approved filter mask and safety goggles in lieu of an SCBA during investigations?

Answer 16

The Fire Marshall

Question 17

What should be removed last on the fire ground to minimize exposure?

Answer 17

SCBA

Question 18

Should contaminated gear be in the rehab area?

Answer 18

NO it should be segregated when possible

Question 19

What should the individual do prior to entering rehab?

Answer 19

Clean off head, neck, jaw, throat, hands, arms, underarms, etc with approved method prior to entering rehab

Question 20

What should be done prior to eating any food?

Answer 20

Wash hands thoroughly

Question 21

What can be used to remove as much soot as possible from head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms, and hands immediately and continually while on scene?

Answer 21

Wipes

Question 22

What should be done to PPE on scene?

Answer 22

Gross decontamination to remove as much soot and particulate as possible

Question 23

If PPE has considerable contamination how may it be decontaminated on scene?

Answer 23

Wash it down with a red line or other means prior to removing it

Question 24

What should be done with gear after it has been decontaminated before it is put on the rig?

Answer 24

Bag it up

Question 25

If another fire call comes in with gear bagged up what should be done?

Answer 25

Take it out of the bag for the call and re-bag it at the completion of the second incident

Question 26

What is a critical exposure area on the body?

Answer 26

The neck

Question 27

Because the neck is a critical exposure area what piece of contaminated PPE should be replaced with a clean one immediately?

Answer 27

Hood

Question 28

How often should hoods be washed?

Answer 28

Once a week to keep them free from contamination

Question 29

Being considered a clean zone for the fire station means what?

Answer 29

Keep all exposed PPE out of the living and sleeping quarters

Question 30

If personnel have 2 sets of bunker gear what should occur after exposure?

Answer 30

Place the back up gear on the rig and wash the contaminated gear as soon as possible

Question 31

If personnel only have 1 set of gear what should happen after an exposure?

Answer 31

Keep contaminated gear bagged up until the end of the shift. If needed for an incident take it out and re-bag at completion Wash gear at the end of the shift and have the oncoming shift hang the gear to dry

Question 32

How should contaminated gear be washed?

Answer 32

Either in an extractor or if station is not equipped with an extractor wash gear with a water hose

Question 33

When should personnel shower and change into clean clothes?

Answer 33

Immediately after returning from the fire ground

Question 34

Where should contaminated clothes be stored?

Answer 34

In a protected environment until they can be washed

Question 35

When should the fire apparatus be decontaminated?

Answer 35

After returning to quarters

Question 36

When a vehicle is to be left running for any amount of time where should it be placed?

Answer 36

Outside on the front or rear ramp

Question 37

If small motors are going to be left running during equipment checks where should they be placed?

Answer 37

Outside of the station bay

Question 38

Should contaminated clothes or PPE be taken home?

Answer 38

NO

Question 39

Should contaminated clothes or PPE be stored in your vehicle?

Answer 39

NO