DB 19-13 Reducing Occupational Exposure To Fireground Contaminants And Carcinogens

Question 1

The two routes of greatest concern for firefighter exposure to carcinogens are?

Answer 1

inhalation and absorption.

Question 2

Skin can easily absorb chemicals. What areas of the body are most permeable?

Answer 2

-face
-angle of the jaw
-neck
-throat
-groin

Question 3

The most permeable piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the _________.

Answer 3

-hood

(The hood does not offer vapor, moisture, or smoke protection.)

Question 4

Soot Particles:

Answer 4

• Contaminated PPEs continue exposing wearer to carcinogens
• Contaminants in PPE fabric can wear the other shell down due to micro abrasion

-Contaminants are often PETROCHEMICAL based, LOWERING fire resistiveness of PPE outer shell

Question 5

Which response scenarios can impact firefighter’s health and safety due to the LACK of COMPLIANCE with RESPIRATORY PROTECTION?

Answer 5

-Overhaul
-rubbish
-auto
-“fire out”

Question 6

True or False?

Firefighter culture and peers play a role in PPE compliance.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

What two tools can be used for changing a firefighter’s behavior regarding PPE?

Answer 7

1. Support a firefighter’s individual will.
   (Fire department leaders can strengthen an individual’s will by regularly providing good training and education on safety practices and the potential risks of their work.)
2. Leading by example

Question 8

The first Firefighter Life Safety Initiative from the Everyone Goes Home program instructs firefighters to?

Answer 8

“define and advocate the need for a CULTURAL CHANGE within the fire service relating to SAFETY; incorporating leadership, management, supervision, accountability, and personal responsibility.”

Question 9

As part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to reduce occupational exposure to fireground contaminants,

ALL MEMBERS SHALL:

Answer 9

• Always use SCBA when carbon monoxide has been detected, including when operating at vehicle fires and during overhaul.
• Minimize cross-contamination by not storing gear bag in vehicle or home.
• Shower upon returning to quarters after a working fire and prior to leaving the fire station after shift.
• Cleanse hard surfaces inside of apparatus daily.
• Remove surface contamination and wash SCBAs and other contaminated equipment using soap and water following a working fire.
• Designate, maintain, and strictly enforce a “no PPE zone” in all living areas of the fire station.
• Wash work boots if worn at a working fire.
• Maintain clean PPE by washing the inside liner of helmet with soap and water, rinse off contaminated gear on-scene following a working fire and regularly inspect and clean fireground contaminated PPE.
• Sanitize hands after every response and both before and after using the bathroom.
• Ensure diesel exhaust capture systems are in proper working order and used.

-Remain compliant with the Department’s No Smoking and Tobacco Products Use Policy.

Question 10

Objectives of Departmental Bulletin 19-13:

Answer 10

-Embrace a clean culture regarding contamination and exposure reduction.

-Reduce duty-related cases of cancer.

-Educate members and share information of health threats to firefighters.

-Improve on-scene environmental monitoring and on-scene post-incident personal decontamination.

-Develop health and safety practices to support existing policies, procedures, and tactics.

-Establish Chief Officer, Company Officer, and member responsibilities to eliminate preventable exposures to carcinogens and other harmful contaminants.

-Develop an internal exposure reporting system within the Department’s Injury/Illness Reporting System (IIRS) Program and continue to assess the effectiveness of other exposure reporting systems.

Question 11

From January 2002 to May 2015, _____% of the firefighters on the IAFF Fallen Firefighter Memorial Wall of Honor died from cancer.

Answer 11

60%

(In 2017, 74% of all firefighter line of duty deaths were attributable to cancer.)

Question 12

Skin absorption increases by ____% for every 5 degree increase in skin temperature.

Answer 12

400%

Question 13

In situation ________, firefighters can be LED AWAY from making SAFE CHOICES because those choices are inconvenient or uncomfortable, such as in situations where choosing to be safe and wearing their PPE may invite ridicule and harassment from their peers.

Answer 13

aversion

Question 14

______ and ______Officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of members in their command.

Answer 14

Chief Officers and Company Officers

Question 15

The acceptance of ________ is a far more powerful driver of firefighter BEHAVIOR than are acknowledged safety standards.

Answer 15

Group cultural norms
(e.g., what it means to work as a “real” firefighter)