By Robert Tutterow

Much has been written and spoken about firefighter safety and fire apparatus.

Though a lot has been done, there are still issues that remain, such as seat width. The fire service definitely does not need to lose its focus on apparatus safety. However, the focus needs to be widened to address firefighter health. Specifically, the contamination from the products of combustion to the cab interior and the equipment carried on the apparatus poses health risks.

Typical Scenario

To date, the main focus of contamination has been on personal protective equipment (PPE). This only makes sense because PPE is “personal”-i.e., it is in direct contact with the body. But, what about all the other contaminated equipment firefighters encounter?

The following scenario is common in the U.S. fire service: Firefighters respond to a working fire, engage in suppression, extinguish the fire, and return to the station. A few hours later, they receive a call for a medical emergency. They respond, render aid, package the patient for transport, and return to the station. What just happened? Firefighters wore contaminated gear (especially pants and boots) inside the apparatus cab for the return to the station after fire extinguishment. The seats are cross contaminated. The firefighters respond to the medical emergency wearing the station work uniforms, which become cross contaminated. They then are likely to enter a residence or place of business and spread the contamination. Then they return to the station, again riding on contaminated seats, and go into the station and sit on day room or kitchen chairs. The cross contamination continues.

Not Just the Seats

The previous scenario has other layers. Think about footwear. Is anything more contaminated than the bottoms of boots following a working fire? Firefighters place the bottoms of those boots directly on the apparatus cab floor. An emergency medical service (EMS) call comes in, and the firefighters, wearing the station work shoes, contaminate those shoes when they enter the cab. The contamination then spreads to the scene of the EMS call and eventually back into the fire station.

Aside from PPE, think of all the other equipment on fire apparatus that is contaminated. In fact, try to think of a piece of equipment that is not contaminated. Pieces of equipment that are the most grossly contaminated are attack hose, nozzles, and tool handles.

Solutions?

What are the solutions? Only time will tell as this becomes more of an issue. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network is starting to look at overall contamination, and research grant applications have been submitted to study the problem and identify best practices.

From a design perspective, apparatus manufacturers should consider interior cab finishes that are nonporous and easily cleaned-especially seats and flooring. There have been discussions about removable floor mats for apparatus. Perhaps something like the popular WeatherTech floor liners should be considered. Would the lip pose a trip hazard? These are easily removed, cleaned, and replaced. There have also been suggestions for seat covers that are easily removed and cleaned. Or, perhaps a disposable seat cover is a practical approach.

Decontamination wipes should be as common in and on apparatus as toilet paper in a restroom. The wipes, such as FireWipes, which were introduced at this year’s FDIC International, can be used to wipe the skin as well as parts of the apparatus such as: grab handles, grab rails, door latches, seat belt buckles, steering wheels, seats, etc. The wipes are specifically designed for firefighters to remove car

By Louis Sclafani

As a fire instructor, I have a common theme in all of my classes: Be a professional. By this, I mean you should know your job, know your tools, and always do the right thing. When it comes to driving emergency vehicles, it is no different.

If you have attended FDIC International or even a regional training conference, you may have noticed some of the most well-attended seminars are those that cover driver training. This is one topic that is common to all fire departments, big or small, across the country. Training officers are tasked with either developing or enhancing their driver training programs.

The problem is that we do a lot: fire, emergency medical services (EMS), hazmat, auto extrications, technical rescue, preplans, inspections, public education. Our time is valuable, and we need training in all of these fields. But, the common denominator for all of these tasks is that we drive to each and every one. Whether it’s responding to calls or heading out to training, we get behind the wheel of our trucks for everything we do.

Driver Training Requirements

So, just how much driver training do we get? In many cases, not much. While not all states are the same, most are similar. Let’s consider my home state of Florida. Nothing-no law or statute-says that the driver of a 60,000-pound fire truck responding with lights and sirens has to have any more than a regular old driver’s license. There is no mandatory additional training required. Drive to work in your Prius, and you’re good.

The state does offer an apparatus and pump operator certification. You must attend two 40-hour classes covering apparatus operation and pump operation, and both have a classroom and practical session. After you have successfully passed both of these classes, you can take the state certification test. This is only a written test-no practical testing. Also, it’s a one-and-done certification. There is no recertification requirement. Some departments do require their drivers to obtain this certification, and that’s it-no in-house program other than someone showing you how the truck works. Then again, some departments have an extensive in-house program that complements the certification. The point is: There is no standard, and every department can do as much or as little as it wants. Sadly, many do way too little.

Interestingly, if you hold a paramedic, emergency medical technician, fire inspector, or fire instructor certification, there is a recertification requirement.

Perhaps you are wondering about an emergency vehicle operations course (EVOC) or emergency vehicle driver training (EVDT). We have to do that, right? Again, there is no mandatory requirement to drive a fire truck. If you are an EMS provider, the HRS rules governing EMS do require EVDT. So if you don’t deliver EMS, there is no requirement unless it is required by your insurance carrier.

What about the Insurance Services Office (ISO)? Surely it has a training requirement. Actually, it does. To meet ISO’s training requirement, you need 240 hours of company training. If you happen to be a driver, 12 of those hours should be driver-related. This is a broad statement. This means you could do pump training, watch a video, do a group discussion, etc. and meet the requirement. It does not give specific direction on topics to be covered. As far as it being mandatory or not, it all depends. Some departments put a lot of effort into meeting ISO requirements; some not so much.

Finally this brings us to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program, suggests that departments follow the guidelines