Thomasville Fire Rescue recently purchased state-of-the-art equipment that will assist with efforts to reduce the exposure of firefighters to cancer-causing agents in their turnout gear. The purchases of Extractor washing machines and Firehouse Express Dryers in fire stations provides a specialized system that meets standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for removing the majority of carcinogens and particulates in turnout gear.
TFR Interim Fire Chief Tim Connell believes that the long-term protection of his firefighters is of grave importance. “It is critical to be proactive in preventing cancer amongst firefighters,” he said. “Research tells us that firefighters face a nine percent increase in cancer diagnoses, and a fourteen percent increase in cancer-related deaths compared to the general population in the U.S.”
Connell believes that purchasing the Extractors and Express Dryers is another major step in TFR’s continued efforts to protect their firefighters from long-term health issues through the maintenance of their gear. “The combination of the two specialized machines will extract higher levels of cancer-causing agents while maintaining critical materials in the outer shell of their gear.” Prior to the addition of the dryers, crews would hang their turnout gear to dry, exposing them to ultra violet rays which deteriorates and breaks down the protective elements of turnout gear. “These pieces of equipment along with our decontamination policy that applies to the care of turnout gear after leaving the scene of a working fire will better align us with NFPA standards,” said Connell.
The NFPA Code 1581 provides fire departments with the minimum requirements for an infection control program in order to limit the potential of an infectious exposure to members while performing their daily duties. Said Connell, “This code provides us the necessary guidance in order to create a safer work place for our fire fighters.” Through this code, fire departments have implemented a holistic approach to the risk management of their most valued assets, their fire fighters. “The requirements include items such as having a written policy, assigning an infection control officer, providing training for staff and meeting specific fire department engine bay standards,” said Connell. “All of this is designed to be sure that we are protecting our firefighters to the greatest extent possible.”
According to Connell, the opportunity to strengthen TFR’s efforts toward these standards began with a federal grant that was received in 2019 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Last year we applied for and received the Cancer Initiative Grant which provided the necessary funding to install Plymovent Systems in all of our stations engine bays,” he said. “This system reduces fume levels released through the exhaust of our diesel engines and is critical in extracting extremely high levels of carcinogens that can build up in engine bays.”
As a result of the grant, TFR also implemented a particulate-blocking hood exchange program. “These hoods protect one of the most vulnerable areas of the body, preventing 98% of particles from ever touching the face or neck,” said Connell. “Traditional hoods have evolved and now incorporate protection from particulates, in addition to thermal heat.”
TFR is following guidance and using valuable available resources from agencies such as the NFPA and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network to protect its firefighters. “The standards are continually evolving as more research is conducted on the contributions that job-related exposures have in chronic illnesses,” said Connell. “With the excellent information available to us, we can continue our top priority of protecting our firefighters.”
