NORTHPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT Northport, New York Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) & Your Safety OCTOBER 2009

1. NORTHPORT FIRE DEPARTMENTNorthport, New YorkPersonal Protection Equipment (PPE)&Your SafetyOCTOBER 2009 John McDonough Northport FD S.O. #3

2. KNOW YOUR TEAM • SO 1 – • SO 2 – • SO 3 – John McDonough • SO 4 - • SO 5 – • SO 6 -

3. Overview • Northport F.D. Chiefs and Officers have enacted an Incident Safety Officer (S.O.) program dedicated to reduction of injury and safety to Department members and damage to equipment and facilities • They are committed to providing the leadership and support required to develop, implement, monitor, upgrade and/or revise as necessary the S.O. program and any subset thereof

4. Discussion Items • Personal/Personnel Injuries • Department and Officers Responsibilities • Your Responsibilities • Risk • It is good sense • Sample PPE policy • Summary

5. Personal/Personnel Injuries • YES • Head Injuries • Respiratory Injuries • Burn Injuries • Serious Issues • Not me syndrome – probably the single most thought • Insufficient PPE worn • Unprotected and unprepared • NOspecific PPE written policy • Experience – Do not take things for granted & Do not let your guard down – BE AWARE • Your environment • Fellow firefighter • Ability and capability • REMEMBER: • Only protection between you and the incident is your PPE • Worn and worn properly

6. Department/Officers Responsibilities • Specifications reflect the need of the Department • PPE reflects the Environment, Technology & Firefighter Exposure • One serious incident or 100 incidents (serious or otherwise) • Your PPE is the best possible protection you have for that single incident • Number & types of incidents is not gauge for only basic gear is needed • Off the shelf or custom fitted offers limited protection • Ensure firefighters wear gear, head to toe – team effort • Must be enforced equally across Department by Officers • Think outside the BOX – remember PPE applies to search & rescue, EMS incidents, structural, car and brush fires etc.

7. Your Responsibilities • Check with IC or sector officers who should be responsible for determining when some or all PPE can be removed – This is not your call • Full protective clothing when operating forcible entry and/or extrication equipment and tools – not full protection – background work only • Wear full PPE (except maybe helmet, gloves) when responding • Responding to an EMS incident wear protective clothing consistent with Department requirements • When Firefighters assigned to ambulance bring only PPE rescue consistent with Department requirements • SCBA will be use used anytime air is not fresh or is lacking in Oxygen • Wear Department approved gloves when engaged in firefighting, overhaul, training with hose, rope or ladders etc. • Check for missing/broken hardware, moisture barrier/thermal liner integrity • Check for broken, ripped or missing reflective material • Your safety depends on YOU and the integrity of your PPE • PPE is law, not a option or selectively choice option

8. Risk • Consider firefighting as not dangerous but “merely risky” BUT • No risk to members safety is acceptable when no possibility to save lives/property • Foundation for “risk taking” is defined by incident operation • Every risk/operation is different so wear proper PPE first • Don’t be complacent with risk • Frequency and types of incidents may limit your frequency of risk but it takes only one incident of risk to get hurt • Experience does not replace risk factor – it may help your mode of operation – BUT doesn’t remove the unknown • PPE and/or experience may not always save a firefighter from injury or death • PPE does protect you from smoke absorption into your skin – The big “C” = carcinogens/cancer • To avoid skin absorption wear required PPE and take care of it • Seasonal weather should not dictate the choice or degree of protection – the incident does not differentiate • Significant improvement in PPE BUT: • Unintended consequence of letting firefighters go in deeper & stay longer • This single item exposes you & me to take greater risks • You only have one body - protect it – the law is on your side – if you wear it properly!!!!

9. It is Good Common Sense • Be Aware • Head to toe PPE • Avoid burns and other injuries • The unexpected is always there • The law was written for everyone • Be prepared for unexpected - Suit up – Firefighting, EMS, training etc. • All personnel shall wear what is required PPE • Complete personal protection and may help in an emergency to your partner – team effort • En-route to and during any emergency response • And while operating at any incident that could present a hazard to you personally and your co worker

10. PPE Generic Policy • Protection is Prevention • Wear what is assigned to you • When in doubt put PPE on • Overhaul at an incident without SCBA may be premature • Do not remove until at least a Signal 4 is communicated • If missing something contact Company Officer • Make no assumptions to go that extra mile • Firefighting/EMS personnel exposed to Hazards may affect the risk of Cancer without or limited use of PPE • Cancer does not select gender • Cornell University has a brochure for women entitled “ Alert for Woman Firefighters” relating to use of PPE

11. Summary • Personal and personnel injuries will happen if good practices are not adhered to – team effort • The Department plays a key role for firefighter protection • The firefighter is provided the tools for personal protection and safety and should use it properly • There are numerous known risks but the unknown we try to protect from • Complacency does not play a role in safety & protection • Good sense is thinking with your protection and safety in mind and protection of your partners – team effort • Written policies are important – more important they must be adhered to and enforced • Female specific use of PPE envirocancer.cornell.edu/learning/alert/fire08.cfm • Everyone has a responsibility to yourself and fellow firefighter – team effort • Remember – your safety is job #1 and those of your other responding members are each others responsibility supported by Chiefs and Officers – total team effort • Objective – Leave no one behind – all return home safely & uninjured

12. Thank You John McDonough NFD S.O. 3