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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 303.04 – Use of PPE, SCBA, and PASS Beaumont Fire Department Services Beaumont Fire Department Standard Operating Guideline 303.04 – Use of PPE/SCBA/PASS Effective: October 10, 2022 Chief Earl White 1. Purpose 1.1. The purpose of this policy is to provide the general guidelines for the use of personal protective equipment while training, responding to emergencies, and operating at various types of incidents. 2. General Safety and Use Guidelines 2.1. Members will only wear and use approved personal protective equipment. 2.1.1. Items issued to members directly by the Department. 2.1.2. Items not issued by the Department but which have been authorized by the Fire Chief. 2.2. Officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the personnel under their command at all times, including proper maintenance and use of all PPE, including SCBA. 2.3. Officers are authorized to modify these guidelines to allow for unforeseen circumstances so long as the members' safety is the primary concern. 2.4. Non-emergency operations should be handled with the same concern for safety as emergency responses. If a non-emergency activity exposes the member to potential harm then the Officer-in-charge is responsible for making sure the members under his/her command are utilizing the proper type and level of PPE for the task. 2.5. SCBA's will be used in the following situations: 2.5.1. The atmosphere is hazardous, suspected of being hazardous, or has the potential to become hazardous. 2.5.2. Operating in any oxygen-deficient atmosphere. 2.5.3. When carbon monoxide levels exceed 50 ppm. 2.5.4. Offensive firefighting operations where the member is in close proximity to heat and flame (including vehicle fires). 2.5.5. When instructed to do so by an Officer. 2.6. PASS devices will be utilized any time a SCBA is worn. 2.7. PPE shall be well maintained and kept in a state of readiness at all. Members are expected to have their assigned personal protective clothing with them at all times while on-duty unless they are directed otherwise by an Officer. 3. PPE/SCBA/PASS Use While Training 3.1. PPE/SCBA/PASS needed for specific training exercises will be based on the type of training being conducted and the potential risk to the members. ~ 1 ~ 3.2. The Lead Instructor and/or assigned Safety Officer for the class will be responsible for determining the proper level of PPE/SCBA/PASS needed for the activity and will see that all members are properly protected before allowing them to participate in the training. 3.2.1. Members failing to comply with the appropriate PPE/SCBA/PASS will not be allowed to participate in the training. 3.2.2. Members in non-compliance may be subject to counseling or disciplinary action. 3.3. Any training exercise that involves actual hazards (such as live fire training, extrication practice, use of power tools, etc.) will be subject to the same PPE/SCBA/PASS requirements as the emergency incidents that they are simulating. 4. PPE/SCBA Use While Responding to Incidents 4.1. General Requirements 4.1.1. Seat belts MUST be worn by all occupants any time the vehicle is in motion (refer to SOG 301.01D for more details on seatbelt use). 4.1.2. Helmets will NOT be worn any time the vehicle is in motion. 4.1.3. For non-emergency responses, the Officer-in-charge will use his/her discretion as to the appropriate type and level of PPE. 4.2. When Responding to Emergency Incidents 4.2.1. There are several accepted methods for donning PPE/SCBA/PASS while responding. The Officer-in-charge of the apparatus is responsible for determining and employing the most efficient methods of safely donning and using PPE/SCBA/PASS for his/her crew. 4.2.2. The chosen method of donning PPE/SCBA/PASS should not cause undue delay in the apparatus going en route to an incident. 4.2.3. Members may continue to don PPE/SCBA/PASS while en route to an incident as long as they are still properly wearing their seat belt. 4.2.4. Members arriving on scene without full PPE/SCBA/PASS will immediately don the remainder of their gear before beginning incident operations. 4.2.5. All calls made under emergency response conditions should be assumed to be live emergency situations and the choice of PPE/SCBA/PASS for members should match the nature of the incident. 4.2.6. If a unit receives a call while on the road, then the unit will proceed directly to the incident and members will don the necessary PPE/SCBA/PASS prior to beginning incident operations. 5. PPE/SCBA Use for Firefighting Activities 5.1. PPE/SCBA/PASS for the firefighting activities will be chosen based on the risks associated with the area where the crew is working and the tasks to which they are assigned. 5.2. All members operating within the hazard area are subject to the same PPE/SCBA/PASS requirements regardless of rank. 5.3. The Officer-in-charge of each work group or division is responsible for making sure all team members are wearing the appropriate PPE/SCBA/PASS for all foreseeable risks associated with on the situation found, considering the following: 5.3.1. Protective hoods shall be worn during interior structural firefighting or any other time the extra protection may be beneficial (such as car fires, natural gas leaks, gasoline spills etc.) ~ 2 ~ 5.3.2. Full personal protective clothing should be worn while operating all forcible entry tools and in close proximity of their use. 5.3.3. Helmets shall be worn at all times on the fire ground. 5.3.4. The helmet face shield shall be lowered if the task being performed or a nearby task poses the threat of an eye injury. The face shield does not have to be lowered if the member is wearing an SCBA face piece. 5.3.5. During fire suppression activities, all bunker gear should be used according to its original design. All straps, buckles, and velcro should be securely fastened as intended by the manufacturer and no piece of the equipment should be removed without permission from the Officer-in-charge. 5.3.6. Bunker coats may be removed during overhaul operations with permission from the Officer-in-charge. 5.3.7. Gloves shall be worn when: 5.3.7.1. Firefighting 5.3.7.2. Performing overhaul 5.3.7.3. Handling of hoses or ladders 5.3.7.4. Handling of power tools 5.3.7.5. Handling of forcible entry tools 5.3.7.6. Any situation where an injury to the hand is likely to occur 5.4. SCBA Use for Firefighting Activities 5.4.1. SCBA will be used in accordance with the requirements listed in this policy under Section V. General Safety & Use Guidelines. 5.4.2. In investigative situations, the SCBA (including the face piece) should be donned and the member should be ready to go "on air" immediately if an IDLH environment is encountered. 5.4.3. SCBA can be removed after the fire has been knocked down, the structure is ventilated, and CO monitoring shows a level of 50 ppm or less (The Incident Commander shall ensure that CO monitoring is conducted accordingly). 5.4.4. Members operating outside the hazard zone are not required to wear an SCBA, but they should have one nearby if they are likely to be assigned a task within the hazard area. 5.5. PASS Device Use on the Fire Ground 5.5.1. All members will use the integrated PASS devices on their SCBA's while operating "on air" in the hazard area. 5.5.2. Under no circumstance will a member attempt to disconnect the PASS device or circumvent its intended operation. 5.6. After use, SCBA/PASS will be: 5.6.1. Refilled (per TCFP—all refills will be appropriately logged) 5.6.2. Inspected for correct operation 5.6.2.1. If unit passes inspection, immediately placed back in service for reuse. 5.6.2.2. If unit does not pass inspection, immediately turn in work order for repair. 5.6.3. At no time should SCBA/PASS be purposefully dropped, mishandled or left in an area where it might be damaged. 6. PPE Use on Hazmat Incidents 6.1. The Safety Officer of the incident will consult with the HMRT Leader and the Incident Commander to determine the appropriate level of PPE for the incident. ~ 3 ~ 6.2. Full PPE will be worn at all times when operating in the "warm" or "hot" zones at all hazmat incidents. 6.3. SCBA's will be used in accordance with the requirements listed in this SOG under Section 2. General Safety & Use Guidelines. 7. PPE Use on Rescue/EMS Incidents 7.1. Extrications & Motor Vehicle Accidents 7.1.1. Full Personal Protective Clothing (with the exception of the firefighting hood) should be utilized while performing vehicle extrications. 7.1.2. The helmet face shield should be lowered while operating all rescue tools and in the proximity of their use. 7.1.3. When dealing with patient care, all medical PPE should be utilized in accordance with UOG 302.01- Infection Control (Blood Borne Pathogens). 7.2. Technical Rescues 7.2.1. The Safety Officer of the incident will consult with the technical rescue team leader and the Incident Commander to determine the appropriate level of PPE for the incident. 7.2.2. SCBA's will be used in accordance with the requirements listed in this SOG under Section 2. General Safety Guidelines. 7.3. Emergency Medical Incidents 7.3.1. PPE should be worn to protect against all foreseeable hazards. 7.3.2. All medical PPE should be utilized in accordance with UOG 302.01- Infection Control (Blood Borne Pathogens). ~ 4 ~