Marijuana Safety Awareness for Denver Fire Fighters

1. Marijuana Safety Awarenessfor Denver Fire Fighters

2. Presentation Road Map This presentation is designed to provide Denver Fire Fighters with basic information about: • How to identify marijuana facilities • The various hazards found at marijuana facilities • The City’s “Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure” and related Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements

3. Know Your Facilities • Non-Licensed Facilities • Caregiver Grows • Home Grows • Illegal Operations Licensed Facilities • Stores • Grows • MIPS (edibles manufacturers) • Testing Facilities

4. General Safety Hazards General Safety Hazards • Unsafe wiring and construction • Improperly stored chemicals • Exposure to intense UV lighting • Lack of fire extinguishers & emergency lights • Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards • Hoses, water, tools and other obstructions • Tight areas for entry and exit • Booby Traps • Guard Dogs

5. Common Hazards Inhalation & Contact Hazards • Hazardous pesticide residue • Grow room mold • Fumigant sprays • CO2 use in grow rooms creating oxygen deficient air • Compressed gases – including butane, propane, CO2 (bulk) • Sulfur dioxide (illegal)

6. Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure The Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure has been developed as a guide to help minimize the risk of occupational related injury/illness to Denver Fire Fighters. When responding to calls for service, use this procedure to: • Assess what hazards are present at the scene • Know how your PPE can keep you safe and use it. This procedure is not meant to conflict with DFD SOGs. Always use your professional judgement to determine how you can best keep yourself safe while performing the duties of your job.

7. DETERMINE IF YOU ARE ENTERING A MJ FACILITY • INDICATIONS: • DISPATCH INFO • ODOR • LARGE ELECTRICAL TRUNK LINES • NFPA 704 PLACARD • SECURITY CAMERAS & ROOFTOP VENTING • LOCATION IN “GROW ZONES”

8. Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure

9. Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure

10. Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure • Before entering a marijuana facility in a fire emergency situation, you should follow your SOGs.

11. Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure • When entering a marijuana facility on an EMS or non-emergency situation/call, you should, at a minimum, wear the following PPE. You may don additional PPE as the situation calls for it. **How to properly don PPE video here.**

12. Marijuana Facility Safe Operations Procedure If you have to enter a grow room perform a safety scan. Look for: • NFPA signs, safety warning signs SA* • Amber strobes • Evidence of dust, fog, or mists • Wet plants (may indicate recent chemical spraying) • Signs posted indicating recent pesticide applications • Odors of chemicals or solvents • Sulfur burners IF PHYSICALSIGNS ARE PRESENT WEAR FULL BUNKERS & SCBA! When you leave the facility, DECON may be necessary. Disposable PPE materials should be discarded at the facility.

13. On The Job Injuries • If you are injured on the job • Call your supervisor • Call the OUCH Line 303-436-6824 For other safety questions contact: Risk Management Office OR Safety Hotline 720-913-3330 720-913-SAFE (7233) Risk.Management@denvergov.org