SCBA and Fire Fighter PPE

1. SCBA and Fire Fighter PPE FFII Training Hillcrest Station

2. Oxygen Deficiency • Oxygen deficiency • Normal O2 is 21% • 17% some muscular impairment and increase respiration • 12% dizzy, headache and fatigued • 9% Unconsciousness • 6% Death

3. Elevated Temperatures • 120-130 degrees • reduced B/P, circulatory failure • Inhalation of hot gasses • pulmonary edema (swelling) • death from asphyxiation

4. Smoke • Made up of • Tar • Carbon • Dust • Some particles are irritating, some are lethal • Size of particle determines how deeply it gets into the lungs

5. Toxic Gasses • Gas combinations will be different at each fire • May cause • Disease of lung tissue • Impair RBC ability to carry O2 • Gasses given off determined by • Nature of combustion • Rate of heating and temperature • O2 concentration at time of combustion

6. Carbon Monoxide • Found at every fire • Colorless and odorless • Result of incomplete combustion • More deaths occur from this than any other product of combustion • Prevents O2 from attaching to hemoblobin • 500ppm dangerous

7. Carbon Monoxide – Care • Symptoms • Flu-like • Need O2 immediately

8. Hydrogen Chloride • Colorless gas • Pungent • Causes swelling of upper respiratory tract • Comes from burning PVC • Very dangerous during overhaul • Latent heat can cause plastics and electrical cables to decompose after fire is out

9. Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) • Interferes with respiration at cellular level and tissue level • Colorless, almond scented gas • Emitted by • Wool, nylon, polyurethane foam, rubber, paper • Concentrations above 270 ppm almost immediately fatal

10. Carbon Dioxide • Nonflamable, Colorless, Odorless • Paralyzes brain’s respiratory center • Watch out for CO2 flooding systems

11. Nitrogen Oxides • Nitric Oxide NO and Nitrogen Dioxide NO2 • Nitrogen Dioxide • Reddish brown gas, known as silo gas • Released from plastics • Cause pulmonary edema • React with water to form acids • Irritating effect often tolerated while inhaling fatal dose

12. Phosgene COCL2 • Colorless, tasteless gas • Disagreeable odor • Generated when freon comes in contact with flame • Generates Hydrochloric Acid when it comes in contact with water

13. Dangerous Building Conditions • Fire Spread • Combustible furnishing and finishes • Heavy Fire Load • Large open spaces (hard to vent or stop spread) • Weakened support members • Water build-up • Building Collapse

14. Electrical Emergencies • Downed power lines • Contact with electric lines • Energized equipment

15. Handling power emergencies • Notify power company • No solid streams • Treat all lines as live • Avoid working under lines if possible • Keep aerial equipment 10 feet away from lines • Provide one span danger zone around lines

16. Functions of protective clothing • Helmet with face shield • Protective hood • Protective coat and pants • Gloves • Boots • PASS

17. Limitations of protective clothing • Depends on material • Direct flame contact • Chemicals • Comfort

18. Inspection and care of equipment

19. Fireground Accidents • Trauma • Heat Exhaustion • Chemical exposure • Cardiovascular

20. Responding and Returning • Hearing • Falls • Slipping • Run over by apparatus • Thrown from apparatus

21. Training • Same as fireground • Physical discomfort or illness

22. Nonfire emergencies • Trauma • Chemical Exposure • Electrical contact

23. Personnel Accountability System • Allows for accounting of all personnel on fire scene • Uses tags or badges • Standard procedure for “handing over ID” • List of who is doing what • What happens when I’m done or when I leave the scene

24. Procedures for save environment • Redesign tasks to eliminate lifting • Use proper lifting techniques • Be aware of unsafe conditions and attempt to fix them • Eliminate horseplay • Request assistance • Strive for good health/fitness • Be aware of proper disinfecting techniques