Redmond EMS Abstracts.indd - IAFF

Fire Fighter Environment
The skin of fire fighters is routinely contaminated with soot and other substances from burning and
overheated materials during fire suppression. This remains after leaving the fire scene and often
for a considerable time after. There is also a great chance of indirect skin contamination from
contaminated gear such as gloves and hoods, and soot often reaches areas otherwise thought to
be protected. Chemicals present in soot have been long known to cross the skin into the body
and are suspected to cause cancer and other diseases by this route. The chemical contaminants
identified on skin and gear which have been found to cause cancer and reproductive effects in
animals have also been found to readily cross the skin, and to be absorbed much more quickly
at the high temperatures which fire fighters experience at the fire scene. Our recommendation is
therefore that skin is protected from contamination from smoke-derived chemicals, and washed as
soon as possible after leaving the fire scene. Protective gear, including gloves and hoods, should
also be washed frequently.
It is clear that personal protective equipment (PPE) is a necessary tool to ensure fire fighter safety
in the modern fire fighting scene; however, it comes with a cost. Current PPE is heavy, thick,
multi-layered and bulky, challenging the fire fighter’s ability to maintain thermal equilibrium
and exacerbating their physiologic burden during fire suppression. This thermoregulatory strain,
combined with the anxiety of an emergency response and the exertion required to perform fire
fighting activities, competes for cardiovascular reserves and substantially increases the risk for the
onset of a cardiovascular event, heat-related illness and potential for mental/cognitive impairment.
Ultimately, these physiological and cognitive decrements threaten both fire fighter and patient
safety. Thus, it is imperative that we gain an understanding of these multisystem cascades during
a variety of real-life emergency responses. We also must develop, validate and implement
effective strategies and/or interventions that enable fire fighters to maintain work limits within a
safe physiological range, below critical thresholds, while simultaneously maximizing operational
effectiveness.
This workshop will help fire fighters to better understand and control the hazards in their work
environment, and to address concerns they may have in this regard.
- 78 -