SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Carbon Monoxide Emergencies
Purpose
To provide a policy for the proper handling of carbon monoxide emergencies.
Objective
To establish guideline in order that members may effectively handle carbon monoxide (CO) emergencies,
while insuring the safety of building occupants and emergency personnel with limited exposure to the
hazardous area (s).
Scope
The Cleveland Fire Department is responsible for responding to, and investigating a reported CO detector
sounding or a suspected CO problem. The Communication Center should determine whether anyone is
symptomatic or feeling ill. Typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include flu-like symptoms,
headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, convulsions, and unconsciousness. If anyone is
symptomatic, notify the fire department and send an ambulance. If alarm only is sounding, notify the fire
department.
A primary first concern is the safety of Fire Department personnel. If there is any reason to suspect the
presence of CO in a structure (symptomatic victims or the CO detector detects CO at the entry point), no
entry is to be made by personnel without fully donned and operating SCBA’s and all PPE. Additional
resources are to be called to assist or perform search and/or rescue operation if needed.
Responsibility
The Incident Commander shall be responsible for enforcing this policy.
General Information
A. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless deadly gas. Because you cannot see, taste, or smell
it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it’s there. Everyone is at risk for carbon
monoxide poisoning. Experts believe, however, that individuals with greater oxygen requirements
such as unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with coronary or respiratory
problems are at greater risk.
B. The greater danger of carbon monoxide is its attraction to hemoglobin in the bloodstream. CO is
breathed in through the lungs and bonds with hemoglobin in the blood, displacing the oxygen that
cells need to function. When CO is present in the air, it rapidly accumulates in the blood, forming
a toxic compound known as carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Carboxyhemoglobin causes symptoms
similar to the flu, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion and irritability. As
levels of COHb increase, vomiting, loss of consciousness and eventually brain damage or death
can result.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 111
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley