SAFER Meeting Minutes
August 19, 2016
SAFER Board Attendees: Seely, Quinn
Carlsbad Fire Department
Carlsbad Training Center
0950 Meeting called to order – Scott Quinn introduced B/C welcomed SAFER and opened the meeting, led the flag salute and moment of silence to remember our fallen brothers and sisters in the fire, police and military. Thanks to Carlsbad Fire Department for use of the facility and FIRE ETC for morning Snacks and coffee.
SAFER email : SAFER.Members@gmail.com, twitter, facebook etc.
Program: “Firefighter Rehab on Wildfires, Structural Firefighting Heat and Toxic Exposure”
Presenter: Mary Murphy, EMS Manger CBD
Reference links, PowerPoint available
Mary was an ER nurse for 20 years, Carlsbad FD for 8 years. Related her passion for firefighter safety – including illness / injury prevention policy development.
*Every 20 minutes of work you do your “core” temp increases 1 degree. Temp increases with each successive 20 minute period. Give frequent 1 to 3 minute breaks.
Reference: US Fire Administration – Feb 2008 – Rehab report covers 7 incident reviews.
HEAT STRESS Factors:
Air Temp
Humidity
Radiant Heat
Air Movement
Physical demands of work
Clothing
PF and body composition
Psychological / Perception
Medications
Signs / Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion:
Pounding Headache
Sudden Fatigue
Etc…
Insert Video – “TED Talk” (ed.ted.com) and Utube search “Exertional Heat Stroke” ^104 F degrees (40 C)
Rhabdomyolysis – Effects skeletal muscles, breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in widespread dispersal of waste product.
Signs / Symptoms of “Rhabdo”:
Trigger Points for “Formal Rehab”:
Has used 2 bottles of air (or 1 45-60 minute)
Monitor for Dehydration, CO, Cyanide, Hyperthermia, Heat Exhaustion / Heat Stroke
Active Cooling with submersion or wet towels
Overhaul:
Old days: Wood, cotton, silk, wool
Now: PVC, Nylons, Polyproplyene, numerous “plastics” etc.
Fire Gases and Vapors: CO, Carbon Dioxide, HCl, Nitrous Gases, Hydrogen Sulfide, Sulfur Dioxide, Acrolein, Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Benzene, etc..
4-Gas Monitor detects: Oxygen, HS, CO and lower Explosive limit
Co is 250 times stronger than 02 in attaching to hemoglobin
HCN is 33-35% more dangerous to oxygen carrying capability of RBC’s than CO
HS is a chemical asphyxiant and irritant
Fatalities from Heart Disease: FF = 45%, PD = 22% etc.
Increased Risks Include:
Tabaco Use
High Blood Pressure
Obesity
Cholesterol and Triglycerides
Diabetes
Metabolic Syndrome
Lack of physical fitness
Poor Diet Habits
Famiy Hx
Age / Gender
Noise
Psychological Stress
Shift Work
Sympathetic Activity
Reference: Oregon State “A study of Chemicals found in the overhaul phase 2011”
Lists chemicals found during overhaul phase that exceeded NIOSH and OSHA standards.
Reference: Phoenix Fire Dept.: Same results found as Oregon Study. PFD now requires SCBA protection during overhaul.
“Formaldehyde” discussed as a carcinogen found in fire gases. Thought to be a significant cause of Cancer in FF’s.
“Arsenic” discussed as a hazardous fire gas.
“Mercury” discussed as a fireground toxin. Found in many modern electronics and common household devices.
Additional fire gases discussed (see PowerPoint)
Cancer Statistics shown and discussed in the Fire Service demographic.
Reference: “FF Cancer Support Network” paper discusses the risk factors related to FF behaviors that increase the exposure to fireground carcinogens.
Two leading routes of exposure:
Through the lungs
Through the skin (dermal absorption)
Break to network with venders 11:1
Roundtable: Cancelled due to reduced attendance from numerous agency Wildfiredeployments.
1200 Meeting Adjourned
Next Month Orange County Fire Authority . Program: TBA
Vender’s, Manufacture’s and Consultants represented at this meeting:
Frank Uram- President- Quala-Tel Communications
furam@qualatel.com
Tel (858) 577-2900
Fax (858) 693-4109
Toll Free (800) 442-1504
Cell (858) 945-1659
9925 Business Park Avenue- Suite A
San Diego, CA92131-1171
Jim Evans – Solutions Safety
Lazaro Martinez – Cascade Fire Equipment
lazaro@cascadefire.com
714-715-8189
Tracy Rabe – LineGear Fire & Rescue Equipment
(800) 466-7574
23121 Antonio Parkway #125
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Charles Javer – antex Knitting Mills / Industrial Fabric Div
Manufacturers of PyroSafe Fabric
(213) 713-2347
Charles@antexknitting.com
FireEtc
Dave Kelaita – Regional Sales Manager – Fire, West Coast - Avon Protection Systems, Inc.
1361 Brass Mill Road, Suite F
Belcamp, MD21017
(657) 263-5507
Dave.kelaita@avon-protection.com
Meeting Attendees (Sign-ins)
Agency / Co NAME PHONE # EMAIL (s)
Los Angeles Fire Dept.
John Cardenas
661-917-7019
LineGear Fire & Rescue
Tracy Rabe
949-709-8808
Los Angeles Fire Dept.
Robert Takeshita
213-278-3447
Cascade Fire Equipment
Lazaro Martinez
714-715-8189
ventura county fd
Scott Dettorre
805-701-0150
Carlsbad fire
Chris Robinson
760-484-0629
Carlsbad fire
Taylor Larsen
760-613-2026
Carlsbad fire
Joseph Gallucci
760-685-1480
joseph.gallucci@carlsbadca.gov