SAFER Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2017
SAFER Board Attendees: President Gurrola , VP Quinn, Wilkerson, Seely
Orange County Fire Authority Headquarters
0930 Meeting called to order – President Gurrola welcomed SAFER and opened the meeting, Thanks to ORCO Fire Authority for use of the facility and to Michelle Trout with LIONfor the morning hospitality.
Russ Snyder Introduced A/C Dave Anderson who welcomed SAFER and related his appreciation for the group’s contribution to FF safety and health. He related the importance of today’s topic (Cancer) and how his agency has been impacted by this health problem. He added the agency just pushed out a new policy to mandate SCBA use from beginning to end at every fire. He related the “clean gear, clean air, clean body” initiative.
A/C Chief Brian Young added his appreciation for the coordination to SAFER and the venders aligned with the safety and health of today’s fire service.
Committee Reports:
NFPA – Dick sent an email with his report – delivered by Scott Quinn:
1977 Standard is in public input, several issues related to “how clean is clean” to try to set a standard for cleaning.
1851 is being revised to incorporate changes that have been proposed from its public comment period.
1971 Soon to be released in the 4th quarter to incorporate changes to those parts of the PPE ensemble.
Pres. Gurrola related he attended a PPE meeting that included a major change in PPE for ARFF personnel for “most” airports. The “silver” suits are being phased out to favor of 1971 PPE. The exception is for major airports like LAX etc. and military installations.
Moving website to Tracy Rabe, our new website manager to speed up and improve postings.
Safety and Training:
Pres related there are several shows coming up. ARFF , Cancer symposium in Phoenix is coming in September.
Wants to team up with TO’s to post various training opportunities.
Russ introduced Jonathan Wilby - OCFA Risk Manager, who will deliver today’s program:
Program: “An Organizational Look at Cancer Awareness and Prevention”
Jonathan related his position as OCFA Risk Manager and explained his role as an advocate for agency health and safety. He related the cooperation of management and labor in the health and safety mission. He related the OCFA’s Cancer experience over the past five years.
(Insert PowerPoint here)
Changes Implemented to date:
Sunscreen products at every station
Second set of PPE
Structural PPE selection, care, and maintenance to meet NFPA 1851 standards
Rescue wipes used during post fire decontamination
Respiratory protection program procedure
SCBA use throughout suppression / overhaul
PAPR use throughout investigations (Cache kept on Truck Companies)
Mentioned San Diego Cities program as a model program
Changes in Process:
Educational component (cultural change)
Standardized signage restricting turnouts from living and sleeping areas
Post fire asbestos sampling and testing procedures
Ice machine contaminate assessment
Washer / extractors located in each battalion
Related asbestos contamination problem: PPE came back from their ISP with detectable levels of asbestos. They use LION Total Care ISP in Texas who has a proprietary process to clean PPE with asbestos. The department is using an industrial hygienist to verify test results to drive policy decisions.
Five Gas Monitors:
CO
VOC (look for zero VOC)
O2
Lower Expl limits
Upper Expl limits
B/C Scott Quinn answered what LAFD is doing regarding asbestos and related all the difficulties in establishing policy for agency wide use. Related you almost need to build a flow chart to follow based on specific contaminates.
Chief Gurrola related Ventura County relies on the station extractors for cleaning contaminated gear.
Discussion on placement / appropriateness of Station Extractors vrs centralized service center based cleaning strategies.
Question: (Wilkerson) How does OCFA handle brush gear (1877 gear)?. (Russ) They currently don’t see many brush sets coming through the service center. Related some guys wash their 1977 gear in stations or even at home. Attendees related there will be cleaning requirements included in the new 1977 standard.
Jonathan related Historically the “first-in company” stayed throughout he suppression – overhaul – investigation phases. “First in – First out” to return to quarters for showers and equipment decontamination efforts is a possible policy change towards firefighter health.
Jonathan demonstrated the various promotional materials the OCFA is using in support of these program changes: stickers, posters and a video. The in-house produced video was viewed and very well received by all.
Question (Russ) Are any agencies doing an exchange program for hoods? Fresno – the B/C’s have a bag of new hoods that they distribute “on-scene” and collect contaminated units for decontamination . LAFD relate if you need a new hood you’ll get a new hood.
Pres. Gurrola related were hoping to develop a “blog” capability to continue and expand discussions on various subjects (like FF CA) within the website.
John Price related the IAFF programs being instituted to enhance the awareness and practices designed to reduce carcinogens. He related the Firefighters Cancer Support Network efforts to reach-out to Cancer Victims for support and to all fire service personnel for education and training.
Jim Plymovent related there are numerous Attorneys representing Firefighters in exposure cases. Discussed exhaust gas removal systems and their respective differences.
Roundtable:
Chief Gurrola – Fillmore FD - Encourages members to report accidents / injuries to promote discussion and exchange of potential solutions.
Jeff Wilkerson - Camp Pendleton (Retired) – Reports Camp has been having fires. Ca Fire Museum is meeting with Irvine to request location
Russ Snyder OCFA – Thanks for attending, related the video was excellent and related the organization is starting a 52 man academy in Sept, another 50 thereafter, got numererous new apparatus. Related the trucks are overweight – working with committees to resolve. Second of 3 phases of “second set” PPE’s is nearing completion
Fillmorer Fire Sebaastion
Eric Higgins - Bestway Laundry – Related new hand scanner for use on extractors will be rolled out next week
B/C Scott Quinn - LAFD – Regional Safety Team is doing investigation of Kelly Wong LODD. LAFD is doing FRO training – Opioid problem is becoming a real problem – First Responders are having problems getting enough Narcan to service all the fentanyl OD’s. Additionally, personnel exposed to very small quantities of fentanyl can cause risks to their health.
Steve Hanks - Scott Safety – Reps West Coast and Hawaii – Scott has 2018 NFPA Packs are ready to ship waiting for official certification from NFPA.
Steve Harris – Plymovent
JP – Nothing to add
Louie Garcia - Western States Fire Equip – Showed new structure glove and related DPF is still an issue . Cops West is having a show in October 31-Nov 1 & 2 Palm Springs.
Kelly Witt - Workrite – Corporate was talking to fabric supplier of “Nomex” discussing the characteristics of the fabric as it relates to cleaning and performance in multi-certifications.
Sean Van Sluis - Santa Monica Fire – Enjoyed presentation, just took over the PPE role, is a member of their safety committee. Is organizing their PPE to lean towards “second set” program and will be going “single layer” for brush gear (1977). Gurrola: Should we be wearing our 1971 gear to T/C’s and risk absorption of petro-chem’s? Maybe come up with a “better Option” for simple T/C responses.
Tracy Rabe - LineGear Fire and Rescue Equipment – Been with them for 7 years, now have a catalog with gear they sell.
Tracy Is now managing our website to improve attendance and expand content and interaction. The enhancements should help both FD’s as well as member venders.
Chad Dicksins - Atwood-Prior – Reps Pelican Products
Tom Martin - Atwood-Prior – Discussed Level A, B, C PPE, has a number of products.
X Discussed the dual /Tri certification for “cover pant” as it affects our Cancer risk.
Steve Hoyle – Ca Fire Museum & Safety Learning Center – ORCO (Retired) – Related the 1851 Standard was a direct off-shoot of the work SAFER produced. There have been updates since the original proposed standard. Museum organizers will be meeting with City of Irvine to discuss a location for the museum in the great park.
Melissa McGee / Doug Murphy – SoCal PPE - ISP “Intratech Certified” has pick-up and delivery service. They are located in San Diego near Coronado. She related the procedure to send contaminated PPE in for cleaning.
Frank Uram - Qualatel Communications – Related the” ear pieces” on headsets / microphones get contaminated and should be replaced as some reasonable period. He relates he designs and installs radios and intercom systems in emergency vehicles.
Kirk Owens – Veridian Fire Protective Gear (Retired Fire Chief & NFPA Committee Chair) – Related he is available to help support the group in technical matters. Discussed the asbestos issue and related the traditional approach was to dispose of anything exposed to asbestos, was interested in the cleaning procedure being used by OCFA. Related they will be releasing a hood with “Particulate Blocking” capabilities. Waiting for the updated 1971 standard. Several problems: Dual Certified, Tri-Certified – Vapor Protection feature costs you breathability and removes it from wildland certification. Related many of the Venders can provide training for agency decontamination techniques.
Robinson – Pelican Products – Relates they support many products for Fire Service. They have numerous lighting devices and power supplies for FD Use. Manufacture of numerous types of protective cases.
Keith Gurrola – Fillmore FD – Related the Fillmore FD budget has been set, their fire foundation golf tour was a success. He needs to purchase gear for 18 new recruits. Received a FEMA Safety Grant – will have three new paid Firefighter positions.
They had a FF take his PPE in for alteration without authorization – he considers the incident a “near –miss” for his dept
** FF Memorial will be September 30th in Sacramento..
Los Osos Symposium on PPE (Vender Driven Event) was a good event with relavent information for the end users.
Santa Paula FD is merging with Ventura Co. FD. Much SPFD gear will be excess and will be available. They also have a Light / Air Trailer that will be available.
NEXT MEETING September 15th – Location and topic to be announced
San Diego – Behavioral Health – October
SAFER email : SAFER.Members@gmail.com, twitter, facebook etc.
Vender’s, Manufacture’s and Consultants represented at this meeting:
Meeting Attendees (Sign-ins)
Agency / Co NAME PHONE # EMAIL (s)
Downey Fire (Retired) Chuck Seely (949) 492-7993 firebiz@att.net
Air Exchange PLYMOVENT Steve Harris 909-973-8211 steveh@airexchange.com
Air Exchange PLYMOVENT Jim Cleary 909-720-7064 jtc1@roadrunner.com
OCFA Russ Snider 714-573-6601 russsnider@ocfa.org
Camp Pendleton(Retired) Jeff Wilkerson 949-445-9512 jwilker@cox.net
Qualatel Frank Uram 858-577-2900 furam@qualatel.com
Ca fire museum & safety learning center stevehoyle949-496-5688 stbear@cox.net
Santa Monica Fire Sean Van Sluis 949-702-3473 sean.vansluis@smgov.net
OCFA Jonathan Wilby 714-573-6832 jonathanwilby@ocfa.org
Scott Safety Steve Hanks 858-226-7420 sthanks@tycoint.com
SOCAL PPE DOUG MURPHY/melissa MAGEE 619-993-1163 murph@socalppe.com
WESTERN STATES FIRE EQUIP LOUIE GARCIA 213-272-5680 lgarcia@vvgtruck.com
Atwood-Prior Tom Martin 909-264-4875 tmartin@repagency.host
LION Michelle Trout 480-225-1324 mtrout@lionprotects.com
LineGear Fire & Rescue Equipment Tracy Rabe 949-230-5610 tracy@linegear.com
Veridian Fire Protective Gear Kirk Owen 712-260-3547 kirk@veridian.net
MES Lazaro Martinez 562-320-2385 lmartinez@mesfire.com
MES John Price 562-212-6803 jprice@mesfire.com
Bestway Laundry Solutions Eric Higgins951-532-7700 sales@bestwayls.com
CURTIS Tools For Heros Ed Shabro 760-250-1180 eshabro@lncurtis.com
fillmore fire poi sebastian ramirez 805-2975214 sebastian ramirez@fillmorefire.com
Fillmore Fire Dept Keith Gurrola 805-558-0932 keithg@ci.fillmore.ca.us