Disclaimer: This report was prepared by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) under contract with NIOSH. It should not be considered a statement of NIOSH policy or of any agency or individual who was involved. PROJECT HEROES Homeland Emergency Response Operational and Equipment Systems Task 1: A Review of Modern Fire Service Hazards and Protection Needs Presented to: National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Post Office Box 18070 626 Cochrans Mill Road Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236 Presented by: Occupational Health and Safety Division International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 1750 New York Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20006 13 October 2003 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The first task of Project HEROES was undertaken by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) to examine and define the protection needs of fire fighters and other first responders during a broad array of different missions. This task began with a review for how the fire service and its responsibilities have changed over the past 20 years since personal protective equipment (PPE) was then affected by Project FIRES. In that 20 year period, the fire service has evolved to gain responsibility for a larger number of missions. Fire suppression is no longer the chief responsibility for most fire departments, but rather responses to a wide range of missions, including emergency medical aid, technical rescue, and more recently the prospect for terrorism events involving weapons of mass destruction. As America’s fire fighters attempt to keep up with these changing roles, it is noted that the level of preparedness and PPE needed to safety carry out the different missions is often lacking. In an age of increasing specialization, it is not fiscally possible for most departments to equip their fire fighters with all of the different ensembles that would be required for protection against different hazards. A review of fire fighter fatality and injury information reveals some trends for protection needs. This information coupled with a comprehensive review of the various hazards that fire fighters and other emergency responders face, shows a number of concerns for protective the health and safety of fire fighters with current PPE. The application of a risk assessment matrix for the different primary missions for the fire service against the types of hazards present at the emergency scene further identifies how the basis for protection varies extensively as different missions are undertaken. For any mission, there are tradeoffs between protection and fire fighter functionality and comfort; however, some tradeoffs appear to be difficult to achieve as serious risks exist in each of the primary mission areas. The intent of the information provided in this report is to create the basis for future tasks in Project HEROES. The risk assessment will be refined as current protection strategies are evaluated, including the standards used to establish minimum protection. The risk assessment can then be used to identify gaps in protection and focus energies on new and emerging technologies that may solve these problems. Overall, the main focus of this project will be develop product technology, specifications, evaluation methods, use practices, and care procedures that affords the fire fighter of the future to be a better equipped and safer responder. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary...................................................................................................................... ii Chapter 1 – Introduction...............................................................................................................1 Project HEROES..............................................................................................................................1 Initial Task Assignment ...................................................................................................................2 Chapter 2 – Overview of the Fire Service....................................................................................3 Types of Fire Departments and Staffing Levels ..............................................................................3 Areas of Responsibility and Levels of Training and Preparedness .................................................5 Availability of Personal Protective Equipment................................................................................9 Fire fighter Fatalities and Injuries..................................................................................................10 Relation of Fire Fighter Injuries to Personal Protective Equipment....................................................16 Fire Fighter Communicable Disease Exposures...................................................................................18 Chapter 3 – Fireground/Emergency Scene Hazards ................................................................20 Types of Physical Hazards.....................................................................................................................20 Falling Object Exposures ..........................................................................................................22 Flying Debris Exposures ...........................................................................................................22 Projectile/Ballistic Exposures ...................................................................................................22 Abrasive or Rough Surface Exposures.....................................................................................22 Sharp Edge Exposures...............................................................................................................24 Pointed Object Exposures .........................................................................................................24 Slippery Surface Exposures ......................................................................................................24 Excessive Vibration Exposures.................................................................................................24 Types of Environmental Hazards ..........................................................................................................25 High Heat and Humidity Exposures.........................................................................................25 Exposure to Cold Temperatures................................................................................................29 Wetness Exposures....................................................................................................................30 High Wind..................................................................................................................................30 Insufficient or Extreme Light Exposures..................................................................................30 Excessive Noise Exposures.......................................................................................................31 Types of Chemical Hazards...................................................................................................................32 Nature of Chemical Hazards .....................................................................................................32 Inhalation Exposures .................................................................................................................35 Skin Absorption Hazards ..........................................................................................................37 Ingestion Exposures...................................................................................................................39 Injection Exposures ...................................................................................................................39 Chemical Freezing Exposure ....................................................................................................39 Chemical Flammability Exposures...........................................................................................40 Chemical Reactivity Exposures ................................................................................................41 Types of Biological Hazards..........................................................................................................42 Types of Biological Agents ...............................................................................................44 Routes of Exposure............................................................................................................44 Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures .......................................................................................45 iii Tuberculosis and Airborne Pathogen Exposures ...............................................................45 Biological Toxin Exposures...............................................................................................46 Biogenic Allergen Exposures ............................................................................................46 Types of Thermal Hazards.....................................................................................................................46 Nature of Thermal Hazards.......................................................................................................48 High Heat Exposures.................................................................................................................48