Safety is the responsibility of management and the employees. It is the policy of Collier County Government to establish a safe work environment for employees. The County shall establish a safety program that includes policies and procedures regarding safety practices, precautions, and training. Department heads and supervisors are responsible for insuring the safe work procedures of all employees and providing necessary safety training programs. Employees are responsible for adhering to those standards and the Workplace Safety and Health Policy as outlined in CMA #5902. Purpose: The purpose of this guideline is to establish guidance to ensure employees of Collier County Emergency Medical Services/Fire Department are able to make proper decisions concerning their incident s environment and the appropriate choices for PPE. This guideline should provide a uniform approach to general emergency incidents while explaining the responsibilities of EMS/Fire personnel and the actions that are expected of them. This guideline can be employed to control a large percentage of emergency situations, but it is not expected to encompass every situation nor does it address bio-hazardous exposures. Specialized incident types, exposure control and specific operations which involve more detailed procedures are provided in supplemental guidelines. There may be times when good judgment or common sense may dictate a course of action contrary to these guidelines. Safety is not only the Incident Command or the Safety Officer s responsibility; it is everyone s responsibility at every incident. Everyone owes the system a strong commitment to safety. It is imperative that every member of EMS/Fire Department accepts responsibility for their actions and immediately reports unsafe conditions or officially communicates recommendations for improvement to their senior officer, Incident Safety Officer (ISO), or Incident Command (IC). In addition, if at any time, an employee feels the exposure to hazards surpasses their level of competence or capabilities of the assigned PPE, they are to appropriately remove themselves from the area and immediately report the concern to their senior officer or IC. EVERYBODY GOES HOME. Procedures: The primary duty of EMS/Fire Department personnel shall continue to be the preservation of the life and safety of Emergency Service Responders and public citizens through pre-hospital medical care. INCIDENT SCENE OVERVIEW For safety purposes, the Incident Scene is defined as an area which encloses the space where the incident s situation creates a potential hazard to emergency personnel. Many standard safety requirements related to the responder s proximity to a perceived threat/hazard are considered to always be in effect. This requires all personnel to understand the boundaries within an Incident Scene. Incident Command or the department s senior officer evaluates and sets the need to adjust the Incident Scene s boundaries and the corresponding level of PPE and technical competency/abilities of each responder necessary to operate within all zones of an Incident Scene. Page 1 of 6
Hot Zone Unless otherwise designated by command, the Hot Zone will be defined as any area that requires personal protective equipment (PPE), and/or in which trained personnel are at a significant risk of becoming lost, trapped, or seriously injured by their surroundings. (Typically, direct contact, containment, suppression or mitigation of a hazardous substance, fire or otherwise dangerous environment occurs within the Hot Zone.) The following situations would be considered inside the Hot Zone: Entering a structure reported to be on fire Close proximity to the structure during exterior operations Close proximity or within a vehicle requiring hydraulic or electric powered extrication equipment Confined Space/Trench Rescue Operating close to crane and or Aerial operations Building collapse Close proximity to helicopter operations While conducting training simulations for any of the above events (Train Safe/Work Safe) Unless otherwise designated by command, all personnel working in a Hot Zone shall operate in crews of at least TWO PERSONNEL wearing full protective clothing with the personnel accountability system in place. Employees are not to operate in Hot Zone environments without the proper training, qualifications or equipment. Warm Zone The Warm Zone is typically defined as the area where personnel coordinate and support the Incident Scene s Hot Zone operations. This area is where the personnel are not normally at risk of becoming lost, trapped, or injured by the environment, surroundings or structure. Typically, in-direct contact, containment, suppression or mitigation of a hazardous substance, fire or otherwise dangerous environment occurs within the Warm Zone. The following functions are examples normally conducted in the Warm Zone: Laying Lines Special equipment needs Utility operations If at any time personnel in the Warm Zone become threatened, this area would become part of the Hot Zone. Employees are not to operate in Warm Zone environments without the proper training, qualifications or equipment. Cold Zone The Cold Zone is typically defined as the area outside the Warm Zone where personnel are not expected to be at risk of becoming physically affected by the incident. The public and any personnel who are not directly Page 2 of 6
involved in the incident s operations should remain inside the Cold Zone. Unless otherwise designated by command, PPE is normally unnecessary; however Infection Control isolation may be in place. The following functions are examples normally conducted in the Cold Zone: Command Staging Support Media Relations For the purposes of this guideline, it is recognized that the majority of departmental day-to-day operations are either conducted within an established Cold Zone or under similar working conditions. Right-of Way Zone The Right-of Way zone is defined as any road/highway/street including the area thirty [30] feet from each of its side. As with any decisions affecting incident safety, the proper utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE) requires a mixture of guidance from command, common sense and good judgment. When in doubt, personnel should choose the highest level of equipment or ensembles. Listed below are non-specialized ensemble levels above the standard issued uniform and a list of incident examples where they shall be utilized unless other levels of PPE are specified through Incident Command: Right-of-Way Ensemble In addition to the standard day or night uniform, provides a higher degree of visibility for oncoming vehicular traffic. Complies with ANSI/ISEA 1072010 standards. Department issued high-visibility Class 3 vest over the issued: Complete Rescue Ensemble or; Complete Structural Firefighting ensemble Operating on a street / road / highway or similar area encountering vehicular traffic Within thirty [30] feet from of a street / road / highway or similar area encountering vehicular traffic Page 3 of 6
Wildland Firefighting Ensemble Generally used by firefighters on Wildland/brush fire operations. Components are compliant with NFPA 1977 (1998 edition) and CMA #5806. NFPA 1977 compliant Brush Jacket or Coat NFPA 1977 compliant Brush Pants NFPA 1971 or 1977 compliant helmet with shield/goggles NFPA 1977 compliant work boots NFPA 1977 compliant gloves NFPA 1977 compliant hood CarbonX UB-V2 Bandana (or department issued equivalent) FSS Fire shelter GS-07F-19254 or equivalent Brush fires Prescribed Wildland fires Structural Firefighting Ensemble As compared to the Rescue ensemble, provides a higher level of abrasion, tear and flame/flash protection. At the discretion of Incident Command, components may be used in place of the Rescue ensemble. Components are compliant with NFPA 1971 (2007 edition) and CMA #5806. Helmets also meet OSHA 1910, 1926, ANSI Z89.1-1986 & Z89.2-1971 NFPA 1971 compliant Bunker Jacket or Coat NFPA 1971 compliant Bunker Pants with suspenders NFPA 1971 compliant helmet with shield NFPA 1971 compliant Bunker Boots NFPA 1971 compliant structural firefighting gloves NFPA 1971 compliant Nomex Hood NFPA 1981 compliant SCBA Assorted personal tools (Spanners, flashlight, rescue webbing, door stops, etc) Entering a structure reported to be on fire Salvage and overhaul Unknown contaminant, IDLH or low oxygen environments Incident scene which has a high potential for explosion Helicopter Operations Ensemble Generally used by Flight Medics and Pilots while operating on Medflight. Compliant with Collier County Helicopter Operations standards Page 4 of 6
Nomex Flight Suit (or department issued equivalent) Flight Helmet (or department issued equivalent) In-flight helicopter operations Landing zone operations Level B CBRNE Ensemble- At the discretion of Incident Command, generally used for Warm Zone operations at a CBNRE event. Compliant with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, 1910.132 and 1910.1030. Level C CBNRE Ensemble At the discretion of Incident Command, generally used for Warm or Cold Zone operations at a CBNRE event. Compliant with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, 1910.132 and 1910.1030. Tychem SL Coveralls (or department issued equivalent) North Butyl Gloves (or department issued equivalent) North Butyl Boots (or department issued equivalent) 3M 6800 Full Face piece APR with FR5714 canister (or department issued equivalent) Kappler ChemTape (or department issued equivalent) CBNRE perimeter operations Personnel are not permitted to utilize or field-test personal or vendor-provided equipment in place of department issued PPE without written authorization from the County. In no situation, should an employee utilize equipment outside manufacture specifications, when damaged, improperly sized or fitted or when not trained in the equipments use or limitations. PPE Inspection In an effort to assure compliant and functioning PPE, employees must inventory and inspect department issued PPE at the beginning of each shift. The integrity and utility of each item will be inspected using the below PPE Inspection Criteria. Discrepancies will be immediately reported to a senior officer. All PPE items will be accounted for and free of holes, tears, burns, cracks and bio-hazardous contaminants. The integrity, utility, and appearance will be inspected. All components will be clean Page 5 of 6
and functional. Helmets will display proper reflective decals. The shield will be clear, free of cracks, with proper mounting brackets E clips. PAS-tags will have proper color, identification, and rank and otherwise complaint with the Personnel Accountability System Standard Operating Guideline SCBA and APR mask components will be free of dirt and provide a good seal. Straps will be inspected for signs of wear. Filters are to remain in their unopened packaging. All other equipment should be either sealed or functioning as when originally issued. In addition to daily inspection, everyone must don their PPE on the first working day of the month to assure proper fitting. Discrepancies will be immediately reported to a senior officer: Fitting for pants can be measured by assuring all clasps/zippers are closed and performing deep knee bends without the pants becoming binding or causing the employee to lose their balance. Reflective trim will be inspected for signs of fading. Fitting for coats/jackets can be measured by assuring all clasps/zippers are closed and crossing the arms across the chest without the coat becoming constrictive across the back and raising arms over the head with no unprotected area showing between the bottom of the jacket/coat and the top of the pants. Fitting for the coveralls can be measured by performing deep knee bends and by crossing the arms across the chest without the coverall becoming too tight across the back, thighs or abdomen. Fitting for gloves, boots and helmet are best measured by the ease of putting on the items and measuring their comfort. Fitting of mask/face pieces are best measured by performing a respirator fit test (Portacount or equivalent). An annual visual inventory of all issued PPE will be conducted by management in January of each year. Firefighting gear will be inspected in house biannually by certified personnel. The cleaning of bunker gear will be schedule in accordance with NFPA 1851 at pre-determined locations. Employees are encouraged and expected to contact their immediate supervisor in the event their firefighting gear requires care or inspection above and beyond these parameters. REVIEWED BY: APPROVED BY: Tony Camps, Deputy Chief Tabatha Butcher, Assistant Chief Walter Kopka, Chief Page 6 of 6