Bottom Left Best practices for reducing firefighter exposure to contaminants in Qu´ ebec (Canada) Josianne Roy, M.Sc. & Arnaud Courti, Ph.D. Centre RISC (Recherche et Innovation en S ´ ecurit ´ e Civile du Qu ´ ebec), Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy, Qu ´ ebec, QC, Canada Best practices for reducing firefighter exposure to contaminants in Qu´ ebec (Canada) Josianne Roy, M.Sc. & Arnaud Courti, Ph.D. Centre RISC (Recherche et Innovation en S ´ ecurit ´ e Civile du Qu ´ ebec), Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy, Qu ´ ebec, QC, Canada Background During their daily firefighting activities, firefighters are exposed to many contaminants such as soot, polycyclic aromatic hydrocar- bons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulates [1,2,3,4]. According to several epidemiological studies, frequent exposure to these hazardous substances are associated with ele- vated risks of cancer, various health problems and higher mortality risks for firefighters than in the general population [5,6]. In re- sponse to this issue, firefighters began to review their practices in recent years to reduce their exposure to contaminants. In Qu ´ ebec (Canada), for the last few years we’ve been witnessing much more awareness and a major positive change in health and prevention culture. Taking into account the reality of fire departments and the resources available, firefighters in Qu ´ ebec have improved their practices based on various models found around the world and re- cent scientific studies. Study objective This pilot study is showing new measures put in place by Qu ´ ebec firefighters to reduce exposure to contaminants. Methods • Data collection : an online questionnaire using SurveyMonkey R was administrated in April and May 2019 to health and safety officers (one per fire department) • Survey : 19 items were used to assess “measures” in each fire department • Recruitment and sample : the questionnaire was administrated to 488 fire departments by the Association des chefs en s ´ ecu- rit ´ e incendie du Qu ´ ebec (ACSIQ ). ACSIQ reaches chiefs and directors, from 488 fire departments, out of a total of 662 in the Province of Qu ´ ebec (Canada) [7] • Population: health and safety officers in a fire department in- clude directors, deputy directors, fire chiefs and officers • Data analysis : a descriptive analysis was performed Gross decontamination at Montr ´ eal Fire Department (2018) and rehab unit (green zone) at St-J ´ erˆome Fire Department (2019). Preliminary results In total, 149 participants (one per fire department) filled out the questionnaire, representing 22.5 % of all fire departments in Qu ´ ebec. These 149 fire departments employ 4,794 full-time and 3,911 part-time firefighters over 21,100 firefighters in Qu ´ ebec [7]. Education Training courses 69 % 65 % 31 % 35 % Fig. 1: Education and training courses. On average, 69 % of fire departments offered educational activities to fire depart- ment personnel (including posters, videos, documents and fo- cus groups) and 65 % offered a minimum of 3 hours training courses to firefighters and chiefs. SCBA (firefighting) SCBA (overhaul) Full bunker gear (overhaul) Respiratory protection (PPE decon) Respiratory protection (equipment cleaning) Gloves (doffing and equipment handling) 6% 20 % 27 % 16 % 100 % 94 % 99 % 80 % 73 % 84 % Fig. 2: Personal protection (respiratory and skin). On average, all fire departments (100%) require or recommend wearing SCBA during firefighting (structural fires indoor/outdoor and vehicles fires), 94 % wearing SCBA during overhaul (indoor/outdoor), 99 % wearing full bunker gear during overhaul, 80% wearing respiratory protection (SCBA, N95 mask or other) during personal protective equipment (PPE) decontamination, 73 % wearing respiratory protection during equipment cleaning and 84 % wearing gloves during doffing PPE and contaminated equipment handling. 2 hoods/FF 2 bunker gears/FF 92 % 51 % 8% 49 % Skin cleaning on scene Shower 93 % 79 % 7% 21 % Fig. 3: PPE availability. A minimum of two personal or collective hoods (92 %) and two personal or collective bunker gears (51 %) are available for each firefighter (FF). Fig. 4: Hygiene. 93 % of fire departments require or recom- mend performing skin cleaning on scene (hands, neck and face) with water, soap and/or cleansing wipes, while 79 % taking a shower as soon as possible after a fire. Yes No Gross decontamination 83 % 17 % Bunker gears Equipments 38 % 60 % 62 % 40 % Fig. 5: Gross decontamination. On average, 83 % of fire de- partments require or recommend performing gross decontamination post fire on scene (water, soap/water with brush or dry brush) for firefighters assigned to fire attack and victim search. Fig. 6: Transport of contaminated gears and equip- ments. During the ride back to the fire station, contaminated bunker gears are bagged for 38% of fire departments and con- taminated equipments are bagged or isolated in a separate area of the apparatus for 60 % of fire departments. Contaminated materials outside living areas Zone for decon Exhaust capture system 59 % 28 % 49 % 41 % 72 % 51 % Fig. 7: Fire station. 59 % of fire departments prohibit contaminated materials into living areas (PPE, radios, tools, thermal cameras or other equipment), only 28 % of fire stations have a zone for decontamination, hermetically separated from the living areas and 49 % of fire stations have exhaust capture system. Conclusion Best practices differ greatly from one fire department to another and there has been rapid change in recent years. However, fire departments faced challenges to implement new measures due to lack of space in fire stations (69 %), higher costs (55 %), lack of space in vehicles (52 %), lack of personnel (40 %), lack of time (39 %), cultural change (25 %), expectation for standards (21 %) and scientific studies (10 %). According to 47 % of fire departments, their practices are adequate. More extensive analysis of these results will be done in the future. Utilisez un APRIA, de l’attaque initiale jusqu’à la fn du déblai Nettoyez un maximum d’équipements avant de quitter la scène. Utilisez des lingettes nettoyantes tel qu’indiqué Prenez une douche au retour en caserne Changez vos vêtements Nettoyez votre équipement de protection individuelle (EPI) après l’exposition Au besoin, faites la décontamination de votre véhicule après l’incendie LA SUIE N’EST PAS UNE MÉDAILLE D’HONNEUR DÉCONTAMINATION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Source et crédit : IPIQ et Défense Nationale Examples of educationnal posters from Trois-Rivi ` eres and Qu ´ ebec fire departments and a best practices guide from 5 fire departments (small municipalities). Programme Santé au travail CLSC Donnacona 400, route 138 Donnacona (Québec) G3M 1C3 Téléphone : 418 285-2626 Télécopieur : 418 285-4589 Crédit photo : Jean-Simon Hubert Les contaminants de l’incendie GUIDE DE PROCÉDURES DE NETTOYAGE DES VÊTEMENTS DE PROTECTION INDIVIDUELLE, OUTILS ET ACCESSOIRES À L’INTENTION DES SERVICES DE SÉCURITÉ INCENDIE Services de sécurité incendie collaborateurs : Mars 2018 Mise à jour : Avril 2019 4 S/1 4B 4A 2 2A Compte-rendu et contrôle Mission Contrôle Retour vers le PC Aire de brossage et de rinçage Aire de changement de bouteille Aire d'hydratation et d'hygiène Aire d'hydratation, d'hygiène et de changement de cagoule Aire de nettoyage de routine Aire de nettoyage de routine en caserne PARCOURS DE CONTRÔLE DE LA CONTAMINATION Avec contaminants Contaminants réduits Sans contaminants Périmètre d’opération REHAB Libéré 10-5 Contamination control zones on the fire scene, developed by the Montr ´ eal Fire Department (2018). Kaizen methodology applied to L ´ evis Fire Department (2018). A team of 11 firefighters and chiefs worked for 5 days at a workshop, with the aim of developing best practices. References [1] Austin CC et al. (2001) J. Toxicol. Environ. Health Part A; 63(6):437–58 [2] Bolstad-Johnson DM et al. (2000) Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 61(5):636–641 [3] Fent KW et al. (2018) J Occup Environ Hyg 15(5):399-412 [4] Kirk KM and Logan MB (2015) J Occup Environ Hyg 12(4):227–234 [5] Daniels RD et al. (2014) J Occup Environ Med 71(6):388–397 [6] LeMasters GK et al. (2006) J Occup Environ Med 48(11):1189–202 [7] Minist ` ere de la S ´ ecurit ´ e publique (2019) Available at: https://www.securitepublique.gouv.qc.ca/securite-incendie/bottin.html Acknowledgment This research was supported by Centre RISC and Campus Notre- Dame-de-Foy. The authors thank ACSIQ for their help in ques- tionnaire transmission to fire departments in Qu ´ ebec.