Health and Safety Committee Update
Posted On: Jan 05, 2015

As first responders, we are exposed to all types of hazards, from infectious diseases to toxic cancer-causing smoke.  We have no control over the potential hazards we may be exposed to when responding to 911-calls.  Therefore, to protect ourselves from these hazards, we rely on the proper use of our Personal Protective Equipment.

We inherently live in a toxic society.  In our everyday lives, we are exposed to all type of environmental pollutants: vehicle exhaust, cellphone radiation, genetically-modified foods, pesticides, herbicides, hormone-disrupting chemicals, nuclear fallout; the list goes on and on.  It is impossible for us to remove ourselves entirely from all the carcinogens and toxic products that exist and that we are exposed to on a daily basis. 

However, in situations where we do have control, it is possible for us to REDUCE the amount of exposures we encounter throughout the course of our lives.  It is possible for us to make a conscious effort to limit our overall exposures; in other words: we can practice “Harm Reduction”.  Where our control lies is in the choices we make, at work and at home.  This is in the true spirit of “Cancer Prevention”.

While at work, there are potential exposures we have control over and others that we don’t.  On 911 calls for example, we have no control over the heat, chemicals, gasses and infectious diseases that may be present, but we wear our SCBA and other PPE to protect us, reducing the potential for exposure.  At the Fire Station, we have control over what products we bring into the firehouse, how we use the products that are supplied, and how we protect ourselves while using them.

The SFFD Health & Safety Committee has been working with the SF Department of Environment on a toxic reduction/greener product project.  Products found in the Fire Stations were inventoried, assessed for potential exposure hazards, and less toxic/greener options were suggested.  Some of these products were being supplied by the Department, while others were brought in from the outside, purchased by the house collector or brought in by individual members.  The overall goal of the project is to have less-toxic Fire Station environments.  This project is on-going.

Fire Stations have many functions: fire suppression staging area, mobile emergency health clinic, office, food preparation center, health club/gym, living space, dormitory, etc.  We need to adhere to decontamination practices and infection control standards to maintain an adequate level of hygiene and to prevent cross-contamination.  We also need to achieve this without causing harm to ourselves.  Cleaning products that are strong enough to kill bacteria and viruses may also be harmful to us.  We need to reach a proper balance between the two.

The frontline cleaner/disinfectant products currently being supplied by the Department are bleach and 64-RP.  Both of these products are highly effective, if used properly.  If they are not used properly, they can cause harm to us and to our environment.  Equally effective, less toxic products currently exist; however, at this time, they are still VERY EXPENSIVE and hence, cost prohibitive.  Until the time when the City acquires a contract that will provide affordable less toxic effective janitorial supply products, we need to continue to use bleach and 64-RP.  Meanwhile, we need to be SMARTER and WISER about the way we use it – to protect ourselves and our environment.

As part of the Committee’s effort to create a less toxic work environment, the attached educational flyer focusses on how to properly use Formulation 64-RP.  If this effort proves successful, the Committee plans on providing additional educational flyers and editorials in upcoming Mainline issues.


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