SAFETY IN INVESTIGATION
TRAINING NOTEBOOK
Fire investigators, who operate in the prevention rather than the suppression mode of firefighting, are as integral to fire operations as firefighters themselves. However, they often are treated as separate entities, as people “outside” the incident. One unfortunate side effect of this marginalization is that issues relevant to all fire service personnel, such as safety, are not taken seriously by or for fire investigators.
Fire investigators, who move in during or following overhaul, often operate in ways that would be considered intolerable from a safety standpoint if practiced by fire suppressors. All too often, investigators go to work with inadequate personal protection. And after knockdown and overhaul, the firefighters, rehab sector, backup team, and safety officers pick up and leave the investigator to do his or her work—alone.
Investigators must be enlightened to current safety practices and must be included in training along with the rest of the department. This will reinforce the fact that fire personnel are part of a team working toward a common goal—and, of course, on an individual level it is vital for the personal safety of the fire investigator. Consider the following hazards when operating on the fireground as an investigator.
STRUCTURAL HAZARDS
Investigators must be constantly aware of their surroundings. They are operating in buildings that have been through the beginning stages of being destroyed. The amount of damage fire and suppression activities have inflicted, combined with previous damage or changes in building construction, determines how safe the work area will be.
All collapse zones set during the initial stages of the incident must remain in effect until the area is proven safe. Just because there was no collapse does not mean that the building now is safe. Gravity is still attacking the building and there is no way to know when it will win the battle.
Consider the extent and intensity of the fire and take into account the live load that has been added in the form of water. You may want to examine the exterior of the building for damage and interview firefighters for other significant information such as the location of water tanks, air conditioning units, or other extra heavy loads in the building. A qualified building official should determine how sound the structure is before anyone is permitted to enter it.
HEALTH HAZARDS
A major concern in the fire service today is that of toxic exposures with acute or chronic consequences. While it is difficult to conduct an investigation wearing SCBA, it may be necessary during the initial stages of the investigation. Investigators are exposed to untold hazards when they enter confined areas before overhaul is completed. This work area could be a building, a car, or even an open field. Any time there is a fire, some fuel is broken down, and its components are released into the air. Just because the flame is out does not mean that pyrolysis has stopped; some material still may be giving off harmful vapors. On the other hand, the toxic by-products of the fire are still in the area after the fire is out. As these materials cool, they drop down to levels at which personnel are working and breathing. This exposes anyone in the area to the harmful and possibly deadly by-products of the fire.
Before anyone is permitted to enter an area without breathing apparatus, the air should be sampled with monitors to detect toxicity, combustibility, oxygen levels, and specific, known hazards such as carbon monoxide or site-specific toxins. It is important that you do not forget dead air spaces such as closets, small rooms, and low areas where heavier-than-air gases may pool. Meters are available to test sufficiently. With the proper training and knowledge of the properties of these gases, these meters are easy to use.
Another potential for exposure arises when the investigator digs through the debris at the fire scene, especially at cold scenes where everything has had time to dry out. Dust and particles kicked up into the air may contain carcinogens. Masks can be used to filter particles, but it is very important to be aware that the proper filter cannot be chosen unless you know which hazardous substances might be present. Filters are substance-specific and become more cumbersome and difficult to use as you add additional filters for each specific hazardous substance. These filter masks are not self-contained; the wearer breathes the air at the scene. It is important to adhere strictly to the correct standards for using these masks. Do not expect masks to be able to do anything other than what they are designed to do.
Also be aware of exposure through the eyes and absorption through the skin. The results of these kinds of exposure can be as dramatic as the results of a toxin being injected directly into the body. Eyes allow contaminants into the body extremely fast and should be protected at all times. Protective clothing (including gloves) that provides the proper level of protection for the hazard present must be chosen and worn at all times. Gloves must be able to prevent not only physical harm but also the absorption of toxins. Decontamination must be considered—an investigator’s clothing can carry around toxins all day. During the entire time these contaminated clothes are worn, toxins are being absorbed and are contaminating other surfaces, which will spread or prolong exposure to the substance. Clothing exposed to these poisons should not be cleaned with family laundry. Smoking, eating, or drinking at the scene or before cleanup should be strictly prohibited. These actions can cause toxins to be ingested. We want to protect ourselves from the four exposure routes: inhalation, absorption, ingestion, and injection. It is very important to be aware of these hazards; a simple act such as washing your hands or changing clothes can reduce your exposure level drastically.
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Due to the many physical hazards at a fire scene, investigators must be cognizant of their surroundings. Quality hard hats should be worn. OSHA requires head protection strong enough to protect against penetration by falling and flying objects. It also should provide protection from electrical shocks. Helmets should meet the requirements and specifications published in the American National Standard and Safety Requirements for Industrial Head Protection, Z89.1-1969. Quality safety shoes to protect from crushing or penetrating injuries should be worn. If a contaminated object penetrates your skin, the poison will be injected into your body. Helmets and safety shoes have limits; they do not protect you from all the dangers you may encounter, but they will save you a great deal of pain and suffering.
The best safety practice is to avoid the hazards that are present when you investigate a fire. To do this, you must be as aware as possible of the hazards in the area. All work areas should be well lit so that any hazards present will be recognized and precautions taken. Many times firefighters have walked off a roof or fallen simply due to limited visibility; this can happen to anybody. A good flashlight is a valuable tool, but generators and portable lighting are your best bets. When using generators in a confined area, do not forget about carbon monoxide and other exhaust by-products.
In many areas of the country, crime is a major concern. Precautions should be taken in areas where there is a possibility diat the investigator may become a crime victim. Do not allow investigators to work alone— use a buddy system and provide communications to allow the investigation team to call for help if needed. Where physical hazards are a concern, common sense should prevail. Where you see a potential problem, take action to protect yourself and make sure the whole team is aware of the hazard. Awareness and prevention are the best ways to protect investigators from injuries.
INCIDENT SAFETY
An investigator never should be left alone when structural or terrain hazards exist. Even while investigating an outdoor fire or a car fire, accidents can happen. Investigators should have the ability to react as soon as an accident occurs. If personnel are operating in a hazardous area, a backup rescue team should be standing by to provide rescue and medical aid. There is no way to provide immediate assistance, should it be required, when an investigator is permitted to work alone. Safety precautions taken during the beginning stages of the incident should not be abandoned just because the fire is out. The level of safety should match the level of suspected hazards. Always remember, it is better to err on the side of safety than to pay for a mistake with the career or life of an investigator.
When SCBAs first came into use, they were called cumbersome and were said to restrict vision. Now we would not dream of fighting a fire without wearing one. Know the air that you are breathing—if you can see it, do not breathe it—but also be aware that what you cannot see may kill you as well. Many of these suggestions will be uncomfortable at first, but like anything else, you can get used to them. Remember, the injury you sustain today may kill you many days, months, or years later. The studies done on firefighter health and safety are applicable to fire investigators. These studies show a cancer rate higher than the national average. Whether you work for a local, state, or federal fire department or a private agency, you face these hazards every time you investigate a fire.
We must make safety a priority. If we do not, eventually these exposures and injuries will take their toll. None of us should have to pay with our health for a fire we did not start. With the proper precautions, almost any scene can be rendered safe.
