Emmitsburg, MD – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has joined with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in announcing a new document to help first responders being called to residential carbon monoxide incidents. The new document, titled: Responding to Residential Carbon Monoxide Incidents-Guidelines for Fire and Other Emergency Responders” is available at http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA04/os/Resident.pdf.
“This CPSC guideline is designed to help emergency response personal act quickly and accurately when responding to carbon monoxide emergencies,” said U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison. “Carbon monoxide is a real threat to all of us — as recent events like the generator use during the recent blackouts and now the need for winter heating have demonstrated. I am pleased to join with the CPSC to ensure our first responders get this information.”
The new document will help responders:
- ensure their own protection from carbon monoxide when entering an occupancy;
- confirm whether a carbon monoxide hazard exists;
- make a preliminary assessment of potential sources of elevated carbon monoxide;
- give advice to the occupants on how to prepare home for re-entry;
- promote carbon monoxide awareness and safe practices throughout a community.
For more information, visit www.usfa.fema.gov.
