HEALTH & SAFETY
Bringing Innovative Respiratory Protection to California Wildland Firefighters
CPF is engaged with partner fire agencies, respirator manufacturers, and regulators seeking to improve respiratory protections for wildland firefighters. Recent research clearly shows the substantial risks wildfire smoke contributes to incidences of cancer and job-related injuries and illness.
The workgroup, initiated by Cal-OSHA as part of a rulemaking effort under CPF-sponsored AB 2146, is in partnership with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, and the US Forest Service. The objective is to address the glaring gap in respiratory protections for wildland and wildland urban interface firefighters and to develop feasible and fully vetted respirator technology to employ during wildland firefighting.
Early efforts include conducting operational field assessments where wildland firefighters evaluated each of the five prototype respirators in simulated wildland operations. While these assessments did not incorporate live fire or smoke and did not mimic the long hours, many miles, and elevation changes experienced on typical wildland operations, they provided valuable feedback to manufacturers on what modifications are required for viable use on the fireground. Technical considerations in the development of a viable respirator include size, weight, integration with existing equipment/web gear, voice communication, length of battery function, etc.
Next steps consist of running pack tests (workload evaluations), further work to develop well-vetted and scientifically sound respirators (cartridge testing and identifying components of wildfire smoke, etc.), and the drafting of regulations. These regulations will need to address the complexities of wildland firefighting, protect firefighters, consider all possible unintended consequences, and must be feasible for comprehensive implementation for agencies across California. Currently, there is no timeline for implementation, as it will depend on the technical evaluations, thorough vetting of respirator prototypes, and outcomes of research studies currently underway to evaluate biomarkers of exposures, identify components of wildfire smoke, and cartridge tests to ensure the respirators provide proper filtration of the toxic components.
While significant hurdles remain to implement wildland respiratory protections, the need for respiratory protection for wildland firefighters is great. CPF will continue to work with stakeholders and partners to promote protections in a manner that ensures the safety of the firefighter and provides scientifically sound protections.
For additional information or to get involved in the workgroup, please contact CPF’s EMS/Health & Safety Director, Kevin Greene, at kgreene@cpf.org.
Joint Labor-Management Emphasis on Behavioral Health Wellness in the Fire Service
The California Fire Service Behavioral Health Task Force (Task Force) continues its work toward improving firefighter behavioral health in California. The Task Force is a joint labor-management initiative committed to prioritizing behavioral health, wellness, and safety in the fire service.
By unifying the fire service and its partners to come together to address behavioral health, wellness, and safety for all firefighters across California, the Task Force works collaboratively to positively influence fire service culture by reducing barriers to behavioral health, wellness, and safety concerns and using the best practices and resources available to secure services and support.
Specific objectives for 2024 include:
Developing Tools to assist in the development and expansion of Peer Support and Behavioral Health Wellness Programs.
Expanding the pipeline of fire service culturally competent clinicians.
Developing resources to address conflict and anger management challenges in the fire service.
Additionally, the Cal-JAC, in coordination with the Task Force, has released the Behavioral Health Curriculum to accompany the new Firefighter 1 course plan. The curriculum includes a four-hour class encompassing a diverse range of topics, including stress, hypervigilance, suicide, and resiliency. The curriculum will be provided to all State Fire Training Accredited Regional Training Programs and Accredited Local Academies.