Health and Safety Updates
- Oct 29, 2009
- Local EMSA's Authorizing Paramedics to Administer H1N1 Vaccine
With the flu pandemic upon us, the state EMS Authority has set in motion a plan to allow local paramedics to administer the influenza vaccine. Under the plan, the LEMSA and the local health department may decide to temporarily expand the paramedic scope of practice to include administration of the pandemic vaccine, thereby enhancing community mass vaccination programs.
- Oct 7, 2009
- Document Your Exposures with PEROnline.org
Since 1985, the CPF-sponsored Personal Exposure Reporting system has been helping firefighters identify and document the hazardous exposures they encounter on the job.
- Aug 4, 2009
- Study: FFs Face High Cancer Risk
- A new study shows that firefighters are at high risk for developing cancer. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati said firefighters have a 100 percent higher risk of developing testicular cancer, a 50 percent higher risk for multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 26 percent increased risk for prostate cancer.
- May 29, 2009
- Adopted Cal/OSHA Standard Reduces Infectious Disease Risk
Thanks to a strong push from California Professional Firefighters and technical support from the IAFF, a new standard has been adopted that will reduce first responders' risk of exposure to infectious disease.
- Apr 29, 2009
- Free Swine Flu Training for EMS Providers
The California Emergency Medical Services Authority today has released a Swine Flu Training for all EMS providers. The free online program provides information, guidance and protocols in the response to Swine Influenza (H1N1) and Influenza-like Illness (ILI).
- Apr 10, 2009
- Pack Test Falls Short as Fitness Test
California’s new Emergency Management Agency (Cal-EMA) has joined with labor and management to reject efforts to impose an inadequate physical ability test on both incoming and incumbent firefighters. In a joint statement, Cal-EMA, CPF and the California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) conclude that the NWCG “Pack Test” can’t and shouldn’t be used as a “fit for duty” test, and implementing it could threaten mutual-aid response.
- Mar 6, 2009
- CPF Testimony Supported Exemption from High-Visibility Safety Vests
Cal/OSHA this week issued further documentation supporting the California code which exempts firefighters from wearing high-visibility safety vests at emergency scenes on public roadways.
- Feb 13, 2009
- Cyanide Exposure Can Lead to Acute and Chronic Illness
Plastics burn and cyanide is produced. The quantity of cyanide in smoke is greater than previously believed. This signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning in firefighters has gone unnoticed because they are similar to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Jan 23, 2009
- NIOSH Respiratory Certification
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certifies respiratory protection equipment under provisions of Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 84. NIOSH will only certify those respirators or combination of respirators that meet the minimum requirements set forth in the regulation.
- Jan 9, 2009
- Air Mask Safety Advisory
Users must ensure that the coupling nut is hand tight when donning the air mask before each use, as well as during air mask inspections and before performing any functional tests.