The Importance of Maintaining a Clean Cab
Submitted by Jeff Hughes, OC Firefighters Local 3631 Wellness Agent
The Clean Cab concept is all about assuring that the passenger compartments of the fire apparatus are free from toxic materials. When a tool or equipment is used in a toxic environment it should not be riding in the passenger compartment before being thoroughly cleaned. A clean cab apparatus is designed to facilitate a healthy and safe environment by reducing the exposure to contaminants. Some departments specify new vehicles should have filtered ventilation systems that provide a clean air environment and a system where windows will automatically roll up when the units pump is engaged.
I get asked the question about carrying ‘clean’ turnouts inside the cab/passenger compartment. You should not assume your turnouts are clean if they hang in an open rack in your apparatus room! Diesel exhaust is a group 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer in humans). If there is not 100% capture of diesel exhaust particulate (even when using DEF and re-gen technology), the PPE is being contaminated every day that it is exposed to diesel exhaust. This gear should not be carried in the passenger compartment and should be stored in sealed bags or bins that can be used to transport gear to and from backfill locations. This would protect your gear from contamination in the apparatus room, protect your vehicle from tertiary contamination, and protect your co-workers from contaminated gear being carried in the cab believing it is clean.
Also consider that reps of EMS calls and fire incidents contaminants accumulate in your seats, seat belts, floorboards, and steering wheel. How often does your cab get cleaned? Weekly, at the beginning of every tour, or only after each fire incident? What equipment and products do you use to deep clean the unit? We demoed a steam cleaner extractor three years ago and the results were mixed. The bottom line is that there needs to be a plan and available equipment to help you ensure a clean cab is just that.
When a fire officer arrives on scene and begins to lay out the plan for a fire incident, one of the first decisions made is based on the “values at risk”. The same should be said for all positions after the emergency as well. The biggest value at risk is you! You are the greatest asset that a fire department has at its disposal! We can replace ‘things’, but we can’t replace you.
