Where firefighters can find respiratory protection resources

Ask ResponderHelp.com – an emergency responder’s one-stop free resource

Cancer awareness has become a major topic in the fire service – and for good reason. The inhalation or ingestion of contaminants is known to be a significant exposure for firefighters, but many departments are still failing to help reduce these risks to the best of their abilities.

While the industry has improved with the use of respiratory protection during the free-burning phase of incidents, it’s equally important during the overhaul phase where combustion by-products can be even more prevalent.

If your department hasn’t revisited procedures for respiratory protection, reviewed SOGs for use of protection on the fireground, or completed an annual fit-testing of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to help assure a proper seal and reduce your exposure to injury and illness – here are a few resources to help you do so.

Respiratory protection resources on ResponderHelp.com include:

• Industry standards from the NFPA including 1404: Fire Department Respiratory Protection Training and 1500: Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health and Wellness Program
• Sample SOGs for fit-testing of protective breathing equipment, SCBA inspection log and SCBA medical evaluations
• Technical bulletins on SCBA facepiece sizing issues and maintenance best practices

Even the tiniest leak in your respiratory equipment can be dangerous – which is why small changes in your safety practices can make a big difference! For more questions, feel free to reach out to the VFIS Risk Management team!

What is ResponderHelp.com?

ResponderHelp.com is an online resource for emergency responders that offers a robust library of valuable resources and covers the topics that fire and EMS experts believe to be the biggest issues responders will face over the next 25 years. While other organizations charge for these resources, most are available for free to the users of our website. 

This website was developed in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of VFIS but offers content is sourced from a broad variety of dedicated industry specialists. We thank you for all that you do to help keep your community, team and yourself safe.