There are many risks beyond the fire

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Firefighters risk their lives and health in many ways – not only in the incident itself. They are exposed to carcinogenic and otherwise toxic substances. Awareness for these risks and cleaning the equipment are crucial for their safety.

The unseen dangers

Why is cleaning your equipment after every incident so important? What dangers are presented by unclean equipment? What are the risks to a firefighter's health? Learn more about a firefighter's increased cancer risk, toxic gases that may be present at an incident, and the best ways to clean and disinfect exposed equipment. Take action now to reduce the risk.

The silent danger

During an incident, your personal protection equipment can become contaminated by fire residues and hazardous substances. The transmission of external contamination poses serious health risks.

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Tackling the challenge of contamination

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At Dräger, we aim to protect you every step of the way and not only when the danger is visible as is the case in firefighting missions. Your safety and your long-term health drive our technology/innovation and actions. We remain committed to providing solutions that help you and your department to mitigate and address potential health risks. For this reason, we proudly continue to support the work of a particular firefighter-led organization, Healthy Firefighters.

Healthy Firefighters not only provides educational resources but also strategies to address risks in a pragmatic and realistic way from different levels of resources, timelines and team experience.

Healthy Firefighters has developed procedures that can prevent the exposure to invisible hazardous substances, which accumulate during and after a fire on responder clothing and equipment. These procedures can be implemented at the scene, en-route to the station and in the workshop.

The full implementation is a journey that depends on local conditions. Luckily, great achievements in the work environment can be made for everyone just by very small changes. As the representatives from Healthy Firefighter like to point out, it is all about getting started. Every day not getting started is a day wasted.

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Reducing Risk for Cancer and Other Fire-Related Conditions

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The contributions that job-related exposures have in illnesses such as cancer has grown steadily in recent years. One important reason for that: the amount of potentially carcinogenic substances in modern building materials. A growing body of research and data shows that harmful correlation.

But how can the current situation be improved? First and foremost by raising an awareness about this critical topic and by providing firefighters with the right knowledge and equipment to protect themselves effectively. Before, during and after a call.

Wearing SCBA or cleaning personal protective equipment after returning from a call helps to minimise the risk of getting exposed to carcinogenic substances. Find out what else you can do to address this serious health and safety issue in the fields of Training, Incident and Readiness below.

Cancer Awareness - Training

Efficient cancer prevention starts with the physical health and fitness of firefighters. Another important building block in minimizing the cancer risk is the enhancement of daily routines and workflows. New standard operating procedures, that incorporate comprehensive trainings, must also be established.

Toxic Twins

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The “Toxic Twins” - Dangerous individually, more deadly in combination

Two of the most dangerous smoke-borne gases you can encounter are carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). They’re called the “toxic twins” because where you find one, you usually find the other. Each gas is toxic on its own. But in combination they are exponentially worse – combining to form a chemical asphyxiant that can cause heart attacks at the time of the fire and cancer decades later. Measuring each gas against its individual threshold does not provide effective protection.

Safe Handling of Contaminated PPE

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After a fire is extinguished, toxic soot particles settle in the surroundings – and also on the clothing and equipment of the fire fighters. A few rules should be followed when on site and also when cleaning the equipment in the workshop, in order to minimize the danger from contact with these particles.
Get more insights in the following infographics.

Residues from fires, such as toxic soot particles, can settle on firefighters’ clothing and personal protective equipment. The prolonged exposure to this contamination poses serious health risks to firefighters and the people around them.

Download full infographic here

Modern Workshop Design

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Protecting you every step of the way: How to make your cleaning job a safe job

After the call is before the call: The cleaning of contaminated self-contained breathing apparatus, full face masks and chemical protective suits involves severe health risks for fire workshop technicians. Following a clearly defined process, separated in dirty and clean phases, helps to protect your technical staff from the exposure to harmful substances sticking on the contaminated equipment. Learn how to benefit from a well-structured cleaning course, stocked with modern work stations and defined steps.

Physical Fitness for Firefighters

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Fitness is key for fighting fire

Firefighting requires endurance, strength and stamina. You have to clear obstacles, haul heavy equipment and save human lives – all under time constraints, while wearing complete firefighting gear, and in high temperatures. This combination can be dangerous, as many firefighter fatalities can be traced back to heart failure, circulatory collapse and overexertion. You can, however, protect yourself with a regular workout that strengthens your body and prepares you for the demands of your job, as well as eating a well-rounded diet. See below for exercises you can do anywhere, recipes that fuel the body with required nutrients, and Dräger products that always keep you ready for the next call.