PPE on Vehicle Accidents

I was just wondering what peoples thoughts/department SOG's were on wearing bunker gear, ambulance crew/fire crew, on the scene of vehicle accidents. In my department's SOG's it states "Bunker gear is required for personal injury accidents", yet there are some who refuse to wear it when they respond on the squad(ambulance) because they have reflective vests or jackets. Me personally I wear my bunker gear and a refective vest no matter what truck I respond in.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doc82 on February 16, 2009 at 9:01pm

I'm sorry, but full bunker gear in 100+ heat with 60-70% humidity is adding unnecessary heat stress.

We recently went with extrication gear, that is lighter, breathes better, and still protects from cuts, fluids, and the rare flash fire while performing extrication in an MVA. Medics have the option of staying in the EMS uniform with the requisite lvl III reflective jacket or vest as weather dictates when not actively participating in extrication. However, all personnel working in or around the said vehicle, must be in full rescue gear, to include helmet with goggles. Face shields alone are no longer authorized as sole eye protection. Members riding the engine and assigned to fire suppression will be in full bunker with SCBA, not required be masked/on air, unless active involvement is required.

It's past time we started to loose the "hero" complex and realize we are just as human as those we are "saving". We do no one any good when we ourselves become a patient on a scene or upon return from a scene. So full PPE? yes, but that doesn't mean bunkers are the way to go 100% of the time.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on February 16, 2009 at 9:11pm

How about just putting a fire apparatus in position as a traffic blocker and wearing a traffic vest?

As for the car catching fire, how often does that really happen. The answer is "almost never".

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bobbie K. on February 16, 2009 at 9:57pm

We are suppose to wear them on all vehicle accidents. But never know until you pull up on a scene as to what equipment (If any) are needed and you must wear ppe to use jaws and other equipment so best to be safe and have it on than to be sorry .

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don Vuletic on February 16, 2009 at 10:11pm

We require complete turnouts on mva's plus airpacks unless confirmed by PD or officer on scene to remove packs. We also wear the vest as required when no fire is envolved.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on February 16, 2009 at 10:20pm

We wear turnout gear with safety glasses, vest, and helmet on MVAs.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on February 16, 2009 at 10:28pm

If your on the Rescue (no fire) SCBA is not a good idea it just gets in the way.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by nick myrdycz on February 16, 2009 at 10:43pm

time of call dosent matter!!!!dirt road or highway dosent matter!!!!!car could catch fire or explode at anytime.......................... ppe should be worn and worn properly...........

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on February 16, 2009 at 10:51pm

can you say "bust your balls" without offending someone?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on February 16, 2009 at 11:00pm

How many times have you seen a car catch fire or explode while you were working a wreck?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on February 16, 2009 at 11:01pm

Private ambulance folks wear jumpsuits and jackets that have reflective striping on the back and arms. I have no problem with this as long as the ambulance medics stay out of the way and allow the firefighters to extricate the patient, concurrent with one of our firefighter paramedics initiating pre-hospital care, while wearing FULL PPE.

The fewer people I have to have around working a MVA on the highway the better. And for those that do show up, it is common practice to make use of the fire engine to form a protective barrier in case someone decides to crash into the scene.

Forthcoming are the newly required reflective vests for everyone. This is a good thing in regard to providing additional safety for our personnel.

The bottom line here is that if someone gets hurt at an accident scene, and they were not wearing PPE that was provided for them, then they were not obviously following standardized operating procedures or guidelines. If the injury is serious enough, there could even be questions as to whether or not the jurisdiction would be responsible for paying for any of the medical expenses because SOG's / SOP's were not followed...

It's up to the company officer to both manage the accident scene and his or her personnel. Failure to do their job could result in disciplinary issues and maybe even a day on the beach... without pay... Scene safety and wearing the appropriate PPE is paramount toward enabling a successful outcome for those working at an accident scene. Not following these basic safety rules shows me that these folks may not be looking out for others.

Professional firefighters follow the rules and wear PPE. And by professional, I mean as in how you act and demonstrate your competency, regardless whether you are full time, part-time, volunteer or whatever. We all take the same risks and it's more important to be able to go home, healthy and alive.

TCSS, Mike