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Rehab Policies. When do you not allow a person to reenter?
What point to you force a crew to go to rehab and not allow them to go back in the fire? We have had this fight on many admin meetings. Right now after 2nd bottle you must go to rehab have medic check HR and BP pulse Ox and clear you to return to duty. I have suggested we change that to before the second bottle but then find I dont want to follow it..(yes thats ego and bad judgement) I am just wondering what other think and policies in place.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bernard Hendrick on
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Our S.O.P's state that u are allowed 2 entries b4 rehab, then we must strip down and cool off replenish and get vitals done. After 3rd bottle if there is sufficient manpower ur not allowed back in but to do overhaul. We all rush to get in and get the job done and never think about the long run how it will affect us. We all need to slow down and get the job done safely. I am bad about being gun-ho too, cant help it its in the blood and im a adrenaline junkie!!
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Hey Art thanks for that link. That looks to be a great web site, I've not seen it before.
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Permalink Reply by John on
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Unless its during the day our Explorer post is mainly responsible for bottle changes. The rule is that they ask how many times they have been in, and if they need anything to drink. After they have been in twice they are supposed to go to rehab. Usually we don't have a problem with this rule, and if there is an officer is alerted fairly quickly and will take care of the matter. Our EMT's do a really great job at checking everyones pulse rate and such, and advise rehab as it is seen fit. Even people that are not going inside the structure like pump operators, and even explorers are well monitored.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Jewett on
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TWO BOTTLES and then you break
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Permalink Reply by Pablo J. de la Torre on
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mostly after the second bottle, or if EMS sees something that would require Rehap. hot fire on a hot day, maybe before the second bottle. The problems is that when there are more then one company on scene you sometimes miss that 2nd exchange of bottles. And yes, sometimes firefighters from some other company don't pay attention to EMS thats not with thier company.
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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Thought those of you interested in this topic would like to know that there is a website dedicated to re-hab.
Here's the link: http://www.firerehab.com/
That's why I'm here.
Art
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Permalink Reply by Scarecrow on
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We use 45 minute bottles and a 1 bottle rule. Guys were able to beat the two bottle rule. We had a fellow one time trying to go for his fourth bottle, he obviously got caught. We aren't looking for any heroes, just getting the job done and everyone goes home.
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Permalink Reply by ILDisasterEMT on
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I check my guys (and gals) after their second bottle. BP in excess of 170/p, pulse greater than 180, respirations greater than 24/min gets them 20 minutes time out with an NRB at 12lpm. If it comes down after 20 minutes into normal parameters and stays there for 2 sets of vitals, they get their second bottle and go back to work. If not, they are done. They dont like it and let me know it, but they also usually thank me for looking after them. Im not trying to do it to jerk them around or as some power trip and they know that. The job they do is dangerous enough and they will push themselves far beyond safe limits. If somebody doesnt call a shut down, we end up losing fire fighters to medical and not accidents. Also, anybody in the tripod position comes out of their turnouts and doesn't go back to that particular fire ground. I love my fire fighters and do my best to take care of them.They also like Conastoga Springs water and peanut butter power bars. I carry a notebook in my shirt pocket and get a set of baselines either when they come on duty or show up at the scene so I know exactly where they are. I also know which of them has medically controlled hypertension, diabetes or any medical condition which adrenaline, heat and smoke might make worse. Also, if they are sitting out for a break, their bunker coat, balaclava, and helmet come off and they get their temperature taken. They gave be a bunker coat that has my last name and the word "MOM" in great big letters on the back. I will even go up to them and tap them on the shoulder to get checked out if they seem to not want to come out. If they give me too much argument, the Chief tells them they "come out until Mother checks them out."
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Permalink Reply by Kevin King on
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Tough gettin old and fat aint it bro
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Hey, Dan:
Has any of this information improved your situation with Admin?
Do they need medical data to help them towards a better understanding of the importance of rehab?
Check in, man.
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Permalink Reply by chele on
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Hi! Our Chief recently advised us that we will be enforcing a two bottle/45 min (whichever comes first) then off to rehab policy. I'm just wondering how did you develop your re-entry policy? As an EMT I can not clear a firefighter to return to fighting fire without set protocols, did you work with your medical director?
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Permalink Reply by Coach on
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I don't know you, your department, or your manpower. However, that "certain person" who strives for "super firefighters" is the biggest threat to your personnnel and department. I would invite him to take some time and visit firefighterclosecalls.com, the Secret List, and a host of other web sites filled with tales of the "Super firefighters". To an extent, one has to have a big ego to do the work we do, under the conditions that we do it. However, ego's get are people hurt. Sinfully low manpower translates into the run card needing refined, or requesting additional companies sooner. Sinfully low manpower translates into each of the personnel on the scene are trying to do more and more.....making them a bigger candiate for a forced break at rehab!
Lets' use our heads folks......
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