Wake County firefighters could soon get a second set of turnouts, which is the uniform they use to fight fires.
The additional gear is part of a plan to help reduce the risk of occupational cancer in firefighters, which is the No. 1 cause of in-the-line-of-duty death.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Wake County commissioners will vote on the plan in early June. It's part of the budget and very likely to pass. The total cost of the budget item is $600,000.
Commissioner Matt Calabria said investing in the gear is investing in firefighter's health.
"We have to pay for insurance policies and other things for these firefighters, and it's easier to keep people healthy than cure people that are sick,” Calabria said. “And, of course, there's a human cost in that as well.”
Under the plan, each Wake County firefighter would get an additional coat and pair of pants.
It's important to have a second set of turnout gear because current recommendations call for firefighters to change their turnout gear and wash them after exposure to contaminants. It is a process, though, and without that second set of turnouts, it's tough to do, according to the Lavender Ribbon Report.
The new gear also has a cancer-protective inside layer designed to protect firefighters from carcinogens.
Turnouts typically last about 10 years. The budget also includes $100,000 each year for maintenance and replacement.
The proposed purchase is based on recommendations in the Lavender Ribbon Report. The report details 11 actions firefighters need to take to reduce their risk of developing occupational cancer:
- Full PPE must be worn throughout the entire incident
- A second hood should be provided to all personnel in the department
- After leaving the Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health incident, firefighters should begin decontamination of PPE using soap water and a brush if weather conditions allow. PPE should then be put into a sealed plastic bag and put in an exterior compartment of the rig.
- After finishing decontamination and will still on the scene, wipe off exposed areas of the body (neck, face, arms and hands) using wipes. Use wipes to remove as much soot as possible from head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms and hands immediately.
- Change clothes and wash them after exposure to products of combustion or other contaminants.
- “Shower within the hour.” Shower as soon as possible after exposure to products of combustion or other contaminants.
- PPE, especially turnout pants, are prohibited in areas outside the firefighter truck floor and never in the household
- Wipes or soap and water should be used to decontaminate and clean firetruck seats
- Get an annual physical, as early detection is the key to survival
- Tobacco products should not be used anytime, on or off duty
- Fully document all fire and chemical exposures in incident reports and personal exposure reports