Personnel have to do what is necessary to reduce the frequency and severity of exposures. MCFRS recognizes that under certain circumstances we should accept some trade-offs in level of protection in order to reduce exposure to other hazards.

In order to manage the trade-off MCFRS allows two "down-grades" during the overhaul period:

• The downgrade of clothing from a full structure firefighting ensemble to a lesser level of protection. 

• The downgrade of respiratory protection from SCBA to a tight fitting particulate respirator. 

Any time you are in a structure where there was a fire, no matter how big or how small, no matter if the roof is gone, or not you must be wearing something on your face. 

A NAKED FACE IS A CLEAR VIOLATION

Downgrading Protection

All downgrades are at the discretion of the incident commander who must consider the input of the ISSO before making downgrade decisions. There are minimum conditions to be met. 

• For downgrading of clothing the incident commander must consult with the ISSO and ensure that personnel meet the minimum PPE. 

  • Issued respirator

    • Field Operations: issued tight fitting respirator designated for overhaul (at least N95). 

    • FEI: minimum standard is issued ½ mask respirator w/ organic vapor cartridges and P100 filtration

  • Long sleeved shirt 

  • Gloves 

  • Issued eye protection 

  • Helmet 

  • Issued turnout pants and boots

• For downgrading of respiratory protection the incident commander must ensure that each compartment in which work is to occur has:

  • • zero visible smoke

    • Forced air mechanical ventilation in place (one that does not create carbon monoxide)

• A calibrated and zeroed multi-gas meter is used to evaluate the compartment and no alarms are sounding

• Compartment is checked every ten minutes

• SCBA  immediately available for use. 

• That personnel return to SCBA use whenever there is ANY:

  • Tearing | Meter activation | Skin or eye irritation |Shortness of breath/ respiratory discomfort