Fort Blackmore Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

S. O. G.’s

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Standard Operating Guidelines

Chapter 15: Blood borne Pathogens, Exposure Control Plan, Infection Control Policy, Exposure Incident Procedures, and Exposure Officer

Working Copy | Revised January 2005

Revised August, 2007

Table of Contents

Section A - Blood borne Pathogens

Section B - Exposure Control Plan

Section C - Infection Control Policy

Section D - Exposure Incident Procedures

Section E - Exposure Officer

Fort Blackmore VFD has created these Guidelines to help our Firefighters continue to be safe on the Fire Ground. NOTE: This is a guideline. All Guidelines developed by the Officers at FBVFD are to be viewed as Guidelines and not as Standard Operating Procedures.

Section A - Blood borne Pathogens

Blood borne Pathogens are dangerous to Firefighters. The most common of these are HIV {Human Immunodeficiency Virus}, HBV {Hepatitis B Virus}, and HCV {Hepatitis C Virus}. These pathogens are present in blood products found on the fire scene. Anything that is contaminated with blood product should be considered as hazardous to the firefighter. Anything that is suspected of being contaminated with blood product should also be considered hazardous to the firefighter.

Section B - Exposure Control Plan

The FBVFD shall provide its firefighters with an Exposure Control Plan. Our Department shall attempt to helps its firefighters remain free from infection from Blood borne Pathogens.

PPE should be provided for all Firefighters on-scene in hazardous conditions

EMS PPE should be provided through EMS gloves and eyewear.

Firefighters should report all exposure to the Rescue Sergeant, Chief Officer, or Exposure Control Officer

Section C - Infection Control Policy

All Firefighters are told to wear EMS gloves and eyewear protection while handing victims at fire scenes and vehicle accidents.

Before going on any fire calls, all Firefighters should secure for themselves EMS gloves and eyewear through the Exposure Officer, 1st Captain, Chief Officer, or Rescue Sergeant.

Upon return to the fire station, any firefighters that used EMS gloves should wash their hands using antibacterial soap and water.

All Firefighters are urged to take the Hep-B series of vaccinations before they attempt any actions with victims on the fire scene or at a vehicle accident.

Firefighters should wash their hands with antibacterial soap upon arriving at the Fire Station.

Section D - Exposure Incident Procedures

These Exposure Incident Procedures should be followed by the Department to insure infection does not happen,

Report to the IC if an exposure incident occurs

The IC shall notify the Rescue Sergeant

The Rescue Sergeant will monitor these procedures to double-check that they are being accomplished

The IC shall contact the Chief Officer as soon as possible

The Chief Officer will secure any PPE that was exposed to blood borne pathogens and deal with them by destroying them or having them professionally cleaned by an authorized fire clothing cleaning organization; the Chief Officer, or his designee, will insure that the PPE is not reused until it has been professionally cleaned.

The IC shall contact EMS if available to discuss options

The IC shall record the incident when back at the Station

i. Record the incident on VA EMS documentation available from the Internet

The IC shall suggest these options to the Firefighter

ii. Report to the ER for Exposure Incident Procedures, immediately

iii. Report to their personal physician for Exposure Incident Procedures as soon as possible

iv. Contact the IC when these procedures were followed and what was reported to the Firefighter by the physician

The Chief Officer shall contact the treasurer for any bills to be paid

Other

Section E - Exposure Officer

The Exposure Officer is currently the 1st Captain. Report all exposures to Blood Borne Pathegens to the 1st Captain. The OMD will be consulted at Holston Valley Hospital ER for further action and information. The Firefighter should feel free to consult his own personal physician. This Department will cover all expenses if an OMD or the Firefighter’s personal physician is consulted, and any action is required.

All Firefighters are urged to take the Hep-B series of vaccinations before they attempt any actions with victims on the fire scene or at a vehicle accident.

All Firefighters are urged by the Exposure Officer to wear PPE, including EMS gloves and eyewear, while dealing with victims at fire or rescue scenes. The Exposure Officer, if on scene, will try to ensure that all Firefighters are observing Basic Body Substance Isolation, through EMS gloves.