The International Association of Fire Chiefs, Masimo and the International Association of Fire Fighters launched “Silent Killer,” an educational campaign aimed at raising awareness about the duty-related dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The campaign includes a 6-minute video that highlights health risks associated with CO exposure and a new website to educate fire leadership about unsuspected occupational dangers of CO poisoning and how best to protect personnel, especially during the overhaul phase when SCBA often are removed.

“Chiefs need to recognize during overhaul that there’s still a significant risk of the firefighters taking in CO and that CO poisoning is very dangerous to the health and well-being of our personnel,” IAFC President Jack Parow said.

Even mild CO poisoning can rob the heart, brain and vital organs of oxygen, often causing life-threatening complications. The Silent Killer campaign hopes to educate firefighters about such hazards of CO exposure through several measures, including educational videos. It also discusses mitigation strategies and monitoring personnel on scene, including using approved noninvasive portable devices to the CO levels of those working the fire scene. Parow said such devices can provide near real-time readings and can signal when a firefighter needs to be removed from the scene.

To prevent exposure, Parow said the campaign encourages firefighters to wear protective masks during active fire and overhaul operations — when SCBA masks are often removed — because CO still is present in the air. For example, at his fire department in Chelmsford, Mass., fire investigators who sift through smoldering debris during overhaul are required to wear pressurized filter masks. The department also places remote monitors in the area to measure oxygen and CO levels.

“The Silent Killer program makes people aware that you have to be really carefully after the initial stage of the fire to keep your SCBA on and even monitor the area for CO and oxygen levels to make sure firefighters are safe,” Parow said.

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