Synthetic materials found in today's residential structures present a unique danger to firefighters. Even after burning, the materials emit toxic hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide that can enter firefighters' lungs when they remove their air packs for overhaul or seep into bunker-gear fabric. This exposure can increase the risks of long-term cardiac health problems and incidents of cancer in those who go untreated.

Because of the dangers, the Fire Smoke Coalition has developed a series of educational videos on the topic to be released in late March at FDIC.

The coalition is a nonprofit organization comprised of firefighters and medical personnel. The group dubs CO and cyanide as the "toxic twins" of smoke inhalation because they are released from rubbers, plastics, synthetics, laminates and other materials found in modern-day residential structures and have deadly synergistic effects, said Shawn Longerich, the executive director.

"It's all about helping firefighters understand they have entered a new era of fire smoke because of the synthetic materials being used," Longerich said.

While firefighters wear their SCBA during active firefighting, the 22-pound devices often are removed during overhaul. Longerich said in the past, many have assumed the air was safe to breathe during this phase, but tests have shown high levels of cyanide still are present while materials continue to smolder. In addition, firefighters are at risk if they do not properly handle their bunker gear after a fire and clean it immediately.

"We've had departments that have actually changed their PPE washing policies based on that," she said. "In one town, every fighter has two sets of gear because the toxins can seep into the fabric and be absorbed through the skin.”

Longerich recommended that chiefs change protocols to protect firefighters. Specifically, the organization has developed two programs and associated educational videos paid for through a FP&S grant. The grant paid for the development of two educational campaigns that discuss the dangers of toxins, determine treatment and promote the use of atmospheric monitoring currently not being used on the fireground.

The first campaign, coined "Out of Air," specifically focuses on air management during active firefighting, including following rules of air management and implementing NFPA 1404 without budget impacts. It also discusses the use of atmospheric monitoring devices that currently are not used on the fireground. Longerich said since the toxins are invisible the only way to detect them is through atmospheric monitoring, "but people haven't been trained on how to monitor a perimeter and use the equipment," she said.

As a result, Longerich is lobbing for a standard protocol to be developed for atmospheric monitoring. The standard would include steps to measure the levels of toxins along the footprint of the property, at incident command, downwind of the fire and even in multi-unit apartment buildings affected. She said oftentimes toxins are found within other units in a residential structure, even without the presence of smoke or fire.

“In the second and third division of apartments away from where the actual fire occurred where there was no smoke we find high cyanide readings in the apartments,” she said. “What you are doing is allowing residents to go back into the apartments with high levels of HCN.”

The second is an “Aftermath" program, an educational campaign about providing treatment after exposure. It is important to recognize exposure and then receive treatment, Longerich said.

“If they can measure HCN exposure through atmospheric monitoring, they can treat firefighters and civilians properly and save lives,” she said. “It’s all about changing the mindset of firefighters and creating a safer culture.”

To learn more, visit firesmoke.org.