St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Commits to Protect Firefighters Better with New Protocols and Particulate Hoods

    As one of the busiest departments in the country, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue in Florida has committed resources to elevate the protection of their firefighters at the fire scene. For two years the department’s Safety and Training Division has been researching health and wellness issues as the industry continues to publish studies about fireground contaminants. It has focused its first efforts on upgrading fireground protocols and turnout gear, specifically related to hoods.

    A member of the Safety and Training Division, Lieutenant Robert Neuberger, says,

    “Several firefighters in our area have needed aggressive treatment for neck and throat cancer, so this has been an important issue for our department. Our unit decided we needed to upgrade the department-issued hoods to NFPA-certified particulate hoods to provide better protection against fireground particulates.”

    The group evaluated various particulate hoods on the market and set the requirements for a hood that provided the highest level of certified protection after being washed repeatedly using the NFPA laundering protocols.

    The Safety and Training Division ran a wear trial during which firefighters from the two busiest stations evaluated the hood for more than 60 hours, which included responding to structural fire and hazmat calls. They had two important reasons for the wear trial. First, they wanted to ensure that the hood performed well in real fireground conditions. Second, and just as important, they wanted to make sure that the firefighters liked the particulate hood; the firefighters that evaluated the new hoods have been in the service for many years, so this would be a change for them. According to Neuberger, the firefighters’ feedback was very positive, saying,

    “The GORE® Particulate Hood was comfortable, and it provided better protection. It fit around the neck and the longer length stayed tucked in. They really liked the combination of the inspection opening and the red stitching that was only on the outside. The stitching helps them be sure they have the right side out after using the inspection opening to visually check the particulate-blocking barrier for cuts, tears, or holes.”

    So, based on this feedback, St. Petersburg purchased 400 GORE® Particulate Hoods.

    The Safety and Training Division talked with their MES dealer, John Schmidt, about decontamination protocols. As a retired firefighter, John had been doing his own research, and he had been developing protocols at his department before he retired. St. Petersburg has just ordered an additional 400 hoods so that each firefighter can swap out his or her hood during rehab at the fire scene. Neuberger explains,

    “It doesn’t make sense for us to stress wearing a clean hood for every call if they don a filthy hood when they return to the scene after rehab. Once we receive the additional hoods, our protocol will require all firefighters to don a fresh hood after rehab to help avoid contaminating their neck and face if they were to pull on a dirty hood.”

    When asked about dealing with the increased costs of this program, Lieutenant Neuberger said the Safety and Training Division faced this potential issue directly.

    “We justified the investment by researching the total cost of our health and wellness programs, including health insurance and the impact of sick days. We also considered the importance of the morale of our firefighters. If they know we are looking out for their health and welfare by providing the best possible gear, then that has a positive effect on their morale. This can go a long way when they are hearing a lot about the health issues of fireground particulates.” 

    For more information about the St. Petersburg program, contact Lt. Robert Neuberger at Robert.Neuberger@stpete.org.

    About St. Petersburg Fire Rescue

    With a force of 342 firefighters and paramedics, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, Florida, has 32 pieces of firefighting apparatus, 14 fire stations, and an administrative building. The department provides specialized life safety services by staffing three specialty teams. The technical rescue team responds to elevated, below-grade, confined-space, and structural collapse rescues. The hazardous materials team handles spills and releases of toxic substances, liquids, or gases countywide. Staffed by certified rescue divers, the dive and marine rescue team responds to victim emergencies on St. Petersburg's many waterways. St. Petersburg Fire Rescue protects the lives and property of over 260,000 residents and responds to over 63,958 emergency incidents annually.

    Media Contact

    Lt. Steve Lawrence
    St. Petersburg Fire Rescue
    Steven.Lawrence@stpete.org
    727.893.7709

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    Gore® Particulate Hood

    Firefighters need thermal and particulate protection for their head and neck areas. The GORE® Particulate Hood delivers particle blocking performance and increased breathability.

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    GORE® Particulate Hood

    The best choice for protection from fireground contaminants, and improved comfort.

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    Particulate Protection

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    Highly Breathable

    An integrated barrier blocks more than 99.99 percent of particles between 0.1 and 1.0 microns in size – even after washing.

    The GORE® Particulate Hood has a highly breathable construction, helping to reduce heat stress, so it can be worn longer at the fireground.

    Advanced, crucial protection for the head and neck

    Not only does the GORE® Particulate Hood have a thinner, softer and more breathable construction, but it exceeds requirements of the NFPA 1971 Standard, 2018 Edition, for particulate blocking and thermal protection, by blocking 99.99 percent of particulates in the 0.1 to 1.0 micron range. More effective than other particulate hoods, its design helps to block smoke at critical seams.

    As we continue to learn about the potentially harmful contaminants found at the fireground, the need for protection against those particulate hazards has become more crucial. Wearing the GORE® Particulate Hood GEN2 will give firefighters the additional protection they need, while maximizing comfort.

    The GORE® Particulate Hood is a result of the partnership between Gore and Majestic Fire Apparel, a premier manufacturer of fire-retardant hoods for almost 20 years. Reliable protection is delivered throughout the entire hood, not just in select areas. Even while offering improved protection, comfort is not compromised: moisture and vapor breathability remain high and the particulate blocking layer adds little weight. In addition, a unique inspection opening allows firefighters to examine particular blocking areas, creating further ease of mind. To help prevent cross contamination, the one-size-fits-all design has contrasting colors: black or white on the outside and blue on the inside. The advanced construction provides certified protection, increased comfort and durability.

     

    Gore makes no claims or warranties of any kind that the GORE® Particulate Hood prevents, reduces or cures any health condition, including cancer.

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    Protection Throughout Entire Hood

    The GORE® Particulate Hood provides particulate protection throughout the entire hood, not just in select areas.

    How it works
    Reduced sound interference

    The hood’s construction is optimized to reduce interference with sounds and signals on the fireground, so that firefighters stay aware of their surroundings.

    How it works
    Inspection Opening

    The contrasting colors (black or white on the outside and blue on the inside) ensure that the hood is right side out, helping to prevent cross contamination.

    Ideal for
    The technology has been developed with real-work situations in mind, so that hard-working professionals in challenging environments can stay protected, and simply focus on their important work.

    Fire & Safety

    Provides essential protection firefighters need against harmful particulates and contaminants at the fireground, while providing thermal protection and improved comfort.

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