Standardization of Decontamination Processes of Personal Protective Equipment of the Operational Personnel of the Fire Department of the City of Cuenca

Abstract

The operational personnel of the Fire Department face constant exposure to pollutants derived from fires and pre-hospital emergencies. For this reason, the absence of a standardized protocol for the decontamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) compromises the health of firefighters and the durability of the equipment, increasing the risk of occupational diseases and operating costs. The purpose of this study is to determine the standardization of the decontamination processes of Personal Protective Equipment of the Operational Personnel of the Fire Department of the city of Cuenca. To this end, a mixed approach methodology is used, combining a bibliographic review, observation and surveys of operational personnel to identify the situation with respect to the decontamination processes of personal protective equipment after attending to an incident. From the results obtained, it is evident that in personal protective equipment there is the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds and biological agents. In addition, the lack of uniformity in decontamination practices is detected, with methods that vary in effectiveness and frequency. Also, a considerable percentage of firefighters report inadequate procedures, highlighting the need for stricter decontamination measures. In conclusion, it is found that the development of a standardized decontamination protocol would reduce exposure to hazardous agents, improve personnel safety and optimize the resources allocated to the replacement of equipment; in addition, continuous training and the adoption of advanced technologies are essential to ensure the effectiveness of the process and extend the useful life of PPE.