Sick Fire Stations
When five firefighters from one Chicago fire station were diagnosed in 2000 with similar types of cancer, people became concerned that something within the old fire station itself was causing the illnesses. Eventually the fire department tore down the building and replaced it.
Exhaust fumes and air quality frequently are sited as a cause or contributing factor in firefighter cancers, and the list of possible carcinogens gets longer all the time, but a recent outbreak of skin disorders in one California fire station has raised another concern about how firefighters can get sick inside fire stations.
The first California firefighter was told by a doctor that the red, swollen spot on his skin looked like a spider bite. But then another firefighter found a spot, and then so did another. And the spots became worse and more serious. Nine firefighters now are infected with varying severity, including one firefighter who almost lost his leg and another who has an eye swollen beyond recognition.
Two firefighters tested positive for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus, or MRSA, an infection caused by staph bacteria. The fire chief told us that the department doctor had never seen this type of infection outside of hospitals. An industrial hygienist explained that the outbreak was a “self-induced problem” and would require cleaning up the fire station and carefully reviewing procedures.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, MRSA is a type of staph infection that occurs most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities and is resistant to certain antibiotics. The infection usually manifests as a skin disorder, such as a pimple and boil, and can occur in otherwise-healthy people.
“Repeated contact with the healthcare system,” is one of several risk factors that increase the potential for exposure and infection. While emergency medical technicians and paramedics are trained in precautions, MRSA is a particularly virulent bacterium. One emergency room nurse said that MRSA is contracted from bodily fluids, and treatment for the infection requires isolation procedures [gloves, masks, gowns] and intravenous antibiotics for eight to 10 weeks.
If these types of infections or other airborne diseases are present in fire stations, then housekeeping needs to be kicked up several notches. Some recommendations to prevent the spread of staph infections are simple; they include the use of gloves and immediate washing of hands after gloves are removed.
The transmission of diseases raises many questions for a fire chief and demands a review of procedures. Consider procedures for cleaning stationwear used by EMTs, paramedics and firefighters. Do firefighters take their uniforms home and throw them in with the kids‘ jeans and socks? Volunteer departments need to be aware of cleaning turnout gear, as well as their personal clothing, to prevent exposing their families to infection.
Everyone goes home, but be careful of what you might be taking there with you.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
MSRA is not limited to the healthcare system. A couple of years ago, Sports Illustrated had an article on it saying that it had hit at least one NFL team and some college team.
July 23rd, 2007 at 8:40 am
Anyone can get MRSA and not just those in contact with the healthcare system. This misconception is one of the main causes and misdiagnosis. My 2-year-old daughter had one this year, but her sibling didn’t get it. She was also misdiagnosed with a “spider bite” and then had to be hospitalized for 3 days to receive IV antibiotics. It occurs in daycares, schools, prisons and athletic teams. More education needs to be put out there for doctors and the public before it becomes an even bigger problem than it already is.
July 24th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
We are not at risk only from incident related activities. If you want an interesting experience, do a bacteria culture on station dishes, flatware, and cooking areas. We did this several years ago and the results were disturbing; the test had to be stopped as the “stuff” outgrew the dish before the presribed incubation period. Unfortunatly this was not enough for the municipality or the bargining unit to spring for mechanical dishwashers as would be required in a commercial kitchen serving that many persons a day.
August 1st, 2007 at 1:23 am
Our station in Pahrump, Nev., had to have a team come in and remove all of the walls and gut the interior six years ago. The team did it with hazmat suits. They removed toxic mold. The old dogs on the floor have had continued respiratory issues. We can’t find out what was removed.
Leave a Comment
Your Account
Advertisement
Categories
Archives by month
Archives by contributor
Subscribe