STATION SHOES VS. WORK BOOTS Fire and EMS personnel regularly respond to incidents in which exposures to biologics and carcinogens can occur. It is not uncommon for personnel to step in hazardous substances (e.g., soot, blood, urine, vomitus, feces, etc.) with their response footwear during a call. 1 1 To further reduce contamination that may be brought into the stations on the soles of response footwear, an alternate form of footwear (the station shoe) is authorized for wear inside the stations. An example of a station shoe could be black in color, closed-toed and a non-safety shoe that is easy to clean if needed. 1 1 The station shoe can be changed into and out of quickly without delaying response to a call. 1 1 Station shoes shall not be worn while performing apparatus checks, while responding to calls or when performing work where safety shoes (impact and crush protection) are required. APPARATUS DESIGN Apparatus can be designed with careful thought given to biological and chemical contamination and the potential for cross-contamination. The cab of the apparatus should be kept free of toxins, both in the hard and soft surfaces as well as in the air. 1 1 SCBAs and turnouts should have their own compartment away from the cab. SCBAs that are designed into the seat should also come with provisions for decontamination and cleaning prior to placing back into the seat after a fire. 1 1 All seat material should be of vinyl or other material to reduce absorption of toxins and for an easy clean. 1 1 Apparatus can be adapted to have a warm water outlet, which provides a personal washing station. Prior to 2016, NFPA 1901 required a heat exchanger for the engine coolant, most apparatus manufacturers accomplish this with water from the tank through a heat exchanger. A simple diverter valve to the pump panel can create a warm water outlet for a personal hand washing station. 1 1 All flooring can be designed with a waterproof material that can be washed with a hose and scrubbed out. 1 1 Exhaust pipes can be designed to exit where fire fighters are least affected when opening cabinets and accessing pump panel controls. 1 1 Pre-packaged water bottles carried on apparatus for personnel to rehydrate are a handy solution. A reusable water cooler container can be safely utilized, provided a timely cleaning and disinfecting plan is in place. 1 1 All interior material used in the cab should be easily cleaned and designed to repel moisture. They must also be durable Carpet in fire stations acts like a sponge—installing hard surface flooring, such as polished concrete, is one way to mitigate these exposures. PLANNING 1 0