The UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (UL FSRI) has released a new online training course, “Cardiovascular and Chemical Exposure Risk Considerations During Training” based on evidence from a series of studies led by UL FSRI, the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) along with partners from Skidmore College.
UL FSRI focuses this course on how to:
- Recognize how thermal and chemical exposures on the fireground and in the training environment can have an impact on your health as a firefighter.
- Recognize the impact that training fuel selection has on exposure risk and the fidelity of the training environment.
- Understand PPE donning and doffing techniques that help to reduce exposure and cross contamination risk.
- Identify ways to help reduce exposure by using evidence-based techniques and decontamination methods on turnout gear and skin.
Funding for this project was provided by the Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention & Safety Grant program, along with additional support from the CDC Foundation and the National Toxicology program, MSA, and Globe.
“This course is designed to provide insight into some of the risks associated with training fires that use traditional wood-based fuel as well as theatrical smoke or engineered wood products. It also covers a few simple actions that can be taken to help reduce risks during training, while also reinforcing muscle memory for use during fireground responses,” said UL FSRI Research Engineer Gavin Horn (formerly IFSI Director of Research).
New UL FSRI Online Learning Management System
You may access the course through the UL FSRI Fire Safety Academy, an open access online learning management system that effectively brings fire research knowledge to the streets in a free, easy, and user-friendly way. Users can create their own profile and access UL FSRI courses anywhere with an internet connection, at no cost, when it is convenient for them. Training topics include fire dynamics, firefighting tactics, firefighter health, and more.
Resources
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