Swine Flu

Safety Officers

April 30 (The next day) 13:00 Your station receives its first call for a potential swine flu case. 14:00 The responders comes back from a scene where the victim had respiratory problems and other flu-like symptoms. The call responders bring equipment from the call to wash in the firehouse sink. What should your shift safety officer do?
	The safety officer should stop them and remind them to decontaminate equipment and the vehicle (if patient contact occurred in the vehicle) in the designated location.
	The safety officer should quarantine the entire shift and report the incident to the health center.
	Mandate SCBA masks be worn for this shift.

For more information about safety officers consult NFPA 1521:Standard for Fire Department Safety Officer. Interim guidance for EMS on management of patients with confirmed or suspected swine-origin influenza A infection is available from the CDC.