Infectious Diseases

About this document

Over the past several years the issue of infectious (communicable) disease in the fire service has taken on a new and urgent meaning with the increased awareness of fire fighter's risks of AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. However, the range of diseases that may affect fire fighters, EMTs, and paramedics goes well beyond this list. The IAFF 2000 Death and Injury Survey reports that 1 out of every 50 fire fighters was exposed to a communicable disease, 5% exposed to hepatitis B, 10.2% exposed to hepatitis C, 8.6% exposed to human immunodeficiency virus, 0.3% exposed to hepatitis A, 29.8% exposed to tuberculosis, 10.6% exposed to meningitis, 16.1% exposed to blood/bodily fluids and 19.4% exposed to some other communicable disease.

 

This document offers basic information about common infectious diseases that can affect the health and safety of IAFF members and their family members.  You should be aware of the symptoms, prevention and transmission methods and treatment options for each disease so that you can protect yourself in the workplace.  Please feel free to use this information as a supplement to your annual bloodborne pathogen A pathologic microorganism that is present in human blood, blood components, and blood products that can cause disease in humans. refresher training.

 

Infectious disease is an area of rapidly changing conditions. Some of the controversies that may arise in the next several years are the issue of baseline screening for hepatitis B and C, mandatory testing for HIV, and whether to regulate exposures for non-bloodborne pathogens such as tuberculosis. While this document may discuss some of these issues, this will continue to be an evolving field.

 

There are many national standards that address infectious disease, particularly for fire and EMS providers.  Please familiarize yourself with:

 

  • NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program

 

  • NFPA 1581, Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program

(requires fire departments to have established procedures for members to report exposure within 2 hours of an incident, and to comply with infection control laws regarding facilities, apparatus, equipment cleaning/disinfecting)

 

  • NFPA 1582, Standard on Medical Requirements for Fire Fighters

(addresses medical confidentiality and gives guidance to employers and employees)

 

  • NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting

 

  • NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations

 

If you need assistance accessing these standards, please contact the IAFF Health and Safety Department at 202-737-8484.  

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