Concerned About Overdose Calls That Require Hazmat?

A poll shows 35 percent of firefighters are concerned about fentanyl hazmat preparation on overdose calls. Here’s guidance to protect first responders.

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With the number of opioid-related deaths rising, first responders are becoming increasingly worried about accidental occupational opioid exposure, leading to a number of publications on, and awareness of, proper fentanyl hazmat preparation.

Opioid-related incidents killed more people than those involved in major car accidents in 2015, putting first responders at risk for exposure to fentanyl, both alone and mixed with heroin, and carfentanil, known as “elephant tranquilizer.” Recent reports of emergency medical personnel experiencing symptoms of opioid exposure have raised concerns about the amount of personal protective equipment that should be required to answer overdose calls in the field.

In a survey of 235 firefighters, 35 percent say fentanyl hazmat preparation is one of their biggest concerns.

A survey of firefighters showed fentanyl hazmat preparation is a top concern when answering overdose calls.

Transdermal and Respiratory Opioid Exposure

Standard grade nitrile gloves are sufficient to guard against transdermal, or skin exposure to opioids, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability.

The bigger threat comes with the exposure to respiratory opioids, often encountered on a scene where drugs are being manufactured or sold in large quantities. NIOSH recommends a P100 HEPA mask for first responders in this situation, and for other opioid exposure concerns, they recommend calling a hazmat team to assess the risk.

Adequate Protection Calls for Constant Reassessment

A recent publication released by the Interagency Board on the selection and use of PPE when encountering synthetic opioids focuses on assessing the potential for opioid exposure. In a warning, it acknowledged that "[PPE] alone is not sufficient to ensure protection from synthetic opioids.”

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To best protect first responders, the report encourages all organizations to define minimum standards of required PPE equipment, which can then be added at personal and organizational discretion through risk assessment, which includes:

  • Amount and reliability of available information regarding the potential presence of synthetic opioids
  • First responder proximity to bulk materials
  • Duration of first responder proximity to materials

As more information about the situation becomes available, or as first responders work their way through the scene, more fentanyl hazmat preparation may be necessary. Constantly reassessing the need for PPE is vital to protecting first responders from accidental occupational opioid exposure.

Read about the full survey results on FireRescue1.com, including information on fire rescue hazmat training needs .

Rachel Engel is an award-winning journalist and the senior editor of FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. In addition to her regular editing duties, Engel seeks to tell the heroic, human stories of first responders and the importance of their work. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and began her career as a freelance writer, focusing on government and military issues. Engel joined Lexipol in 2015 and has since reported on issues related to public safety. Engel lives in Wichita, Kansas. She can be reached via email.

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