Jeri Dansky1d ago

Good news, long overdue:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/firefighters-wear-n95-respirators-policy-change-rcna351438

The Forest Service announced Wednesday that firefighters were authorized to use N95 respirators on the fire line, a major policy reversal as the agency for decades did not allow such protections, even as studies demonstrated the health harms of wildfire smoke.

The Forest Service also announced that it is initiating a decontamination program designed to reduce firefighters’ skin exposure to the toxins in soot and ash. Workers will be paid for the time they spend washing clothes, cleaning their vehicles and showering after working on a fire.

The agency described the new policies as an interim step as it pursues a more robust protection program.

The announcement came as Congress increases its scrutiny of the agency’s protections for firefighters.

h/t @BakerRL75 @ai6yr

#wildfires #GoodNews

Federal firefighters will be encouraged to wear N95 respirators in major policy reversal

Although wildland firefighters are at high risk for smoke-related health issues, the U.S. Forest Service has for decades not allowed respirators.

NBC News
Show threadMatt Blaze1d ago
@jeridansky @BakerRL75 @ai6yr I had no idea woodland firefighters weren't supplied with respirators. That's insane. Structural firefighters carry their own air packs!
Show threadmusing_sys🇨🇦
@mattblaze @jeridansky @BakerRL75 @ai6yr woodland smoke not AS dangerous as the chemical soup we have in our houses these days. The N95 will be an improvement to keep the particulate out of the lungs
Jun 25 at 2:41amWeb