Cyanide Poisoning Treatment Coalition Awarded $394,000 From DHS Grant To Help Protect Firefighters

Since January 1 the CPTC has tracked 1,100 civilians treated for smoke inhalation, 413 smoke inhalation deaths, and 125 firefighters who were transported for smoke inhalation treatment. Contrary to popular belief, whether a civilian or a firefighter, smoke inhalation isn't a minor injury -- it's deadly.

Annually thousands of civilians die from smoke inhalation because they don't wear air masks to prevent smoke exposure from a fire they never thought would strike.

On the other hand, firefighters are exposed to smoke by profession -- not accidentally, according to Kevin Reilly, president of the CPTC and Ridgewood, N.J. firefighter.

"Firefighters have self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to prevent smoke inhalation, but many firefighters don't use air when they should, and are therefore exposed to what we call, The Toxic Twins, CO and HCN, which work synergistically to kill," he said.

Acute and chronic smoke exposure caused by firefighters not wearing and using air is more than likely the cause of heart attacks, diseases and illnesses which now plague the profession. In a message to fire service leaders Capt. Mike Gagliano, Seattle Fire Department, said, "I can think of no greater hypocrisy than fire service leaders berating politicians for not caring about firefighters until one of us dies, while exhibiting the exact same behavior when they look the other way and ignore shoddy air management practices in the hope that nothing goes wrong inside the fire. Hope is not a plan. Air management is."

Fire smoke myths and misunderstandings will also be corrected.

"I recently heard a firefighter state that smoke color is indicative of the presence of hydrogen cyanide," said Rob Schnepp, chief of special operations for the Alamenda County (Calif.) Fire Department. "That is absolutely not true. HCN and CO are colorless gases. The last thing we need in the fire service is misinformation. Determining whether HCN is or is not present on the fireground cannot be based on the color of smoke. This training program guarantees firefighters will receive accurate research and information from qualified and respected HCN and fire industry experts.”

First responders will also learn about the Cyanokit or Hydroxocobalamin, an effective and safe antidote for acute cyanide poisoning from fire smoke. In fact, it has saved the lives of several firefighters and civilians in the last two years.

"Clearly, this will be the most comprehensive live saving and behavior changing HCN training program that exists. In addition, as more first responders learn how to treat smoke inhalation with the Cyanokit, we anticipate a reduction in the number of civilian smoke inhalation deaths," said Shawn Longerich, executive director.

The program will officially launch at FDIC in March 2011.


 

Featured

  • Live From ISC West 2023: Day 1

    ISC West 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, has officially begun! Make sure to keep an eye on Security Today’s ISCW Live 2023 page, as well as our associated Twitter accounts—@SecurToday and @CampusSecur—for the latest updates from the show floor at the Venetian Expo. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • It Happened Again

    Just yesterday (as of this writing), it happened again. A 28-year-old woman shot her way into a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday and killed three children and three adults, according to national news. AP News reports that the victims were three 9-year-old children, a top school administrator, a substitute teacher, and a school custodian Read Now

  • Let's Get to Work

    You are standing at the conference center doors just waiting to get into the exhibit hall. I know you are because I’m standing next to you. This week at ISC West has been three years in the making. Last year was encouraging, and here we are waiting for the Big Show. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Using Modern Technology

    Using Modern Technology

    Workplace violence is a serious and growing challenge for many organizations — including those in the healthcare industry. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • ComNet CNGE6FX2TX4PoE

    The ComNet cost-efficient CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is a six-port switch that offers four Gbps TX ports that support the IEEE802.3at standard and provide up to 30 watts of PoE to PDs. It also has a dedicated FX/TX combination port as well as a single FX SFP to act as an additional port or an uplink port, giving the user additional options in managing network traffic. The CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is designed for use in unconditioned environments and typically used in perimeter surveillance. 3

  • PACE® Long Range Ethernet Solutions

    PACE® Long Range Ethernet Solutions

    Altronix introduces the newest addition to its portfolio of PACE® Long Range Ethernet Solutions. 3

  • Kangaroo Home Security System

    Kangaroo Home Security System

    Kangaroo is the affordable, easy-to-install home security system designed for anyone who wants an added layer of peace of mind and protection. It has several products, ranging from the fan-favorite Doorbell Camera + Chime, to the more comprehensive Front Door Security Kit with Professional Monitoring. Regardless of the level of desired security, Kangaroo’s designed to move with consumers - wherever that next chapter may be. Motion sensors, keypads and additional features can be part of the package to any Kangaroo system in place, anytime. Additionally, Kangaroo offers scalable protection plans with a variety of benefits ranging from 24/7 professional monitoring to expanded cloud storage, coverage for damage and theft. 3