Infectious Diseases Unit 1 – Staying Well Harold A. Schaitberger General President Vincent J. Bollon General Secretary-Treasurer

1-2 Welcome From IAFF As a result of his special interest in IAFF members’ health, safety, and welfare, President Schaitberger spends considerable time working to secure funding for training programs like this one. As General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), I would like to welcome you to one of the many Hazardous Materials training programs. Our programs meet or exceed requirements set by NFPA and OSHA for compliance. IAFF programs focus on maintaining and ensuring the health and safety of first responders.

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1-4 Welcome Introductions and instructors’ background Administrative items Student questions about the class Registration & SurveyRegistration & Survey forms, Sections I and II Active learning experience –Ask questions –Share knowledge and experiences

1-5 Unit 1 – Staying Well After this unit, you will be able to: –State why it’s important for first responders to learn about infectious diseases. –Define wellness, state why wellness is important to first responders, and list factors contributing to wellness. –List your responsibilities and your fire department’s responsibilities for your health. –Document when your last annual exams and screenings were received and determine when the next ones need to be performed. –Plan actions you will take based on the topics covered in this unit.

1-6 What You Can’t See May Hurt You Video developed by IAFF While viewing, think about: –Why is it important for you to avoid exposure? –What do you want to learn in this class?

1-7 Exercise Objectives On page 1-7, write: Why you think it’s important to avoid exposure What you expect to learn in this class

1-8 Guidelines for Teamwork Designate: –Team Leader Supervises team discussions –Recorder Records the team’s ideas –Reporter Briefs the whole class –Timer Ensures team w/in time limits Rotate roles

1-9 Exercise Objectives Discuss individual responses to the questions on page 1-7. State why it’s important for first responders to avoid exposure to infectious diseases.

1-10 Why Learn About Infectious Diseases? For first responders: –Exposure is possible every day, on every call –Risks of infectious disease are increased –Exposure can change your life forever –Need to take precautions –Need to know where to go if exposed –Awareness decreases personal and family risk

1-11 Exercise Objective State what you would like to learn in this class. –Refer to your notes on page 1-7.

1-12 Course Objectives During this 8-hour course on infectious diseases, you will: –Analyze what to do to maintain good health. –State signs and symptoms of infectious diseases. –Identify preventive measures. –State post-exposure procedures. –Describe recordkeeping roles and responsibilities.

1-13 Course Content Unit 1 – Staying Well –Why it’s important –Who’s responsible Unit 2 – Pathogens –Chain of infection –Breaking the chain –Airborne and bloodborne diseases Unit 3 – Avian & Pandemic Influenza –Possible impacts –Department readiness –Staying safe Unit 4 – Prevention –Standard precautions –Infection control program –Immunizations and screenings –Station risks Unit 5 – Post-Exposure –Recordkeeping roles and responsibilities –Medical follow-up –Protective legislation

1-14 What Is Wellness? A state of being in good health –Merriam-Webster Includes medical, physical, and emotional fitness, and access to rehabilitation, when indicated; a personal commitment personnel must make to survive and sustain a career in the fire service –Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative An on-going lifestyle which requires taking responsibility and making healthy choices –Psychological Counseling and Wellness Center, California State University

1-15 Exercise Objective On page 1-15, write your definition of wellness.

1-16 Exercise Objectives State why wellness is important to first responders. (on page 1-17) List the factors that contribute to wellness. (on page 1-19)

1-17 Why Is Wellness Important to First Responders? Decreased risk of death, injury or disability from diseaseDecreased risk of death, injury or disability from disease Weight reduction/control Lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels Heightened job performance and enjoyment from work And more…

1-18 Factors Contributing to Wellness Physical fitness Nutritionally-balanced diet Sufficient rest Stress management Lifestyle free of addictions Recognition and management of risks due to family history Annual physical exam Immunizations Awareness and treatment of pre- existing conditions

1-19 Exercise Objectives Read: –Appendix 1 – Wellness Strategies (on page A-1) –Appendix 2 – NFPA Standards (on page A-5) –Appendix 3 – Medical Surveillance (on page A-9) List: –Your responsibilities for your own wellness (on page 1-21) –Your employer’s responsibilities for helping you maintain your wellness (on page 1-23)

1-20 Personal Responsibilities Have physical exams as scheduled Complete cardiovascular exercises regularly Obtain all immunizations as recommended and keep records Participate in training programs at least annually Avoid risky behavior Participate in a medical surveillance program Report all potential exposures Do simple things — wash hands with soap In EMS situations, don mask and place one on victims

1-21 Fire Department Responsibilities Provide pre-entry or pre-employment exams Establish a medical surveillance program Provide employee assistance programs Ensure confidentiality of all medical records Designate fire department personnel to liaison with health care providers Provide training and education

1-22 Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative

1-23 Appendix 4 – Medical Exam Items, page A-15 Annual Medical Evaluation –Medical history –Physical examination Vital signs Head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat Neck Cardiovascular Pulmonary Gastrointestinal Genitourinary Rectal Lymph nodes Neurological Musculoskeletal Body composition (optional) Testing –Laboratory tests –Heavy metal screening –Urinalysis –Vision –Hearing –Pulmonary function –Chest X-ray –EKG –Cancer screening Immunizations and infectious disease screening Individual Health Risk Appraisal Occupational Exposure

1-24 Exercise Objectives Complete the Annual Medical Exams and Screenings worksheet on page –Indicate the date you last received each exam or screening –Determine if : Exams and screenings need to be performed soon (*) You need to check with your physician’s office (**) Due to confidentiality laws, the results of this activity will NOT be reviewed with the class. However, it is important for you to follow up on the items you have marked with one or two stars.

1-25 Unit 1 – Staying Well In this unit, you learned: –Why it’s important for first responders to learn about infectious diseases –What wellness is, why its important to first responders, and factors contributing to wellness –Your responsibilities and your fire department’s responsibilities for your health –When your last annual exams and screenings were received and when the next ones need to be performed

1-26 Exercise Objective On page 1-27, plan actions you will take to maintain good health and promote a culture of wellness in your department.