Fire service organizational-level characteristics are associated with adherence to contamination control practices in florida fire departments

Abstract

Objectives: To characterize the types of contamination control practices followed by Florida fire departments and examine the association between fire department organizational-level characteristics and adherence to contamination control practices. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, a survey was administered to 142 Florida firefighters. Validated survey measures assessed organizational level characteristics and 32 recommended national contamination control practices. Results: An average of 18.9 contamination control practices (standard deviation=5.54; min=3; max=30) were reported by fire departments of which, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) according to manufacturer instructions (98.9%) and access to special machine for cleaning (91%) were most cited. Fire departments with one or more health and safety officers had significantly higher implementation of contamination control practices (P=0.032). Conclusion: Health and safety officers may have a positive impact on the number of contamination control practices followed in Florida fire departments.