Making the Leap from Paper Suits
When the fictional character Dick Tracy famously showcased his two-way wrist radio back in the 1940s, the reality of such a technology most likely seemed far-fetched; but some 70 years later, fiction became reality with the invention of the smartwatch. Technology always is progressing at a rapid speed, and technology in the fire service is no exception.
Since beginning my career, I have noticed that technological developments in hazmat and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRN) products have made giant leaps, from decon to monitoring. These advancements have changed strategies and tactics in ways that we only could have imagined just 10 years ago. CBRN PPE, specifically, has improved in safety, comfort and efficiency for responders. It has been nothing short of amazing.
CBRN PPE—or what can be considered CBRN PPE—is any fabric or ensemble that meets the protection standards for personnel responding to CBRN events.
From the late 1970s up until the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attacks (and with other threats that began in 2000), the accepted PPE for hazmat response was the Level A and Level B suits of the NFPA 1991: Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies and CBRN Terrorism Incidents. The Technical Committee on Hazardous Materials Protective Clothing and Equipment began working on a new standard in 1998 to respond to the need for PPE for fire and emergency services personnel who operate at domestic terrorism incidents that involve dual-use industrial chemicals, chemical terrorism agents or biological terrorism agents.
The Committee developed the new standard, NFPA 1994: Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to Hazardous Materials Emergencies and CBRN Terrorism Incidents, to provide several levels of protective ensembles: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. The choice of the needed protection would be based on the incident-risk analysis that’s indicated as necessary for the intended operation. Since that time, CBRN PPE technology has continued to meet the ever-changing threats.
What your suit needs
A CBRN suit should be quick to don, improve visibility for the wearer, allow for dexterity and comfort and be durable. Mobility, heat and cold stressors also are big factors in selecting and wearing a suit. Why are each of those characteristics important?
Donning time: When time is of the essence, it is important that you can be safely in suit and on air within five minutes for life-safety rescues. In cases in which we responded to clandestine labs in Nashville with our police performing a raid, our personnel have had to suit up quickly in case there is a need for life-safety, monitoring or emergency decon. The LION MT94 suit has been the “go-to” ensemble for such a mission.
Visibility: Visibility is half the battle when dealing with CBRN or hazmat calls. The summer and winter months are the worst. In July 2019, our crew responded to a peroxide call. It was 98 degrees and humid. Because they wore the MT94 suit, which won’t fog, they had zero issues. They handled the incident and got back quickly. If they had a Level A suit, time would’ve doubled—with the heat and condensation, they would’ve had to take time to wipe the shield.
Dexterity and comfort: Dexterity and comfort are second to visibility. If you have good dexterity performing your job and you’re comfortable doing the task, it makes for a smoother mitigation.
Mobility is another critical factor in responding to and mitigating hazards. If you have to fight vision, heat or cold and your suit bunches up or limits your movement, the stress level of your response can increase.
Durability: Your suit must be capable of facing the challenges in the ever-changing landscape of CBRN and urban search and rescue (USAR) incidents. The fabric on the outer shell of the MT94 is like that of firefighter turnout gear. With reinforced padding, it rises to the challenge in the harshest of environments; from building collapses to industrial settings, the suit is proven to be able to handle most any incident.
When these advances are included in your product, response becomes better, quicker and safer for your crew.
About the Author
Michael Armistead began his career as a firefighter in 1992 at the Goodlettsville, TN, Fire Department. He joined the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) in 2000. After spending 10 years on NFD Hazmat 12, he began working in special operations, where he is an instructor. Armistead develops hazmat response plans to special events in Nashville and is a team leader for the Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (HART). He also serves on the state committee for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s Hazmat/CBRNe curriculum committee.
Where it Began
Retired Nashville Fire Assistant Chief Lee “Blinky” Bergeron was one of the leaders in strategy and tactics in hazmat response for the Nashville Fire Department (NFD). He also was one of the first hazmat technicians on the job in 1978. He was instrumental in recommending the purchase and update to NFD's cache in ordering MT94s before he retired in 2010. One of the last projects he had a hand in before leaving NFD was making the leap from paper suits to the current MT94 suits in the front-line arsenal for NFD hazmat teams 12 and 13
Michael Armistead
Michael Armistead began his career as a firefighter in 1992 at the Goodlettsville, TN, Fire Department. He joined the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) in 2000. After spending 10 years on NFD Hazmat 12, he began working in special operations, where he is an instructor. Armistead develops hazmat response plans to special events in Nashville and is a team leader for the Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (HART). He also serves on the state committee for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency’s Hazmat/CBRNe curriculum committee.
