Managing the Contaminants Issue Operationally – Part 2
Moving Forward – In the last article, we concentrated on some of the processes that we at London Biggin Hill Airport have put in place to mitigate the contaminants issues we are all facing. I wanted to update you on some of the challenges and successes that we have had since then.
In March 2025, we combined once again with Andy Slater PGI Inc, John Lord at SimTrainer UK and Jo Taylor MBE from De-wipe, all of whom are true champions in the fight against cancer in the fire service, to host a contaminants and decontamination seminar. The speakers included; Ian Ray (Surrey Fire & Rescue), Robbie Burns (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue), John Lord (SimTrainerUK) and Dany Cotton (Retired Commissioner for the London Fire Brigade). The fascinating conversations spanned topics from PPE to women in the fire service and we heard some hard-hitting stories which focused the room. My thanks to everyone involved in organising this seminar and bringing people in our industry together to heighten their awareness.
#PGI, #SimTrainUk, #De-Wipe
So, what have we been doing? We have had our Decon washing machine installed and the teams are now using this to decontaminate each SCBA set after any live fire use. The Decon washing machine is also being used to decontaminate fire helmets, boots, branches, cylinders and other items of equipment which are compatible. We have seen our BA sets improve in cleanliness as we continue to use the machine and are extremely happy with the results.
#Rescue Intellitech
We have upgraded our drying room facilities on the station to include spaces for BA sets, and hanging areas for boots and helmets. We have upgraded the heating system to include panel heaters, improved ventilation and installed fans to circulate the air in this area, all of which add value to the Decon washing machine and the processes we have in place.
Shower Within the Hour – One of the challenges we faced with this practice, was our firefighters not having towels with them while on duty. How could we solve this?. Well, we simply issued all our firefighters with a personalized towel, which must stay on the fire station and can be washed here as well. This has eliminated the issue, and we continue to assess our firefighters after hot wears in their decontamination process, including ‘Shower Within the Hour’
Firefighting Gloves Stored in Helmets
I am sure that this is a common sight at most fire stations worldwide, but why is it so important that we educate our teams that this is a very bad practice? Our firefighting gloves are one of the most contaminated items of PPE after a fire event.. The levels of contamination that our gloves are exposed to are obvious; the contamination coming from everything from handling equipment and casualties to turning over post-fire material.
Studies show that the absorption rate of our skin is increased by 400% for every 1°C rise in core temperature. In a live situation, the pores on our heads are open and absorbing at a phenomenal rate. By storing our dirty gloves in our helmets, we are potentially transferring contaminants from them directly to our absorbent skin.
At London Biggin Hill Airport, we have found a simple solution; we supply our firefighters with a helmet bag which has two external pockets. The helmet is stored within the main compartment of the bag and our firefighting gloves and RTC gloves are stored away from the helmet in the two external pockets.
SNOWMED CT coding – As an industry, we are moving very slowly in our efforts to educate and inform our staff and colleagues about the importance of SNOWMED codes and how they can benefit us as individuals and as organisations. So, let’s re-cap!
A SNOWMED code is an NHS coding system which can prioritise treatment dependent on your occupation. As firefighters we have our own code:106382009. You should be able to contact your GP in the UK and request that your records are updated to include this code. This will enable your GP to treat an ailment and include your occupation in their diagnosis. Why is this helpful? Because in some cases this can fast track your treatments.
I have personal experience of how important this can be.. After writing the last article, I noticed a small legion developing under my right eye. It didn’t bother me, presented no discomfort, but it was there and it was new. My wife encouraged me to get it seen by my GP, so I did! My GP examined the legion under a microscope and reassured me “It was nothing to worry about” and that I could get on with my day. While there, I requested my records to be updated to include my SNOWMED code as a firefighter, which was completed after some confused looks from the doctor. Within two hours of getting home I received an NHS text message informing me that I had now been ‘fast tracked’ to a dermatologist for further investigation for suspected skin cancer. Wow! The appointment had been booked for me in seven days’ time.
After the initial shock, I realized that if it hadn’t been for requesting my SNOWMED code, I could have been blissfully unaware of what potentially was on my face. Seven days later I attended the clinic for further examination, to be told once again that it was nothing to be concerned with, but because of my occupation and to be 100% sure, I was booked in to have the legion removed. One week later, the legion was gone. In total, from the time I saw my GP to having it removed, it was 14 days. Only two weeks of worry and it was gone!
Health Surveillance combined with SNOWMED – As I mentioned in the last article, London Biggin Hill Airport conduct PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Tests for our male staff and mammogram testing for the females. The testing began last year and the uptake was phenomenal; all our eligible staff took the test. The results came back one by one, and the team were relieved to see very low scores, except for one! One of my colleagues and a very close friend had an elevated PSA score of 5.6.
Let me explain the scoring process as best as I can. Depending on age, a PSA score of 0-5 is ‘Normal’ and the NHS requires no further action. A score of 5-10 requires ‘Monitoring’ (this could mean a PSA test the following year). A score of >10 and you are sent for further screening, usually by means of an MRI scan. My colleague’s score of 5.6 would have ‘normally’ meant that he would be monitored, but he visited his GP anyway for further advice and to add his SNOWMED code to his records, obviously slightly worried! His SNOWMED code was added, followed by his GP sending him for an MRI scan to double check. He had been fast-tracked beyond the ‘monitoring’ stage. Seven days later he had his scan. Seven days after that, he was given the ALL CLEAR!
But what does this mean? Under normal circumstances he would have been monitored for a year. Twelve months of worry and anguish about what might be happening inside him. Twelve months of concern for his future. Instead it was over within two weeks.
What if it had been cancer? How would it have developed in 12 months? We can’t know. But we do know that his SNOWMED code relieved us of this worry.
SNOWMED codes are free. They are there because of the heightened risks from our occupation. They do not need permission from your employer, brigade or union. Consider them an upgrade to your health care. So please inform your GP that you are a firefighter and get your SNOWMED code added to your records. It could genuinely save your life.
Chris Thornton – Operational Station Manager at London Biggin Hill Airport
With 20 years of experience in the fire service. He oversees the management of the fire station, its team, and all emergency responses to aviation and aerodrome incidents. His responsibilities also include fire safety management and general safety across the Rescue and Firefighting department, reporting directly to the Head of Fire & Emergency Planning and the Operations Director.
For more information please visit bigginhillairport.com