Survey among European airport fire brigades about their Covid-19 response

The CTIF Commission for firefighting at airports has conducted a survey with airport fire brigades at 12 European member countries, asking how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected their work. 

Questionnaire – Covid 19 – Airports.

Q: Have your fire brigade many persons in quarantine due to the Corona Virus?

ANSWERS:

• Some are in Quarantine, but they have not been ill. Still they are a risk.

Q: How do you organize your work day. Other and longer shift systems? Other way of working?

ANSWERS:

• The shifts are divided in groups. They do not mix. There are different eating times. They have their own toilets and restrooms. The shifts do not meet when they change. Special rules for Emergency Operation Center and Crisis Management.
• The shifts are reduced. Persons not needed stay at home (like part time fire fighters.)
• Other ways of working.
• Fire fighters are asked to take there Holidays outside the normal Holiday time.
• Communication between fire stations is organized via Teams.

Q: If you work together with other rescue units (police, ambulance) how do you ensure yourself that they have the necessary protecting cloths/equipments?

ANSWERS:  

• The fire brigade bring their own vehicle. PPE is provided for Ambulance, Police and Municipal Fire Service in case they do not have their own.
• An officer makes a check.
• Distance.
• Use of OP masks with straps when distance is less than 2 meters.
• In ”normal” operations masks are not needed.

• Q: Have you started using other persons in your fire brigade?

ANSWERS:

• Other workers at the airport? NO.
• Retired fire fighters? NO.
• Others? NO.

Q: Does your airport fire brigade now work closer with the municipal fire brigade? Work in shifts together or others?

ANSWERS:

• No, distance is important.
• More co-operation with Hospital Districts.
•  

• Q:What has been done to protect the fire fighters maximal when working with Covid 19 incidents?

ANSWERS:

• Suits, Masks, Gloves, Goggles.
• We know our crews and their health, otherwise the usual measures.
• PPE.
• More guidance from hospital districts.  

Q: What has been done to protect the personnel inside the fire stations?

ANSWERS:

• Higher hygienic standard. Cleaning of vehicles inside, steering wheel, handbrake, switches, gearshift etc. In the buildings handles, light switches, elevator buttons etc. is sanitized once or twice a day.
• More distance. Max one person/office and no meetings.
• Separate from others.
• Only three persons in the kitchen area at the same time.
• Armchairs have been removed, certain sports equipment reduced and PC workstations have been reduced.

Q: How and with what agent do you disinfect your fire station?

ANSWERS:

• Hands and surface with disinfected viruzid. Vehicles and rooms with aerosole desinfection agent..
• Commercial alcohol solution in bottles are delivered from the government.
• Normal cleaning and alcohol gel for hands.

Q: How and with what agent do you disinfect the vehicles and gear?

ANSWERS:

• The same as for hands, by the vehicles only the steering wheel.

• How do you disinfect your working clothes after a working shift?

ANSWERS:

• Washing machines.
• Clean firemen.
• Normal washing of 60 degrees.

Q: Have you disinfected buildings and common areas? And does this work?

ANSWERS:

• Yes, but difficult. You can not see where the virus is
• Many answers No.

Q: Do you re-use masks? And if yes, how do you disinfect them?

ANSWERS:

• Masks are collected in safe storage boxes, brought to define medical center, treated and brought back to service.
• Only use of disposable masks.                                                                                                                          ¨

Q: Do you re-use clothing? And if yes, how do you disinfect them?

ANSWERS:

• NO.
• Yes, after washing.
• Clean firemen.
•  

Q: Do you have another solution if protection masks and/or cloths gets out of stock?

ANSWERS:

• NO.
• Yes, from the army.
• Some have enough protective gear and have ensured their supply chain too.
•  

• Q: Do you have another solution if disinfected agents gets out of stock?

ANSWERS:

• Soap and water for hands.
• No.
• Yes.
• Will not be an issue. Manufacturing of disinfected products have started.

Cover Photo by TVM.com from the airport in Sicily, Italy when the corona virus was first discovered there.