Thread by @MorfoiiAjuus

@A_S_Nassir Without the use of a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, fire fighters are overexposed to irritants, chemical asphyxiants & carcinogens. How many does Mombasa Fire Brigade, have ? @mtalaki @PwaniTribune @mmunga_ @Pmwanyosh @oloojl @ParassisO @siambiliki @MtaitaMkauma

There are over 200 known chemicals found in smoke on the fireground. Therefore, a SCBA is strongly recommended during fire overhaul.
Unless of course, Inn Shaa Allah salama, when Mombasa Firefighters turnout or deploy to an incident ? @VictorMwambacha @bintikombo

Thirty seven years ago, firefighters who wore a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) into a fire were considered wimps.
Wondered why, one of my peers, John Mutevu then an AFC with City Council. I had one on my back, as we responded to an aircrash on old Embakasi road.

I understood John Mutevu. When SCBAs were first introduced, most firefighters had heavy mustaches & beards & were proud to be “smoke eaters.”
In their minds, a “real” firefighter wouldn’t wear an SCBA.
But, with Kanjo, it was more a question of exposure & availability.

Now, however, most firefighters gladly wear SCBAs to protect themselves.
Why the shift in attitude? Greater knowledge about the harm of smoke & fumes created by fires is one reason. We came to realize that flames & heat aren’t the only risks facing firefighters. @Pmwanyosh

Another cause is that the fumes have become more dangerous. Modern, inorganic building materials, in homes & businesses have increased the toxicity of fumes in most fires. There’s a much greater danger to firefighters who aren’t wearing SCBAs, & the fire industry realized this.

Rightfully so, firefighters are now generally required to wear an SCBA when entering into a fire. & most firefighters appreciate that this policy is for their protection. @oloojl @mmunga_

Despite the increased awareness, many firefighters still aren’t completely doing what they should. Some often wait until last possible minute before clicking on SCBAs. Because SCBAs have a limited amount of air, this delay gives firefighters an extra few minutes to fight fire.

The problem is that in those few minutes, they forget, they can actually inhale toxic gases such as cyanide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, dioxins, decabromodiphenyl ether, & polynuclear hydrocarbons.

The intent is noble—to stay in the fire longer fighting it—but the detrimental health impacts on firefighters are serous. The best practice is to click on the SCBA when putting on turnout gear.

Another lapse often occurs after the fire. Even after the fire is extinguished, harmful fumes can remain, so firefighters should keep the SCBA on until they are away from the scene.

Regardless of whether firefighters begin using SCBAs too late or stop using them too early, they are essential pieces of equipment, particularly considering the substantial increase in fume toxicity.

SCBAs have to work when firefighters reach a fire or else the firefighters’ health is in even more jeopardy than it usually is.

Firefighting isn’t the only dangerous profession to rely on SCBAs for protection.
They’re also critical equipment for people who work in mines, chemical plants, gas refineries, environmental-disaster sites, or anywhere else where toxic substances are located.
@mmunga_

Because it’s imperative that SBCAs work correctly in all these situations, it’s also imperative that they be inspected regularly. Frequent inspections help ensure they are fully functioning and safe when they’re most needed.

Long story short, @A_S_Nassir, firefighters & others who work near toxic fumes put their health at risk to do jobs that have to be done—the last thing they need is to be exposed to even more risk because their SBCA isn’t working right or they don't have them, to start with.

SBCAs are an indispensable equipment for firefighters & other professions exposed to hazardous fumes.
But equipping those in harm’s way with SCBAs isn’t enough. You also need to provide training on how to use them properly, & each unit should always be inspected before use.

Back to my initial question @A_S_Nassir, my Gov'nor. How many SCBAs does Mombasa Fire Brigade have ?
If it is about being expensive. Are they really, compared to the lives, firefighters on the line, daily ?? @mtalaki @FauzKhalid @PwaniTribune
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