The Volunteer and Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partnered to develop and create the Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer. Out of the Lavender Ribbon Report the VCOS and the NVFC have worked to develop several posters to help you promote cancer prevention in your department.
The 11 Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer Poster
![VCOSBestPracticesCancerPreventioninstagram300x250 VCOSBestPracticesCancerPreventioninstagram300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcosbestpracticescancerpreventioninstagram300x250.png?sfvrsn=c5a0980d_1)
The VCOS and the NVFC, along with the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance, the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), and with support from California Casualty, have developed a poster of the 11 best practices for preventing firefighter cancer. The poster provides all fire department leaders and firefighting personnel with specific actions that must be taken to address the cancer epidemic and protect firefighters.
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Individual Best Practice Posters
Best Practice One Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice1_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice1_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice1_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=d4a0980d_1)
Full protective equipment (PPE) must be worn throughout the entire incident, including SCBA during salvage and overhaul.
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Best Practice Two Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice2_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice2_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice2_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=e3a0980d_1)
A second hood should be provided to all entry-certified personnel in the department.
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Best Practice Three Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice3_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice3_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice3_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=f3a0980d_1)
Following exit from the IDLH, and while still on air, you should begin immediate gross decon of
PPE using soap water and a brush, if weather conditions allow. PPE should then be placed into
a sealed plastic bag and placed in an exterior compartment of the rig, or if responding in POVs,
placed in a large storage tote, thus keeping the off-gassing PPE away from passengers and self.
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Best Practice Four Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice4_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice4_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/branding/vcos_bestpractice4_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=7da9980d_1)
After completion of gross decon procedures, and while still on scene, the exposed areas of
the body (neck, face, arms and hands) should be wiped off immediately using wipes, which
must be carried on all apparatus. Use the wipes to remove as much soot as possible from
head, neck, jaw, throat, underarms and hands immediately.
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Best Practice Five Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice5_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice5_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice5_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=6da9980d_1)
Change your clothes and wash them after exposure to products of
combustion or other contaminants. Do this as soon as possible and/or
isolate in a trash bag until washing is available.
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Best Practice Six Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice6_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice6_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/branding/vcos_bestpractice6_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=8c96980d_1)
Shower as soon as possible after being exposed to products of
combustion or other contaminants. “Shower within the Hour”.
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Best Practice Seven Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice7_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice7_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/branding/vcos_bestpractice7_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=9c96980d_1)
PPE, especially turnout pants, must be prohibited in areas outside
the apparatus floor (i.e. kitchen, sleeping areas, etc.) and never in the
household.
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Best Practice Eight Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice8_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice8_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice8_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=ac96980d_1)
Wipes, or soap and water, should also be used to decontaminate and
clean apparatus seats, SCBA and interior crew area regularly, especially
after incidents where personnel were exposed to products of combustion.
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Best Practice Nine Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice9_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice9_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice9_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=bc96980d_1)
Get an annual physical, as early detection is the key to survival. The NVFC outlines
several options at www.nvfc.org. “A Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter
Physicals” can be downloaded from www.fstaresearch.org/resource/?FstarId=11591.
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Best Practice Ten Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice10_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice10_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice10_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=ec96980d_1)
Tobacco products of any variety, including dip and e-cigarettes
should never be used at anytime on or off duty.
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Best Practice Eleven Poster
![VCOS_BestPractice11_PosterImage300x250 VCOS_BestPractice11_PosterImage300x250](/images/default-source/1graphics/vcos_bestpractice11_posterimage300x250.jpg?sfvrsn=fc96980d_1)
Fully document ALL fire or chemical exposures on incident reports and personal exposure reports.
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Download All 11 Individual Posters