NFPA 1581-2022 PDF Download

The NFPA 1581-2022 standard aims to help control the spread of infections among fire service and EMS personnel. It recognizes that firefighters and EMS personnel can be exposed to airborne and blood-borne infectious diseases during their work with the public. Therefore, the standard provides requirements for an infection control program that can reduce or eliminate potential exposures and provide treatment for affected personnel.

The standard emphasizes the importance of infection control in both EMS-related and non-EMS fire departments. Even if a fire department does not provide emergency medical services, it still interacts with the public in various situations, such as domestic violence incidents, hazardous materials releases, and structural fires. Therefore, the potential for infection exists in these circumstances as well.

NFPA 1581-2022 covers all aspects of fire department operations, ranging from the fire station to fire apparatus and incident scenes. It includes protocols for identifying, evaluating, controlling, and monitoring risks from infectious environments. The latest edition of the standard also addresses the specific risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The standard applies to organizations providing rescue, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials mitigation, special operations, and other emergency services, excluding industrial fire brigades.