WHAT IS PAC+CARE
Soiled PPE reduces insulation and is more likely to conduct heat and electricity. This can result in PPE becoming flammable. Contaminants and particulates accumulated on PPE can also negatively impact firefighter health.
Australian federal and territory legislation requires fire and emergency services to safeguard the health and safety of their employees at work. This is enshrined in Australian Workplace Health and Safety and Occupational Health and Safety regulations. Agencies have a responsibility to supply their employees with Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing which meets all the necessary standards and performance requirements, have in place systems which ensure that personal protection is regularly monitored, inspected and maintained, and is fit for purpose throughout its operational life.
Pac Fire’s Managed Service, PAC+CARE, is designed to provide a comprehensive and integrated outsourced facility for agencies through which Australian Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations are met.
PAC+CARE’s flagship centre is based in Yatala Queensland. Here, trained staff are allocated to the provision of care for the lifetime of customer’s protective equipment and clothing while armed with the most up-to-date knowledge and resources to ensure that PPE/C worn by agencies is fully maintained for operational purpose while achieving optimum longevity.
PAC+CARE SERVICES
PAC+CARE ADVANCED SERVICE
PAC+CARE ADVANCED SERVICE should be conducted whenever an item of PPE/C is soiled to the extend that the soil cannot be sufficiently removed by Routine Cleaning or when a routine inspection highlights a potential problem.
This level of service includes:
- Advanced Wash
- Fit for Purpose Inspection
Any damage identified during this process will be recorded. The owner of the PPE/C will be contacted with a description and quote for the repair. No repairs will be carried out without approval from the owner.
PAC+CARE NFPA 1851 SERVICE
PAC+CARE NFPA 1851 SERVICE should be conducted every 12 months, when routine inspection highlights a potential problem or the item of PPE/C is soiled to the extend that the soil cannot be sufficiently removed by Routine Cleaning.
This level of service includes:
- Advanced Clean
- NFPA 1851 Advanced Inspection
- Condition coding
- Fit for purpose certificate
- PPE/C can be registered on the PAC+CARE system
- PAC+CARE can alert the wearer of the next annual service required
Any damage identified during this process will be recorded. The owner of the PPE/C will be contacted with a description and quote for the repair. No repairs will be carried out without approval from the owner.
REPAIR
If any areas of concern are identified during cleaning and inspection PAC+CARE will contact the PPE/C owner with a description and quote for repair.
Carrying out repairs is a key part of ensuring personal protection remains fit for purpose and compliant with the standard it was manufactured to while early damage detection if acted upon, will ultimately increase the longevity of PPE. PAC+CARE is an NFPA 1851:2014 approved Independent Service Provider certified by Bristol Uniforms and Pacific Helmets. All repairs are carried out in accordance with their construction methods, using original componentry and to a quality and standard our manufacturers deem fit.
SECURE & SAFE DISPOSITION
In the event that protective clothing or equipment is assessed as unfit for purpose, it will follow the NFPA 1851:2014 compliant pathway for secure and safe disposition of PPC/E which involves:
- The item being tagged for disposal
- The item will be destroyed in a secure environmentally sensitive method
- Certificate of Destruction issued and information logged on Bundle Connect
SIZING
The correct fit is an essential component in ensuring firefighters experience optimum protection, mobility and comfort when wearing their structural ensemble. PAC+CARE offers sizing and measuring support including sizing sets, user friendly documentation to capture accurate fits for helmets, flash hoods, gloves, firefighting clothing and footwear. Trained PAC+CARE personnel are available to visit agencies locations and provide a comprehensive measuring service.