Where there's fire, there's smoke

TMFPD is first fire department in Washoe County to equip every fire engine with an antidote to treat smoke inhalation.

Reno, Nevada. Dec. 2, 2016. The Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District (TMFPD) is proud to announce the addition of Cyanokits to every engine. A Cyanokit is an antidote to cyanide poisoning that can be administered at the fire scene and is largely successful in reversing the deadly effects of the poisoning. Firefighters are often the first to encounter and to administer treatment to victims of cyanide poisoning associated with smoke inhalation from structure fires.

Cyanide poisoning is life-threatening and can cause severe effects to the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Lower concentrations of cyanide can result in headache, confusion, nausea, and vomiting followed in some cases by seizure, coma and death.

The extensive use of synthetic materials such as plastics and polymers in the home significantly influences combustion, fire behavior, and the toxicity of the smoke.

Most people underestimate the dangers of smoke, when in fact the most common cause of death in domestic fires is due to inhalation of noxious gases, and the most common cause of acute cyanide poisoning in the U.S. is the smoke put off from a structure fire.

“The ability for crews to render this kind of treatment in the field can mean the difference between life and death for both firefighters and residents who are exposed to highly toxic smoke,” said TMFPD Chief Charlie Moore.

The antidote kits were funded by a grant from the region’s TRIAD Hazmat Response team. TMFPD, which operates all of its engines at the ALS (Advanced Life Support) level, was able to stock every fire engine with this ALS level medication through this grant opportunity.

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