Crosscut Now
Sept. 13, 2023 - Wildfire crews work without respirators
9/14/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Amid heavy smoke, wildfire crews work without practical respirators.
'There are times where you just don’t breathe, because you can’t.'
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Sept. 13, 2023 - Wildfire crews work without respirators
9/14/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
'There are times where you just don’t breathe, because you can’t.'
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(tense upbeat music) - I am Paris Jackson in the "Crosscut KCTS 9" Newsroom.
What if you Worked in an extremely dangerous profession under harsh conditions, and lack a vital piece of equipment.
US Wildland Firefighters spend hours in wildfire smoke, but don't wear respirators while tackling fires.
Despite the danger, no one has ever manufactured one that meets national safety standards.
It's estimated a million career and volunteer Wildland Firefighters in the US are exposed to those conditions.
Structural firefighters wear respirators in burning buildings, but experts say for Wildland Firefighters, none meet the physical demands of their specific firefighting.
Firefighters face increased risk of dying from complications of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.
California is taking an aggressive tactic after the state's most catastrophic wildfires.
The California Department of Industrial Relations has put forward a rule requiring Wildland Firefighters to wear respirators in two years, while also working on their own respirator standard.
I'm Paris Jackson.
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