November 23, 2020
NIOSH Signs MOU with NFPA
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Fire Protection Research Foundation on activities related to emergency responder protective clothing and equipment (PPE) and the development of standards concerning first responder safety, deployment, operations, and the protection of emergency personnel.
NIOSH is currently involved in the NFPA standards development process for emergency responder PPE so that first responders are protected from physical, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, thermal, inhalation and dermal hazards. The new 10-year MOU continues NIOSH participation with NFPA Technical Committees that work on responder organization operations, deployment, training, and safety. It was established so that emergency response organizations and personnel have thorough research, testing, standards, operational strategies, and programming to ensure that personnel can safely and competently perform the all-hazards role that they play in society.
—Please see https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-10-22-20.html for the full press release.