ABSTRACT
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. It is found at every structure fire and is present most often when an appliance that uses combustion malfunctions. Firefighting as an occupation carries an extremely high risk of exposure to CO, owing to fire suppression, postfire overhaul, and response to routine CO alarm calls. Few other occupations involve the potential of such frequent exposure to CO. The fire department often provides the first emergency medical care to victims who have been exposed to CO, and is the first link in the emergency medical service (EMS) system. This chapter explores how CO impacts this profession and the civilians who are protected by it. We will bring to light some of the latest technology available for home and professional use, and will explore the gap between the medical community and the fire service. The first author of this chapter has written a recent review of this topic.1
