Toronto Fire accommodating CPAP users

Torontosun.com
April 9, 2020
Bryan Passifiume

Toronto firefighters impacted by a COVID-19 related ban on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines will have two options for accommodation.

Enacted last week, Toronto Fire banned the use of CPAP machines in fire hall sleeping areas for fears their use could spread respiratory droplets potentially containing coronavirus.

An email from Toronto Fire says those impacted by the ban have two options over the customary 24-hour, 28-day shift rotations split across four platoons.

In the first scenario, staff would report to their regular assignment at 7 a.m. and work until 7 p.m., while on the second day they would work the same hours but be assigned by the platoon chief to whatever may be needed to fill staffing holes.

The second option would involve reporting to their regular assignment at 7 a.m. and informing their platoon chief that accommodation is required. They would then work until 11 p.m., with the eight hour difference made up for after the crisis ends by either giving up times earned or working additional hours.

CPAP therapy is used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where relaxed throat muscles can cause patients to stop breathing in their sleep. The machines use a mask worn during sleeping to create positive pressure in the patient’s airway to keep these airways open.

Toronto Fire confirmed about 16 city firefighters use CPAP machines.

The service’s current active complement consists of about 2,700 firefighters, captains, district and platoon chiefs, and commanders.

The Sun reached out to Toronto-area fire departments to gauge their policies on in-hall CPAP usage.

Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services is currently reviewing their CPAP policy amongst their 636 firefighters.

While unable to provide how many of their 451 firefighters use CPAP machines, Brampton Fire has, like Toronto, banned CPAP machines.

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service declined to provide comment on their CPAP policies, while other departments didn’t reply to the Sun’s emails.