Cleaning up after a wildfire is different than any house fire, grass fire or even forest fire. The toxins and unique combustion byproducts present in the air, settled smoke, soot, char and ash piles can create respiratory hazards unseen anywhere else in the industry, making cleanup and restoration not only difficult, but downright dangerous.

As a "second responder," restoration professionals are responsible for recognizing the respiratory hazards for not only building occupants, but their workers as well. When decision-time comes, will you feel confident enough in your cleaning practices to mitigate occupant health-related issues? Do you know when to assume clearance liability on your own, and when to shift some of that liability onto a qualified environmental professional?

In this presentation, Patrick will discuss why no two wildfire impacted homes are the same and how to recognize whether a home requires only surface cleaning and deodorization, and when it requires a partial or complete packout. We'll also discuss advances in chemical deodorization, including the use of ozone and hydroxyls, and how to interpret the 2018 AIHA "Technical Guide for Wildfire Impaction Assessment for the OEHS Professional."

Patrick Moffett is an IICRC Master Fire & Smoke Restorer (MSR), Industrial Hygienist and an IICRC-Approved Instructor in Water Damage Restoration, Fire and Smoke Odor Remediation and Applied Microbial Remediation. For more than 35 years, Patrick has worked as an environmental and industrial hygienist, general contractor, technical writer, lecturer and instructor specializing in the assessment and oversight of property damage remediation and the environmental clearance of property losses.