A hearing is scheduled for today on a lawsuit filed by the Detroit’s Fire Fighter Association that opposes a requirement that fire fighters have to clean up bodily fluids at accident and medical scenes.
The lawsuit asks a Wayne County Circuit Court Judge to grant an injunction to halt the practice until a labor complaint is resolved.
Union officials say the clean-up regulations could expose crews to HIV or other health problems an were implemented without bargaining or consideration by a health and safety committee.
Fire department officials the clean-up effort has been standard practice, but had never been formalized in writing.
They also say all emergency responders have been issued protective clothing and gear and have been trained as mandated by the state.
Union officials say that’s not so.
