Task Force Formed to Establish Best Practices for Protecting Community Health Associated With WUI Fires

Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) has established the Protecting Community Health (PCH) Task Force to generate guidance for populations in the wildland urban interface (WUI). The guidance will inform on environmental health hazards associated with wildfires and outline strategies for reducing human health risks before, during, and after a fire.  

Experts across various disciplines including public health, children’s health, government, public policy, public safety, fire administration, environmental impact, medicine, manufacturing, interior design, indoor air quality, sustainable buildings, science, and engineering are offering their knowledge and experience with WUI fires. Led by Dr. Debra Harris of Baylor University and RAD Consultants, the Task Force is meeting virtually to outline, generate content for the document, provide references, review drafts, and finalize the document. The final Guidance Document will be officially published by UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE) in their Standards Catalog and be available free of charge. The objective is to provide guidance for the protection of societal health to communities affected by WUI fires.  

Current members of the PCH Task Force come from nationally renowned institutions including RAD Consultants, Baylor University, Carpet and Rug Institute, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, Tennessee Department of Health, CSHEMA, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Weis Toxicology LLC, BioSitu, Detailed Designs LLC, Inspirit LLC, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, National Fire Protection Association, The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Purdue University Center for Plumbing Safety, FEMA’s U.S. Fire Administration, and other agencies. 

The PCH Task Force guidance will be issued later this summer.