Monday, August 30, 2010  Each morning at the end of my shift as Captain I have a cup of coffee while wrapping up the paperwork in my office. On the morning of 8/25 while rinsing a cup in our kitchen sink to get said coffee a bullet came through the window in front of the sink and struck the far wall of the kitchen. One of my members was also in the kitchen at the time. After arriving home that morning I found tiny shards of glass in my hair on the left side of my head, this corresponds with the position of myself and the hole in the window. I have spent 15 years working in the inner city and we have had many instances of firehouses and apparatus being struck by bullets but this was definitely a near miss.

LESSONS LEARNED: Not sure what can be learned by this as far as prevention. Aside from concrete firehouses with no windows. I will say this a near miss which you have no control definitely gives you a new perspective for controlling the things you can.

 

Thursday, August 26, 2010  On July 7, 2010, at approximately 1430 hours a 37 y/o male Driver Engineer in our department received minor injuries when a 2.5" double female coupling failed while the pressure was being increased during a hose testing process. The device was attached to the pump panel and failed at the swivel when the pressure was being increased. The DE noticed a leak upon throttling up and the device failed before he could react. The failure caused the end of the hose to strike his right upper thigh, causing an abrasion about 8" long and some significant bruising. The hose stream from the pump panel struck the DE in the left lower abdomen just above the hip, sending him backwards and down into a storm water retention ditch about 14' away. The firefighter was transported to the ER by ambulance for evaluation and release about 5 hours later and returned to duty that day.

 

Thursday, July 22, 2010  When Richard “Dick” Kidwell’s son, Adam, joined him on the ranks of the Findlay Fire Department 10 years ago, the pair knew chances were good one or the other would get hurt at a fire.

That time came on June 10 during a fire at Streicher’s Quickprint, 109 S. Main St.

That was the night the elder Kidwell’s heart stopped beating.

“I heard him grasp for air and I could feel his hand on my shoulder,” said Adam Kidwell, 37, who was steps away from his father when he collapsed.

Acting on instinct, Adam called for help over the radio, and alerted firefighters.

“Next thing I know (firefighters) Rod Phillips and Dustin (Ruehle) and Captain (Matthew) Myers were all standing there,” he said.

They gave Kidwell oxygen and hooked him up to an automated external defibrillator.

Against the odds, the shock worked.

“It’s a miracle I am here,” said Kidwell, 60, during an interview this week at Fire Station No.4.

Adam Kidwell, Phillips, Ruehle, Myers, Hanco Emergency Medical Technician-paramedic Tamara O’Leary and Hanco Emergency Medical Technician-intermediate Jeremy Fern were commended earlier this month by City Council for saving Kidwell’s life.

About 95 percent of people who go into cardiac arrest, which is when the heart stops, don’t make it, Fern said.

“I was privileged,” Kidwell admitted. “I hit the Lotto.”

Holding back tears, Adam recalled the night he nearly lost his dad.

“It was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with,” he said.

Seconds felt like days as he waited for his dad to arrive at the hospital by ambulance. He beat him to the hospital thanks to a lift from Findlay police Officer David Gonzalez.

In reality, only seven minutes had elapsed from when Kidwell collapsed to when he got to the hospital.

Kidwell doesn’t remember much after arriving at the fire. He was getting hoses hooked up to hydrants and recalled feeling dizzy and overcome with thick smoke from the building.

“I went to lean on (Adam) and that was it for me; I was out,” he said.

He had learned to breathe shallow in smoke, “but it wasn’t working that night,” Kidwell said.

Everyone, including Kidwell, had no idea anything was wrong with him. As it turns out, he had severe blockage in his heart, which, Kidwell believes, was exacerbated by the heavy smoke.

“That’s the worst thing as a firefighter. You never want to hear over the radio that you have a firefighter down,” Ruehle said.

Later that night, from his hospital bed, Kidwell came over the radio and talked to the crews still battling the fire, assuring them he was all right

“I think that was good for the guys to hear,” Ruehle said.

Kidwell, of rural Findlay, now wears a heart monitor and has decided he will retire from the department after 30 years.
 

 

Thursday, June 24, 2010  Last week one of our crews responded to a sprinkler flow alarm at 7240 W Custer Avenue. Upon investigation they found an activated sprinkler head in a 4th floor apartment. During the attempt to stop the sprinkler flow with a wedge, they were exposed to the flowing water. The crew experienced a burning sensation in their eyes and on their skin. Further investigation revealed that the fire sprinkler system had an antimicrobial chemical system installed to prevent corrosion in the pipes. The system was designed to continuously infuse a chemical even during activation. The MSDS sheets and manufacturer’s instructions advise that the FPS Chemical is toxic and to avoid contact with the chemical and the chemically treated water. This system is only one of many types of anti-microbial systems available for fire protection.
Recommendations:
1) Preplan your buildings to identify which ones have this type of system installed
2) Avoid contact with water flowing from sprinkler systems
3) Shutdown activated systems with zone or main control valves to avoid the use of sprinkle wedges
4) Wear full PPE including SCBA mask to avoid aerosolized exposures
5) If exposed, perform decon, report exposure, seek treatment as needed, and launder uniforms / PPE
 

 

Wednesday, May 26, 2010  A volunteer firefighter/Lt. woke up early to a smoke alarm sounding upstairs. When he went downstairs to investigate, he was met by heavy black smoke pushing up the steps. He went to awaken the other occupants: another volunteer firefighter and his wife. They had to use basic firefighting techniques by feeling the walls on their hands and knees to find their way around the downstairs to evacuate the house. While doing this, a fan was found on the carpet burning. The fan was tossed outside and the windows/doors opened. Cross wind ventilation quickly cleared the house. And since both firefighters took only seconds to realize the situation had been mitigated, and alarm was not transmitted. EVEN THOUGH, their fire station was literally across the street, and had this alarm been transmitted to dispatch, they would have laid out from the front apron. There were no injuries, very small spot on carpet was singed and very little smoke damage.
LESSONS LEARNED: Smoke detectors save lives!!! This is an example of 3 lives being saved because of working smoke detectors. Firefighters should be no exception. This is a perfect example of practicing what we preach. And by using their training and remaining calm, averted the possibility of certain tragedy.
 

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2010  Firefighters in Manchester, GA jumped in the truck to respond to a call three weeks ago.

The address sounded very familiar, and as they approached the house, they knew their Assistant Chief was in trouble.

Sgt. Jerry Everett said, "We came in and he was blue."

The firefighters and EMTs said being from a small town where everyone knows everyone makes all calls personal. But, this one was closer to home than ever before.

"Knowing it is one of your own, that is down, that is facing death in the face, makes it a whole lot more emotional. It was the closest call I think I have ever run," explained EMT/Firefighter Ben Williams.

After giving him four shocks, Chief Fred Schmalz started to breathe on his own. He was air lifted to St. Francis Hospital.

Although he is not allowed to work, he cannot stay away from the station. News Leader Nine caught up with him hanging out at the fire station with the people that saved his life. He said, "I just do not know if I will ever be able to thank them enough."

Leigh Erenheim, one of the first Paramedics on the scene, said this situation is very rare, "He is that 1% that comes all the way back from it."

Manchester responds to less than 10 cardiac arrest calls a year. In his 25 years of service, this is the first time Schmalz has seen someone fully recover and walk out of the hospital.

"We try to do our best to sustain life until the EMS get on scene and it works out pretty good sometimes. I'll tell you what… I am a firm believer in it right now."

Schmalz has his first check-up appointment Tuesday morning.
 

 

Friday, May 7, 2010  L.O.D.D. Avoided! I would like to start by saying Our E.M.S. system works if you use it. About a year ago on a working House fire, despite my best attempts to avoid rehab, I was flagged for elevated Blood Pressure. My pressure did come to within close to reason eventually, and I was able to resume my duties, which by that time was Overhaul. The nice Paramedics asked me to please see a doctor about your pressures. I did and have been on Medication to successfully keep it under control since. Damn rehab. On to the present, May 1 and 2, 2010. The weather was in the upper 80’s and sunny with a slight breeze. It was the weekend we were doing Engine company evolutions training along with a neighboring Company. The weekend started off with 4 hours of classroom presentation, followed by lunch. The Training was then moved to its practical evolutions location, where we did some problem solving scenarios with hose lines, while in full P.P.E. followed by some Extended Attack line evolutions. And finally we did some Interior attack scenarios in full P.P.E. It was an exhausting day, and I’m sure it was intended that way. After all none of us were new to this and it was intended to improve skills. Day two had no classroom, so everyone assembled at the drill site. We began after a short summation of the days events. A 600’ attack line was pulled, charged and shown how it could be pumped effectively. We moved on to see the difference between extending the attack line with same diameter hose, and using a 3” leader hose with a gate. I was assigned to the nozzle of the Hose with the 3” leader and a Smooth Bore nozzle. My task was to advance the line around some obstacles, down a paved road, flowing water in an attack pattern and staying low. The obstacles went smoothly, I was advancing down the assigned route trying to stay low and flow water in an attack pattern. About 200 into my advancement I was having difficulty keeping the nozzle out in front of me. I attributed this to the fact that the hose was under relatively low pressure due to the Smooth Bore nozzle. As I continued to advance I was finding it increasingly difficult to control the line, at which point I became aware of Dark spots in my field of vision. At this point I began closing the nozzle and standing upright and indicating to the instructor with a chopping motion across my throat I am done. I moved to the rear of the evolution helping to advance the 3” hose as everyone moved up the line. It was only a few feet from there to the tailboard of the engine where I sat and started removing my bottle, helmet and coat. The Pump operator started offering me water, I was refusing stating that I needed to catch my breath I became aware that I was panting short fast ineffective breaths and attempted to force longer slower breathing. This is when I became cognizant of CHEST PAIN. (There you have it Chest Pain, Trouble Breathing. I know we have all heard that on Dispatch) I was able to catch my breath and the pain did subside a little (Maybe I just pulled something) and I took the water being offered to me. The evolution was continuing in front of me, as I stood to lower my Bunkers to get more air, the chest pain intensified again. Sitting on the Tailboard next to me was our E.M.S. Chief, a paramedic and a friend he won’t mind checking my Blood Pressure for me, so I asked telling him my chest felt tight and I was winded. Amazingly it wasn’t bad if I remember it was about 145/82, the evolution ended and a 10min. debriefing took place, then it was time for the Ladies Aux. to serve lunch. I asked again to have my pressure checked again. It was better, 125/80 I think. He asked if I was still having chest pain, my answer sort of, but maybe I pulled something. I was told I was a little tachy. At this point deep down inside I knew I was going to the hospital, so I told him I was going to the bathroom across the grounds about 400 were there was a spot a pot. I was asked if I thought that would make me feel better, I said no had to go since we got here, and it would enable me to secure my vehicle that was over in that direction. While still in the throne I heard a vehicle pull up right outside, it was our E.M.S. Chief in his A.L.S. equipped Expedition, after a short conversation that I’ll spare this story, I came out to find him setting up a 12 lead E.K.G. at the rear of the truck. I could tell from his changing expression that he saw something that brought concern across his face, at with point he told me sit up front, I have the A/C on, a few moments later he was at the door with his Oxygen and said you bought an I.V. He called one of our guys on his cell that was having lunch, all I heard was I need help over at the commode. The I.V. was started oxygen put on and a dose of Nitro under my tongue, that fast he was on the phone to our station for a transport unit. Within minutes the Ambo was there, I was loaded, information exchanged with the Paramedic onboard (another Friend), my Wife called and we were en route to Christiana Hospital. The trip to the Hospital netted me 5 more doses of Nitro, upon arrival we were met on the apron by E.R. staff, and I was swept through the halls to a room with personnel awaiting me. The questions were fast and from all sides, I was told they were declaring a cardiac emergency for me about 2 seconds before I heard it announced over the intercom. Clothes came off 6 more Nitros given, as I was updated on how many people they were awaiting for the Cath. Lab. About the time my Wife (whom we passed with lights and siren wailing on the road) got to the room, they were bringing me out. Wired like the space shuttle she saw me pass as she was told you can’t follow him. Later I found out this is when she was told he is having a Heart Attack, and going into surgery, follow us to the waiting room. I entered the Cath Lab met by 2 lines of people, I was wheeled down the middle as each one introduced themselves and begun their task. Before I could grasp the enormity of this, I already had a Cath. In and behind a wall of glass and computer monitors more people were talking, directing and explaining the procedure to me. I heard at some point there it is 100%a few moments later the Chest pain was back with a vengeance, I spoke up to tell them (keep in mind, you are AWAKE for ALL of this) they said I know this is going to fix you and stop all of this, within moments they were right. The procedure wrapped up I was scooped up onto another bed and the Surgeon came to talk to me, he told me what he found, how he fixed it and congratulated me on surviving a 98% fatal event that is known as the Widow Maker. He asked what time the chest pains started and calculated 3hrs from onset to the end of the Stent placement, then commented that was beyond text book, I am a very lucky man. I will spare everyone the recovery details, the reason I am writing this is to hopefully save lives. I could have and almost did play this off from the onset; I was assured that would have been a 100% FATAL choice. I am positive this choice has been made in the past by individuals or I would not have read about them going home from a call or training and DYING after getting home or to their Station. The E.M.S. system worked for me twice, once a year ago, and once recently. I beg everyone reading this to allow it to work for them too if the need arises. Do not be too proud or embarrassed to ask for help, Swallow your pride, and chose to LIVE, I hope everyone from this point forward has the continued opportunity that I have been given.

 

Tuesday, March 30, 2010  Responding Fire Captain arrested during response. While on duty and responding to a medical call at the County Jail a Career Fire Captain was arrested by Deputies for being on scene, even though this department has been responding to EMS calls with the ambulance provider for over 10 years the Lake County Sheriff has decided that the FD response should be by invitation and not via medical dispatch. Upon entering the jail facility where the company was let in through the secured door the senior Deputy ordered them to leave, that they wanted the ambulance which was approx 3 minutes behind the engine, the Captain continued to insist that they should see the patient and provide care until the ambulance arrival, the Deputy satted that we was arresting the Captain and threatened to arrest the rest of the Company who retreated to inform the Chief of the situation. The patient was examined by the ambulance crew upon their arrival and the Paramedic requested the engine to return to assist with patient care and transport. The Lake County (CO) had no qualified EMT staff on duty at the time, several interatctions with this Deputy have been negative in the 1.5 years leading to this incident. Mutual aid responders are now cancelling thier agreements for fear of the escalation of incidents in this area, leaving the Fire Department with little support opportunities.

LESSONS LEARNED: Even though we are depending on our brothers and sisters in blue to act in a professional manner with due concern for patient care, this cannot always be the case!

 

Friday, March 12, 2010  We were dispatched to an overturned 2 axle commercial truck hauling US mail at 0250 hours, raining hard, poor lighting, on a freeway offramp. The driver was ejected and cargo scattered along railroad frontage. The power pole (property of railroad company) was sheared off, with lines down on and under the vehicle and fuel leak with the ignition in the "on" position. Due to the position of the vehicle and the power lines, responders were unable to make access to the cab, address the fuel leak, disconnect the truck's batteries, or perform salvage on the cargo. It took 4 hours to get a lineman from the railroad company out to the incident. Our personnel have always "known" that those old delapidated power lines and poles along the railroad frontage were abandoned and dead. It seemed silly to follow the protocol for downed powerlines, but we did it. We are not sure how we would have managed a safe extrication on the driver, had he remained in the vehicle. The lineman from the railroad company also thought that those lines were dead - until he put a meter on them. We were all surprised to find that each of those 4 bare wires carried 110 volts. We were also very grateful that we observed the protocol for downed power lines.

LESSONS LEARNED: Never trust downed power lines. Follow protocol. Assume that power lines are hot until it can be confirmed otherwise.

 

Tuesday, March 9, 2010  I am not a firefighter, just a buff. However, I average between four and five 9-1-1 calls every year to report that fire apparatus and fire department ambulances (the most common culprit) forgot to turn on their emergency lights! I can't help but conclude that this is a common problem. I have seen it in many different departments. When I report it to the respective fire alarm office, they will sometimes quickly notify the apparatus on the radio to "check their lights" and sometimes wait so long to do so that it is no longer relevant. One large, east coast fire alarm office actually gave me a hard time for trying to report it. This may seem trivial to most of the safety matters that you address, but seems to me to be an unnecessary hazard and completely avoidable error. Has anyone ever thought of designing a light bar that automatically goes on when the sire is activated? I know that it would have to be unique to fire apparatus, since the police would not go for it. Training and the use of a "mental checklist" is probably the answer, but I really believe that the fire service does not take this issue seriously. Thank you.

 

Thursday, February 25, 2010  Every wednesday night we have our weekly maintence and drill night. This past weds our Rescue truck had a dead battery. The maintence crew for the vehicle had placed the battery on charge. They had set it on the proper settings and continued with the evening drill. About 45 mins later i was walking by the vehicle and heard that the battery was bubbling a bit. I then turned off the charger and waited a few seconds. I then started to take the charger cable off the battery post. As i was remvoing the cable off the battery, the top of the battery exploded and the battery acid had sprayed all over my face, hands, and neck. When it went off i had closed my eyes and mouth tight. Two other firefighters were about 20 feet to right when this happen. They ran over to me and walked me over to the hose and sat me down on the ground. They started to flush my face, arms, and neck. The also summoned for the ambulance crew for the equipment, etc... I was then transported to the local trauma center where the continued to flush my eyes and face for several hours. I was released later that evening with minimal injuries to my face and eyes. This all happen about 24 hours ago and my face is still burning slightly but it could have been 100% worse. My crew did a wonderful job in performing there duties!!!

LESSONS LEARNED: Never ever take a simple job as charging a battery for granted. I was very lucky this time. I was also lucky that there was member down at the fire station that could begine medical attention on me right away. Remember whenever u are working on a truck always use eye protection and proper equipment.

 

Tuesday, February 23, 2010  As a volunteer FF at age 16 I permanently injured my thumb putting a 6" hard suction hose back on the engine. The hose was mounted high up on the truck requiring three people to put it back. I was on one end, somebody in the middle and the opposite end. I got my end up, the middle did also. The person on the far end wasn't quite tall enough and his end came back down causing the whole hose to fall down. I just happened to have it catch my thumb and bend it backwards. I am now permanently partially disabled and have a fused thumb.

LESSONS LEARNED: Most departments probably don't use their suction hoses as much as we do out in the country so the risk is less. In my opinion, all engines should be equipped with the racks that hydraulically lower ladders and suction hoses to a more comfortable height. Not just thumb injuries can occur. Lifting objects above your head can cause injury to backs, necks, etc. I hope nobody else goes through what I have gone through for a piece of suction hose.

 

Monday, January 11, 2010  Recently we experienced an engine fire in a large haul truck.  Other than the overall size of the truck, the basic configuration of the motor, turbocharger, coolant system, etc., is quite similar to other heavy duty trucks. 

The fire, and resultant damage, was minor due to quick action by nearby maintenance personnel responding with a dry chem. fire extinguisher.  The driver stated he could smell anti-freeze in the cab of the truck, however assumed it was a minor leak and continued to drive the truck to find a good place to pull over to inspect the problem without blocking other traffic.  Other personnel that saw the truck go by noticed a coolant leak in the engine compartment (off side mounted engine) and gave notice to the driver via radio.  The driver stopped and as he walked around the truck to inspect the problem he saw a fire in the engine compartment.  The flames were reported to be a distinctive blue color.  The driver stated at no time was there any yellow color to the flames.  The fire progressed in size quickly until extinguished w/ a hand held 10 lb. dry chem. FE.  The on-board self-contained fire suppression system was not discharged.
 
An investigation revealed a flex coupling ruptured.  This coupling joined two hard lines carrying coolant.  Coolant under pressure was sprayed all over the engine compartment including in the vicinity of the turbocharger.  The hard lines w/ coupler was located directly on top of the valve cover of the motor.  The source of the ignition of the fire could not be determined until information regarding ethylene glycol was researched.  Ethylene glycol has an auto-ignition temperature of 748 deg. F., and will flash burn at lower temperatures if atomized in the vicinity of temp.’s at or greater than 250 deg. F.  Turbochargers typically demonstrate temperatures well in excess of these numbers.  A coolant mix of water and ethylene glycol based anti-freeze in the presence of these high temperatures will decompose the water out of solution and the remaining ethylene glycol may undergo auto-ignition.  The resulting fire may be similar to an alcohol fire, resulting in a blue flame. 
 
See below for more information on ethylene glycol.  In particular, see the section on “industrial hazards”.  All in all I found this article very interesting.  Ethylene glycol is used for many purposes other than for coolant, including (at one time) the manufacture of explosives, including dynamite.  Something to think about, perhaps, as you are pouring your favorite coolant into your radiator!  Read on:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol
 
Also, this information is taken from the MSDS for CITGO Antifreeze and Coolant (MSDS # 657201001):
 
All in all we learned some very interesting information from this incident.  All heavy truck operators should be advised to stop and investigate any incident of odors of coolant, in the cab or outside the cab in the area of the motor.  Report and/or repair leaks immediately.  The time spent may save a great deal of damage, even preventing a fire. 
 

Saturday, January 9, 2010  WAMSUTTER, Wyoming - Battling an intensely hot fire after a cargo truck crashed on a highway, emergency crews were surprised to find themselves suddenly fired upon — by corks from exploding wine bottles inside.

"The corks were popping out of the bottles like the old Jiffy Pop (popcorn) we grew up with," Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Scott Keane said. "My trooper got hit in the arm with one."

The fire Thursday was so intense it burned the trailer down to its axles, melted the tires and damaged about 75 feet of pavement.
 

Besides the heat and flying corks, firefighters also had to deal with shattering bottles.

But Keane says no one was injured, and the truck driver escaped the fire. Keane says the wreck likely was caused by a locked brake or hub malfunction.

 

Tuesday, January 5, 2010  While operating at a structure fire on Jan. 3, 2010 we encountered a problem with a 4"x5" Storz hose adapter. As the Engineer and firefighters were making the connection from the hydrant to the apparatus, the lock on the 4" side of the adapter broke causing the hose to come loose from the apparatus. The hose knocked down the Engineer with the coupling striking one firefighter in the helmet and the hose taking his feet out as well. No injuries were noted to any personnel. The helmets and turnout gear did its job of protecting all personnel.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Always wear your PPE no matter what your job is on the fireground. A lot of departments do not require their operators to wear any PPE. I think this is a classic case that no matter what your assignment is on the fireground you need to be properly dressed.