Saturday, June 8, 2013  While operating at a trench rescue training exercise 3 weeks ago we had a close call in regards to a airline malfunction. While shooting the struts the the airline blew away from the SCBA bottle striking the operator in the head. This occurred while air was passing through the regulator to the strut. The operator was wearing full PPE including a helmet and eye protection and was uninjured. Keep in mind when shooting struts in the trench we shoot the struts at 200psi. It was later found that the air hose coupling had failed. The regulator was set properly and the operator had done everything correctly.

Although this wasn't preventable, always inspect your equipment. Always wear the proper PPE. Remember equipment can fail.



 

Saturday, May 11, 2013  I was involved in a Firefighter 1 academy doing a second story rescue evolution. At the end of the evolution, the dummy was to be placed into my arms, and i was to descend the ladder with the dummy. The dummy was place too far out to the side of the ladder, so as i descended the ladder, the dummy began to fall off to the side of the ladder. Not wanting to stop the evolution for fear of failure I continued to keep descending the ladder. At the next lower rung the dummy fell out of my arms, and i grabbed the dummy trying to stop the fall. The weight of the dummy pulled me off of the ladder, and i fell aprox. twenty feet. I landed on my side on asphalt ground. I was attended to by fellow firefighters, but as able to get up and continue under my own power. The only injuries i received were bumps and bruises.

The lesson learned that day was to always think of your own safety and well being first, even if failure is the only option



 

Friday, November 30, 2012  On Friday, October 26th I was conducting training with my crew on Engine 2A at the drill yard in preparation for our yearly company evaluations. My crew consisted of my Captain, my Engineer and myself. The evolution we were taking part in was to deploy the portable monitor in support of a defensive operation. I was dressed in full turnouts and had my SCBA on although I was not on air. My Engineer spotted the rig to the east side hydrant at the drill yard. I got out of the rig and secured the yellow rope bag and the base of the portable monitor from the appropriate compartments. My Captain moved to the top of the rig and handed me down the top half of the portable monitor. I proceeded to the spot I was going to set up the monitor and began by deploying the legs on the bottom half of the monitor. I then placed the top half of the monitor onto the base and swiveled it left and right to ensure it was seated in place correctly. I did not notice that the seating lock was already in the locked position and did not allow the monitor to properly seat. The monitor easily swiveled in both directions and I mistakenly assumed that it was correctly seated. I then depressed the rotation lock on the rear of the monitor mistaking it for the seat lock. As I depressed the lock I noticed that it provided less resistance than usual. At this point I noticed my Captain pulling the 4 inch supply line towards the monitor and I felt an unnecessary sense of urgency to complete the operation. I gave the monitor a quick once over but I did not notice anything unusual. I moved to the large trash bin, tied off the utility rope and moved back to the monitor. I then called for water. Fortunately, my Engineer had the pump in volume and loaded the line slowly. I followed the water loading along the 4 inch line until it reached the monitor and it immediately lifted the top half of the monitor off of the base nearly striking me in the head. The water from the monitor knocked my helmet off. If my Engineer had loaded the line more rapidly, the increased speed of the water would have increased the force with which the top half of the monitor was knocked off and could have potentially caused serious injury.

Reviewing the incident, I believe that two key factors led to my close call. First of all, my mistaking the rotation lock for the seat lock was the most direct cause of the accident. Also, an unnecessary sense of urgency on my part contributed to the accident because I should have taken more time to verify that the portable monitor was properly seated and visually verified that the seat lock was properly secured. One consideration for avoiding a potentially dangerous situation with the portable monitor in the future is to step away from the monitor as it is being charged. This should be a consideration because it is not necessary to have anyone handling the portable monitor when it is initially loaded with water and this is the most dangerous part of the evolution.



 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 

This is a little past due, but relevant just the same. I am on a career department and on April 21, 2010, I was injured during training. We had an old pop trailer that had heavy roll up doors, that was converted by the training division into an SCBA confidence course. The trailer was not really maintained well and was later noted to have two separate maintenance numbers. After we were done with training, the officer in charge said to "clear the trailer" meaning to find any lost equipment that had fallen off of personnel that had completed the training. I picked a compartment, opened the door and the door came crashing down on my arm at the elbow. I still had my bunker coat on and was not able to see the extent of my injury. After my coat was removed it was determined that I needed to go to the hospital for x-rays. Initial treatment was for a severe bone contusion. I was off for 5 days initially. I was never without pain and on a recent physical, the department doctor stated that I needed to see a specialist in regard to the injury. After some testing it was determined that I needed surgery and had the surgery Feb 28, 2012. Almost 2 years after the initial injury. The surgery had determined that the roll up door, weighing in excess of 100 lbs., had separated the elbow and caused the ulnar nerve to become entrapped in the brachial joint causing pain at the elbow and numbness to the distal fingers. Excess debridement was done as well as the reattachment of the ligament from the humerus to the elbow region. 3 months of physical therapy was completed and essential job functions were passed to allow me to return to full duty with no limitations. Since my return the SCBA trailer has been removed from service and gotten rid of by the department. A total of 30+ injuries were recorded with the trailer, mine the only one requiring a surgical repair. The rest required time off and in some cases physical therapy. Initial investigation of my injury determined that the counter balances that hold the door in an upright open position, were broken. No documentation was noted on the any of vehicle maintenance logs.
When using ancillary equipment, it is important that maintenance be performed. Also, when injured, don't wait so long for follow ups. It could be too late! As far as recovery, do everything that is prescribed as it will assist you getting back to what we love. By not taking matters into my own hands, and listening to the experts I returned to work, instead of being permanently disabled. Finally, use the equipment for what it is designed for. Taking an old pop trailer and using it as a mobile SCBA confidence course sounds like a great idea, however it was not designed for that and no safeties were in place. In the end it was a bust and has cost the department a lot of money in time off and injuries. Money that could have been used in other fashions.




 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012 

My volunteer dept. was training with a bunch of other volunteer depts. from surrounding towns at a local training school.We were doing an evolution where we were raising a 35' ground ladder to a structure.We had guys climbing the ladder to enter the structure.As soon as a group of guys cleared the ladder and entered, something broke on the ladder, causing it to retract and crush the steel in a firefighters boot, who was holding the ladder and breaking his toe.The ladder that was being used was the Fire School's ladder.An inspection was not done by anyone training too make sure the equipment being used was safe.It was not the training grounds fault, it was our guys training's fault because everyone there failed to inspect the ladder before use.
You must inspect the equipment you are training with, to insure it is safe for training use.
 

Friday, May 18, 2012  The Chief Officers and President of the volunteer fire department where I was an operational officer and in charge of training decided that I needed to be replaced. The members of the department solicited the Upper echelon that they no longer wanted to train, drill take classes or re-certify outdated and expired training certifications any longer. So during a recent meeting with the department officers I was told: (QUOTE) "This is not the Marines, people come to the firehouse to get away from their wives and family and to watch TV and relax. They do not want to have to train, drill, wash the trucks and sweep the floor. And they are tired of you telling them that unless they know how to operate the pumps and use the equipment they are not allowed to drive the trucks." I politely told them okay. I went to my gear rack took my white leather helmet and things of mine from my pockets and put them in my car. Then I gave them the radio, pager and badge and told them good luck with their department.
There comes a time when nothing you can do will change certain things. And no matter how much it hurts, there also comes a time when you have to walk away.



 

Friday, April 27, 2012  During a search and rescue training in our multi-story training mezzanine/tower, a firefighter was struck in the chest by a halligan bar that had fallen from the second story mezzanine level down to the tower floor. The halligan was set against an open railing while resetting the rescue randy dummy for the next evolution. The dummy bumped into the halligan, knocking it through the railing. Another firefighter, seeing the tool fall, yelled to the members below to watch out. The tool flipped and fell adze/pick end first, with the pick striking the firefighter in the chest. The injured firefighter was not directly involved in the training exercise at the time and was not wearing his helmet and was in normal station wear. It's interesting to note that the injured firefighter looked up upon hearing the warning and, had he not, the tool would've likely struck him on top of his head instead of his chest. The impact ripped through his button down shirt and t-shirt simultaneously. Luckily, the firefighter suffered only minor injuries, some mild bleeding initially with bruising and a scar noted afterward.
Lessons :Wear your PPE where applicable. At any point on the training ground, a minimum of helmet and gloves should be worn. Those not directly involved in a training evolution (i.e. members on-deck for the next exercise, helpers, etc.) are still at risk for falling objects when crews are operating above them. Provide fall protection for open railings in training towers. We have since placed sections of chain link fence, secured to the railing, at every landing. Also, secure your tools in such a manner that reduces the chance that they will fall if accidentally moved or hit.

 

Wednesday, April 4, 2012  While doing company inspections my engine company decided to do a hydrant hooking and pump drill and put our rookie in the driver seat. We were going to pull a 1-3/4" attack line and flow the deck gun. The water was flowing from hand line and the driver called for water and the hydrant was being charged when the male end of the "steamer" connection blew off. The pressure sent the male connection and 5" supply hose 10 feet out.

Remind the "loopers" that you must stand behind the hydrant when opening. Has our AE been straddling the hose she would have taken that right in her chest.



 

Friday, October 21, 2011  During bailout training, one of our members forgot to check his tri-link. Fortunately, he had a secondary harness and belay line. He missed it at the start of the tour and then again during the training exercise. Each member has an individual bailout harness pursuant to the NY regulations and is required to check the harness at the start of the tour along with the rest of his PPE.




 

Tuesday, August 9, 2011  During a drill, the low battery alarm activated on the SCBA. The crew continued to drill for another 10 minutes. When they went to activate their PASS alarm, it sounded for 10 seconds and died. They did not realize that this might happen.

Remember, when an alarm goes off when you are in an IDLH situation, it is time to exit.
 

 

Friday, June 24, 2011  During a rigorous extrication / rescue training scenario a firefighter became overheated and dehydrated. FF was complaining of chest pain radiating to the back, neck, and left arm. This progressed to confusion and severe headache prior to the arrival of ALS transport. The firefighter was not overweight and was regularly active. The weather was warm and all participants were wearing full bunker gear PPE. Drinkning water was provided and the firefighter stated to officers he had consumed 3 bottles of water in the last hour. This was later found to be false, likely due to the firefighter's confusion and disorientation. The firefighter was transported to the local hospital, was administered 2L of NS fluid and returned home without further defect.
LESSONS LEARNED: Safety and training officers are responsible for more than ensuring firefighter don't kill themselves with unsafe acts. Although water was provided for all participants, officers should be ensuring that all participants consume an adequate amount of fluids. Furthermore, firefighters must know their limits and stop before they get to a point of endangering the mission of the rest of the department. Like driving safely to the station or the scene, a dead or injured firefighter is worse for the outcome of the incident than no firefighter at all!
 

Friday, April 29, 2011  On my second night of my control burn for fire school, my crew entered the acquired structure that was lit on fire in one room. The fire was lit in one room and quickly grew to the second ignition area saved for another fire, we would’ve have made it to the fire quicker if someone from the other teams was in the way of my egress to the structure. I was the nozzle man quickly entering the Alpha side of the structure, and crawling the small hallway to the rear of the structure to extinguish our fire when to the right of me i see heavy smoke banking down to my helmet and within seconds heavy fire was nearly over mine and my classmates heads, my second guy behind me quickly alerted me of the increased worsening condition and I was able to retreat a few feet away from the near flashover to safely and efficiently extinguish the fire without incident.

Situational Awareness- Although it was my job in which I did. The other crewmembers should have been aware of the worsening condition prior to me encountering the near flashover occurring next to me. This could have possibly caused some injury if we didn’t see the fire any sooner than we did.
 

 

Friday, April 15, 2011  For those of you who may not have heard about an incident we had during a training evolution on Wednesday 4/13. We had a firefighter receive injuries after an axe came loose from a holder at the tip of our extended aerial ladder. The axe fell approximately 75 feet striking the firefighter who was on the turntable in the helmet. The firefighter was knocked unconscious for over a minute. He was transported to the hospital where he was examined and tests were run. He has been released from the hospital and is with his wife. We do not know when he will return to work, but is expected to do so. The helmet he was wearing is damaged and will not be returned to service. If this firefighter had not had his helmet on, the injuries to his head would have been catastrophic and we would be mourning the loss of a member.

This was a very serious incident and will be investigated. Lessons learned will be shared with you and others so that we may learn from it. We will share with everyone what we find out so that questions can be answered. Remain patient as we work through the facts and reach a conclusion.

Remember to wear appropriate PPE at all times. When drill is winding down or the fire is out, we must remain vigilant and not become complacent.
 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011  One of my students using an AV-3000 facepiece had the snap at the top of the facepiece come unsnapped after donning the facepiece. The student did not realize that this happened but an alert instructor saw this and stopped the evolution. This is the 3rd time while teaching that I have had students using the AV-3000 have one of the snaps come apart just prior to entering a smoke filled atmosphere. This is a major defect with this facepiece and will most likely unless addressed by Scott injure or kill a firefighter.

 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011  While at a live fire training at a neighboring cities training academy I had an SCBA failure prior to making entry to the burn building. The high pressure hose from the pressure regulator that attached to the over the shoulder pressure guage detatched. I had already completed 2 evolutions prior to this failure. Thankfully this happened prior to making entry for a 3rd evolution. This was a cheap lesson on checking your SCBA daily more than just air and functionality of the pass and regulator. As a side note the SCBA's were just serviced by our local vendor. Hopefully this can raise awareness on a routine task that could have had a bad outcome had it failed in the live fire training.

LESSONS LEARNED:
Check all of your equipment thouroughly on a daily basis!