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Apparatus VS. Train & UPDATE: Cyanide & FF's
March 26, 2006

Hey...
Under the subject of incredible...yesterday afternoon, in Colorado, a Burning Mountain Fire/Rescue engine was attempting to cross the railroad tracks and was struck by a freight train. The driver of the fire engine was identified as a 20 year old local firefighter. Statements indicated that the apparatus driver (with a 3 year old kid and 2 other adults on the apparatus) had seen the approaching train, but attempted to beat the train across the crossing.
WTF!?

The lead locomotive struck the apparatus in the left rear causing the engine to spin where it was struck in the front a second time by the train. The rig then slid over an embankment and rolled into a ditch. As the apparatus slid into the ditch it struck a power pole partially crushing the cab of the truck. The lights and bells at the crossing appeared to be functioning appropriately and the engineer of the train was using his train horn to warn traffic as he approached the crossing.

The apparatus was occupied by three additional people, a 29 year old female, a 28 year old male and a three year old child. None of the occupants of the fire engine were ejected and all were examined while on scene by EMS. None of the occupants were taken to the hospital. The driver of the fire engine was cited for careless driving.

NOTE: We have more information on this as well as a photo of the apparatus on our home page, scroll down to the daily News/Updates section.

==Update: Providence Firefighters & Cyanide Poisoning.

DO YOU RESPOND TO FIRES? Then read this...

It looks like there MAY be no big mystery in this situation...it MAY be the SMOKE. The same smoke we all have breathed-even "just a little". Only in this case, an alert Dr. decided to test the firefighters for cyanide....just in case. So while, in this case, it is not yet conclusive...it may very well be the SMOKE...today's smoke: which is almost always loaded with cyanide. Your smoke. Our smoke. And we know the solution.

Thanks for the numerous e-mails on this subject-which have been forwarded to the PFD folks. We have been in contact with Dr. Tom Hales from NIOSH, the IAFF, Chief John Eversole (Ret), Chicago & noted HazMat expert along with many others-all of whom have been in touch with PFD and IAFF Local 799 officials.

One person that has been a big help is Chief Bobby Halton. Most of you know Bobby as the not so new Editor of Fire Engineering Magazine & FDIC. The following words, worth taking the time to read, are from Bobby.

As you read in The Secret List, firefighters in Providence, R.I. are showing up with cyanide in their blood streams. Cyanide is what was used in the gas chamber until it was stopped because it was considered cruel and unusual punishment. It was considered too mean to use to kill murders with. But if you are breathing smoke at fires today... it's in your blood too. It is fast being recognized as a bigger killer of smoke inhalation victims than CO. It together with hydrogen chloride are present in fatal quantities before the fire even gets ripping. They are produced in massive quantities at low temperatures, by almost everything we use today, and the smoke is light colored if at all and deadly.

We must stop anyone who is going around saying you need to able to "take" a little smoke. The smoke today is not your Daddy's smoke. Please read this months Fire Engineering's article "The Breath From Hell" ...and then read the JEMS supplement from 2004 SMOKE INHALATION & HYDROGEN CYANIDE POISONING The Danger Posed to Firefighters & Victims in Structure Fires by Las Vegas D/C Chief Ken Riddle:
http://www.jems.com/data/pdf/smoke-poisoning.pdf

(Note from BillyG: also read this piece by Memphis D/C Gary Ludwig entitled: New Thinking Regarding Smoke Inhalation (Firehouse Magazine, June 2004). Here is a link:
http://www.emsresponder.com/features/article.jsp?id=2392&siteSection=18 .

If you're still interested, go on line to the Amazon.com and buy Dr. Debra Wallace's " In the Mouth of The Dragon, Fighting Fires in the Age of Plastics" it goes for around 2 bucks. If all that doesn't convince you to mask up... then call the Providence Deputy Asst. Chief or the PFD Local 799 Union President. Two men we have been speaking to all day as they struggle to find medical help for their men who are suffering.

One last thought, when you or your Chief goes to DC next week to eat with the congress at the CFSI, tell them we want hydroxocabalamin (the anti-dote to hydrogen Cyanide) approved for use for smoke inhalation victims in the street, now! The FDA has not yet approved it use, red tape. The medics in Europe have been using it with tremendous success for years. There just wasn't enough interest in here (money).

Finally pray for our brothers in Providence and mask up out of the smoke, any and all smoke. Remember light smoke is often deadlier than dark smoke. It should be noted here one of the brothers struggling was overcome outside, at a defensive fire. "Smoke zone" once a term of ridicule, aimed at the safety conscious is now something good officers will pay attention to. Lets not confuse stupidity with bravery, or allow ignorance to intimidate the informed, never breath any smoke. Be responsible for yourself and your brothers and sisters. Many thanks to my Brother Billy for allowing me to use The Secret List. I remain forever your brother, Bobby. ( roberth@pennwell.com ) Bobby Halton, Editor in Chief, Fire Engineering
Education Director, FDIC.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL, SCBA-always...and STOP at red lights, stop signs and RAILROAD CROSSINGS.
BillyG
The Secret List 3-26-06
www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com

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