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.

 

Saturday, January 2, 2010  My fire department was dispatched to a "fire alarm" called in by the alarm company. Within minutes of the dispatch, our first due engine with a crew of three firefighters and a junior firefighter went en route. While responding to the fire alarm, dispatched notified our engine that it was a confirmed false alarm and our engine to be in service. Being in the officer seat, I had decided to continue in non-emergency to confirm the alarm, as our department has a no cancellation policy. We arrived on scene in a matter of two or three minutes. At this time we did not have a key holder on location and requested dispatched to get a hold of one. From this point on, chaos broke out. Our engine was notified that the key holder notified stated if his wife’s car is in the garage, she is home. After seeing her car in the garage our engine did a complete 360 and determined with information from the husband this very well could be a medical emergency. Our junior firefighter realized that the lady was laying face down in her garage and not moving. At this time the crew of three firemen used forcible entry in a garage window on the side of the structure. One firefighter gained entry as another followed through the window. At this time the interior firefighters with no BA's on relayed to the exterior firefighter that the vehicle inside the structure was still running and breathing apparatus is needed. The firemen inside tried endlessly to open the garage bay door, but then realized the power was cut to the garage. At this point, neighbors had gathered around the house, curious to what was going on. The interior firemen finally got the garage door to open manually. At this time the scene was deemed a suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. All three firefighters at this point where inside the structure assessing the patient. We were unable to open the garage door because neighbors tried to get in and "help" their neighbor. The three of us firefighters were inside this carbon monoxide rich environment with no ventilation until the squad arrived as well as more fire department personnel. Although it was only a few minutes (ten being the max) we spent inside this carbon monoxide rich environment, we could've died. We all had side effects of CO poisoning with headaches that had been there for one or two days after the fact. We all were lucky to be alive.

LESSONS LEARNED:
We learned a few lessons on this call, one of which being:
1. Think before you act, you cannot help someone if you, yourself is hurt.
2. Breathe... In the heat of the moment, us firefighters can make some poor decisions, even though our job calls for us to stay composed under pressure. We realized we may have not returned to our families after that call. This is not the way to learn by any means but we gained a ton of knowledge, and experience from this call. Hopefully, we will never run into this situation ever again.
 

Friday, December 25, 2009  These pictures illustrate a close call that occurred when a hydrant connection failed. The hydrant had been made per proper procedure with a 5” hose. While charging the line it separated from the hydrant threads. (Picture 1 shows the beginning of the separation.)
Fortunately the hydrant person was behind the hydrant while charging and no one else was standing in front. (Pictures 2, 3 & 4 show the movement of the line once it separated.) The separation did not occur until the hydrant had been fully opened as you can see in picture 5.
Turns out that the water district replaced the steamer port with a fitting that did not have the proper threads.

 

Friday, December 18, 2009  Medic 9, and Medic 8 dispatched to a vehicle fire. Dispatch was unable to determine which area the incident was in, so both entities and their respective ALS unit were dispatched. Reports came in that a pick-up truck was on fire and was also towing some construction equipment, operator was attempting to remove equipment from the trailer at this time. M-8C arrived on scene to find a pick-up truck with an engine compartment fire, beginning to extend to the passenger compartment. Dispatch was notified by M-8C that fire was in other departments coverage area. Vehicle operator was using a bobcat, that he initially was towing, to remove the trailer from the vehicle. E-155arrived on scene. A firefighter in full PPE with SCBA began to pull and flake out attack line. Upon charging the line, an unidentified firefighter, wearing no PPE, then took the nozzle from the firefighter and began to make the attack on the vehicle. Fire was knocked down and  E-3, E-6, and M-9 arrived on scene. Officer from Hanover Township assumed incident command and mop up was initiated. M-8C was placed available, M-9 would handle any EMS needed. Units operated on scene for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. No injuries were reported.

LESSONS LEARNED

Although this is, in most of our minds, a "bread and butter" operation, so many things can go wrong at a car fire. Please remember to wear PPE and SCBA when operating at a car fire.

 

Tuesday, December 15, 2009  A recent safety issue has been brought to my attention that impacts anyone accessing lands with covered locked gates. The head of security for Island Timberlands has informed me of a recent incident that caused a serious injury to an employee of Cercom Canada. The employee reached up into the lock cover of a gate on mount Benson and received severe lacerations to his hand. The injuries were caused by razor blades taped to the gates lock and cover. Before reaching up to unlock any gates, take the time to visually inspect the lock and cover. Report any similar type of vandalism to your OHS representative and the RCMP. Be Safe!

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2009   Responded to a double fatality rollover last week. The vehicle in question went off the road and overturned in a pond killing both driver and passanger. A tow truck was used to remove the vehicle (FordF250 P/U) from the pond. Deep snow, ice and mud made this a very difficult task during wich the tow truck snapped two cables and a heavy tow chain. My personnel were directed into a safe zome during the process. The tow truck operator was brushed by the first cable that snapped and nearly hit by the tow chain. The large steel grapeling hook at the end of the chain missed the tow truck operators head by 4 inched and ended up 100 feet away on the other side of the roadway.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Respect tight wire rope and cables! Establish a safe zone for responders (2X cable legenth)! Don't trust tow truck operators to know what they are doing! Tow truck operators should use PPE including helmets!

 

Tuesday, November 24, 2009  Our Fire District was dispatched to a structure fire today (11-24-2009) of a small 1 car garage. Once the first Engine arrived on the scene the Fire Chief and the 2nd Assistant Fire Chief started hooking the hydrant. The Fire Chief (which drove the Engine) returned to the pump panel and the 2nd Assistant went to turn on the hydrant. On the third turn, there was so much pressure on the 4" line that at the angle it was going into the Engine the 4" line broke the fitting off the Engine and set out about 130 pounds of pressure on a loose line shot towards the Fire Chief and by-standers watching the fire.
Lessons Learned:
Watch the fittings and the setup on the Engines during emergency and non-emergency operations. Also to make sure that either PD or Fire Police are present to keep the crown away from the scenes and the Apparatus.
 

Tuesday, October 20, 2009  Engine Co was dispatched for a transformer fire (green box). Upon arrival crew noticed smoke coming from a power co "green box" (pad mounted transformer). Crew proceeded to force entry into the box and found no fire. Power Co rep arrived on scene and was concerned that crew had entered the box.
LESSONS LEARNED:
Power Co Safety Officer advised that there was 35,000 volts running through the box and that the crew was lucky there were no fatalities due to the shock hazards and explosion hazards. These incidents should be treated as Haz-Mat incidents and a hot zone should be established and deny entry until the utility company arrives and deems the area safe. Additional training has been arranged from the power co.
 

Friday, October 16, 2009  We had a firefighter that was injured on Wednesday 10/16/09 during suppression activities of a vehicle fire. While working wearing full PPE the firefighter was stepping back from a vehicle that had been on fire and was now in the overhaul stage. The firefighter when he stepped back to allow another firefighter to walk in front of him stepped back off of a culvert that was hidden by overgrown grass. The firefighter reported injury to command immediately and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Our firefighter has been placed on no physical duty until after he receives medical clearance to return to duty. The firefighter did not fall completely to the ground during the fall. The firefighter did not suffer any fractures but he has been suffering from lower back pain and muscle spasms. We hope he has a speedy recovery, and can return to work soon.
Lessons Learned
Lessons that can be learned from this are always ensure that slip trip and fall hazards have been identified. Always watch where you are walking. One way this could have been prevented is working with the county and state road departments to ensure that all culvert ends are marked with posts and reflectors. Had the culvert been identified the hazard would have been noted and the injury could have been avoided. Just remember to keep an eye on your surroundings and ensure everybody's safety. Even when wearing full and appropriate PPE things can go wrong and somebody can be injured.
 

Friday, October 16, 2009  We had a firefighter that was injured on Wednesday 10/16/09 during suppression activities of a vehicle fire. While working wearing full PPE the firefighter was stepping back from a vehicle that had been on fire and was now in the overhaul stage. The firefighter when he stepped back to allow another firefighter to walk in front of him stepped back off of a culvert that was hidden by overgrown grass. The firefighter reported injury to command immediately and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Our firefighter has been placed on no physical duty until after he receives medical clearance to return to duty. The firefighter did not fall completely to the ground during the fall. The firefighter did not suffer any fractures but he has been suffering from lower back pain and muscle spasms. We hope he has a speedy recovery, and can return to work soon.
Lessons Learned
Lessons that can be learned from this are always ensure that slip trip and fall hazards have been identified. Always watch where you are walking. One way this could have been prevented is working with the county and state road departments to ensure that all culvert ends are marked with posts and reflectors. Had the culvert been identified the hazard would have been noted and the injury could have been avoided. Just remember to keep an eye on your surroundings and ensure everybody's safety. Even when wearing full and appropriate PPE things can go wrong and somebody can be injured.
 

Thursday, October 15, 2009  We have had seven sections over the past few years separate at the coupling. Fortunately we did not have nay injuries. The coupling does not break but the hose slips out of the coupling. After extensive investigation and meeting with the manufacturer it was discovered that they are no longer using that style coupling in their manufacturing of LDH. The problem hose had a narrow collar around the hose with a black plastic insert from the coupling. They now only use an aluminum insert instead of the plastic. The older hose had a wider collar with a blue plastic ring that went between the outer metal collar and the hose. This set up had the black plastic insert but with the wider collar and with the extra blue plastic ring the gripping surface was greater and we have had no reported issues with that arrangement.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Always position yourself in a safe place if possible when testing or using 5" LDH. Inspect and investigate all hose failures for potential similarities and follow NFPA and manufacturer recommendations to the letter.

 

Wednesday, October 14, 2009  While doing yearly hose testing, we where testing hose from ladder 1, a quint. We had laid out 4 or 5 lengths of 3" and 2 1/2. The truck backed up again to lay 300' of 5", someone had connected the 5" to the discharge of the engine used for testing. The truck had almost 200' out of the bed; I stepped over the 5" to do something on the other side. The 2nd coupling got stuck in the truck and pulled the 5" taught. I must have had 1 foot on the 5" when it happened. It lifted me in the air and tossed me backwards, landing on my head, right elbow and right shoulder. I was knocked Unconscious and shipped to the trauma center by ALS.I had a Concussion and some damage to my right shoulder. Accident happened 9/18 and I am still out on workman’s comp.
LESSONS LEARNED:
Stay clear of ALL hoselines that are being laid.
 

Monday, September 28, 2009  While performing morning equipment checks a fire fighter was running a gas powered cut-off saw with carbide tipped demolition blade installed on the saw. While throttling the saw to its maximum rated speed the fire fighter observed that the saw didn't sound like it was running correctly, at that moment the carbide tipped demolition blade came off the saw, came out of the blade guard, spun across the concrete station ramp at time becoming airbourne before striking a vehicle traveling in the roadway approximately 100 feet away causing property damage to the vehicle.

The Investigation:

All carbide tipped demolition blades were removed from service pending investigation into the cause of the incident. On examining the saw there was no apparent damage to the saw. The bolt that secures the blade to the saw was found to not be damaged. There was a nylon spacer found on the arbor to adjust the arbor size of the blade to the saw. I made contacted with Mr. Solomon Nutt, the Stihl representative for this area via phone and discussed briefly the incident. He without hesitation stated that Stihl does not stand behind the use of demolition blades as I had described to him on their saws, he was quick to inform me that there is a warning written in the owner’s manual and displayed on the saw. During our discussion of the event and the potential for injury during fire ground operations Mr. Nutt noted that the fire service is the only group still using carbide tipped demolition blades. The private sector is not permitted to us these blades due to injuries caused by them. Other areas of concern with the use of these blades on rotary saws include no retractable blade guard, no blade brake, lack of proper blade installation (not torque), and the type of bushings being used to correct the arbor size. On August 17, 2009, I contacted Lynn Cleek the District Manager of construction products for Husqvarna/Partner. During our conversation about the carbide tipped demolition blade and the use of Partner/ Husqvarna saw to power the blade Mr. Cleeks stated that they do not support the use of carbide tipped demolition blades on rotary saws. He went on to say the fire service is the only group still using these blades. Mr Cleek also offered to look at the saw and blade to evaluate and provide insight into the incident. On Wednesday August 26 Mr. Cleek examined the blade and we discussed safety issues related to blades of this nature. During our conversation he made me aware of a OSHA standards that apply to operation of the saw, they are standards 1910.243(a)(1)(i), 1910.212, 1910.213(r)(4). On November 15, 1999 a Standard Interpretations was prepared addressing fire department use of carbide tipped saw blades. The link to this document is Guarding/hazards of using woodcutting sawblades on a cut-off machine.[1910.243(a)(1)(i); 1910.212; 1910.213(r)(4)]. I also reviewed three other saw manufactures for their guidelines for blade usage, not one of the three recommends the use of carbide tipped demolition type blades on their cut-off saws. Factors leading to the incident: •  

The use of carbide tipped demolition blades on our rotary cut-off saws. •          

Not maintaining equipment as required by the manufacture. • 

Using an improper type of spacer for the blade being used (solid core blades require metal spacers). •           

Not properly training all operators of power equipment on the manufactures recommended procedures.

Recommendations: The overwhelming body of evidence indicates that all carbide tipped demolition blades should be removed from service to provide for a safe working environment for our personnel. Replace the saw blades with blades that have been approved for use by fire and rescue organizations. Improve our wood cutting capabilities by replacing the present bars on our chain saws with bars with guards that limit the exposed chain during ventilation operations. Properly train all operators of power equipment on the manufactures recommended procedures. Properly maintain equipment as required by the manufacture. Insure the proper size blade in installed Insure when wood is cut it is with a saw that has a retractable blade guard, the saw has a braking device to stop/ slow the blade when the source of power is removed. Make every attempt to use saw blades that have the proper size arbor for the saw that is being used. If this is not possible use the proper type of spacer for the blade being used (solid core blade equals metal spacer).

 

Monday, September 21, 2009  While on morning inspections, an engine company from the VA Medical Center Fire Department in Chillicothe Ohio discovered a pickup truck sitting on top of a hydrant. Upon stopping to investigate, the crew found the driver of the pickup who accidently backed on top of it while attempting to turn around. A Gradal lift was used to lift the pickup off of the hydrant. No damage was found to the hydrant.