Friday, May 15, 2009  One new trend is that is being seen according to the Wall Street Journal is that people are using DNA purchased via the Internet to do home development of new organisms for everything from cancer cures to Bio Fuels. Specifically it mentions using an Iguana heater and other equipment purchased on Ebay to build hot boxes. Besides the source of ignition, what are the potential health hazards here. If you go in on a medical or service call even. I have not heard of a "Close Call" involving one of these, yet. Maybe my email should have gone there instead of to you. It may not be a huge hazard but increasing awareness may help alleviate the fear when a company or unit comes upon one of these. I am old enough to have gone through the AIDS scares and emergency personnel's reactions to the unexpected from it's beginning. I hope you understand my concern and desire to raise this issue.

 

Thursday, May 14, 2009  The attached announcement may be of interest to our folks doing inspections, preplanning etc.  The highest concentration of sales of this product was in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and states west of the Mississippi River according to the manufacturer’s web site. 

If engineered lumber weren’t enough of an exposure, now we have to watch our overhead when operating beneath a deck while entering the grade level on the C side of a split level!!
 

Thursday, May 14, 2009  Thanks for the DOD Fire Service for passing on this document on a saw blade failure that seriously injured a firefighter in Iraq.

 

Monday, April 27, 2009  This past Thursday night, we performed monthly driver training/pump training.  In recent light of the manifold mishap I sent you,  we decided it would be wise to check our appliances.  After testing 3 manifolds, and 2 intake valves,  We discovered that 1 of our manifolds' relief valves were not functioning not only improperly, but NOT AT ALL.   We had taken our pressure as high as 195 psi,  with no relief function.  They are supposed to be set at 145 psi.  Even after adjusting all of the appliances,  it was determined we need to test these more often.  So this time,  it went the way WE wanted it to go and best of all, no one got hurt. This past Thursday night, we performed monthly driver training/pump training.  In recent light of the manifold mishap I sent you,  we decided it would be wise to check our appliances.  After testing 3 manifolds, and 2 intake valves,  We discovered that 1 of our manifolds' relief valves were not functioning not only improperly, but NOT AT ALL.   We had taken our pressure as high as 195 psi,  with no relief function.  They are supposed to be set at 145 psi.  Even after adjusting all of the appliances,  it was determined we need to test these more often.  So this time,  it went the way WE wanted it to go and best of all, no one got hurt.

 

Friday, April 10, 2009  The other day when I was passing through a town near to home, I noticed the "balcony" with an a/c unit on it. I also noticed the windows which had been built over which is fairly common in our area for buildings of this age. The A/C unit reminded me of the variety of overhead hazards when operating on a fire scene aren't just limited to or as obvious as power lines. This is a real-life example of why doing a 360 walk around and looking for things that could kill us is so important.

 

Tuesday, March 24, 2009  This was gas line manifold was discovered in the attic of a Southern California home.

 

Thursday, March 19, 2009  SEE ATTACHED PDF FOR FULL REPORT...

Overview: On December 5th, 2008, units from Loudoun County, Virginia were alerted for a House Fire in Box 4045K at 19052 Yellow Schoolhouse Road near Bluemont (LCFR Incident #200823689). Initial reports from the caller indicated that there was smoke coming from the home, also stating that the house was on fire, but unknown exactly what the source was. Engine 604 (Round Hill) was the first to arrive finding a two-story, single-family dwelling with nothing showing on sides Alpha and Bravo. During the 360 degree walk-around, light smoke was visualized from the eaves on side Charlie. Command was established and a crew of three (two firefighters and one officer) began readying themselves to make entry. 

The suppression officer entered first using a thermal imager. Moderate smoke conditions were encountered on floor number one and while ‘scanning’ the hallway with the imager, fire was visualized at floor level approximately six to eight feet inside the doorway. Also visualized with the thermal imager was a hole in the floor, approximately 1-1/2 feet in diameter from a fire that had probably originated in a floor-mounted heating unit. Because of the thermal imager, crews were able to effectively operate in the area due to identification of the hazard (hole in the floor) and render the area safe by providing additional investigation into the status of the sub-flooring, decking materials, and floor joists prior to ‘overloading the area’. 

Motivation: Had it not been for the thermal imager, the potential exists that firefighters could have ended up falling through the hole in the floor and/or been set-up for a floor collapse because of the compromised surface. This house was probably built in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s and had log floor joists approximately 12-inches in diameter which were burned through and through approximately one foot in each direction from the perceived point-of-origin (pictures below).  

Training Considerations:

As a fire attack consideration, the following items will highlight everyday ‘bread and butter’ items that can be used to identify floor hazards such as holes, drop-offs, changes in level, etc. regardless of the status or availability of a thermal imaging device. Also included is/are other fire attack safety considerations that may be of some help to folks.

 

Friday, March 13, 2009  Here is some information from the Georgia-Pacific Website on new Structural TJI Beams.... Pretty Scary stuff - less mass = less burn time before collapse!

Find your ductwork's happy place. Run it in conditioned space.
The XJ 85® I-joist from Georgia-Pacific is an innovative engineering achievement, combining radical hole shaping and placement with the stiffness and quality you expect from Georgia-Pacific Wood Products. The strategically located pre-cut openings allow ductwork to be run in conditioned spaces, out of extreme attic temperatures. This helps lower heating and cooling loads, and helps increase energy efficiency. Plus, the lightweight construction and wider on-center spacing of the XJ 85 joists contribute to lower installed cost.

 

Monday, March 9, 2009  We just found out that MSA has issued two user advisories. 

http://media.msanet.com/www/PDFs/MSANorthAmerica/SafetyNotices/08031-06(URCQuickFillAdvisory).pdf
 
http://media.msanet.com/www/PDFs/MSANorthAmerica/SafetyNotices/08014-24(user%20letter).pdf
 
If you use an MSA backpack with the URC (RIT) connectors please review these notices and make the appropriate inspections. Our friends out there advise us that in a major metropolitan department a check of their entire stock of MSA backpacks (about 200 or so) resulted in a 15-20% failure rate. Failure of either of these tests could result in complete discharge of the cylinder in seconds and the inability to receive help from your fellow firefighters.
 

Wednesday, February 25, 2009  Firefighters responding to an alarm have multiple scenarios running through their minds on what to expect when arriving on the scene. Now, firefighters have to add one more additional option; A bomb left specifically for them. On three separate occasions, firefighters in Leeds, United Kingdom, have responded to incidents involving trashcans on fire. Arsonists placed propane tanks in the bottom of the trashcan. According to Dave Parker, Gipton Fire Station Captain, “If one of these cylinders [propane tanks] explodes it is like a bomb going off. It has the potential to kill someone and the fact that it keeps happening is very worrying2.”

 
If a department is called out to a building fire and come across a cylinder, they will set up a 200 meter (652 feet) exclusion zone3. The first cylinder was the only one to explode, resulting in sharp metal and debris, but no injuries. Although no reports from US Fire Departments have come in regarding this specific method, there have been cases of other ‘booby traps’ being used. Buffalo, New York is one city that has seen an increase in the number of arson-related traps. Instances involving gasoline filled containers and other flammable liquids were placed in structures in apparent attempts to thwart crews from dousing the blazes, states Buffalo Fire Commissioner Michael Lombardo4.
 
In Toledo, Ohio, another case of booby-trapping houses occurs. Not only was there fuel cans set in the house like the New York case, there were holes cut out of the floor and covered by rugs. The holes were meant to have firefighters fall through the floor5.
 
All Firefighters should be aware of potential targets of arson and the types of traps established for firefighters to encounter. A primary target for arsonists are abandoned buildings. Normally these are focal points for homeless to take shelter and for drug dealers to conduct their dealings. With the economic downturn causing a multitude of foreclosures and companies going out of business, one should expect to see the number of potential targets available for arsonists dramatically increase. When arsonists try to cover up a crime, such as growing marijuana or cooking Methamphetamine, additional traps are left for firefighters so all evidence will burn. Firefighters have seen trip wires, animal traps, pipe bombs, blocked windows, and secret doors that can trap firefighters.
 

Tuesday, February 24, 2009  Recently a new way to commit suicide has been discovered by mixing two chemicals that can be bought over the counter at local stores.  They are Bonide – a sulfur spray used as an insecticide for fruit trees and hydrochloric (muriatic) acid.  Once mixed, the chemicals produce heat and a flammable, noxious gas that causes the subject to pass out and the heart stop within minutes.  The process appears to be quick and painless.  Two recent cases, one in Pasadena, California and the other at Lake Allatoona in Bartow County, Georgia, involved young men in their early 20’s.  Both were found locked inside their cars with the chemicals.  Each left a note on the car warning anyone around of danger.  The car at Lake Allatoona had been taped to prevent gas from escaping.

 

Does this sound like a routine call that most of us would respond to and take similar action?

 

It’s Sunday morning 0730 hours, you respond to a person down in auto.  You locate a car in the empty parking lot of a business.  The engine and med unit pull up near the vehicle and personnel see a person inside that appears to be asleep or unconscious.  Wearing safety glasses and medical gloves, you walk up to the car and knock on the window.

 

The patient does not respond to your knock on the window, and the doors are locked.

What action will you take?  Will you hurry to make patient access?  Will you use a lockout tool, center punch, or halligan to make entry?

 

You make access, a rush of warm air comes out of the vehicle and you smell a sharp odor.  You have just become a victim and have been exposed to a noxious possibly fatal gas.

 

What could you have done differently? You are the first-in unit.  How should you respond to this type of incident?

 

1.   Do not become complacent!  Your response should be similar on every call.

2.   Be well trained, know your job, do your job.

3.   Start your size-up from the time a call is dispatched.

4.   Establish a strong command and control the scene.

5.   Don’t go rushing in.

6.   Survey the scene. 

7.   Does the scene look routine?

8.   Do you see anything unusual?  (Example:  A note on the window, containers

inside the vehicle and taped windows or vents).

9.   Is the scene safe?

10.  Wear the appropriate PPE.

11.  Establish a Hot Zone.

12.  Develop a plan of action and coordinate activities.

13.  Call for additional resources.  (Hazmat Team, PD, etc.)

14.  Did PD arrive prior to FD and become contaminated requiring emergency decon and first aid?

 

The call listed in the first paragraph of this document started as a routine person down call.  This type of incident can easily expand into a full blown Hazardous Materials Incident with a multijurisdictional response.  Be aware of this new way to commit suicide and don’t become a victim.  Use common sense and stay safe.

 

To review a newspaper article and pictures regarding the suicide in Pasadena, California, visit:

http://beaconmedianews.com/2008/08/26/23-year-old-man-commits-suicide-with-chemicals-inside-2003-vw-bug/

 

 

To review a newspaper article and pictures regarding the suicide in Barton, Georgia visit:

http://www.daily-tribune.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=674BB0CD-19B9-E2E2-676EC6D537211BFE

 



 

Wednesday, February 4, 2009  The following pictures are from a new GMC Hybrid SUV.  They are warnings on where to cut the wiring from the vehicles regular battery if it is involved in an accident. 

 

Monday, January 26, 2009  Well Chief as I was out to lunch a few days ago, I was getting into my truck I noticed something sitting in the bed of the truck next to mine.  Here are a few pictures of my findings.  "What We Don't See Can/Will Hurt Us".  Now I didn't check to see if these tanks were full or not, but the potential to hurt someone is there.  These tanks were not secured in anyway shape or form. 

 

Wednesday, January 21, 2009  On Wednesday January 21, 2009 while a  F.F. was performing morning check of the small engines on our departments Engine #5.  F.F. checked the PPV Tempest fan’s fluids and found them to be full.  After checking the fluids he started the fan motor to verify proper operation.  Immediately after starting the Tempest fan a loud noise along with pieces of black plastic came out of the fan.  He immediately turned the fan off to investigate the problem.  He placed the fan on the floor and discovered all of the fan blades inside had disintegrated from the center hub.  The composite blades hit the protective housing causing damage to the metal housing.  At one location the blade actually penetrated the housing completely.  Several pieces flew out of the protective grill. Tempest was contacted immediately and offered to repair the damage.  Fortunately, no one was hurt.  If you have further questions or concerns please contact me.
The attached pictures show the point where the blade blew through the solid metal shroud.  The other pictures show that the blades are lying in the bottom of the protective grill.  Tempest asked us not to remove the grill prior to shipping it back to them. 
 

Wednesday, January 7, 2009  We use Survivair (now Sperian) Panther SCBA's with TwentyTwenty Plus facepiece. After use, the masks are cleaned/disinfected, air dried, and then inspected before placing back in service. While inspecting the lenses, cracks were identified in some not easy to see locations. In fact, with the nozzle cover in place, most of the cracks are hidden from view. I have attached pictures of 5 different lenses that cracks were found in. Although the cracks did not affect the operation of the masks or the performance of the SCBA unit (prior to discovery), you don't need a crystal ball to see that problems could occur at the worst possible moment. Even the operation manual indicates that a crack can reduce the impact resistance of the lens. As an instructor, I have always taught students to check their equipment thoroughly on a regular basis at the station. That is the place to find problems and correct them - not at the incident scene!

 
This is my recommendation to users of the TwentyTwenty Plus facepiece to do a thorough inspection of the lens on a regular basis, and to remove any deficient mask from service. Be sure to remove the nozzle cover and check for cracks in the hidden areas of the lens (see page 7 of attached pdf).
 
On a positive note, our Sperian sales rep responded quickly, and has inspected the lenses and sent us replacements at their expense.