Sunday, December 28, 2008  ...

 

Saturday, December 13, 2008  NOW YOU SEE ME BETTER ! !
Thanks to the Oaks Corner (NY) Fire Department for these pictures that CLEARLY make the point for Hi-Vis vests on the roadway!
 

Tuesday, November 18, 2008  During a recent training exercise, I was demonstrating various methods of forcible entry on a door prop. While demonstrating how to force an inward swinging door, I inserted the adz end of the Haligan into the door jam and began to pull down to “gap” the door. The adz slipped out of the door jam causing the Haligan to kick back and strike the front of my helmet with great force. My only injury was a slight headache and a small mark on my forehead caused by the inside of my helmet.   Imagine the outcome had I not been wearing a helmet. 

 

Wednesday, October 22, 2008  Great Job! Chevrons Front, Back, Doors, etc!

HIGHLY VISABLE ON THE ROAD WAY!

 

Tuesday, August 26, 2008  On August 11, 2008, Balch Springs Fire Department E-2 and T-1 responded to a MVA at Southbound Interstae 635 at the Lake June exit ramp. According to our SOP’s, the Truck is used as a blocking apparatus. As the apparatus arrived at the scene and were preparing to exit Truck 1, it was struck by a passenger vehicle. No one was injured but the vehicle and the truck suffered considerable damage. The Bach Springs Fire Department mandates strict policies when it comes to highway incidents, there is stripping on the apparatus, cone placement, NFPA sign board , reflective vests, helmet usage and extensive highway safety training. This time it paid off.  

Thursday, August 7, 2008  Adams and Mannsville Fire Departments responded to a vehicle fire on interstate 81 on July 18, 2008 at approximately 10:30am. Upon arrival of Adams Chief 1 he stated a fully engulfed pick up truck fire. Adams Engine 2 was the first fire apparatus on scene. Using a deck gun for initial knockdown, the fire was cooled quickly. After about 30 seconds of using the deck gun an 1 3/4 hand line was used for overhaul to insure that the fire in both the cab and the engine compartment was extinguished. Proper use of PPE and the knowledge of the firemen on the scene NO INJURIES occurred.
 

Wednesday, July 30, 2008  A few days ago, a fire truck was involved in an accident while responding. The truck was going through an intersection and was t-boned by a car that had stopped, but thought the truck was going straight, not turning. The driver of the truck had to cross the yellow line to go around the car, but stopped for the intersection before proceeding, and the firefighters DID have their seat belts on. No one was injured. The driver of this truck attended the Courage to be Safe program a few weeks ago, and signed the Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge during the class. Little by little, we are getting through to people, and they are doing things right.
 

Saturday, July 19, 2008  Adams and Mannsville Fire Departments responded to a vehicle fire on interstate 81 on July 18, 2008 at approximately 10:30am. Upon arrival of Adams Chief 1 he stated a fully engulfed pick up truck fire. Adams Engine 2 was the first fire apparatus on scene. Using a deck gun for initial knockdown, the fire was cooled quickly. After about 30 seconds of using the deck gun an 1 3/4 hand line was used for overhaul to insure that the fire in both the cab and the engine compartment was extinguished. Proper use of PPE and the knowledge of the firemen on the scene NO INJURIES occurred.
 

Wednesday, July 16, 2008  This morning I had the chance to be watch some of your crews working a Motor Vehicle Crash at the Intersections of 2818 and E. Villa Maria. I am one who loves to shoot off email about places where I have seen a Fire Department doing something unsafe and as a fire fighter and Incident Safety Officer I know what I am looking at. However, this is not one of those times.

I feel the need to compliment your crews working on Engine and Medic 2 as well as the later responding Medic Units. When I first saw the incident I noted the Engine positioned across both lanes of 2818 (Texas Ave side) and blocking 1 lane of E. Villa Maria and I was happy to see that they had a someone in a safety vest directing traffic around the accident, as well as emergency responders in vests. I also noted that Medic 2 was positioned to block traffic from flowing around where they had extricated the victims (I noted at least 1 victim boarded and ready to be loaded awaiting an additional Medic unit) too.

The Incident was coned off around it for an additional traffic barrier and as I approached closer I noticed that the crews were making use of either a Texas DOT employee or a TAMU Employee (I believe it was DOT, however The Seal on the Vehicles look too alike to be sure) to direct traffic until the arrival of the Constable. These Crews Presented an organized incident, well planed and trained traffic safety procedures and the willingness to use resources at their disposal to their advantage.  

Saturday, June 28, 2008  Here's a link to our local paper showing a car fire handled by the neighboring city department, car engulfed, strut or airbag on right side going off, and then the engine on-scene. Not everyone does car fires wrong. Some DO get it RIGHT.  

Tuesday, June 24, 2008  As a Kick Off to Safety Health and Survival Week 2008, the Bethel and Stony Hill (CT) Fire Departments hosted the Courage to be Safe Program last night. During the program, 39 members signed the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge.  

Tuesday, June 24, 2008  Just before lunch today (June 23) Carrollton Fire Department's E112 and E114 were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire on President George Bush Turnpike at Interstate Highway 35E. The first arriving engine encountered a trash truck with the front fully involved. A third engine (E116) was requested due to size of vehicle, location (being on an elevated section of freeway) and water supply issues. Initial crews quickly knocked down the fire in the cab, while other crews worked on establishing a water supply from over the edge of the elevated roadway and across the service road. Rescue 112 was dispatched to assist with opening up the trash compactor portion of the truck. Due to the heat and humidity a M116 was also dispatched to the scene. Battalion 111 was added to the incident due to the number of apparatus assigned. Members of E116, R112, and B111 had just left the Department's 2008 Safety, Health, and Survival Week training session that was put on by Carrollton Fire Department's Safety and Training Divisions along with Carrollton Fire Fighters Association L-2182. As seen in one of the photos, crews wearing ALL of their PPE helped protect them when the fire flared up.  

Tuesday, May 6, 2008  Attached are two photos of an Engine company that was damaged after being hit on the highway. Incident occurred early Sunday morning (5/4/08) Two Engines and a Medic Unit were dispatched on to an 8 lane highway for a motor vehicle accident. This Engine was the first on scene and took position blocking the accident scene. The crew got out and went to the scene to check on vehicle stabilization and patients. Shortly after arriving (and before the second blocking Engine arrived) the front of the Captain's side of the Engine was struck by a passenger vehicle which moved the Engine 18 inches. It also caused a siren to break off and fly 35 yards down the road nearly hitting the Acting Captain. The Engine received significant damage to the Captain's door and Captain's front bumper. Luckily the crew was in the safe zone assessing the scene and no one was in the Cab. Blocking the scene saved the crew from serious injury!  

Saturday, May 3, 2008  The Village of Scarsdale, NY Fire Department received a report from a civilian of an outside odor of natural gas on April 3, 2008 at 1403 hours. The standard assignment of two engines and the command vehicle were dispatched to the residential street where the tour commander found a new, nearly completed 4900 square foot house. A contractor was operating a backhoe in the front yard and several laborers were standing nearby with shovels. Upon exiting his vehicle, the tour commander heard the loud hiss of natural gas escaping under pressure at the site where the backhoe and laborers were still operating. The tour commander’s aide continued further with the command vehicle to a safe distance. The following incoming apparatus were ordered to stop two doors down from the scene. The tour commander, from the corner of the property, shouted to the backhoe operator and laborers to shut down the machine and get away from the gas leak. As the workers were leaving the property- stepping from the curb into the street, and as the incoming fire companies were dismounting their apparatus, the house exploded with an ensuing heavy fire. An immediate roll call ensured that all FD members were accounted for and uninjured, and all the construction laborers were found to be safe and uninjured. Lesson reinforced; Expect the worst WILL happen.  

Friday, April 4, 2008  Just wanted to share this with you. Our dept. also handles EMS and thusly we equip our medical personnel with, at the very least, Nomex jump suits for operating at vehicle incidents where they might be exposed to fire and other hazards while handling a victim. Some have full bunker gear (blue, like Smurfs) We have a commercial ambulance service that provides ALS. The service and relationship are outstanding. At a serious auto accident last week, one of the regular crews we work with showed up, and our IC (Chief of Dept.) stopped them from going into the "hot zone". Now, the young people entrapped would have benefited from ALS while extrication was in progress, but our policy for turnouts extends to everyone on scene. With the vehicle unstable, and the odor of gasoline present, the Chief did the right thing in barring the medics from the automobile. I think they might have been a little upset, but were understanding of the situation afterward. To follow up, a letter was sent to the ambulance service supervisor to explain what had taken place, and kindly suggest that they equip their people with some form of protection for such occasions. I'm happy to report that all 3 three victims survived their brush with death after a 40 minute difficult extrication. Stay safe.