Hey,
On Monday evening of this week, the Humboldt (Iowa) FD was
called to a rural address for a piece of farm machinery that was on fire.
They were extinguishing the fire and the property owner indicated the
piece of machinery was old and there was no fuel in the tank. After the
fire was extinguished (or so it appeared) the Sheriff of the county and 3
Firefighters were standing around the equipment. A Firefighter
opened the fuel compartment by removing the fuel cap. The tank was full
of old gasoline and the vapors found an ignition source close by. All 3
Firefighters and the Sheriff were blown backwards by the fireball and
explosion.
The Sheriff and 2 of the Firefighters were treated and
released with burns to the face that required some ointments. The other
firefighter was airlifted to the U of I burn unit and his burns were 1st and
2nd degree to the face and scalp. The airlifted FF was released from the
hospital and is doing well with the burns to his face.
NOTE: All were wearing proper
structural firefighting gear except the Sheriff who was in police uniform.
The Firefighters had removed their face masks and airpacks because the
fire was thought to be out. We wish all a rapid recovery.
OHIO FIREFIGHTERS INJURED IN DUST EXPLOSION
3 Monroe (located along I-75 between Dayton and
Cincinnati) Firefighters were injured in a fire at a
manufacturing business and hospitalized this afternoon with second
degree burns.
Fire Chief John Centers said the firefighter suffered burns to his face, head,
neck and hands and has been admitted to the burn unit at Miami Valley Hospital.
The two other Firefighters, who suffered hearing loss and headaches from the
blast were released from Atrium Medical Center Wednesday evening. Centers said
he could not release any names yet because not all of the family members have
been notified.
The cause of the fire was not known Wednesday night, Centers said. A damage
estimate was also not known, he said.
MFD companies were called at 1351 hours for a fire inside a
5,000-gallon tank that contained dried wood composite material. The company
produces windows and door systems, and decking and railings. While attempting
to extinguish the fire, Chief Centers said “there was a dust explosion”
that caused the three injuries. He said firefighters were attempting to remove
the material, which was through a 2-1/2-inch pipe at the bottom of the tank.
“Dust that was created while they were pulling the dry material out found an
ignition source and ignited,” he said.
The explosion didn’t cause any obvious structural damage, Centers said, but did
displace a tank. The fire took about three hours to extinguish and six other
fire departments responded with mutual aid.
We wish all a rapid recovery.
SCBA CONCERNS CONTINUE & MFG CHALLENGES CLAIMS
As you know, a DeKalb County (GA) Firefighter has
been speaking out about a close call with his SCBA. Atlanta area Channel 2
Action News has been investigating the German Draeger-brand air packs for two
years. County firefighters, along with others across the country, have reported
parts malfunctioning midrescue, forcing rescuers to run for their lives. “As
soon as I started breathing, I realized I was breathing smoke,” said Kevin
Cavanaugh, secretary/treasurer of the DeKalb County Firefighters Union. Last
month, Cavanaugh had to leave a burning home because his breathing equipment
suddenly stopped working. He said he thought, “Am I getting my turn to have a
malfunctioning pack?” DeKalb firefighters reported problems with the air packs
almost immediately after they began using them in 2009, but Draeger officials
insist the problem is firefighters not maintaining the equipment properly.
In March, NIOSH opened an investigation into the safety of
the air packs. In the meantime, DeKalb is looking elsewhere for new equipment.
County leaders voted to use $2 million in reserve funds to buy new gear. Field
testing new equipment made by a different manufacturer will begin in June.
………….HOWEVER: Draeger officials this
morning issued the following statement from their CEO Ralf Drews:
(Excerpts)
“We truly do not appreciate the misleading news report broadcast last
night in Atlanta. The report suggests that our SCBA used by Firefighters is
faulty and is prone to breakdown and that we have been somehow insensitive to
the safety of firefighters….“Nothing could be further from the
truth.”
NOTE:
Draeger has posted a rebuttal that includes a video
presentation.
Check it out HERE: www.draeger.us/sites/enus_us/Pages/Fire/Set_The_Record_Straight.aspx
APPARATUS & FIRE EQUIPMENT BUDGET CUTS HAVE
REACHED THE LEVEL OF INSANITY
…but true to Firefighters mission-we will protect and
serve.
HERE is an example of how some Firefighters
– no matter what – keep doing a BIG job with LITTLE resources:
Not to be confused with THIS FD: http://tinyurl.com/76hm4hd
AND LASTLY-as “the start of summer,
weekend” approaches, please keep in mind that Memorial Day exists to honor
all those who have been KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY while
serving in our armed forces. So maybe in between BBQ’s and parties, take a
moment to remember and explain why Monday is a holiday-especially to the young
folks. And if they can’t put their electronic toys down to listen-send them to
this address and make them watch. http://tinyurl.com/pxvh3c
Our heartfelt appreciation to those who
have been lost while serving, those who have served and those who continue to
serve.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 5-23-12 / 2218 Hours
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EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA”> TO THE SECRET LIST: https://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/secret.php
GET SECRET LIST ALERTS VIA TWITTER: http://twitter.com/thesecretlist
FOLLOW THE SECRET LIST ON FACEBOOK: http://tinyurl.com/y855vmt
