4 OVERSEAS LINE OF DUTY DEATHS
The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
CHINA: 3 FIREFIGHTERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
(WATCH THIS VIDEO)
The following was submitted by a Secret List member
regarding this LPG tanker crash in China. Stop the video and review the
frames to really see this. The tanker has significant damage to the front of
the barrel over the fifth wheel (most likely from striking the tunnel
entrance). This stressed container opens up in the area of the barrel head and
immediately empties the liquid load by vaporization (up to 10,000 gallons) with
tremendous ratio. Propane is 275:1. The “white smoke” in the news story is LPG
vapor condensing the water molecules in the atmosphere. Judge for yourself the
size of this vapor cloud based on time and fire apparatus in the film. No out
running this!!
There is a car coming the opposite way that is enveloped by the cloud but the
end of the footage does not show the vehicle still there. Most likely ignition
is the fire apparatus if you look to see where the fire initiates.
What can we take away from this tragedy? Assessment of the problem as presented
must be immediately commenced. In North America the DOT 331 standard for LPG
bulk transport is a tough container designed to take a hit. We have no
knowledge on the specifications with the Far East containers but still be aware
here that a DOT container with the type of depression shown on the barrel head
should be cause for concern. The MAWP can’t be trusted. Get a pressure reading
if possible and flare or transload. This damage type should prevent thoughts of
lifting.
Next time your pondering the exclusion zone for a damaged container, use this
as a mental reference. As always, say a prayer for the 3
Firefighters that did not go home. RIP.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5LB5PBBtt8
MORE HERE: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334388
FIREFIGHTER LODD A HOMICIDE?
INDIA: A Firefighter died in what they don’t
consider the Line of Duty from a heart attack during a training
session at Wadala on yesterday-and now the Union wants the Chief Officer
charged with homicide. FF Sarjerao Shenavi (50) was undergoing a promotional
training when he fell unconscious. He was immediately rushed to a hospital for
treatment, but was declared dead.
FF Shenavi was attached to the Chembur fire station and was undergoing the
promotional training of 90 days to become “leading fireman”. The training,
conducted between 0700-1200 everyday, is to be completed on October
13. The FF’s are on then duty from 1500 to 2300 after
training.
The Mumbai Fire Fighters Services Union has alleged that Shenavi died due to
tremendous stress caused by the training program and duty. “While fire
officials are given on-duty training, the firemen are deprived of this
facility. Our pleas of providing on-duty training to firemen have been
repeatedly ignored by the civic administration,” said union official Rajaram
Dhuri. Since FF Shenavi was technically not on duty-this isn’t consider an
LODD.
Fire officials said that the incident occurred when Shenavi
was off-duty. “The family is entitled to compensation only if the death
takes place while putting off a fire or rescuing someone,” said a senior
fire official. They are, however, in favor of including training casualties or
death in the category.
The union has demanded suspension of the chief fire officer and
registration of a case of culpable homicide against him for the death of FF
Shenavi. \\
NOTE: Could that (similar circumstances declared non
LODD) happen here in North Amerca? Absolutely. It’s a good time
to ask and understand what may be-and what may not be covered locally, state
and Federally if this happens to you or one of your members.
TEXAS FIRE OFFICER CLOSE CALL THIS MORNING:
A veteran Fire Captain and experienced FF were injured in an
early morning fire in Longview, Texas. The fire occurred at approx 0500 in a
single story, brick veneer duplex in the northwest part of the city. First
arriving units reported heavy smoke from the front door. As crews began their
attack they experienced high heat levels, the Captain’s SCBA face piece
became dislodged while attempting to access the fire in the attic area and he
received burns and scrapes to the ears and forehead, the Firefighter received
burns on his back. Both were transported to a local hospital, treated and
released. Both men reported their training paid off in this situation. Updates
to follow.
TV TOMORROW (Wednesday) NIGHT:
JUST when your DVR is sick and tired of you watching
RescueMe over and over and over—there is something new for you to check out!
The new TV show “CHICAGO FIRE” starts this
tomorrow, Wednesday, October 10th on NBC at 9pm C/T. Click on the link below
for a look behind the scenes:
BEHIND THE SCENES: http://www.nbc.com/chicago-fire/
More HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi3h9z1YUVc&feature=related
RHODE ISLAND Fire District May File for Receivership
This afternoon, Central Coventry Fire officials called a
press conference alerting the media to the fact that the district may soon be
forced to file for receivership. WTF!?
At the October 1 annual tax meeting, taxpayers voted to
table the passing of the 2012-2013 budget, which halted the distribution of tax
bills to residents of the district.
On October 3, Interim Chief Andrew Baynes requested that Centreville Bank
extend the district’s tax anticipation borrowing to cover financial obligations
until a tax rate and budget is decided and new tax amounts can be billed and
collected. Not only was Baynes turned down for additional borrowing,
but the district’s existing line of credit was seized – funding that would have
been used to pay employees for several more weeks. CCFD employees
received their last paychecks on Friday, Oct. 5 and as of that date, the
district is out of money to continue issuing paychecks.
“We are completely out of funds,” said Baynes. “My job from here
on out is to make sure that I can maintain fuel in the truck, keep them
populated somehow and keep the phone lines open. If we have lights, that would
be a luxury. Everything else is a toss up.”
Baynes went on to explain that pay for the staff is out of the question under
the current financial conditions. Without being able to collect taxes, the
district will not have reliable funding coming in.
“This is disastrous news and a very dangerous situation” he
continued. “I don’t transmit this with any good feelings but I need to
keep the trucks on the road.”
READ ALL ABOUT IT:
http://coventry.patch.com/articles/central-coventry-fire-district-may-file-for-receivership
AND SPEAKING OF CUTS:
A central Indiana town is out of money for their EMS
model and wants Firefighters to make up the difference. Leaders in
Lawrence have announced the city can no longer afford 24
“civilian-non-fire” paramedics. The city said the cuts to
non-firefighting paramedics will mean the city can start the new year in the
black. Firefighters and “civilian” Paramedics had a different take,
though, especially after one rescue this past July. That rescue came full
circle Friday night at a special ceremony in Lawrence. Two months after he was
shot and nearly died, Fortville Police Officer Matt Fox thanked the people who
saved his life with handshakes and hugs. “The city of Lawrence medics
arrived and they started working on me and then they transferred me to
Methodist,” said Fox of his experience.
But on the same night he was honored for his work saving Fox, Lawrence
Paramedic Darren Study found out in 10 days, he’ll be out of a job.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Study.
Study’s job is just one of 24 civilian paramedic positions being cut. It will
be up to Lawrence Firefighters to cover ambulance runs now for the city.
“You release that staffing and it is going to effect public safety,”
said Lawrence Firefighter Kris Kell and President IAFF Local 416. Kell says
without civilian Paramedics, there will be fewer Firefighters to go out on fire
calls, which could mean crews waiting for more help to get to a scene. “So
what was maybe a kitchen fire is now a kitchen and a living room fire,”
said Kell. The city of Lawrence, though, said the money just wasn’t there to
keep exclusive paramedics on staff, but they said they didn’t believe public
safety would suffer without them. “Our fire chief assured Mayor Jessup we
can do it. This is how we used to do it. ALS Firefighters can ride out on an
ambulance. The city will be safe,” said the mayor’s deputy chief of staff,
Keith Johnson. The city said their current money problems go back to
2010 when Lawrence took on a fifth fire station that belonged to Lawrence
Township. “Along came the cost of 18 firefighter salaries and six EMS
salaries, which equal about $2 million,” explained Johnson. “There
was no permanent source of revenue to pay that $2 million.” That led to
what the city calls a “terrible fiscal nightmare,” ultimately giving
the mayor no choice – make cuts somewhere or run out of money.
Johnson said the city will be able to keep all five of its fire
stations operational by staffing them with 4 Firefighters instead of three.
Firefighters, all of whom are trained ALS EMTs, will operate the ambulances
based in all five fire stations.
THIS WEEK:
It’s Fire Prevention Week…so what’s your departments plan? Check
this out:
http://greenmaltese.com/2012/10/is-your-fire-prevention-message-up-to-date/
Final Note-sorry for the delay on some of
the above-we have been tied up on a wonderful family event over the last
several days, and that stuff always comes first.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL,
BillyG
The Secret List 10-9-12 / 2049 Hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
