I was a rookie, and a very green one at that. This was back a few years ago, by way of explaining the now unbelievable scenario that evolved. I was on the ambulance when we rolled up to a (my first) structure fire in a two story apartment house. Fire on the first floor. Per our … [Read more...]
FIRE IN THE FIRE STATION!
Lt. Steve Stevenson was awakened about 1 a.m. Thursday May 6, 2005 by a phone call from dispatch. The firefighter who had been asleep inside the fire station on Molalla Avenue is accustomed to emergency calls. But this time he was one of the people in danger; a passing motorist … [Read more...]
FLASHOVER TRAINING-11 MINUTES IN HELL
....the sudden blazes - already the leading cause of firefighter deaths nationwide - are becoming increasingly common because more buildings are constructed with flammable materials and windows that trap oxygen inside...." By TONY SCLAFANI NY DAILY NEWS Saturday, May 14th, … [Read more...]
SOLUTIONS? -Whenever possible PRE-PLAN the building in your first due. -Have the FIRE PREVENTION folks COMMUNICATE with firefighters when THEY find stuff that may/may not be illegal-but still a HAZARD! -When on EMS calls-as time allows: review the building and make mental notes … [Read more...]
“THE FLOOR GAVE WAY-AND I BEGAN TO PANIC!”
I responded to a working house fire one night just down the road from my residence. I arrived on scene and met with 2 other firefighters. We were advised that the structure was not occupied. Our eng 1, tanker 1, tanker 2, and utility had responded along with our mutual aid dept. … [Read more...]
"THE FLOOR GAVE WAY-AND I BEGAN TO PANIC!"
I responded to a working house fire one night just down the road from my residence. I arrived on scene and met with 2 other firefighters. We were advised that the structure was not occupied. Our eng 1, tanker 1, tanker 2, and utility had responded along with our mutual aid dept. … [Read more...]
“…THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COLLAPSE ZONE IS IMPERATIVE…!”
Since this CLOSE CALL, I have become more aware of indicators of a possible building collapse. My company was one of several from my department to respond to a working fire in a 2 1/2 story vacant commercial occupancy. My company (95ft Tower Ladder) was positioned in front of the … [Read more...]