FF Burn Injuries, Truss Collapse, FDNY Seminar, RIP “Big” Al (The Secret List)

Hey,

If you are or know a FIREFIGHTER WHO HAS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT BURN INJURIES, READ ON:

The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is working with the NFFF and the IAFF Burn Foundation to explore the needs of fire fighters who have sustained burn injuries and their families as it pertains to peer support after a burn injury. The first step in this project is to complete a series of focus groups to identify the needs. Several focus groups were held at the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress in October, and it was determined that they would like to conduct additional focus groups in early January 2011. The goal of these focus groups will be to identify any specific or unique needs of fire fighters who have sustained burn injuries and their families as well as have a discussion about potential challenges for them to access peer support.

The Phoenix Society would greatly appreciate the assistance firefighters who have sustained burn injuries, and their families, who are interested in participating in this focus group. There is a limited amount of space for firefighters and their families to attend these focus groups. Selection of those who will be part of these focus groups will be dependent on many variables.

If you are interested in attending, you should contact Pam Peterson at the Phoenix Society via email ASAP at [email protected] for more information.

UPDATE: FIREFIGHTER CRITICALLY INJURED IN TRUSS COLLAPSE AT FIRE

On May 21, 2009, a 36-year-old FF was seriously injured while operating in a non-designated collapse zone of a commercial structure when an overhang of a bowstring truss roof system collapsed and struck him. The first arriving company officer reported a working fire in a single story warehouse. The officer looked under a steel roll-up door that was raised approximately three feet off of the ground and saw heavy fire towards the rear of the structure from floor to ceiling. Per department procedures, the first arriving companies went into a “Fast Attack” mode. Crews attempted but were unable to enter the structure because the steel roll-up door wasn’t functioning and the man door was heavily secured. The Deputy Fire Chief arrived on the scene 9 minutes after the initial crew and determined that the fire should be fought defensively, however, this command was not relayed over the radio or verified with all crews. A crew was operating a 2 ½-inch handline just outside the structure approximately 20 minutes after the first apparatus arrived when the overhang collapsed and trapped the nozzleman.

NIOSH REPORT HERE:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200921.html

OUTSTANDING FDNY TRAINING SEMINAR OPEN TO ALL FIRE DEPARTMENTS:

The FDNY invites you to join us at their world-renowned FDNY Training Academy for the High-Rise Fires & Emergencies Symposium being held on March 15 and 16, 2011. The leaders of the FDNY will share their extensive experience to provide information on how our command structure supervises personnel at multiple-alarm fires and emergencies.

The Symposium also will cover: high-angle rescue operations, tactics and equipment; new technologies to provide better accountability of Firefighters; potential terrorist threats in high-rise buildings; and EMS procedures in high-rise structures. The Symposium will provide a complete high-rise firefighting training program.

For more information, please call 718-999-0779 or visit www.fdnyfoundation.org .

REST IN PEACE: WASHINGTON DC BATTALION FIRE CHIEF "BIG" AL DUTTON

It is with deep sadness that we advise you of the death of DCFD Battalion Fire Chief Alan Dutton. "Big" Al died around 1250 hours this morning, surrounded by his wife Jeanne, son’s Jason and Chris as well as some close friends. In addition to DCFD, Al was also Life Member of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company, as well as a past member of the Aldie Volunteer Fire Company and a Fire Instructor in Loudoun County, VA.

As is typical in the fire service, his nick name "Big" Al meant that he wasn’t particularly tall. Actually, tall would never be used do describe Al. However, this small guy (usually with a hand tool in one hand and a mountain dew in the other) was one hell of a FF, Fire Officer and Man who was well known, loved and deeply respected in the metro DC fire service area. While not tall, "BIG" described Al in so many positive ways.

We had a chance to speak with Al not long ago, and clearly, he was still fighting as hard as he could. As he said in an interview during a Firefighter fundraiser for him, his "Plan A" was to beat the cancer and he wouldn’t even consider a "Plan B".

While putting up a long, tough and brave battle, Al died from a rare form cancer and retired early due to his illness. Al’s passing is such a sad and huge loss of an outstanding Husband, Father, Firefighter and

fine man, taken by cancer. (For those who may have questions related to the services for Chief Dutton, or wish to participate, please contact DCFD FF Geoff Davis at: [email protected] ) RIP "Big" Al.

Take Care-BE CAREFUL.

BillyG

The Secret List 12-7-10 / 1845 Hours

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