We are a small combination dept outside a major city. Leadership is lacking, and a general malaise is the prevalent attitude of the depart. Recently we were dispatched to a CO alarm. in truck conversation was the “This is the typical BS Run” We marked on scene and dismounted the truck, took out the 4 gas monitor and preceded into the structure with nothing more than bunker pants, a Tshirt and station ball cap. The most disturbing part of this, is that a Jr. FF (16yo) was invited into the POTENTIALLY IDLH ENVIRONMENT, again with no STO gear or SCBA. Once in the SFD, a reading of 6 was detected… RATHER THAN RUN out of the structure the crew decided to go into the basement where the 4 gas began ALARMING… Still no STO or SCBA and still with a Jr FF in tow. Shortly after the alarm a low battery was detected. It was later discovered that it was the low battery giving false readings, and the subsequent alarm.
A Jr FF should NEVER EVER EVER, be put into any POSSIBLE IDLH environment. Full STO gear including SCBA must be worn until proven unnecessary. a 4 gas monitor that isn”t checked at the start of the shift was later found to have “dead batteries” Poor leadership leads to poor performance, and at some point may lead to a very poor outcome. As many have said. Your crew will rise to your level of expectations or lower to your level of tolerance.
