Update: Marilla Chief Burned

At 9:37 am on December 17, 2008 the Marilla Fire Company was dispatched to 2437 Eldridge Road for the report of a possible structure fire. Upon arrival Asst. Chief George Gertz discovered two vehicles in an open garage fully involved spreading through the house. Neighbors reported hearing coughing inside the structure and not seeing the occupants leaving earlier. With impending immediate life hazard Asst. Chief Gertz made the decision to start VES (Vent, Enter, and Search) operations.

With the help from an Asst. Chief from Jamison Road they were able to force entry to the structure at which time Asst. Chief Gertz found heavy smoke through out the structure approx. 3’ off the floor. At this time visible fire was seen throughout the main residence. He proceeded down the hall to where the neighbors hear the coughing at that time he heard an explosion and a ball of fire came down the hall that he was occupying. He made his way into the living area where the room then flashed over rendering him temporally disoriented. Gertz kept his calm and quickly made his way out of the structure where he collapsed outside.

Outside crews quickly dragged Gertz from the structure to a safe area and treatment began on his injuries. He was then transported to ECMC via Rural Metro Paramedics. All occupants were out of the house. The family did lose two (2) family pets.

Assistant chief Gertz is currently admitted to ECMC with Non-Life Threatening injuries which include 1^st and 2^nd degree burns to his head, ears, and neck. 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns to his right and left hands, wrists, and fingers. Asst. Chief Gertz in expected to remain in the hospital until well after Christmas.

ADDITIONAL NOTE:

This is in regards to the Marilla fire where Chief Gertz got burned. Your latest update (Dec 20) shows a picture of an SCBA face piece that has been charred and melted, I assume from this fire. That particular mask, a Scott AV-2000 with the black and white head net, is not supposed to be used in any firefighting situation. It is designed for industrial supplied air use where there is no possibility of exposure to high heat. The AV-2000 or 3000 with the yellow Kevlar head nets are the ones we should be using. While a Nomex hood will provide some protection of the head net, and Chief Gertz didn’t seem to have trouble with his face piece, I just thought I should mention it because there are many departments out there that may not know. Crucial information like this isn’t always advertized or shared very well. I only know because I work in an industrial facility where we have both styles. So pass it on, black straps on a Scott mask means it’s not for fire.

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