CFJ Vol. 26.3 (Winter 2012)

HAZMAT - Meeting the ‘Toxic Twins’ CO and HCN

Hypoxia, asphyxia, cardiac arrest, and then death. Hopefully, I have your attention. Modern technology has changed the way we fight fires, and the ways fire burn. Due to the chemical make-up of manufactured materials, fires today burn hotter, flashovers occur more rapidly, and the smoke is much more toxic. As a result of these factors, firefighters have been dying at a greater rate than ever before from toxic chemical compounds like Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN).

In the mid 70s George Kimmerle listed eight major factors that can cause death in fires and to those that are involved in them.¹ They are as follows:

1. Direct consumption by the fire (flame contact)
2. Very high temperature (thermal insult, burns)
3. Oxygen deficiency
4. The presence of CO

Relevant Tags: hcn, firefighters, fire service, carbon monoxide, manufactured materials, cyanide hcn, todd shoebridge

Identity Theft: Prevent losing yourself

When my children were very young, our family was on vacation at the beach with friends. My friend’s youngest child Luke was busy at the water’s edge, happily jumping waves and chasing a beach ball. In no time at all, Luke was not within our sight. We scurried to find him, spotting him in the distance where he had obviously lost himself in play. When he realized that he could not see us, a visibly upset Luke came running up the beach, and exclaimed to his mother, “Where were you? I lost myself!”

Relevant Tags: identity, theft, fire, credit, information, security, identity theft, social security, theft protection, security number, credit card, personal information, theft prevent

So, you’re being sued — where is your documentation

As part of my job duties I am required to travel across South Carolina and visit fire departments, EMS and rescue organizations — from the mountains to the sea —from the largest departments having all career personnel to the smallest volunteer agencies serving crossroad communities. On occasion, as I drive away from some of these agencies, I am gripped with a feeling of apprehension, or maybe a strange foreboding that “things ain’t right.”

Relevant Tags: fire, training, emergency, documentation, insurance company, emergency service, management safeguards, fire apparatus, ems rescue, being sued, loss control, service organization, fire departments

Fire service technology — friend or foe?

As I write this column I sit at my desk wondering what technology will exist in the next 10, 20 or even 30 years? Over the last two decades the world has seen a tremendous change in the way we live our day-to-day lives because of advancements in technology.

Relevant Tags: fire, technology, devices, service, fire service, service technology, friend foe

Raleigh Fire Department celebrates Centennial

This year the Raleigh Fire Department celebrates a milestone: their 100th anniversary as a career fire department. Special events are planned including a downtown birthday party on June 9, 2012. North Carolina’s Capitol City is protected by the second largest fire department in the state, but it started very small. Let’s turn the clock back 99 years.

In 1912, five volunteer fire companies and some 120 firemen protected Raleigh’s four square miles and nearly 20,000 residents. They operated five pieces of horse-drawn fire equipment: three hose wagons, one steam engine, and one service ladder truck. Fires were fought using hydrant pressure, though the steamer was used for major fires or calls outside the city. Alarms were sounded from Gamewell street boxes.

But insurance underwriters and city officials were seeing the need for an overhaul. Though the volunteer Raleigh Fire Department was 49 years strong-- next year also marks their 150th anniversary-- it was time for a change. It was time for a full-time fire chief, full-time firefighters, and motorized fire engines.

The reorganized Raleigh Fire Department started with two hose companies and 15 firefighters, plus Fire Chief Sherwood Brockwell and Assistant Fire Chief Charles Farmer. A third station and third hose company was placed in service within two months. The steamer and ladder truck were reserve apparatus.

Relevant Tags: fire, department, raleigh, station, american lafrance, department celebrates, fire station, birthday party, north carolina

Concord High School Fire Academy dedicates World Trade Center artifact

The Concord High School (CHS) Fire Academy has unveiled and dedicated a piece of the World Trade Center for use in the Fire Academy in its Memorial Wall. This was one of two pieces that was requested by the Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety. The journey to acquire the two pieces was a process that took a little over one year.

The request was made by Concord Fire and Life Safety’s Deputy Chief of Operations, Ray Allen, to the New York and New Jersey Port Authority and the process was set into motion early in 2010. The request was granted and they arrived on May 22, 2011. The larger piece that was designated for the City of Concord, North Carolina was dedicated and unveiled on Sept. 11, 2011 at the 10th Anniversary Patriots Day ceremony held at Concord Fire and Life Safety Station 8.

Relevant Tags: fire, academy, concord, school, chief, fire academy, concord high, honor guard, high school, fire department

Local firefighter donates pet oxygen masks

In recent months we have all seen news stories of people being pulled from burning buildings though the heroic efforts of firefighters and revived with the aid of an oxygen mask.

But, how many of us have stopped to think about our “other family members” who may need to be rescued as well?

Christopher Young, owner of Sleeping Dog Sales and volunteer at Bayleaf, has been raising money to make sure North Carolina fire departments have “pet oxygen masks” ready to use as needed. Mr. Young recognized the need for more masks during his service as a firefighter.

Relevant Tags: fire, masks, oxygen, news, training, local firefighter, oxygen masks, pet oxygen, firefighter donates, firefighters revived, aid oxygen

Fire Rescue EMS Industry News

Water Response Training Council Formed

In November, seven US-based public safety diving training associations came together in an unprecedented round-table meeting at the DEMA Show venue in Orlando, Florida, to form the Water Response Training Council. This new council’s charter is to improve the safety of public safety divers and consumers through development of minimum training standards.

The following associations: Dive Rescue International (DRI), Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI), International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD), Life Guard Systems (LGS), PADI, PSDA and US Water Rescue are founding members of the new council.

The next meeting of the Water Response Training Council will take place early 2012.

Relevant Tags: Industry News, fire, training, safety, water, ems, public, training council, response training, water response, industry news, public safety, fitness guide

Daily Incident Log - 6/7/2012

NORTH CAROLINA INCIDENT LOG

One dead in New Bern apartment fire at assisted living facility

A New Bern man in his 60s is dead after a fire Wednesday night at Brunswick House assisted living facility on Colony Drive. The fire was called in around 7 p.m. by an automatic alarm. The fire was contained to one unit. No other injuries were reported. Foul play was not suspected, officials said Wednesday night. Police and fire officials c ontinued to investigate Thursday. A cause has not been determined.

(NEW BERN SUN JOURNAL)

Relevant Tags: Article

Is fire truck maintenance important?

Is your department doing the checks needed to make sure your apparatus is ready to respond to a call?

Most fire departments do not have a full time maintenance shop — most fire apparatus repairs are sent to a third-party fire apparatus repair facility. In these economic times we are facing financial challenges in our budgets, but there are several things that firefighters (career and or volunteer) can do on a regular basis in the fire station to head off issues early on and that will help to prevent the need for costly repairs.

Relevant Tags: All About Trucks, fire, apparatus, maintenance, pump, tank, department, inspection, fire apparatus, fire department, ready respond

Interoperability: what it means to first responders

Communications in this modern age is something that we take for granted. Imagine what life was like when your grandparents relied on wind-up telephones and the telegraph to talk to family and friends, or to report a problem. Read More »

Relevant Tags: fire, emergency, safety, communications, interoperability, public, agencies, management, public safety, first responders, deficit reduction, emergency management

RAE Systems and Fire Smoke Coalition to Provide Training For North Carolina Emergency Responders

Indianapolis, IN – March 15, 2012 – RAE Systems Inc., a leading provider of toxic gas monitoring systems, is combining with the Fire Smoke Coalition to deliver the “Know Your Smoke” Symposium for emergency responders – including firefighters, EMT’s and paramedics – in North Carolina on July 20 and 21. Read More »

Relevant Tags: hazmat, firefighter training, emt, paramedic, RAE systems, north carolina, first responders, fire smoke coalition

The use of arson by gangs

The following is a subject discussed in an article I wrote in the Carolina Fire Rescue EMS Journal in January 2010.

Have you ever wondered if suspected arson fires were committed by organized gangs? Crime trends continually change. The use of fire as a criminal tool of retribution is one of the trends law enforcement and the fire service are noting with regularity over the past decade.

Relevant Tags: gang, fire, arson, carolina, ems, law, rescue, gang activity, gang members, south carolina, law enforcement, use arson

Sweet’s vehicle extrication book an excellent resource tool

Last issue we looked at several items that could be used in search and rescue — the Coaxsher Pack and the Hennessy Hammock. Both proved to be excellent field gear for search. There is a new system coming out from Delorme that hopefully I will get to evaluate utilizing their PN-60 GPS unit. The GPS unit will be able to receive and send information and texts.

We are living in a time of rapid expanding technology that we have a hard time keeping up with. Between computers and iPhones, and the applications that continuously come out, it is almost impossible to keep up. As my folks tell me, I am still living in the stone age, as my cell phone is an older flip phone that is not text friendly. But then, I have a hard time reading the little numbers anyway. Whatever happened to the personal touch of actually talking to someone? How soon will we lose our abilities to communicate effectively with others and things become impersonal? Read More »

Relevant Tags: Tools of the Trade, book, excellent, rescue, resource tool, excellent resource, extrication book, tools trade

NCSFA (Piedmont Region) Announces Focus Group Meeting

The North Carolina State Firemen’s Association (NCSFA) is coordinating with the Piedmont Association to hold three focus group meetings in the Piedmont region. The purpose of the focus group meetings is to give you and other fire chiefs in North Carolina the opportunity to tell the NCSFA how they are doing. They want to know what things are important to you and your members and would like suggestions on how the state association can better meet your needs. Read More »

Relevant Tags: Article

FROM THE EDITOR - WINTER 2012

I was reacquainted with an old friend recently. Most of you know my partner in crime, Gwen Shuford, and most of you know she’s the leader. She was asking our business neighbors where they were having their Christmas party, yes Christmas not holiday, and they told her the Palmer Building. They explained that it was a building renovated by the Charlotte Fire Department. Read More »

Relevant Tags: FROM THE EDITOR, winter, fire, charlotte, editor, palmer, from editor, palmer building

Caduceus versus Rod of Asclepius - the symbols of emergency services

We see them everywhere — on our uniforms, our ambulances, our equipment, and for some, tattooed on their body. Do you know why we use it or what it means? What is the difference in the Rod of Asclepius and a caduceus? While very similar in appearance, each has its own meaning and history tied to it. A caduceus is a winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it. The Rod of Asclepeus is a staff with a single snake wrapped around it. Read More »

Relevant Tags: EMS 2012, ems, caduceus, asclepius, medical, rod asclepius, army medical, red cross, emergency medical

Returning to the foundations - ventilation

Loss control — originally a civilian affair (in the city of New York until a few years ago) by the insurance companies of the day — is designed to assist fire companies in reducing damages to property before, during and after fires and other occurrences. Within this category are two specific tasks — salvage and overhaul. Salvage is a task that can be done during and/or after fire attack — usually an afterthought of command officers. Providing protection for one’s or a family’s personal property is, by far, the best way to enhance our reputation. Overhaul is seeking hidden fire and beginning to determine the cause of the fire. Both can actually begin in the pre-incident planning stages.

Relevant Tags: fire, damage, water, loss control, pre incident, returning foundations, fire attack, foundations ventilation, after fires, salvage overhaul, incident planning, primary damage

Back to the Basics of Hazmat

The question of “What in the heck is that?” will almost invariably arise regarding the new title of this section — “Sixty-One Delta One.” Sixty-One Delta One was selected as the title due to the fact that in the standardized Emergency Fire Dispatch (EFD) protocols being adopted in many locations throughout the nation, 61-D-1 is the dispatch code corresponding to a hazardous materials incident that is uncontained or moving, which is basically the worst-case scenario of the hazmat dispatch series. The title also represents an attempt at tongue-in-cheek hazmat humor, to which I know most readers will answer “Is there such a thing as hazmat humor?”

Relevant Tags: SIXTY ONE DELTA ONE, hazmat, tube, equipment, carbon dioxide, delta one, hazardous materials, back basics, oxygen deficient, colorimetric tube, hazmat responders

Carbon Monoxide calls on the rise for fire departments

In January 2010, Columbia Fire Department’s Engine 6 was dispatched to an apartment to check for carbon monoxide (CO). Upon arrival the family was standing outside the apartment. They informed Engine 6 that their family member was admitted to the hospital a few hours prior with flu-like symptoms, but that the hospital had just informed them that the patient had CO poisoning. They were concerned that they too may be affected as they were spending a few days in the apartment while visiting the family member. Engine 6 was equipped with a standard four gas meter (O2, LEL, CO, and H2S) and immediately checked the apartment, but was unable to get any reading on the meter. They questioned the family members that were visiting and no one else felt ill. Read More »

Relevant Tags: Hazmat, gas, fire, detector, carbon monoxide, columbia fire