Two LODD, still Two too many

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Belmont, NC

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Richard Adam Miller of the Belmont Fire Department in Belmont, NC has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-29

Initial Summary:  
Incident Description: Firefighter Miller collapsed while on duty at the Belmont Fire Department headquarters station, reportedly while participating in physical fitness training activities. Belmont firefighters immediately began resuscitative efforts and Firefighter Miller was transported to Gaston Memorial Hospital where he later passed away. Investigation continues into the cause and type of fatal injury resulting in Firefighter Miller's death. Incident Location: 301 Keener BLVD, Belmont, NC 28012 (USNG: 17S MU 9654 9910)  

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Plymouth, UT

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Craig C. Starr of the Plymouth Fire Department in Plymouth, UT has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-24

Initial Summary:  
Fire Chief Starr passed away from an apparent heart attack while working an EMS incident.  

Really- We are still doing this?

RESPONDING APPARATUS ROLLS OVER IN TENNESSEE  from Firefighter Close Calls

Monday, December 28, 2009  This is one more of MANY responding apparatus incidents over the last few days. In the latest incident, this one in Tennessee yesterday, 4 Firefighters were injured when their engine rolled over. The apparatus rolled over when the White House Community Volunteer Firefighters hit a ditch on their way to another crash. The truck lodged into a muddy shoulder before rollover over. No word yet on their use of seatbelts but the Firefighters suffered cracked ribs, cuts, bruises and scrapes. Our best for a rapid recovery.
SLOW DOWN - BUCKLE UP

SERIOUSLY!

More stories

HERE at Fire Fighter Close calls

 

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Douglasville, GA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Paul D. Holmes of the Douglas County Fire Department in Douglasville, GA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-26

Incident Description: Firefighter Holmes was responding to a vehicle fire with injuries when the fire department rescue in which he was riding reportedly was struck by a privately owned vehicle that they were attempting to pass; according to news accounts, the rescue vehicle rolled several times, ejecting Holmes. Firefighter Holmes was transported by medivac helicopter to a Level-I trauma center where he was reported to be in stable condition, however, his condition worsened and he subsequently passed away from his injuries. Investigation into the incident continues by the Georgia State Police. Incident Location: Annewakee Road

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Wellsboro, PA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Clair Melvin Pierce of the Wellsboro Fire Department in Wellsboro, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-26

Initial Summary: Firefighter Pierce passed away at home after responding to a series of EMS and fire calls. The cause and nature of Firefighter Pierce's fatal injury are still to be reported.

Thwarted Attack

Market Watch is reporting Aboard an Airbus 330 carrying 278 passengers, a suspected attacker identified as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab set off an explosive mixture that was not powerful enough to force down the plane, Associated Press reported. Mutallab said he was acting on instructions from al-Qaida, which wanted him to destroy a plane in U.S. airspace, the AP reported. Also story atNew York Daily News

 

More UPDATE 12/27/2009

Link HERE -  DETROIT - Passengers on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 knew something was very wrong when they saw flight attendants running for fire extinguishers. Then they smelled the smoke.

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Dante, VA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Bobby Joe Mullins of the Dante Volunteer Fire Department in Dante, VA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-20

Initial Summary:  
While working a vehicle fire, Assistant Chief Mullins became ill. He was treated and transported to the emergency room. Mullins was then transferred to a trauma center but passed away soon after arriving of sudden cardiac arrest.

Free Training resource - Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism

  A 9-minute video put out by the Denver-based Center for Empowered Living and Learning (CELL) is an excellent introduction to training staff about spotting the kinds of activities terrorists engage in when planning an attack. Called Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism, the video was produced with funding from DHS and is available at http://thecell.org/wp/8-signs-of-terrorism-video/  This video provides essential information on how to identify the warning signs and emphasizes the vital role of such assistance in state and local law enforcement’s counterterrorism efforts. With clear and succinct narration and dramatic enactment, the video describes the following eight signs:

• Surveillance: Types of activities terrorists engage in to determine security levels at a facility.

• Elicitation: Methods terrorists will use to acquire information about a facility.

• Tests of Security: Terrorist will stage tests, such as entering a restricted area, to determine how a facility responds.

• Funding: Awareness of unusual transactions such as large donations to fictitious charities.

• Acquiring supplies: In addition to weapons, transportation, and communication systems, terrorists may engage in less obvious activities, such as stealing uniforms.

• Impersonation: Impersonation of law enforcement personnel or facility staff should raise red flags.

• Rehearsal: Describes signs of terrorists conducting dry runs of attacks.

• Deployment: If none of the previous signs have been picked up, an ongoing terrorist attack can sometimes be spotted before the target is hit.

Managers should work closely with state and local law enforcement to be aware of any risks specific to their areas. But advice in the CELL video will hold true wherever you operate.

http://safety.blr.com/news.aspx?id=114887

CBS Early Show to Air Home Fire Sprinkler Segment

The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) has been working with the CBS Early Show and Danny Lipford to prepare a fire safety/fire sprinkler segment that will air this Wednesday, December 23rd, 7 to 9 a.m. This will be a live segment in a home in LaGrange Park, IL, with fire sprinklers protecting the living room. Two weeks ago, the HFSC taped a house fire without sprinklers in Brentwood, TN. That tape will be shown first, then CBS will go live to demonstrate how sprinklers would have made a difference.

Danny Lipford

Host Of "Today's Homeowner"

By Rome Neal

 

(CBS) Danny Lipford, the host of "Today's Homeowner," is a regular contributor to The Early Show. His down-to-earth approach and extensive experience in all aspects of remodeling makes him one of the most sought-after voices in home improvement.
Lipford's interest in home improvement began when he was just 9 years old. While in third grade, he bought his first electric jigsaw from a mail-order catalog with allowance money he had saved. He put his natural curiosity into building shelves for his room, a tree house and an endless list of projects around his parent’s home. As he grew older, Lipford even remodeled a log cabin that his father had built for him and his brothers as a playhouse when they were younger. The former playhouse soon became Danny Lipford’s first workshop.
He started his remodeling business when he was just 21 years old. His company, Lipford Construction, soon became one of the most respected remodeling companies in the southeast. In the beginning days of his business, Lipford and one helper did all of the work on his jobsites, from digging footings and pouring slabs to general plumbing and electrical installations. After years of experience and a proven track record, Danny became a Certified Graduate Remodelor, as designated by the National Association of Home Builders Remodelors Council. He has received numerous awards including, “Builder of the Year,” “National Remodeler of the Month,” and has been voted into the “Big 50” of the remodeling industry.

Ventilation – It goes where you let it

Posted to YouTube December 15, 2009 A more coordinated operation should have prevented this. This is a video of a structure fire in which a firefighter vented purportedly on their own which led to a room flashing with firefighters still inside the structure. Would make a good video of how not to do it for training. Pretty dramatic footage with example of what happen when the fire get a good foothold and then oxygen. I have no info on whether the FF inside were injured.

Fire in the United States Now Available from USFA

USFA Press Office: (301) 447-1853

WASHINGTON – United States Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran announced today the availability of the fifteenth edition of Fire in the United States. This edition of Fire in the United States covers the 5-year period from 2003 to 2007, with a primary focus on 2007. The purpose of the report is to aid the fire service, local leadership, and the general public with fire loss information which may be used to set priorities, establish and evaluate specific fire programs, and serve as a guide for fire data analyses at state and local levels of government.

“Since the inception of the United States Fire Administration in 1974, we have endeavored to provide the fire and emergency services the data it needs to combat the fire problem which still exists in the country. This fifteenth edition of the Fire in the United States will emphasize the areas which still need improvement so we may continue to reduce the nation’s fire losses, especially deaths and injuries.”

U.S. Fire Administrator, Kelvin J. Cochran

The report focuses on the national fire problem and provides an overview of fires and losses in buildings, vehicles and other mobile properties, and other properties. The report also examines fire and fire loss trends, fire casualties by population characteristics, and fire cause profiles by property type. Detailed analyses of the residential and nonresidential building fire problems will be published as stand-alone reports.

Fire in the United States is a statistical overview of fires in the United States, focusing on the latest year in which data were available at the time of preparation. The primary source of data is the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), along with data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), State Fire Marshals’ offices, U.S. Census Bureau, and the Consumer Price Index.

Fire in the United States may be downloaded from the Statistics section of the USFA’s Web site. Printed copies are expected to be available at a later date.

ISO is not dead

It always seemed that depending on who you talked to in the insurance area that they may of may not use the ISO rating system, and that it seems that they were not following the ISO rating. The ISO, or Insurance Services Office as it’s commonly called, has started to give some thought to a new era of connection to the fire and emergency services and the communities it serves. They are in the process of completing a much-needed upgrade of its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. Has it been too many years since the rating system had been revised? Having been though and involved in the testing I say it has, you had to attend a seminar and ask questions just to understand the basic rating schedule.

The new rating system recognizes accredited departments and will include recognition of a science-based standard of cover measuring a department’s operational performance in time-based fractile percentages, where sufficient data exists, or use of the traditional distance-based method of coverage. The system provides points of credit for fire prevention, an updated technology section and many other improvements.

It seems that there may a new level of cooperation with today’s fire and emergency service management. ISO has invited key players to review and provide feedback on the draft of the new rating schedule, they will conduct beta testing to ensure the changes can be practically implemented and are committed to improving and updating the rating system regularly. ISO has also been investigating easy access to fire chiefs’ to the immense ISO database to help the chiefs do their jobs in planning and response.

Seems that the change is finally coming to this sometime underrated system. Hopefully it will not again be fulltime department oriented, and give the consideration to small struggling departments too. Go to their  revisions web page to see Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) updates proposals. There is a list of potential modifications and additions to the current FSRS. Good or bad you be the judge? You will be the one dealing with them.

Talk about Weird?

Fifty needles found in Brazil toddler

from BBC News

A Brazilian toddler has up to 50 sewing needles inside him, which doctors suspect were deliberately inserted. There were no signs of wounds on the boy, doctors said. The two-year-old boy was taken to hospital by his mother. X-rays revealed the needles, including one in his lung.

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Shreveport, LA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Tommy Lee Adams of the Shreveport Fire Department in Shreveport, LA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-02-21 Chief Adams fell from a fire department ladder truck following the Crew of Gemini Mardi Gras parade earlier this year. At the end of the parade route, the fire trucks pulled to the side of the road to secure any loose empty boxes that held beads or cups. While clearing debris and boxes from the ladder truck, Adams fell approximately 10 feet, landing head first on the concrete roadway. Chief Adams' heart stopped and CPR was performed. Chief Adams was transported to Willis Knighton Pierremont hospital where he regained a heart rate, and his condition was listed as critical. He suffered fractures to his cervical (neck) spine and was placed on a breathing machine. In early March, Chief Adams was transferred to a rehab facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Chief Adams had been in a relative state of a coma since sustaining debilitating injuries as a result of this accident and passed away on December 12. Incident location: Pending

An aging Fire department

NVFC :: Home

NFPA Report Shows Dangerous Aging Trend in Firefighters Protecting Small Communities. For the first time since the National Fire Protection Association ...
www.nvfc.org/ 

NFPA Report Shows Dangerous Aging Trend in Firefighters Protecting Small Communities ... more »

Reported LODD from NC

Chief Jimmy Davis of White Oak Fire Department Dies in Line of Duty

from Firefighter Hourly web site. No link on the Federal LODD notice site yet

Jimmy Davis was serving the community when he left his house to respond to a fire call around 0655. He briefly returned home to get something before heading back to the call but collapsed. Family members found him next to his truck. He died in the line of duty.

White Oak operates in Onslow County, North Carolina. The department is located in the town of Maysville.

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Mount Carmel, PA

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Gary F. Neidig, Jr. of the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Department in Mount Carmel, PA has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-12-04

Shortly after clearing the scene of a mutual aid call, a motor vehicle accident with confinement and injuries, Fire Police Officer Neidig fell ill from a cause still to be determined. Neidig was transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Incident Location: Coal Township on the Excelsior Highway near the Mount Carmel Township Border Line

LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Dix Hills, NY

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Walter Hessling of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department in Dix Hills, NY has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-11-21

Incident Description: On November 21, 2009, Firefighter Hessling responded to motor vehicle accident call at 1033 hours and subsequently, after clearing the scene, suffered a stroke at 1554 hours. Firefighter Hessling passed away several days later due to complications from that medical emergency. Incident Location: Deer Park Ave and Macniece Pl (USNG: 18T XL 3987 1745).

Late Again

We have been traveling and limited internet access, so that’s why you have not seen an post for the last week.  I will make it up, I have gotten some emails that are well worth passing along. So here is this weeks Uncle jay Explains. this week he  reports on Groups going gaga for Sarah! Globe goes green in Copenhagen! Gitmo goons go to Gotham! Tiger doesn't go anywhere. Uncle Jay explains it all!

 

And here is last weeks installment of Uncle Jay -

Those people sneaked into the White House and met President Obama, but now they have to return the 400 billion dollars he gave them. The system works! And Tiger Woods landed one in the water, which was unfortunately inside a fire hydrant. Uncle Jay explains it all!

Odd in the News

CHICAGO - Chicago woman accused of punching paramedic - A 40-year-old Chicago woman faces battery and drug possession charges after allegedly punching a paramedic and spitting on a nurse. Full Story Here

Fire Breaks Out Among Christmas Trees at Walmart
Police in Westbury, N.Y. say a fire has broken out among Christmas trees for sale outside a Wal-Mart on New York's Long Island during a busy holiday shopping weekend.
Nassau County Police say in a statement that the blaze was reported around 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Westbury store. There are no immediate reports of injuries.
Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokesman Dan Fogelman says the busy store was evacuated because of the fire in the store's garden shop.
Fogelman says it is unclear how many people were in the store at the time or how much damage was caused. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The store remains closed and will reopen on Sunday.

Children Playing + Charger = FIRE  from Small Bits & Pieces by The Man

Fire that struck two Brockton triple-deckers and left 33 residents homeless was started by children jumping on a bed. Brockton Fire Lieutenant Edward Williams said Friday that the Thursday night fire was ignited when the children bounced up and down on two mattresses that were against a wall where a cell phone charger was plugged. He said the back-and-forth motion of the mattresses abraded a transformer for a cell phone charger which caused sparks or a short circuit. Williams said the fire flared up just after 8 p.m. Thursday, causing $150,000 in damages to one building and $50,000 to a nearby apartment building. Two firefighters suffered puncture wounds and cuts, but neither was hospitalized. No other injuries were reported.

Pet pig farting prompts gas leak fears from Funny & More by The Man

A pig with flatulence triggered a minor emergency near Bendigo this week when smells wafting from the 120kg porker sparked fears of a potentially dangerous gas leak.
Two Country Fire Authority tankers and 15 firefighters turned out in darkness to search the source of the leak at a property at Axedale, east of Bendigo. But the likely culprit was soon sniffed out, the pet sow startled from slumber in the dead of night.
"She got very excited when two trucks and 15 firefighters turned up and she squealed and farted and squealed and farted," said fire chief Peter Harkins.
"I haven't heard too many pigs fart but I would describe it as very full-on."
Mr. Harkins said the family had done the right thing by calling 000 to report a suspected gas leak: "It's all bottled gas up here and a leaking cylinder could pose a major fire risk.

Another House explosion Video

Here is another house explosion video posted on You Tube on the 27th -  I have seen my share of these types of incidents both natural gas and propane. Sometime they catch fire and some time they don’t. This time the structure caught. Bushnell is south west of Peoria Illinois. You will have to watch the video on You Tube the embed video below has been disabled.

Here is the write up on You Tube: The home at 519 Washington St. was leveled by a gas explosion around 2:30 p.m. The blast was heard little over seven miles away and also caught one other house on fire, leaving a large crater in the roof. It was not known if those occupants were home when the fire started.
No injuries were reported, but an ambulance was called for a firefighter reportedly having chest pains.
The occupant of the house Bradl Thompson, was outside with his dogs at the time. His wife was believed to be at work at the time.
Houses on the gas line and sewer system were also evacuated as well as those at least one block away on either side according to Bushnell Police Chief Merv Hilliard. At about 6:30 p.m. police said residents were being allowed back into their homes.
Firefighters from Macomb, Emmet-Chalmers, Good Hope and Adair fire departments were called in to help the Bushnell-Prairie City Fire Department battle the two fires.  You Tube

More on the story and pictures at - House explodes in Bushnell - Galesburg, IL - The Register-Mail Firefighters from Macomb, Emmet-Chalmers, Good Hope and Adair fire departments were called in to help the Bushnell-Prairie City Fire Department battle the two fires. and www.galesburg.com/homepage/x215410257/House-explodes-in-Bushnell

Holiday exhibit opening at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum

Members and Friends of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum,

Want something to do this weekend - other than shop? Looking for a way to get into the holiday spirit? How about if admission is FREE?

On Saturday, November 28th, join us for the holiday exhibit opening at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

It's the Gingerbread FIRE house Contest, Exhibition, and Fundraiser.  More than a dozen lavishly crafted Gingerbread FIRE houses have entered the contest. Come help our panel of judges select the winner for the peoples choice award. You too could be a winner by purchasing a raffle ticket now through December 18th for the opportunity to take home one of the prize winning Gingerbread FIRE houses.

Santa, the Fire Chief, will pose for photos near the North FIRE Pole; Cinder's the Firehouse Mouse and all his friends including Sparks and Ashes, will be there too, decorating the old Central Fire Station.  So join us on Friday afternoon at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum and spend some time with us and our holiday friends who will help get you in the spirit of the season.

See holiday flyer HERE.  Invite your friends and neighbors.  Visit our website for holiday hours, directions, and to learn more about our exhibits and programs.

www.AuroraRegionalFireMuseum.org  

Devil deer? Couple of tuff Kids here!

Not fires, but interesting news!

A couple of boys in the Pittsburgh area were involved in a friendly game of backyard football when the pigskin got away from them. It rolled down near a wooded area, and when one lad went to retrieve it, a deer attacked him. Yahoo Sports Reports

The kid only suffered a little bruising, and, as the video notes, he's fine now. In fact, I'd argue that he's even better than he was before, because now he knows he's got a friend that has his back.

Terrorism in the Heartland

Having taught classes on terrorism awareness, and following this topic since before 9-11 when I took the NFA course on Emergency Response to Terrorism. Here is an interesting tidbit on the matter right in the heartland of the country. Just goes to show that you never know where or when???  Say what you want about your rights, but the FBI is actually doing something. It’s good to know that they are investigating this type of activity in the US. We don’t need to be the training ground for this.

 November 23
Eight defendants charged with multiple terrorism-related offenses.

Indictments in Minneapolis Somali terrorist ring case HotAir.com 

Eight indicted in Somali terror case | StarTribune.com Eight indicted in Somali terror case. Probe gives ... Terrorism charges filed Monday in Minneapolis against eight men painted the most ... decided to announce the additional indictments

Feds unseal new terror charges in long-running probe of men who left ...

Eight indicted in Somali terror case ... trips, and of engaging in terrorist acts in civil war-torn Somalia. Indictments ... plans for some men between Minneapolis and Somalia ...

The Somali-Minneapolis Terrorist Axis : NPR   recruited in Minneapolis and then traveled to Somalia to join a terrorist ... support to a terrorist organization. These are the first indictments to be unsealed in a broader case ...

LODD – Rockford Illinois

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities Terrance Freeman Freeman of the Rockford Fire Department in Rockford, IL has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-11-22

Rockford Fire Department
204 S First ST
USNG: 16T CM 2769 8154
Rockford , Illinois  61104-2033
Chief: Derek Bergsten

Firefighter dies of apparent off-duty heart attack - Rockford, IL ...

Nov 24, 2009 ... Strey said news of the veteran firefighter's death came like a surprise punch to .... Rockford Register Star | 99 E. State St. Rockford, IL ...

Visitation will be held on Sunday, Nov. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home at 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Ill.

2009 Wisconsin Act 28 - Discourages Cuts to Fire Departments

Could be good or bad , depending on the conditions within some communities. But should be a benefit for most. this could spread? You never know, other states could look at this and see if it works or not??? It does not reflect any expenditures that were derived from grants.

A new state law that is giving special protection to emergency services such as fire and police. Under the new law, dubbed "maintenance of effort for emergency services," municipalities and counties risk reductions in shared revenue from the state if they cut spending for emergency services below 2009 levels. But some city administrators are unhappy, saying the law prevents them from tackling wasteful spending at some fire departments.

What is maintenance of effort for emergency services?

2009 Wisconsin Act 28 requires counties and municipalities, beginning in 2010, to maintain their 2009 level of spending on emergency services. If a county or municipality fails to comply, DOR may reduce that county’s or municipality’s payment of shared revenues by an amount determined by DOR. (See Sections 79.07, 79.035 and 79.043, Wis. Stats.)

http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/slf/act28faq.html

79.07
79.07 Expenditures for emergency services.

79.07(1)
(1) Except as provided in sub. (3), beginning in 2010, the amount that each county and municipality spends each year for emergency services, as defined by the department of revenue to include only emergency services funded from payments received under ss. 79.035 and 79.043, shall be no less than the amount that the county or municipality spent in 2009 for emergency services, not including one-time expenses and capital expenditures. Each county and municipality shall report the amount it spent for emergency services in 2009, and the amount of its one-time expenses and capital expenditures, to the department of revenue at the time and in the manner prescribed by the department.

79.07(2)
(2) The department of revenue may adjust any amount reported under sub. (1) to more accurately reflect the amount that the county or municipality submitting the report spent for emergency services and to ensure that excluding one-time expenses and capital expenditures as provided in sub. (1) does not compromise the level of service for providing emergency services.

79.07(3)
(3) A county or municipality may decrease the amount it spends for emergency services below its 2009 amount, with the department of revenue's approval, if the decrease in expenditures is a result of operating more efficiently, as determined by the department. For purposes of this section, any decrease approved under this subsection shall permanently decrease the base amount of expenses for emergency services provided in the county or municipality requesting the decrease by the amount of the decrease.

79.07(4)
(4) If a county or municipality fails to comply with this section, the department of revenue may reduce the county's or municipality's payment under ss. 79.035 and 79.043, in an amount determined by the department.

West Virginia

Always interesting when this happens, you can usually tell if it was natural gas or propane when you pull up. It was always kind or surreal to see one of these.

Greenbrier County home explodes - six injured

At least two ejected from house by blast; cause under investigation

Yesterday in West Virginia an early morning explosion leveled a home, injuring six people. It was reported that all the victims were inside the house when the home exploded, as reported by Capt. Shawn Wolford of the Rainelle Volunteer Fire Department. McRoss is an unincorporated community between Charmco and Rainelle in western Greenbrier County.

The whole story can be seen here along with pictures - Greenbrier home explodes; six injured - Beckley Register-Herald

 

Cause sought for W.Va. house blast that injured 6 - News ...

Rainelle Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Shawn Wolford says the explosion's force threw two victims clear of the structure. Greenbrier County Sheriff James J. Childers says one ...

Cause sought for W.Va. house blast that injured 6 - WVVA TV Bluefield ...

Rainelle Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Shawn Wolford says the explosion's force threw two victims clear of the structure. Greenbrier County Sheriff James J. Childers says one ...

Federal OSHA issues compliance directive to address flu prevention for health care workers

OSHA issued a compliance directive
<http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02_02-075.pdf>

OSHA issued a compliance directive Nov. 20 to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus. The directive closely follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel.
<http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm> "

To learn more, read news release Compliance Directive.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=16749

Enforcement Procedures for High to Very High Occupational Exposure Risk to 2009 H1N1 Influenza. 20 Nov 2009
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02_02-075.pdf
Note: Link to compiled list of flu resources/guides:
http://www.ynhhs.org/emergency/pdfs/Flu_References.pdf

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This Instruction establishes agency enforcement policies and provides instructions to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to minimize high to very high occupational exposure risk to the virus identified as 2009 H1N1 influenza of workers whose occupational activities involve contact with patients or contaminated material in a healthcare or clinical laboratory setting.

Scope: This Instruction applies OSHA-wide.

References:

A. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-148 Field Operations Manual (FOM), November 9, 2009.

B. OSHA Notice 09-05 (CPL 02) Site-Specific Targeting 2009 (SST-09), July 20, 2009.

C. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-120 (CPL 2-0.120) Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard, September 25, 1998.

D. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers, OSHA Publication 3328, 2007 (reprinted 2009).

E. Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic, OSHA Publication 3327, 2007 (reprinted 2009).

F. CDC Guidelines, Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel (October 14, 2009).

Abstract - 1

G. National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan, Homeland Security Council, May 2006

Cancellations: None.

State Impact: Notice of Intent and Equivalency is required. See Section VI.

Action Offices: OSHA National, Regional and Area Offices, State Plan and State Consultation Offices.

Originating Office: Office of Health Enforcement.

Contact:

Directorate of Enforcement Programs

Office of Health Enforcement

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20210

202-693-2190

News from NFPA - NFPA 1600 and 14 NFPA first responder codes and standards receive DHS designation as “Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology”

NFPA 1600, Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs and 14 other NFPA codes and standards have been designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as “Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology” (QATT) under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act). This is the first block of standards to receive this designation by DHS. Under the provisions of the SAFETY Act, these standards were also certified as “Approved Product(s) for Homeland Security”.

In September of 2008, NFPA was the first standards development organization to receive this designation for its codes and standards development process.

According to DHS, the SAFETY Act encourages the development and deployment of new and innovative anti-terrorism products and services by providing liability protections. Designation as a QATT and certification as an approved product for homeland security under the SAFETY Act provides legal protections for the NFPA codes and standards development process and now these 15 individual codes and standards as applied to anti-terrorism.

The 15 standards are listed below. They address emergency preparedness, first responder competencies and professional qualifications, personal protective equipment and specialized tools. NFPA 1600 is also one of three standards that DHS has announced it intends to adopt for application to the PS-Prep Program, a voluntary private sector preparedness program designed to improve the ability of private sector entities to withstand and recover from disasters including terrorism.

NFPA 472 Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents

NFPA 473 Standard for Competencies for EMS Personnel Responding to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents

NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications

NFPA 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs

NFPA 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

NFPA 1852 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

NFPA 1936 Standard on Powered Rescue Tools

NFPA 1951 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents

NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting

NFPA 1981 Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services

NFPA 1982 Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS)

NFPA 1991 Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies

NFPA 1992 Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies

NFPA 1994 Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents

NFPA 1999 Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations

“NFPA is pleased to have these standards recognized as anti-terrorism technologies which are important in protecting first responders to terrorist events and also in improving the ability of our infrastructure to mitigate and recover from such events while protecting people and property”, said James M. Shannon, NFPA president.

Federal protections under the DHS designation and certification are retroactive and recognize NFPA’s technologies “earliest date of sale” as September 11, 2001.

All NFPA safety codes and standards are developed through a process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The more than 250 technical committees responsible for developing and updating all 300 codes and standards include approximately 4,000 volunteers, representing enforcing authorities, installers and maintainers, labor, research and testing laboratories, insurers, special experts, consumers and other users.

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA’s Web site at www.nfpa.org

Do you remember this???

You most likely have gotten emails that list some things that will tell you how old you are. I made up a list of things that are no longer used or are not the way things are done anymore, how many can you remember. Want to add some, leave a COMMENT!

Do you remember?

1. Riding the tailboard, running to catch the tailboard
2. Combination nozzles and smooth bores being the old nozzles
3. Three quarter boots, long Rubber coats
4. Bakelite helmets, steel SCBA bottles
5. Fire whistles
6. Red ball gloves
7. Coat snaps
8. Open cabs
9. Dispatched with the location given just the owners name and you knew where it was
10. Sticking the nozzle in the window to hit the fire
11. Hanging hose in the tower
12. 6 volt electrical system on the engine
13. Front mounted pumps (some are still made)
14. Adding antifreeze to those pumps in the winter
15. The original red books from IFSTA
16. Rope hose tools
17. Wooden pike pole and axe handles
18. Box of cigars kept in the engine for those all night fires
19. Jet axe
20. Canvas port-a-tanks
21. Gasoline powered apparatus
22. Manual transmission, with synchromesh transmissions, two speed differentials
23. Red and Green lights on the station
24. Waiting for the air to build up so the brakes would release
25. Metal hand lanterns

If you remembered 0-5 = you’re still young
If you remembered 6-10 = you are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = don’t tell your age,
If you remembered 16-25 = you’re older than dirt!
I might be older than dirt but those memories are some of the best parts of being on a fire department.
Don't forget to pass this along!! Especially to all you’re really OLD friends...

Window washer survived after falling eight stories from a building in Seattle, Washington

Why is wearing your PPE important???  Watch the security video from YouTube, it’s a little grainy but just goes to show why you use fall protection, hard to believe he did not have more injuries other than a little finger?

News results for Window Washer Falls 8 Stories

Window-washer tumbles 8 stories to street, breaks one finger ‎ - Bloomington Pantagraph

Window Washer Survives 8-Story Fall From Seattle Building - News ...

Nov 20, 2009 ... SEATTLE -- A lucky window washer survives an eight-story fall from a building in downtown Seattle. Friday, November 20, 2009.
www.kirotv.com/news/21666063/detail.html - Cached -

Man survives 8-story fall in downtown Seattle | KOMO News ...

Nov 19, 2009 ... A window washer plunged eight stories down the side of a building ... Others saw the man fall as they looked out of their windows from ...

Who will get the contract? Free?

Hospitals offer Rockford free EMS training - Rockford Register Star

ROCKFORD IL — The aggressive battle waged among the city’s hospitals for the for the right to train Rockford paramedics could have a victor at Monday’s City Council meeting. For the past seven years, Swedish American Health System has served as the city’s resource hospital. For just $15,000 a year, the hospital trained about a dozen new Rockford paramedics and provided the required continuing education courses for the rest of the department. When city officials declined to give the contract to OSF, the hospital joined forces with Rockford Health System to offer — free of charge to the city — medical training to the Rockford Fire Department. Full Story Here at Rockford Register Star

NOW DECLARED AN LODD from 1997

1997 EMS RUN EXPOSED FIREFIGHTER TO DISEASE-LOST HIS LIFE LAST WEEKEND-NOW DECLARED AN LODD

from www.firefighterclosecalls.com news 

1997 EMS RUN EXPOSED FIREFIGHTER TO DISEASE-LOST HIS LIFE LAST WEEKEND-NOW DECLARED AN LODD

Saturday, November 21, 2009  As a St. Paul firefighter, Ramon "Ray" Hain came in contact with a patient's body fluids in 1997. According to an article in the Pioneer Press, Doctors think he contracted a rare disease that weakened his heart. Hain, of Roseville, got a heart transplant in 1998 but had to retire in 2000 from t...  [  more  ]  

Crane smashed through a house - oops

Crane Smashes House | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa ...

Nobody was injured when a crane smashed through a house in northwest Santa Rosa Monday afternoon in a failed attempt to remove an oak tree.

Nobody was injured when a crane smashed through a house in northwest Santa Rosa Monday afternoon in a failed attempt to remove an oak tree

Here's a link - If you haven’t seen it, of cant’ find it from your cable provider

There is a Fox reality channel show on called the The Academy that goes behind the scenes of the 18 week fire academy of the Orange County Fire Authority. You can watch the episodes via the web HERE. looks like a military boot camp for the fire service.

http://www.foxreality.com/theacademy/#/index

Yet another battle over the Unions over volunteer firefighters

Duluth Firefighters Union boots 3 firefighters for volunteering

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/151974/
FOX 21 News: Union boots firefighters
A 23-year veteran of the Duluth Fire Department built a home in Hermantown last year decided he should serve on his new community’s volunteer fire department.
“I thought it would be nice to help them, and they’re short of firefighters up here,” he said.
Noldin volunteered for Hermantown along with two fellow Duluth firefighters. But when the Duluth Fire Union found out, the three were asked to resign their union memberships early this year. The member said he took that route rather than stop volunteering for Hermantown. Under state law, the three are still technically union members and have to pay dues, but they don’t have a voting stake in union activities.
 FULL STORY HERE
Comment

Another typical Union wanting the money from the dues and not providing any service, and giving them the boot as well? Seems you could not even mow you elderly neighbors, lawn,  they might get hurt? Can they paint their house and use a ladder off duty? Might get hurt there as well? If the neighbors house catches fire and a union members goes and makes a rescue or puts the fire out, isn’t that volunteering?  and then in violation of the union rules. Would they then be kicked out of the union then as well?

Guess that Duluth will not be eligible for the valuable SAFER awards.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) http://www.firegrantsupport.com/docs/2009SAFERguidance.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) should also be reviewed on the grant program’s website   http://www.firegrantsupport.com/.

Appendix 2  Grantee Responsibilities
http://www.firegrantsupport.com/docs/2009SAFERguidance.pdf
Page 32  (9) Not withstanding any provision of other laws, firefighters hired under these grants shall not be discriminated against for, or be prohibited from, engaging in volunteer activities in another jurisdiction during off-duty hours.

What’s Next?

 

It’s amazing what new technology is out there and how long it takes for it to find it’s way onto the Fire and EMS world. Found this interesting Tech article about a new sensor that would attach to a  smart phone. Is a pocket patient scanner next, or picket sized Hazmat detector. Is an iPhone Intrinsically safe?

NASA Ames News or more info at inhabitat. If you don't have any bomb sniffing dogs around to look for trance quantities of explosive gas, why not use your iPhone instead? That's exactly what Jing Li and a team of researchers from NASA have done with their cell phone chemical sensor. By connecting and interfacing a thumbnail sized sensor to a popular smart phone, they were able to create a device that can sense airborne ammonia, chlorine gas and methane, and report its findings over the cellular network or Wi-Fi. Admittedly, it took a bit more than just a bit of software to add an electronic nose to the iPhone, but it's still pretty neat use of a consumer device.

Timely training material and it’s FREE – New or for review

*** FREE TRAINING MATERIAL *** Active Shooter and 4th/5th Generation Warfare PPT, video materials and references for law enforcement: http://www.officer.com/posa/index.jsp?siteSection=30 AND Preparation for and Response to Mass Shooting Events for Fire & EMS http://www.ffsupport.org/training.html Mass shooting events are becoming more common, and the response to them involves every public safety agency for miles around. This program details the actions that fire and EMS agencies can take to prepare themselves for this all-too-likely event, and the actions they can take when the event occurs. It covers: · Multi-agency planning and preparation · Creating a prevention environment · Command, command post and crowd control issues for this kind of event · An overview of the tactics that agencies should be familiar with This program is available in two formats. The 40+ PowerPoint slide presentation covers the material thoroughly, while the 45-minute video program is a verbal presentation of the PowerPoint material. http://www.ffsupport.org/training.html

House lawmakers seek to remove FEMA from Homeland Security

By Katherine McIntire Peters kpeters@govexec.com November 6, 2009 Full Story HERE

On Thursday the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved legislation that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the Homeland Security Department and return it to independent, Cabinet-level status.

The 2009 FEMA Independence Act (H.R. 1174) was first introduced in February by Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., and has 29 co-sponsors. The idea of returning FEMA to the independent status it held in the 1990s, before the formation of Homeland Security in 2003, gained traction after the government's bungled response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Full story at http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43991&dcn=e_hsw

S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald

Today beside being Veterans Days is also the date after the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. The ship went down on November 10/11, 1975  it was the subject of Gordon Lightfoot’s 1976 song ”The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”

S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Online November is referred to as "The Month of Storms" on the Great Lakes. The storm that hit when the Fitzgerald went down was one of the biggest, and the worst that Captain McSorley said he had ever seen. In the Fitzgerald's storm, winds as fast as 45 knots were reported, with waves as high as thirty feet.

 Edmund Fitzgerald on Line 

Sinking of the Fitzgerald The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald - November 10, 1975  SS Edmund Fitzgerald - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia SS Edmund Fitzgerald (nicknamed "Mighty Fitz," "The Fitz," or "The Big Fitz") was an American Great Lakes freighter launched on June 8, 1958. Until 1971 she was the largest ship on ...

Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald All about Canadian Singer and Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, including Picture Gallery, Discussion Forum, Lyrics for all Songs

House lawmakers seek to remove FEMA from Homeland Security

By Katherine McIntire Peters kpeters@govexec.com November 6, 2009 Full Story HERE

On Thursday the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved legislation that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency from the Homeland Security Department and return it to independent, Cabinet-level status.

The 2009 FEMA Independence Act (H.R. 1174) was first introduced in February by Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., and has 29 co-sponsors. The idea of returning FEMA to the independent status it held in the 1990s, before the formation of Homeland Security in 2003, gained traction after the government's bungled response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Full story at http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43991&dcn=e_hsw

Veterans Day

Veterans Day - November 11 - Office of Public and Intergovernmental ... Veterans Day history, ceremonies, resources ... National Veterans Day Ceremony. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is held on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery.

Holiday snapshot: Veterans Day

Nov. 11, the date American's observe as Veterans Day, commemorates a milestone event in history. It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918, that an armistice effectively ended World War I. The following year,…

In Defense of Armistice Day We call it Veterans Day now, but it used to be called Armistice Day, and I can’t help wondering whether we’ve lost something by converting a holiday originally meant to celebrate the veterans of World War I into an omnibus holiday, to honor…

Issue in the News about facial hair and first responders

Don't’ they think there would be a problem if they had to wear a CBRM mask for a response???

LAWSUIT: Frum Medics Prevented From Responding to 911 Calls

November 10, 2009 Full article HERE

BALTIMORE, MD - Three Orthodox medics assert in discrimination charges filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, that the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company (PVFC) has illegally barred them from riding on calls, in violation of their religious rights and in retaliation for their involvement in an Orthodox emergency response organization. The medics - Dr. Matthias Goldstein, Brennan Gross, and Avrohom Green - were told last winter that because of their refusal to shave their beards on religious grounds, they could not ride with the company as medics. This, the PVFC claimed, was because the beards might prevent them from wearing specialized safety masks that it hopes to purchase at some future date.

 

Last year, in a similar case in the District of Columbia involving bearded Muslim firefighters, the federal appellate court for the District of Columbia ruled that the no beard rule was improper, and that the department should accommodate the firefighters’ sincerely held religious beliefs. Judge: Facial hair OK for now - Washington Times

 

DHS in trials of next generation multiband radio

Published 3 November 2009 Homeland Security

Emergency communication interoperability is getting closer as the day of the single-band radio is coming to an end; DHS’ S&T is testing a multiband radio for emergency services

Tom Chirhart knows a lot about radios, but over the last year, he has received a real life lesson in supply and demand. When he put out an APB on behalf of the DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) looking for volunteers to test a new radio that allows first responders to talk to one another across different frequency bands, the line of interested agencies was long and eager. The challenge of aligning communications among different first responders — such as fire fighters, police officers, and emergency medical teams — has grown apace with the size and sophistication of response teams and plans. As the construction of public safety systems consumed all the available channels in a single radio band, the government logically opened up other bands. Radio equipment lagged behind, however, continuing to operate on just one spectrum band. This limitation did indeed create communications hurdles during the most serious emergencies — natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

“The issue of being able to talk to each other has been such a prominent one for so long, responder agencies were jumping at the opportunity to test the new radios we were evaluating,” said Chirhart, who manages S&T’s three-and-a-half-year-old multi-band radio (MBR) research project. Starting this month, fourteen agencies across the United States will have the opportunity to try out this leading edge technology with fellow first responders through 30-day pilot projects.

Many first responders today are stuck working in a similar prehistoric era, lugging around multiple radios on their belts, just so that they can listen and talk to other first responders at different agencies. “The value in a multi-band radio is that you don’t have to carry three or four different radios — or buy three or four radios at a cost of $4,000 each,” said Roberts, whose fire department is one of the fourteen that will participate in the pilot projects.

Right now, the new multi-band radio to be piloted this fall rings in at about the same cost ($4,000-$6,000), size (10 inches tall), and weight (less than two pounds) of top-of-the-line single-band radios. It works on the five frequency bands currently used by state and local first responders, and, if necessary, can work on four other bands used exclusively by the federal government, the Department of Defense, National Guard, and the Coast Guard. It even provides weather reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The battery is expected to last in excess of 10 hours in order to meet the realities of longer shifts. It works even after being sprayed with a fire hose.

“If the multi-band radio can be credited with ensuring that just one first responder goes home to his or her family at the end of their shift, then the whole effort has paid for itself,” Chirhart added.

S&T hopes that the introduction of these radios will spur manufacturers to develop their own professional quality versions — much like what happened with smartphones — along with accessories like alternative batteries or GPS chips that departments can purchase separately.

A final version of the radios could be ready for the mass market by the middle of 2010. By that time, supply should meet demand, as many companies are now jumping on the virtual bandwagon to develop these new radios. S&T launched the MBR project with the goal of stimulating the marketplace so that multiple vendors would see the value in developing this technology to provide greater options that meet public safety requirements.

If the technology is as successful as S&T thinks that it could be, interoperability challenges, like cell phones that only make phone calls, may become forgotten relics of the past.

The fourteen organizations participating in the pilot are: · 2010 Olympic Security Committee (Blaine, Wash., and Vancouver, B.C. Canada)  · Amtrak (Northeast Corridor) · Boise Fire Department (Boise, Idaho) · Canadian Interoperability Technology Interest Group (Ottawa, ON Canada) · Customs and Border Patrol (Detroit, Mich.) · Federal Emergency Management Agency (Multiple Locations) · Hawaii State Civil Defense (Honolulu, Hawaii) · Interagency Communication Interoperability System (Los Angeles County, Calif.) · Michigan Emergency Medical Services (Lower Peninsula Areas) · Murray State University (Southwest Kentucky) · Phoenix Police Department and Arizona Department of Emergency Management (Greater Phoenix and Yuma County) · Texas National Guard (Austin, Texas) · U.S. Marshals Service (Northeast Region) · Washington Metro Area Transit Authority Transit Police (Washington, D.C.)

Read the additional pages of this Homeland Security News Wire report here http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dhs-trials-next-generation-multiband-radio?page=0,0

Fake skylight uses solar panels to light LEDs

Just another example of being careful on the scene. With photovoltatic systems in homes, watch for power where you least expect it.

from MAKE Magazine by Matt Mets

Wish you had a skylight, but don't have the ability to cut a hole in your roof? MAKE subscriber Chris did to, and wrote in to share his solution to the problem: a pv+led-based 'fake' skylight. The concept is pretty simple, but with a nice result. He had some unused capacity on his PV (photovoltatic) solar panel, and basically hooked up a bunch of high power LEDs directly to it. To achieve the 'skylight' look, he built a custom metal box with a glass diffuser screen, and mounted the diodes inside of it. He has a nice write-up on his site, along with a calculator to determine how the LEDs should be connected. Excellent work!

Two Recent LODD

Notice of Firefighter Fatality: Kernersville, NC

from USFA Firefighter Fatalities

Chad Eric Greene of the Union Cross Fire and Rescue of Forsyth County, Inc. in Kernersville, NC has died as the result of an on-duty incident that occurred on 2009-11-04 Deputy Chief Greene completed his shift at approximately 0830hrs immediately after responding to a motor vehicle accident. After completing his shift, he left the station, dropped his son off at pre-school, and went home. When Deputy Chief Greene's wife returned home, she found him unresponsive and subsequently called 911 and began CPR. Deputy Chief Greene was transported to the NC Baptist Hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1230hrs. The cause of death is pending further investigation.

From Firehouse.com

Pa. Firefighter Dies Following Call
Amity Fire Company Firefighter Robert Stone collapsed and died the morning after responding to a call, according to the department's web site.
Stone, 47, began complaining of chest pains on Nov. 3 after returning to the station and was transported to Reading Hospital. Read More...

New NIOSH Report Released

A Volunteer Mutual Aid Fire Fighter Dies in a Floor Collapse in a Residential Basement Fire – Illinois.

Efforts to ventilate the structure, and subsequent ventilation efforts that were not coordinated with interior operations.

On July 22, 2008, a 24 year-old male fire fighter responding from a volunteer mutual aid department was fatally injured during a floor collapse in a residential basement fire. Fire fighters were on scene approximately 30 minutes and had made several attempts to locate the fire by entering the basement via stairs at the B/C corner of the structure. While a crew was in the basement, a 4-member mutual aid interior crew entered the first floor of the structure to open windows to horizontally ventilate the structure without damaging the windows. The ventilation crew crawled across the first floor to egress; several members of the ventilation crew verbally reported to each other that the floor was spongy about halfway to the door. The floor collapsed just as the last crew member (the victim) approached the door, sending fire and heavy smoke throughout the house. The attack crew in the basement and crews just outside the door were blown down by the force of the fire and smoke. Due to heavy smoke, the victim could not be located. Fire fighters used several hoselines to put water on the area; a crew made entry into the basement by placing a ground ladder in the collapsed floor at the B-side french doors and found the victim. After moving a large sofa to gain access to the victim, the crew was able to remove the victim from the structure. The victim was nonresponsive to CPR and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

NIOSH investigators concluded that, to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should: Complete Report Here

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200826.html