NEWS IN BRIEF
Fallen firefighters memorial service
On Sunday, October 16, 1994, 77 career and volunteer firefighters who died in the line of duty during 1993 will be honored in services at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial located on the U.S. Fire Academy’s National Fire Academy campus in Kmmitsburg, Maryland. The annual event is sponsored by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), which is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Services, Inc. will televise the service. Live satellite coverage will be broadcast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. A satellite dish is needed to receive this program. Organizations without access to a satellite dish should contact their local public broadcasting station or cable company and ask that the program be carried over channels allocated for local programming. Videotapes will be available at a modest cost. Local taping and distribution are permitted and encouraged.
A private grief seminar for family members w ill be held the day before the ceremony. l or more information, contact Dave Martin. FEMA. at (202) 646-4600; Linda Hurley, National Fire Academy, at (301) 447-1357; or Tamela Bourne. VF1S, at (8(H)) 233-1957.
Standard apparatus hose may not be safe for use with CAFS
The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, Inc. (FEMA) has issued the following warning in its Safety Alert, Technical Bulletin June 15. 1994;
“FEMA strongly recommends that no hose be used on a CAFS system unless such use is recommended by the manufacturer of the system and the hose manufacturer. Use of nonapproved hose can be dangerous and may cause a hose or coupling failure, producing property damage, bodily injury or death. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions on proper use and maintenance.”
Noting that the National Fire Protection Association Technical Committee on Fire Department Apparatus has proposed that NFPA 1906. Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus, be considered for adoption at its Fall 1994 meeting (November 13-16 in Toronto, Canada), the association says Chapter 10 of the proposed standard, which contains requirements for CAFS systems installed on wildland fire apparatus, makes “no reference to or offers guidance related to hose suitable to carry an air/foam mixture under pressure.”
The association has urged the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Department Apparatus to at least include the following information in the proposed standard: “No hose shall be used on a CAFS system unless such use is recommended by the manufacturer of the system and the hose manufacturer and the hose is so marked for such use in a conspicuous manner.”
NFPA 1999 task group forming
The National Fire Protection Association’s Technical Committee on Fire Service Protective Clothing and Equipment is inviting end users, regulatory authorities, manufacturers. medical professionals, and other experts to participate in a task group for revising NFPA 1999, Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations; the revision was planned as part of the standard’s five-year revision cycle. The revised edition is expected to receive final approval in July 1997.
Operating under the Technical Committee, the task group will begin its work this fall and continue through December 1996. The group may also investigate respiratory protection from tuberculous exposures in addition to other current product/performance areas.
If you would like to be a member of this task group, contact Bruce Teele, NFPA. at (617)984-7482.
Pierce voluntarily recalls steering gear mounting brackets
Pierce Manufacturing. Inc., has initiated a voluntary recall of 2,746 vehicles, the National Institute of Emergency Vehicle Safety (EVS) recently announced. Four of the steering gear brackets used on the chassis models Arrow, Dash, and Lance may fail prematurely. The part numbers involved are P/N 400368, 40-0852, 40-3309, and 42-2442.
EVS notes that although federal law does not cover defective vehicles (safety related) for a period of more than eight years. Pierce is recalling vehicles manufactured as far back as 11 years. Fire departments reported to the company that they have found cracks in the steering gear brackets on their vehicles. After investigating. Pierce determined 34 vehicles had cracked steering gear brackets. The manufacturer notes that the cracks in the steering gear brackets do not constitute an immediate safety problem, “but if stressed to the point of total failure, a less responsive steering condition would occur.” A looseness or less responsive steering condition—a warning that the steering column should be inspected—would be apparent before a total failure occurs, notes the company. No accidents due to bracket cracks or failures have been reported.
Between July 15 and August 15, 1994, Pierce Manufacturing contacted all customers and dealer organizations with vehicles having the suspect steering gear brackets. Departments that have determined their vehicles are involved in this recall and that have not received notification from Pierce should call the company at (414) 832-3666. More information on the recall is also available from EVS at (510) 276-4300.
Douglas Autotech Corporation recall update
The National Institute of Emergency Vehicle Safety (EVS) has issued the following update involving Autotech Model 929 telescoping steering columns used in heavyduty trucks, recreational vehicles, and fire apparatus (see News in Brief. June 1994).
- Emergency One is not affected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recall 93E-038. since no shipments were made from Douglas Autotech Corporation to Emergency One during the period involved (August 1 through November 12, 1993).
- Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., had recalled 239 fire trucks: all were repaired as of June 8, 1994.
Duluth Technical College opens Aircraft Rescue Center
The Duluth (MN) Technical College (DTC) opened its Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility in July. The $ 15-million facility features a 125-foot-diameter burn simulation pit that contains a full-si/.e mockup of a Boeing 757 airplane and a simulator with 98 computer-controlled burn segments, making it possible to create numerous training scenarios. The simulator uses clean burning fuel, synthetic smoke, and biodegradable fire retardants. Water and foam used during training will be contained and treated before being released to the region’s water treatment facility. The center was funded primarily by Federal Aviation Administration grants.
To arrange for a tour of the facility or to schedule a training program, contact Steve Hartsock. DTC firefighting coordinator, at (8(H)) 232-8573.
Reclaimed wastewater augments water supply
Reclaimed/recycled wastewater is being used for firefighting, irrigation, and some commercial and recreational purposes (such as watering golf courses) in drought-afflicted western states and in areas such as Manatee County and St. Petersburg, Florida; and its use for these purposes is slowly spreading throughout the nation. The hydrants and underground piping distributing the wastewater are painted in a distinctive bright color (lavender in Manatee County, for example) to distinguish the system from that carrying the potable water supply. The wastewater, treated and disinfected to a bacteria-free condition, has a purity level just below potable water and generally does not meet drinking water quality standards. Some nitrates and other mineral salts usually remain in the wastewater, for example.
According to Edmund McAdam, Manatee County’s wastewater/reclaimed water manager, “Firefighters will adjust quickly to using reclaimed water from the colorful hydrants.” However, he notes, there will be a learning curve while firefighters get to know where the new units are located. And, he adds, they will have to be conscientious about flushing out their equipment when they return to the station to be sure none of the nitrates and other salts in the reclaimed water remain to contaminate or corrode the equipment.
Souree:“Colorful Hydrants Play Water Conservation Role,” WATER!Engineering & Management. May 1994.
Assessing earthquake loss focus of FEMA publication
Assessment of the State-of-the-Art Earthquake Loss Estimation Methodologies (document FEMA-249/June 94) is now available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The report marks the end of phase 1 of the five-phase Earthquake Loss Estimation Methodology Study, being conducted by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) under a cooperative agreement with FEMA (see News in Brief, April 1993). The project was designed to develop a nationally applicable standardized methodology for estimating potential earthquake losses on a regional basis.
Robert Whitman of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology served as chairman of the Task 1 report. He was assisted by a team of earthquake loss experts, including researchers from the California Universities for Earthquake Engineering and practitioners from Risk Management Software, Inc. Members of the NIBS Project Work Group and project oversight committees reviewed the report, which may be obtained by contacting FEMA at (202) 646-2811. For more project information, contact Philip Schneider, NIBS, at (202) 289-7800, fax (202) 289-1092.
VFIS seeking junior firefighter award contestants
December 1 is the entry deadline for the Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Services, Inc. “1994 Junior Firefighting Excellence Award Contest.” The winner could win up to $1,000. Entry applications are available from Tamela Bourne, VFIS, P.O. Box 2726, York, PA 17405, (800) 233-1957.
Winners of the 1993 contest were High School Cadet Program, Montgomery County, Maryland (first place); Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Explorer Post #14, Lancaster, South Carolina (second place); and Sparta (TN) Fire Fighters Explorer Post No. 359 (third place).
CPSC cites hazards of multiple-shot fireworks and lawn torches
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is moving to protect consumers from the safety hazards presented by two classes of products. It is initiating formal rulemaking proceedings covering multipletube mine and shell fireworks, which the agency says have caused at least two known deaths and some 150 burn injuries. In taking this action, the CPSC notes that the current Federal Hazardous Substances Act under which these devices are regulated does not protect the consumer. The commission, working with industry, has recalled several models of these products within the past year. One of the major hazards the CPSC cites for these devices is their tipping over during ignition and Firing horizontally, jeopardizing spectators and bystanders in the vicinity.
Citronella-scented lawn torches. The CPSC also reports that the three-foot citronella-scented paper-wrapped torches (Item R2J) distributed by Trade Associates Group Ltd. (“tag”) are being voluntarily recalled. About 92,000 of these torches were sold in retail stores nationwide from February 1993 to April 1994. The torch (a three-foot bamboo stick supporting a wax candle covered in multicolored wax paper) may suddenly erupt, shooting flames and hot wax, the CPSC explains. Incidents in which six bystanders were burned have been reported to the distributor.
The recall does not involve the “Tag” R1J “swirl design” torch—a solid colored wax candle not wrapped in paper. The paperwrapped torches should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact Kathy Kaplan. CPSC, at (301) 504-0580, ext. 1187.
VFIS offers IMS teleconference video
Incident Management System in a Small Department, a teleconference presented by the Volunteer Firemen’s Insurance Services, Inc. on April 14. 1994, is available. Broadcast from the West Manchester Township Fire Department in York. Pennsylvania, the conference was moderated by Rich Adams of RDA Associates, Inc., in Silver Spring. Maryland. Guest speakers included John Bierling, West Manchester Fire Department; Alan Brunacini, Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department; Carl Cimino, Jr., College Park (MD) Fire Department; Dennis Rubin, Chesterfield (VA) Fire Department; Tom Siegfried, Altamonte Springs (FL) l ire Department; and Joe Starnes, Sandy Ridge (NC) Fire Department.
The two-hour videotape costs $25, including shipping and handling. For more information, contact Tamela Bourne, VFIS, (8(X)) 233-1957.
WPI announces student awards
The following Worcester Polytechnic Institute students recently received scholarships and fellowships:
Douglas Carpenter of Williston, Vermont, and Richard Pehrson of Edina, Minnesota: scholarships from M&M Protection Consultants of Chicago, Illinois. Pehrson, a candidate for a doctorate in fire protection engineering, is one of six WPl fire protection engineering students who staff the Auburn, Massachusetts, fire station in return for free housing (see News is Brief, March 1994).
- Scott Hey worth of Swansea. Massachusetts, and Craig Hofmeister of Scotia, New York: a $5,000 Roger T. Waite Fellowship, established in 1992 by WPI and American Nuclear Insurers of West Hartford, Connecticut. Hcyworth, a volunteer firefighter in his hometown, also staffs the Auburn, Massachusetts, lire station in return for free housing.
- Jeffrey Tubbs of Bristol, Connecticut: a $2,500 Percy Bugbee Scholarship, established in 1987 by the National Fire Protection Association.
SFPE announces award and honors recipients
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) has announced the following recipients of awards and honors:
- Margaret Law, MBE, of London. England: the Arthur B. Guise Medal. Among her accomplishments was the development of a series of equations that predict temperature rise in exposed steel.
- Edward G. (“Chris”) Watkins, chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer of Simplex Time Recorder Company in Gardner. Massachusetts, was designated “Fire Protection Person of the Year,” in recognition of his various contributions, including his leadership in supporting fire protection education at the university level.
- James W. Nolan, P.E., a mechanical engineer from Purdue University and SFPE past president and charter member and an active member of the Society’s Chicago Chapter: The Harold E. Nelson Service Award in recognition of his various contributions, including chairing the National Fire Protection Association Technical Committees on standpipes and centrifugal fire pumps.
- Richard T. Beohm of the State Department of Administrative Services in Atlanta, Georgia: “Hat’s Off” award in recognition of his participation in voluntary assignments, including the developing of 10 problems/questions for the professional engineer’s examination.
- Richard L. P. Custer, president of the Custer-Powell, Inc. firm in Wrentham, Massachusetts, and section editor of the first and second editions of the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, and Brian J. Meacham, P.E.: “Hat’s Off’ awards for, among other contributions, coauthoring the “Design of Detection Systems” chapter of the second edition of the SFPE Handbook and for generating the curriculum for and teaching the SFPE tutorial for engineers, Performance-Based Fire Detection and Signaling Systems.
- Dr. Vaughan R. Beck, professor and director of the Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering at Victoria University of Technology in Footscray, Australia, and principal author of Fire Safety and Engineering, published by the Warren Centre in 1989: the John J. Ahern President’s Award, in recognition of his “conspicuous contributions to the field.”
- Dr. John L. Bryan, retired professor and chairman of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland and researcher in the area of human behavior in fires: honorary membership in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to the profession of fire protection engineering.”
