By John F. “Skip” Coleman, Technical Editor
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| PHOTO OF THE DAY: Goose Creek City (SC) Fire Department members found fire showing from a house; no injuries were reported. (Photo by Steve Skipton.) Submit your Photo of the Day to Peter Prochilo (peterp@pennwell.com). |
One of the most lethal, disastrous, and plaguing problems in the fire service is when apparatus are involved in vehicular accidents. Anyone who has responded to a fire has felt the “rush” that pulses through your veins while responding. Many fire service leaders have tried to address this problem. The 2009 (most recent) version of National Fire Protection Association 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, places a mandatory requirement for all apparatus built under that provision to have a vehicle data recorder (VDR) similar to an aircraft “black box” that will record vehicle speed, acceleration, deceleration, engine speed, throttle position, seat occupied status, seat belt status, master optical warning device switch position, time, and date. But, as fire apparatus consultant William C. Peters, apparatus supervisor (ret.), Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department, says, “The key is, will the fire departments make use of it as a training tool or just for punishment after an accident? They should do a routine sampling to see how the rigs are being operated when responding and while riding around town.”
This month’s Roundtable question is, Are you using the information from the vehicle data recorder in your apparatus? Respond to this question and see other comments at emberly.fireengineering.com.
WEBCASTS
Join us for monthly Webcasts featuring the best of Fire Engineering authors and FDIC speakers. The February 16 Webcast features William C. Peters, apparatus supervisor (ret.), Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department, on “Reducing Apparatus Cost by Producing Generic Specifications.” The March 15 Webcast features “Ventilating Lightweight Roofs” by Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department Battalion Chief (Ret.) John Mittendorf. Webcasts are free, but you must register.
FIRE LIFE
Have you been avoiding beginning an exercise routine? Do you not even know how to begin to get fit? Michael Krueger, fitness columnist for Fire Life, can show you how to get started. Krueger is a certified personal trainer. He got his start in fitness training while serving in the United States Coast Guard. He works with firefighters and others in and around Madison, Wisconsin. Read his columns from the beginning, archived on www.firelife.com.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Ron Hiraki, Seattle (WA) Fire Department assistant chief (ret.), writes on role playing: “Role playing is a valuable activity that allows people to apply information they have learned or received and deliver that information using their interpersonal skills. While role play may be used in conjunction with specific training, it can be done anytime as practice to keep a person’s skills current and sharp.”
Jeff Schwering, captain, Crestwood (MO) Fire Department, writes on the basics of rapid intervention: “The reason rapid intervention comes to the forefront is not requesting enough or asking for additional resources in a timely fashion because of the can-do attitude that our profession is built on. We are attempting to do more with less, and that is simply impossible.”
Mark Heeren, lieutenant, Prophetstown (IL) Fire Department, writes on industrial fires: “If you ask most firefighters about the types of calls they respond to, they can tell you several stories about house fires, vehicle accidents, and medical calls. What about responding to industrial incidents? There are seven questions you should ask when doing your preincident plan tour to prepare you to respond to an emergency at that industrial facility.”
Mick Messoline, firefighter, Thornton (CO) Fire Department, writes on the engine company medic: “The engine medic has a multitude of role responsibilities, including suppression and medical duties. Focus on daily preparation. This requires additional diligence. A solid daily routine will set you up for the very best results.”
COMMUNITY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
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Name: Bob Carpenter. |
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