NEWS
DEPARTMENTS
Helicopter Pipes Cause Fire
Heat from the exhaust pipes of a Hughes 2696 helicopter recently set fire after landing in tall, dry grass in Australia. The Federal Aviation Administration accident reports used the incident to highlight the necessity for fire prevention awareness. Although the pilot was aware of igniting the dry foliage, he said he intended to lift off immediately after his passenger was clear. As the passenger opened the cockpit door he was confronted with a wall of flames. Both he and the pilot retreated hastily and watched as the helicopter was consumed by the fire.
Counterfeit Labels
Underwriters Laboratories warns that aerosol-type fire extinguishers in 1-pound canisters with counterfeit UL labels are being offered for sale in the United States.
The counterfeit label is affixed to a white with red lettered canister that has an eagle symbol surrounded by the company’s name, “Federal Protection Service.”
Called “multipurpose fire extinguishers for home and auto,” the product also bears the markings “model 2ABC,” Halon-3,” and “Federal Protection Service, Washington, D C., New York, N.Y.”
The counterfeit label includes UL’s registered marks, together with “Classifiication 2A:B:C:EX2397” and “CG1311531, Issue 4974.”
UL is pursuing appropriate legal action against the manufacturer and the distributor, Federal Protection Service.
NEWS
Blade Failure
Users of hydraulic rescue equipment should inspect the power cutter assembly for possible defective cutter jaws.
During a recent extrication, the Monongalia County Emergency Service, Inc. Morgantown, W.V. experienced a blade failure on their Hurst 0-150 cutter. While attempting to cut the right front corner post of a Cadillac sedan which had overturned and burned, a sudden loud ping was heard and one portion of the cutter jaw (estimated to weigh a pound or more) flew off at high speed, nearly hitting a press photographer. The blade was not recovered.
Inspection of the remaining portion of the blade disclosed a clear fracture. The companion blade shows a small series of cracks starting at the blade edge and corresponding to the area of fracture on the broken blade. The manufacturer and distributor are investigating this critical failure.
Thanks a Watt
About $39,000 from the budget for fire fighting salaries and equipment at the U S. Department of the Interior were used by Interior Secretary lames Watt to fly to fund-raising appearances or for his family’s own travel, according to a congressional investigation ordered by Rep. lack Brooks (D-Tex.) and reported in the Chicago Tribune.
Kerosene Heater Announcements
The International Society of Fire Service Instructors has, under a U.S. Fire Administration/FEMA grant, produced 6 public service announcements which are being distributed through the State Directors of Fire Service Training and chiefs of the metropolitan communities to the television stations within their jurisdictions.
The announcements contain warnings about the state or local laws restricting the use of kerosene heaters. Since the laws vary from area to area it was felt that the only safe way to get the message to the consumer was by having them contact the local fire department for further information. Therefore, the viewing of these PSA s on television may cause your department to receive a large number of calls regarding kerosene heaters. Please be prepared to answer any questions which may come up on this issue.
Mobile Demonstrator
The Waterous Company’s Mobile Demonstrator will be on the road again in 1983, covering the central and southeastern states with its unique fire service education program.
A new Waterous TEA flywheel power take-off will be touring on a 24-foot semitrainer demonstrator unit. TFA allows a fire pump to be driven directly from the engine’s flywheel enabling a fire truck equipped with the TFA to pump while stationary or moving in either forward or reverse.
The Waterous Mobile Demonstrator offers an educational experience covering basic pump theory and hands-on operation.
NEWS
Lunch-Time, Finally
A meal period schedule for New York City fire fighters has been included in the latest contract between the Koch administration and the fire unions, and, assuming the agreement is ratified by the fire fighters over the next several weeks, the meal schedule will be made up and posted later this winter.
The half-hour meal break will include all fire companies in the city except in onecompany areas where no back-up is available.
Under the proposal, if a minor fire is reported in the area of a company on a meal break, the dispatcher will send backup companies to respond. The breaks will be scheduled for periods of low fire activity.
Fire Fighters Liable
A jury has ordered the City of Beverly Hills, Calif., to pay more than $4 million to a dancer crippled in a 1978 gas explosion, which occurred one hour after fire fighters inspected her building and failed to detect a leak.
A superior court jury found that fire fighters were liable for not recognizing the natural gas leak in the apartment building. Residents had reported a gas smell in the early morning hours of February 10, 1978.
The fire fighters had performed a cursory inspection, but failed to recognize that a gas meter had been broken, allowing natural gas to spread through the building.
Fire fighters told residents the smell was caused by gasoline in automobiles that had been flooded by rains that soaked the basement garage.
Letter to the President
The Citizens Committee for Fire Protection has asked President Reagan to name a member of the fire service to the U S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Among the duties of the commission is to set standards for the flammability of upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets and clothing; and regulating the safety of kerosene heaters, electrical appliances, and other household products that may serve as ignition sources. In a letter to the President the group noted that although fire is among the most serious consumer safety problems that the Commission faces, no member of the Commission has a background in the fire service.
