The Round Table
departments
“Life Safety is the most critical issue in fire protection today.” This according to the NFPCA which will theme its 4th Annual Conference in October to that issue. Conferences will be challenged then in a summary session to “Improve Life Safety Throughout the Nation.”
This challenge has always existed, of course, but within the last four years, what has your fire department specifically done to improve life safety in the areas of human behavior (fire prevention), pushing for automatic detection and suppression (laws and codes), EMS, and protecting the fire fighter—in any way?
Steve Millward, Fire Marshal, Pocatello, Idaho: Four years ago we created a fire prevention program consisting of a “Sparky” ventriloquial figure operated by the fire marshal, who is a ventriloquist. The program is very popular in the schools, kindergartens, nurseries and the station tour groups. Sparky emphasizes such fire safety essentials as not playing with matches, rolling rather than running for clothing fires, sleeping with the doors closed, etc.
The only thing we have been able to do in the area of automatic detection and suppression is to adopt the latest editions of the Uniform Building Code and the Life Safety Code and to enforce the sprinkler and smoke detector requirements of those codes.
In the last four years, we have established a paramedic program, with eight paramedics and 52 EMTs, who work in conjunction with the local ambulance service. Every man on our department is either an EMT or paramedic.
Our main concern in the area of protection for the fire fighter, has been hazardous material emergencies. We are in the process of training our men in the latest emergency techniques as per DOT, NFPA, NFPCA, etc.
John Rudolph, Chief, Golden Valley, Minn.: The Golden Valley Volunteer Fire Department has designed a Smoke Extractor rig with smoke extractor unit and generator mounted on a 1974 Dodge. 1-ton chassis. The unit was designed and built by the volunteers.
Using 12-inch flexible tubing, the unit can be positioned near a burning structure and the tubing placed in a window or door. The smoke or fumes may then be pulled from the structure without the delay of setting up portable fans or ventilating the building by opening windows, or chopping a hole in the roof.
The unit carries both 12-inch and 16-inch tubing, however, the 12-inch tubing is most commonly used because of the weight factor of the 16-inch tubes. Eventually only the 12-inch tubing will be used. A 50-foot preconnected section of tubing is now used for most calls.
Because of the truck’s specialized ability, our department receives many mutual aid requests for this unit. In 1977, the Smoke Extractor was used 12 times in other communities.
The truck has proved extremely important, since ventilation of smoke or toxic fumes may begin immediately, thus decreasing the risk to fire fighters having to enter the structure.
Lee Williams, Chief, Des Moines, Iowa: Like most cities, we now have our Hi-Rise Ordinance which requires sprinklers and elevator codes, etc. However, I feel the greatest thing we have done for life safety in this city is an ordinance we have that requires all existing apartment houses that are three or more stories, to enclose stairways and provide fire rated doors on each floor. Options to this requirement are, a complete sprinkler system or an approved detection system.
For the protection of the fire fighter, we now have a mandatory mask rule, whereby every fire fighter entering a smoke filled area, must wear a pressure demand mask to prevent respiratory disease.
Jerome M. Donohue, Chief, Wilmington, Del.: Within the last four years, the Wilmington Bureau of Fire has greatly intensified its Public Education Program in the area of Fire Prevention. Efforts are geared to all residents and workers in the City. Included, to name a few, are programs in hospital fire safety; high-rise building fire prevention, both residential and office type; various fire prevention courses given to schools and civic groups, etc. Feedback regarding all of these activities has been excellent, resulting in a constant demand for their continuance.
Legislation is now pending which would require automatic detection devices in both single and multi-family dwellings in the City. The Bureau of Fire is a major proponent for enactment of such requirements. Current codes do require sprinkler systems for highrise structures.
Regarding EMS, the State of Delaware’s three counties are in the process of having all ambulances outfitted with a communication system which would provide a direct link with area hospitals.
The members of our department, during the last four years, have been provided with all new fire turnout gear which includes nomex coats, lexan polycarbonate type helmets, full-length fire boots, and service gloves equipped with fire resistant kynol liners.
In conclusion, tremendous emphasis will continue to be placed in all areas of personal safety for both the citizens that we protect and also for the members who comprise our department.
W.S. Boddy, Jr., Chief, Medford, Ore.: Our department has been engaged in several activities which are intended to enhance Life Safety in the Community.
We have participated in a team teaching program, in cooperation with other fire departments, for public schools (elementary) in the area. A media campaign of spot announcements was conducted, utilizing public service time contributed by local TV-radio stations during holiday seasons. The program is a joint effort by the cooperating fire departments. In addition, we have participated in a promotional program to encourage the installation of home smoke alarm devices. We have also participated in a home inspection program.
R.E. Keith, Chief, Raleigh, N.C.: The Raleigh Fire Department is committed to a program of involving all department personnel in fire prevention and life safety. Each captain in the department participates in a one month training assignment in the fire prevention bureau. As the officers are trained, the line companies assume responsibility for business fire inspections, prefire planning, school visits, smoke detector programs and home safety and exit drill visits. In addition, all personnel are receiving video taped EMT training and each piece of apparatus will be equipped to respond to any rescue call.
The fire department rescue companies are involved in meeting with each invalid in the city and compiling a file of these individuals, their residences and their specific life safety problems.
Each district chief conducts evening inspections of nightclubs and places of assembly in conjunction with personnel from the police department and the building inspections division. All new personnel receive fire prevention, life safety and public education classes as part of their initial ten week training academy.
Our fire prevention bureau personnel are involved in developing and presenting special programs to groups such as senior citizens, babysitters, hospital employees, and college dormitory personnel, in addition to training and supervising other personnel in fire inspection and life safety programs.
Walter Freeman, Chief, Owensboro, Ky.: The Owensboro Fire Department has added additional personnel to the Fire Prevention Bureau. We have increased the number of company inspections that have been made of existing places where cooking is done, and where extinguishing systems have been required. We have a very tight control over the buildings that are required to have sprinkler systems.
We have updated all protective clothing for our fire fighters.
