On May 6, 2015, the District of Columbia Fire Department suffered a devastating loss when Lieutenant Kevin McRae died after fighting a building fire. The sudden death of the beloved lieutenant rocked a department that thought “this won’t happen here.” The agency had devoted many training hours to rescuing trapped firefighters but not much on what to do once they have the injured out. Here at Mayday Monday, we emphasize the need to be trained on keeping ourselves out of trouble and rescuing those who find themselves in harm’s way. This month we will focus on what’s next.
At FDIC International, Dave Mellen, owner of Valor Fire Training, presented a class called “Medical Response to the Firefighter Mayday.” He provides the following information to help us give our members their best treatment:
- Firefighter CPR: Leave the face piece in place until after the coat is removed. This will prevent the firefighter from being exposed to any offgassing from the personal protective equipment. Once gear is removed, move it away from the workarea and secure it.
- Trauma management: If the injury involves bleeding, serious hemorrhage control is vital because it takes us longer to reveal the injury. His department carries tourniquets and pressure dressings in their RIT bag to cut down on reflex time. We don’t have time to waste on these life threats. Remember, life over limb.
- Burns: If burns are the main threat, be cautious when removing the turnout gear. Cutting it may be a better option if time allows and leaving the gear in place will not continue to burn the member.
To hear more from Dave about this, watch this month’s Mayday Monday podcast.
This month’s skill/drill is to practice the firefighter CPR technique with emphasis on keeping the face piece on as long as possible. Not only does this keep the bad gases from the turnout gear away from the injured member, it also forces good air into the airway. Below is a video to guide you, but you will need to adjust the technique to keep the face piece in place. GO PRACTICE.
Let me know what modifications you make. Send your changes to tcarroll@louisa.org.
Tony Carroll is deputy chief of operations with the Louisa County (VA) Fire & EMS Department.
