By John F. “Skip” Coleman, Technical Editor
I remember as a young lieuten- ant the captain of my station trying a small “rescue tank.” It was very light and compact and consisted of a 12-inch-long cylinder. (It could have been a SCUBA “pony tank” adapted for fire department use.) I don’t remember how the air inside made it into the lungs of the firefighter. I am not sure if it had a breathing tube and something that went into or around the mouth or some sort of bite block that you simply clamped down on with your teeth. I saw it once and remember talking to my crew about it, and that’s about it. I never saw it again, nor do I remember any additional discussions concerning rescue breathers.
There are now approved self-rescue canisters designed to be used on several of the most common self-contained breathing apparatus. One such device was discussed in “Out-of-Air Emergency: Using Technology to Survive” by Frank Ricci and Matt Marcarelli (Fire Engineering, May 2008). The article discusses the ins and outs of these devices as well as applicable regulations.
Roundtable: Does your department allow members to carry self-rescue canisters? Post your answer at emberly.fireengineering.com.
WEBCASTS
Monthly Webcasts feature the best of Fire Engineering authors and FDIC speakers. On September 20, Lieutenant Michael Wilbur, Fire Department of New York (FDNY), presents “Truck Placement and Operations.” On October 18, Captain Dan Shaw, Fairfax County (VA) Fire & Rescue Department, and Lieutenant Doug Mitchell, FDNY, present “Modern Engine Company Essentials.” Webcasts are free, but you must register!
FIRE LIFE
In “Take Some Time for You,” Michael Krueger writes: “Your fitness is all about you. It’s all too common for friendly, caring people to allow events and everyone else’s needs to overtake their commitment to their fitness. The demands on your time include family, work, community, friends, hobbies, volunteering, and many other valid and important activities. These are what make up your life, and they are important. Unfortunately, because they can completely monopolize every hour of every day, they can also take a toll on your fitness, nutrition, and sleep schedule. It is natural to want to fully participate in all life has to offer, but if you don’t take time for fitness, you may not be around to partake in much of anything.” See Krueger’s take on fitness at www.firelife.com.
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| PHOTO OF THE DAY: Ocala (FL) Fire Rescue responded to a fire that destroyed a pickup truck and damaged a house. Firefighters on arrival found the vehicle parked in the driveway fully involved with flames extending into the house. Firefighters pulled siding off the house to access and extinguish remaining fire. See more photos at http://emberly.fireengineering.com/photo-of-the-day.html. Send your Photo of the Day submissions to Peter Prochilo (peterp@pennwell.com). |
FEATURED ARTICLES
Eric G. Bachman, former chief, Eden (PA) Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department, writes in “Placards 101”: “Training on recognizing and identifying hazardous materials is, or at least should be, a fundamental part of every firefighter’s knowledge base. One of the most elementary of hazardous materials identification skills and competencies is use of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). As we approach distribution of the 2012 edition of the ERG, this is a good time to remind personnel of interpreting and understanding placards.” (http://bit.ly/OMWnEF)
Ron Kanterman, chief, southeast Connecticut, writes in “New Fire Loads, New Tactics: Smashing the Tactical Box”: “We’ve been discussing new fire loads for about 15 years because we’re not going to our fathers’ fires anymore. Battalion Chief Dave Dodson tells us, ‘Forget what you’ve learned about the fact that fire grows exponentially—2, 4, 8, 16, 32 times, and so on—and that flashover is at 1,400°F. Fires are growing to flashover in a matter of seconds in some cases, and the temperatures are near the 1,900°F to 2,000°F level.’ Dodson is right, and the science is backing up what he’s saying.” (http://bit.ly/SW8hk0)
David DeStefano, lieutenant, North Providence (RI) Fire Department, writes in “Know What to Expect Before You Arrive: Building Emergency Action Plans”: “The fire prevention division in many cities requires responsible parties for major occupancies to develop, maintain, and periodically update a building emergency action plan (BEAP). Some of the main objectives of these plans include the procedure for building personnel to report emergencies. Additionally, the method and type of evacuation that emergency conditions warrant based on construction, occupancy, location, and the nature of the hazard may be specified.” (http://bit.ly/SW8jsd)
Daniel P. Sheridan, battalion chief, Fire Department of New York, writes in “Being Thorough at Every Call”: “Many times we respond to an odor of smoke in a multiple dwelling that has anywhere from three to 20 floors. Normally, we will receive a few calls from various floors in the building. When we arrive at the building, we generally will be able to tell what we are looking for by the type of odor we are getting in the lobby.” (http://bit.ly/LQjmCQ)
COMMUNITY MEMBER OF THE MONTH
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Name: John F. Sullivan. Department: Worcester (MA) Fire Department. Title/rank: district chief. Years of public service: 22. Agency structure: paid department. Top issues in your department: budget, staffing, equipment replacement. Areas of expertise: firefighter skills development, company officer development, leadership, chief officer training. |
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