Sharing information can prevent future fatal “mistakes”
I read Editor in Chief Bobby Halton’s “Near Miss: Learning, Not Blaming” (Editor’s Opinion, November 2006) and completely agree with it.
I had the unfortunate duty to be part of a team of firefighters that investigated the death of firefighter Destry Horton (Acme Fire Department). His death occurred last spring during the terrible wildland fire season we endured in Oklahoma. We interviewed the firefighters who were on-scene during and immediately after Horton was injured. It was extremely difficult to gain an accurate picture of the scenario that had occurred that day, as several weeks had passed since the incident. We obtained a copy of the report of the investigation conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. I must say that the agency did a good job with the information it had.
First, we did not begin our investigation soon enough. I was told the reason was that we did not want to increase the trauma the community had already experienced-“to give them time to deal with this.” Unfortunately, we really did not conduct an investigation but what I would call a “courtesy fact-finding trip.”
Some findings post-incident I think would have prevented a factual investigation. There was no notification, of which I am aware, of the Oklahoma Department of Labor or any other agency at the time the life-threatening injury occurred. The brush pumper involved was removed from the scene the evening of the incident. Horton had already died, and even if we had been present during his heroic battle for his life, he could not speak because of the endotracheal tube inserted into his airway. The digits of both hands were either missing or severely burned, as was Horton’s face. One firefighter was with Horton during this entire incident. He survived with minor burns to his hands and face. We did not interview him.
The community was in a state of shock and disbelief. The editorial hits the proverbial nail on the head. We the firefighting community need to learn from our mistakes so that we do not repeat them again. We need to develop a properly trained “go team” of firefighters that is independent from the incident to conduct a timely investigation. The State Fire Marshal’s Office or The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association possibly could provide this team.
In any event, the editorial poignantly points out the desperate need for exchange of information among firefighters in the firefighting community of the mistakes made and the lessons learned so we do not repeat the mistakes.
Mitch Parnell
Captain
Tulsa (OK) Fire Department
Chairman, O.S.F.A. Safety and Health Committee
Flowing sufficient water is the goal
Bill Gustin’s excellent article “When Vehicles Are Driven Through Business Storefronts” (Fire Engineering, November 2006) makes many great points. But, saying a 1 3/4 -inch hoseline can flow almost as much as a 2 1/2 -inch hoseline because it can be overpumped is misleading. A 2 1/2 -inch hoseline can also be overpumped. Fitted with a 1 1/8 -inch tip, 80-psi tip pressure will deliver 325 gallons per minute (gpm). Fitted with a 1 1/4 -inch tip, it will deliver 400 gpm at 80 psi. As Chief Vincent Dunn explains in several of his articles on commercial buildings, if not the attack line, then the backup line must be 2 1/2 inches to deliver enough water to protect the firefighters and the structure should flashover occur. Given the photos in Captain Gustin’s article, flashover has occurred or is imminent.
John Colli
Deputy Chief
East Hartford (CT) Fire Department
Bill Gustin responds: I agree with John Colli’s comments concerning the flow limitations of 1 3/4 -inch hoseline. As I wrote in the article, 1 3/4 -inch hoselines were chosen for their mobility, but mobility alone is not enough to suppress a fire. You must be able to flow sufficient water. I did not write that a 1 3/4 -inch hoseline can flow almost as much as a 2 1/2 -inch line; that defies the laws of hydraulics.
I did write that Miami-Dade’s 1 3/4 -hoselines can readily flow 220 gpm because their actual inside diameter measures 1 7/8 inches. This makes the hose friction loss and flow closer to two-inch hose (not 2 1/2 -inch).
Recently, my company conducted tests using an accurately calibrated flowmeter. We flowed 225 gpm through 200 feet of our 1 3/4 – (1 7/8) hose. An inline gauge connected directly behind the nozzle indicated a nozzle pressure of 80 psi. We achieved this flow at a pump discharge pressure (PDP) of 140 psi. This is far from “overpumping” the hoseline.
Every fire department must determine its flow capabilities and PDP by flow testing because these factors vary widely with different brands of hose. Flow testing is the only accurate way to determine the capabilities and limitations of a department’s hoselines. The results of flow tests will have a strong influence on the choice of hose diameter used at fires in commercial occupancies.
Article served as basis for interdepartment training drills
I have been a longtime reader of your magazine and an active student and drill instructor, thanks to the many fine articles and training information you publish monthly in Fire Engineering. A few weeks ago, I contacted Firefighter Art Bloomer to let him know that his article “Search: One Size Does Not Fit All” (Training Notebook, September 2006) inspired a presentation and interactive drill for our company and one of our mutual-aid companies.
This drill took approximately six hours to complete over a two-night period-one night on our drill night and one on the mutual-aid company’s drill night. Our department identified a need to incorporate more mutual-aid training in our drills. I contacted my brother, Pete, a recently elected lieutenant who happens to be with one of our mutual-aid companies, and away we went. I am captain at our fire company.
We took photos from both towns, developed a slide presentation based on the article, and set up several interactive stations and demonstration stations over the course of those two nights. The one comment that comes to mind in a nutshell is WOW! Those two nights were filled with discussions, a few stories, great participation, and some frustration as we opened up some eyes to reality.
We purposely set up teams with one firefighter from each department. First, we were trying to instill the communication necessary for a team; second, we were trying to encourage teamwork among our two departments; and third, we wanted the members to practice and understand the entire process necessary for sizing up the incident, their particular task assignment, and their personal and physical abilities relating not only to search and rescue but also to other aspects of and assignments on the fireground.
Our final goal was to set the stage for future drills with both companies. We did just that! We made a video of the practical scenarios and what transpired. Thank you for being a great resource to the entire fire service.
Captain Andrew Marsh
FF1/FSI/EMT
Mount Oliver Volunteer Fire Department
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Animal “residents” are part of a jurisdiction’s responsibilities
Thank you for publishing Lauren Bond’s article, “Safely Operating at Animal Rescues” (November 2006). Everyone in the fire service should be aware of the animals that live in their jurisdiction. Just because a jurisdiction is in an urban setting does not preclude unexpected encounters with horses, livestock, and wildlife, in addition to residents’ companion animals.
Perhaps the most important action we can take in such an encounter is to immediately call for assistance from the people who know how to handle the animals involved. The phone numbers of nearby farmers, horse owners, the county game warden, large and small animal veterinarians, and humane associations should be posted in every apparatus.
Untrained people should not attempt to catch loose animals. I’ve been involved with horses for many years and have yet to see a human on foot that can catch a horse that doesn’t want to be caught. And, don’t think size has anything to do with it-try catching a chipmunk that’s on the run.
Bond’s suggestions should be taken seriously and applied as soon as possible in every jurisdiction.
Laurie Loveman
Highland Hills (OH) Fire Department
http://www.laurieloveman.com
