Routine Gas Calls
“FDNY Avoids Disaster at Outside Gas Leak Emergencies” (June 2023), Daniel P. Sheridan’s excellent article describing the Fire Department of New York’s experiences with routine gas calls turning into major emergencies, has several hidden lessons.
First, we are all going to a lot more gas leaks. We must respect the fact that we are responding to a release of an explosive gas, natural gas, or propane. Certainly, most gas calls are minor because healthy humans can smell the odorant in natural gas, and propane at very low levels, around 1 part per million (ppm), equivalent to 1⁄16 inch to 1 mile (a million ppm). We get the call when levels are far below dangerous levels, and we naturally get complacent.
Second, the gas detectors pictured showed a metal oxide base sensor and catalytic bead sensor. Many large departments pair these two technologies because the catalytic bead sensor in the four-gas unit is blind to the 1-2% lower explosive limit (LEL) of explosive gas, sometimes more based on air movement; it just can’t detect low levels. This is why you may have responded to an explosive gas call and smelled gas but your four-gas meter with a catalytic bead sensor read zero. The metal oxide sensor, housed in the explosive gas detector, is used by all gas utilities as part of their detector sensor group in their instrument. Metal oxide sensors will detect gas levels in the 10-ppm range. The most beneficial metal oxide-based units have a digital readout and display in ppm and automatically convert to percent LEL.
Third, did you ever wonder why your four-gas monitor has a clip on the back? It is a personal monitor for the area around your person. Did you ever wonder why we use this and the gas technician does not? It is a personal monitor, not an explosive gas detector! Typically, the alarms are set for confined space standards since there are no national standards for explosive gas response. Confined space standards require detection of flammable, oxygen, and other expected/probable toxics. That is why we have CO and H2S sensors.
Fourth, the design of the gas detectors is different. The four-gas personal monitor is small and compact so you can wear it for long periods of time. The explosive gas detector has a wand so you can reach up where natural gas will accumulate and reach down to where propane can accumulate.
In short, laser-based gas detectors are an excellent size-up tool for every fire department that responds to natural gas emergencies. General characteristics include 100-foot range, low-level detection, can be used inside or outside, detection laser penetrates most glass, and very portable and easy to use. This new technology makes size-up much more efficient, resulting in greater life safety for both civilians and firefighters. For size-up, the laser gas detector tells you instantly where there is no gas, where there is some gas, and where there is a lot of gas so you can maximize the effectiveness of first-due units to meet your mission of life safety.
Sheridan’s article also shows the value of Fire Engineering in sharing fireground experiences so the readers can improve their departments’ tactical response procedures. Please keep articles like this in every issue.
Jerry Knapp
Chief
Rockland County (NY) Hazmat Team
Six Degrees of the Fire Service
The idea of “six degrees of separation” is the thought that each of us, worldwide, is only six or less social meetings away from knowing each other. Years ago, I thought that there was no way this could be true, and this was a time prior to all the social media sites. How could I “know” someone who lives far away from me?
Now, I don’t know someone everywhere I go—but close. At a previous FDIC International, there was a firefighter from Japan in our engine company hands-on training class. Now there is a connection between me and everyone I know to one firefighter in Japan. That idea of six degrees of separation becomes very plausible—and all of us can be just a phone call away from guidance, an answer, an idea, an expert, or support on any fire service-related matter. We all, at some point in our career, will need some support and assistance—an answer to a question, advice on a topic, direction. The six degrees of separation can put the vast amount of knowledge found in the fire service at arm’s reach if you so choose. I know that I have “called a friend” more than once for advice over the years. Support and guidance have been and continue to be invaluable. I have also been on the receiving end of such a call.
My friend Captain (Ret.) Chris Flatley from FDNY called me one afternoon a few years back. “I have a friend with a question you could help with.” He passed the phone to his boss, an FDNY chief officer. We talked for a short time on personal protective equipment.
Those calls that you might receive or give, the conversations, may or may not be exactly what you are looking for—you can choose whether to use that information. Most important, the assistance is there. Of the upmost importance, when it is your turn to take that call or receive that e-mail, answer/reply to it! Pay it forward every time.
As with all relationships, connection and communication are imperative. We all have that friend we might not speak to for extended periods of time. You know the one. Once the phone rings or you come together for some event, the conversation just picks up where it left off. It was like you were together the day before. Not all relationships are that close and long lasting. Those are the most important, special, and rare relationships we have. They can last a lifetime. Others may take effort to continue and, in some cases, expand.
The first reach-out to the person who is two or three degrees away from you can be difficult to start, but the rewards cannot be measured. A cold call or message might not be the best initial contact. Talk to a friend for an introduction or assistance in the first contact to break the ice and start the conversation.
Years ago, when I first noticed the plausibility of the six degrees of separation, there was not the expanse of e-mail and social media sites. Today, with a few clicks on Facebook or Instagram, we are unofficially connected much easier than just a few years ago.
Use your six degrees of separation to expand your knowledge group and expand your firefighting knowledge. It will make the time better, safer, and smarter for you and those around you—many of whom you might not yet know.
Tim Pillsworth
Past Chief
Winona Lake (NY) Fire Department
