NEWS
DEPARTMENTS
Fight for a Living
A survey of job-related deaths and injuries by the International Association of Fire Fighters found professional fire fighting to be the most hazardous of all occupations in the United States. Fire fighters had an on-the-job death rate of 58 per 100,000 workers in 1981, the report said. That compared with an average of 12 per 100,000 for all industries and 23 per 100,000 for police. Mining and quarrying, the second most hazardous occupation, had a death rate of 55 per 100,000 workers.
Prevention Class Success
While attending a birthday party at a friend’s house, a 12 year old from Laredo, Texas, saved a man from being seriously burned. Roberto Vasquez attempted to speed up his bar-B-Q by using gasoline on the fire. The fire ignited the gasoline can spreading quickly to Vasquez’s left leg where he had spilled more gasoline, and continued toward his face. Brian Simpson, remembering the lesson on fire prevention techniques taught by his teacher, quickly removed his shirt and wrapped it around the burning leg, smothering the fire.
Mr. Vasquez received first, second, and third degree burns covering about 17 percent of his thighs and lower legs. Had it not been for Brian’s quick action, and first aid and prevention information, the burns could have been more serious.
Worldwide Volunteers
Representatives from the National Volunteer Fire Council and sixteen other nations joined at an inaugural meeting at the headquarters of the Japan Firemen’s Association. The purpose of the union was to develop fire fighting techniques and promote international communication, understanding, and friendship.
Extinguishing Demo
A fire extinguishing demonstration of four newly developed extinguishing units for training purposes were presented at the Chicago Fire Academy at the site of the Great Chicago Fire.
The four portable extinguishing units use a newly developed solid-pellet chemical agent, 3M’s Light Water” to create a suffocating aqueous film-forming foam through a quick-change cartridge and nozzle assembly. A 3M fire protection specialist demonstrated the rapid suppression ability of the solid foam by squelching a blazing automobile engine in seconds.
Arson Information
The Public Education Committee of the International Association of Arson Investigators Inc. (IAAI) put together a comprehensive listing of major brochures and visual presentations available for educating the general public on arson in North America.
The bibliography includes titles and a brief description of the materials and the address from where each item can be ordered. There is also a listing of books, guides and case studies on the subject of public education programs and how to start up a local program.
Those interested in obtaining a copy of the Public Education Committee’s 1982 Report should send a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with 50 cents in change to Kurt V. Ullman, Chairman, Public Education Committee, IAAI, P.O. Box 600, Marlboro, Mass. 01752. The listing is free to IAAI members.
HBO Therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a form of medical therapy for victims of toxic fumes. The technique involves the administration of pure oxygen at an increased pressure rate. Presently, there are over 130 functioning chambers in the U.S. excluding commercial chambers.
Breathing 100 percent oxygen in a compressed air environment afforded by a hyperbaric chamber allows the amount of oxygen in the patient’s tissue to rise to levels not possible at sea level breathing 100 percent oxygen. The immediate increase in oxygen in the tissue aids healing by assisting small blood vessels grow into the wound, and enhancing the white cell’s ability to kill bacteria. HBO has also proven effective in burn treatment. In cases of thermal burns, hyperbarics hastens healing and lessens edema and massive fluid requirements of severely burned patients.
Mobile Response
A mobile fire equipment cart, part of the overall response capability to fire emergencies at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago, was developed by the hospital’s safety director, Bob Cooley. A discarded golf cart was converted into the mobile fire equipment cart when Mr. Cooley found no other method for quick emergency response for his Fire Brigade. The cart contains several fire extinguishers, two airpaks, flashlights, a long power cord, hi-voltage insulated gloves, a smoke ejector fan, helmets, fire coats, a fire blanket, hand tools, and other fire-related equipment.
