The Book Shelf
FIRE PROTECTION GUIDE ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, 7th Edition; National Fire Protection Association, 470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Mass. 02210; 1302 pages, $12.50.
Although thick, this paperback filled with hazardous materials information is still small enough to fit in the instrument panel compartment of a fire apparatus or chiefs car. The volume contains the following NFPA publications: “Flash Point Index of Trade Name Liquids”; NFPA 325M, “Fire Hazard Properties of Flammable Liquids, Gases, and Volatile Solids”; NFPA 49, “Hazardous Chemicals Data”; NFPA 491M, “Manual of Hazardous Chemical Reactions”; and NFPA 704, “Recommended System for the Indentification of Fire Hazards of Materials.”
INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PROTECTION LAW, Donna L. Rosenbauer; National Fire Protection Association, 470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Mass. 02210; 524 pages, $14.95.
Through frequent use of court opinions, the author explains the interpretations and applications of laws affecting the fire service. The legal position of municipal corporations and quasi-municipal corporations, the law of torts as it applies to the fire service, employer and employee relationships, criminal law and the rapidly expanding field of administrative law are the major topics discussed in this book.
As might be expected, the chapter on criminal law is devoted principally to arson. Various aspects of civil rights are considered in the chapter on employer-employee relationship.
The chapter on administrative law includes the two Supreme Court of the United States opinions that set the need for fire and housing inspectors to obtain warrants to make certain inspections of properties. Following this chapter is one on administrative procedures written by Vincent M. Brannigan.
The appendix includes excerpts from the Equal Employment Act of 1972 that are of particular interest to members of the fire service.
INSTRUCTOR’S MANUAL TO ACCOMPANY INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PROTECTION LAW, Donna L. Rosenbauer; National Fire Protection Association, 470 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Mass. 02210; 51 pages, $3.50.
There are outlines of each chapter in this manual for the use of instructors along with suggestions for expanding each lesson. There are also summaries of the judicial decisions presented in the parent text.
MANUAL OF ADVANCED PREHOSPITAL CARE, Gail Walraven, Josie Harding, Karen Milazzo LeBlanc, Ginger Murphy and Margaret F. Nerney; Robert J. Brady Company, Bowie, Md. 20715; 429 pages, $13.90.
Written for experienced paramedics, this book is designed to help them prepare for recertification. It highlights the major knowledge they must have without providing detailed instruction or explanations.
Starting with a discussion of the assessment of medical emergencies, the book continues with explanations of treatment procedures in general before becoming more specific on emergency drugs, common home medications and arrhythmias. A final chapter presents numerous questions for self-assessment of paramedic skills.
HANDBOOK OF EMERGENCY DRUGS, Gail Walraven, Josie Harding, Karen Milazzo LeBlanc, Ginger Murphy and Margaret F. Nerney; Robert J. Brady Company, Bowie, Md. 20715; 100 pages, $6.90.
For each of 31 emergency drugs, four IV solution Profiles and 25 home medications, this handbook provides information on class, uses, action, dosage/route, side effects, contraindications, special information and pediatric dosage.
THE FIREFIGHTER’S HANDBOOK OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, 3rd Edition, Charles J. Baker; Maltese Enterprises, Inc., P.O. Box 34048, Indianapolis, Ind. 46234; 241 pages, $3.95.
A 202-page listing of hazardous materials includes information about toxicity, flash point, flammable range, relative danger of toxicity from products of combustion and relative fire or explosion danger. For many materials, the remarks column includes references to guide pages in the back of the book that have information on potential fire, explosion and health hazards, the need for evacuation, and the immediate action advised in relation to the general situation control, fire, spill or leak, and first aid.
