FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Tool Tips: How to maximize your locking pliers

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:17:00 +0000

Tool Tips: How to maximize your locking pliers

Simply swapping out the traditional set bolt on your "Vise-Grips" with an eye bolt adds a tremendous amount of versatility to the tool

By Jimm Walsh
From http://www.firerescue1.com

Locking pliers — more commonly known by firefighters as the brand name "Vise-Grips" — are an extremely handy tool to have readily available. They can be used for a number of different tasks on the fireground and on other emergency calls.

These tools can be easily modified to increase their effectiveness. Simply swapping out the traditional set bolt with an eye bolt adds a tremendous amount of versatility to the tool.

This simple modification adds the ability to quickly attach a lanyard to the tool. The tool and lanyard combination can be used in a number of different forcible entry situations.

The two main sizes of locking pliers that should be considered for fireground usage are the 7-inch and 10-inch versions. The 7-inch version works well if the locking pliers will be carried as a personal tool.

The 10-inch (or larger) may offer more versatility, but tend to be a bit bulky to carry in your pocket. The 7-inch version typically requires a 5/16-inch x 18-inch thread bolt, and the 10-inch version typically requires a 7/16-inch x 14-inch thread bolt.

The average home improvement store may not have either size eye bolt in stock, but here is the secret: they more than likely have a turnbuckle with the proper size eye bolt. Just keep in mind that one of the eye bolts on the turnbuckle will have a reverse thread.

The lanyard is made from a 6-foot piece of 1-inch webbing and a snap hook. Once the knots are tied in the webbing, it makes an approximately 4-foot long lanyard with handle.

The style of snap hook shown is the preferred style because it can easily be clipped with a gloved hand. Unclipping with a gloved hand will be difficult, regardless of the style of hook used.

Snap hooks with a thumb latch are not able to be clipped while wearing gloves and typically have a smaller opening, making it difficult to work with this size webbing.

Thinner webbing (or rope) with smaller hooks could certainly be used, but they end up being more difficult to "feel" and manipulate while wearing gloves.

The lanyard can be secured to the locking pliers with a rubber band or section of tape for storage. Either one will keep the lanyard neatly stored and can easily be removed when the tool is placed in service.

One of the most popular tasks for the locking pliers lanyard combination is to hold a padlock while cutting with a rotary saw.

Simply clamping the locking pliers onto the body of the lock allows a firefighter to hold tension on the lock to prevent it from bouncing around while cutting. Keep in mind that when faced with a padlock and chain combination, it may be quicker to cut the chain verses cutting the lock itself.

Even when separated from the locking pliers, this lanyard is extremely useful. The most popular use is to control the door during forcible entry operations.

The lanyard can quickly be girth hitched around the knob of an inward facing door. This allows the forcible entry team to control the door during the force, and provides a means to pull the door closed from a safe area if conditions require.

Article Source: firerescue1.com Link

ALCO: SAR teams watch man drown due to policy...

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Rescuers watch suicidal man kill self in SF Bay

"Handcuffed by policy" as firefighters forbidden from trying to save 50-year-old in 54-degree water

SAN FRANCISCO - Fire crews and police could only watch after a man waded into San Francisco Bay, stood up to his neck and waited. They wanted to do something, but a policy brought about by budget cuts strictly forbade them from trying to save the 50-year-old, officials said.

The apparently suicidal man, identified in the San Jose Mercury News as Raymond Zack, was in the 54-degree water for around an hour.

One witness, Sharon Brunetti, told the Mercury News that Zack's stepmother asked her to call 911 and said he was threatening to kill himself.

He "gradually inched our farther and farther" from the shore, Brunetti told the paper.

"The next thing he was floating face down," she said.

A witness finally pulled his lifeless body from the water.

Interim Alameda Fire Chief Mike D'Orazi said Monday's incident is troubling. He has directed staff to write a new policy that would allow water rescues in the city of about 75,000 people across the bay from San Francisco.

The previous policy was implemented after budget cuts forced the department to discontinue water rescue training and stop maintaining wetsuits and other rescue gear, D'Orazi said Tuesday.

"The incident yesterday was deeply regrettable," he said. "But I can also see it from our firefighters' perspective. They're standing there wanting to do, SAR, Cold Water Rescue something, but they are handcuffed by policy at that point."

A witness, Perry Smith, told a television station the man was visible from the shore of Crown Memorial State Beach and was looking at people.

"We expected to see at some point that there would be a concern for him," another witness, Gary Barlow, told KGO-TV.

The Coast Guard was called to the scene, but the water was too shallow for a boat, Alameda police Lt. Sean Lynch said. Police officers didn't have the gear for the cold water and couldn't risk being pulled under.

"Certainly this was tragic, but police officers are tasked with ensuring public safety, including the safety of personnel who are sent to try to resolve these kinds of situations," Lynch said.

D'Orazi said crews may have decided it was too risky to attempt the rescue, even if they had not been shackled by the restrictions on water rescues.

In addition to the new policy, Alameda fire personnel will receive training in water rescues, and rescue equipment will be inspected to make sure it is not damaged, D'Orazi said.

There are no lifeguards at the beach, said Isa Polt-Jones, a spokeswoman with the East Bay Regional Park District. Signs at the park advise swimmers to enter the water at their own risk.
Source: http://www.cbsnews.com Link

Limited edition 10th anniversary 9/11 tribute painting "Twin Towers"

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:40:00 +0000

Order 9/11 Tribute Painting & Support CA Fire Foundation
{EAV_BLOG_VER:ec40134ac98fdc23}

Get your limited edition 10th anniversary 9/11 tribute painting "Twin Towers" by retired Santa Clara City firefighter Frank Walsh.
In Walsh's painting, the firefighter and police officer are shown standing together, where the World Trade Center once stood.
"For the families of the 343 FDNY firefighters, 37 PAPD and 23 NYPD police officers, this was a most tragic day but for these men and women it was their finest hour," said Walsh. "To serve and protect is what they do and sometimes they make the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man. This was never more exemplified then on September 11, 2001."
To honor their sacrifice, Walsh painted each of their names in the smoke. The 343 on firefighter's helmet shield represents the number of firefighters lost.
All proceeds benefit the California Fire Foundation.
Canvas Giclee 20"x30": Time limited through September 11, 2011. Signed and numbered by artist. $343 each.
Lithograph: Limited to 1,000 editions or through September 11, 2011, whichever comes first. Signed and numbered by artist. $75 each
Poster: Unlimited. $25 each.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AN ORDER FORM.

Fire Equipment Video: SERV Gradall Strategic Emergency Response Vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Tue, 31 May 2011 01:22:00 +0000

Watch the Gradall Strategic Emergency Response Vehicle "SERV" in Action.

Improve Firefighter Safety.
Attack Fires More Effectively.

These are the real-life benefits of the revolutionary Strategic Emergency Response Vehicle models by Gradall.

SERV models by Gradall — the industry's premiere Strategic Emergency Response Vehicles — enable firefighters to reach out to break through roofs and walls, and then drown the sources of dangerous fires. SERV models integrate a strong, telescoping Gradall® boom with a fire cab and chassis to effectively fight fires in dangerous locations where firefighters often get hurt or killed, or where they can't possibly access.

Reach out with the famous Gradall boom

Eliminating the dangerous task of firefighters having to physically vent roofs or side walls, the massive Gradall SERV boom safely reaches right into the heart of man’s worst and oldest enemy… fire. Telescoping out to a length of over 47 feet, and without hindrance from overhead obstructions, the SERV boom can swing either left or right, and it can rotate 110 degrees in either direction to effectively position the 5th Man piercing nozzle for attack.

The Gradall boom is an integral component of the new Gradall SERV firefighting apparatus. Delivering the benefits of a half-century of hydraulic technology leadership, the Gradall SERV boom continues the tradition of all Gradall booms, known globally for their exceptional strength, durability and versatility in metal mill furnace maintenance and road and bridge demolition and construction.

Gradall SERV and 5th Man break tradition

The exciting new 5th Man piercing nozzle boom end attachment draws its muscle from rugged Gradall hydraulic boom forces and stability. From a safer position, firefighters can thrust a 5th Man stainless steel piercing head through windows, walls, roofs – even concrete structures. When mounted on a firefighting vehicle, this new venting solution eliminates the need for firefighters with axes to stand on burning rooftops. After piercing the structure, the 5th Man head has 52 aqua-jet nozzles that direct a massive broken stream curtain of water into the heart of the fire.

Wireless remote keeps firefighters out of harm’s way

Using a wireless remote control device, firefighters using with the Gradall SERV apparatus can strategically attack blazes from a distance of over 200 feet… in locations previously thought to be too dangerous or out of reach. After the Strong Arm Firefighting Vehicle is moved into position, a firefighter uses an easy-to-understand system of switches and joystick controls on the belt-held remote device.

With precision, the firefighter can telescope and tilt the Strong Arm boom into the correct position to demolish walls and ceilings, and then launch and direct the flow of water. For chemical tank fires, the Strong Arm boom can position the 5th Man directly over the fire to direct a massive release of foam.

Stabilizers… firm footing for vigorous firefighting

Rugged Gradall Strategic Emergency Response Vehicles models are equipped with a system of four stabilizers for strength and stability, creating a solid stance for vigorous firefighting. With the wireless remote control device, stabilizers telescope out and then down onto pavement or uneven terrain. Stabilizers can be positioned independently or all at the same time, providing short-jacking capability in close quarters.

More Information: SERV http://www.gradallserv.com/serv-tv.html
Source: Gradall Link
Facebook: Gradall Link

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: NY-NYFD- WTC TOWER IC - NEVER FORGET ... FDNY 343 THE LIST

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:25:00 +0000

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: NY-NYFD- WTC TOWER IC - NEVER FORGET ... FDNY 343 THE LIST: "9/11, FDNY, Ground Zero, WTC

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

LODD: Washington Fire Chief Dies in Wildland Fire Incident Vehicle Accident

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:17:00 +0000

DEATH: Fire chief's death under investigation

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer

Investigators are continuing to look into the death of a rural Franklin County fire chief killed while fighting a brush fire Wednesday in Adams County.
Chief Chet Bauermeister, who led Franklin Fire District 4 in Basin City since late 2003, was operating a tracked ATV on a steep slope of Saddle Mountain when the ATV lost traction, said Adams Fire District 5 officials.
The rig flipped backward and rolled about 100 feet down the hill, officials said.
Bauermeister, 46, died at the scene.
Another firefighter from Fire District 4, Ryan F. Theroff, 29, was thrown from the rig and suffered minor injuries. He was treated at Othello Community Hospital and later released.
The 42-acre brush fire broke out around 2:45 p.m. in the area of Hart Road and Highway 24, south of Othello.
Firefighters with Adams Fire District 5 responded and found the brush burning on the south slope of Saddle Mountain near the Saddle Mountain Orchards, officials said.
Mutual aid was requested from Grant Fire District 8, Franklin Fire District 4, U.S. Fish & Wildlife and Hanford Fire.
The cause of the fire, which is now out, remains under investigation.
Washington state Department of Labor & Industries, as well as the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office traffic unit, are investigating the accident.

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:48:00 +0000

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: Cisco's Network Emergency Response Vehicle (NERV)

Cisco's Network Emergency Response Vehicle (NERV) emergency response vehicles can bring communications to first responders in disaster areas when traditional telephony and radio systems are unavailable or destroyed.

Cisco TACOPS NERV- Network Emergency Response Vehicle

Technorati Links • Email this • Digg This! • Share on Facebook • Subscribe to this feed • Save to del.icio.us • Email the author • Sphere: Related Content • Add to del.icio.us • outside.in: geotag this story • Discuss on Newsvine • Stumble It! • Add to Mixx! • View CC license

Posted by California Fire news at 7/12/2009 09:33:00 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:59:00 +0000

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:

Eye Safety

Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery

After the structural collapse of a large building, emergency responders and support personnel are often exposed to hazardous agents and conditions. These workers are at high risk of injury and illness at such a site. Described below are common eye hazards and injuries that can occur during these operations and recommendations for protective eye gear, first aid, and steps for preventing eye injuries. All safety eyewear should comply with the American National Standards Institute Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices Standard Z87.1

Common Eye Hazards

The most common eye hazards faced by emergency workers at
the structural collapse of a large building are the following:

Dust, concrete, and metal particles
Falling or shifting debris, building materials, and glass
Smoke and noxious or poisonous gases
Chemicals (acids, bases, fuels, solvents, lime, and wet or dry cement powder)
Cutting or welding light and electrical arcing
Thermal hazards and fires
Bloodborne pathogens (hepatitis or HIV) from blood, body fluids, and human remains

Common Injuries

Injuries commonly suffered by emergency response and recovery
workers at a structural collapse include the following:

Corneal abrasions and conjunctivitis (red eyes)
Concrete or metal particles or slivers embedded in the eye
Chemical splashes or burns
Welder’s flash
Eyeball laceration
Facial contusions and black eyes

Recommended Types of Eye Protection

Before selecting appropriate eye protection for emergency workers at a site, assess the conditions and hazards and follow these recommendations:

At a minimum, wear safety glasses with side protection.
Wear goggles when more protection is needed.
Consider using hybrid eye safety products with the comfort of glasses, the enclosure of goggles, and better breathability.
Add a faceshield over glasses or goggles for even greater protection.
Use a full-facepiece respirator for the best overall protection.
When cutting or welding, use a welding helmet, goggles, or welding respirator with the appropriate lens shade.
Make sure that cutter’s and welder’s helpers, other workers, and bystanders are protected from the light and sparks coming from torch cutting or welding.

Consider each of the following types of eyewear when selecting one for emergency workers at a structural collapse site:

1. Safety glasses, including hybrid safety glasses or goggles—minimum protection required

Wear safety glasses for general working conditions when there is some risk of exposure to dust, chips, and flying particles. Use safety glasses that have the following:

Side protection (such as side shields or wrap-around lenses)
Treatment to prevent fogging
A retainer to keep the glasses tight to the face or hanging from the neck when not in use

For added protection, use one of these types of glasses:

Hybrid glasses with foam or rubber around the lenses to protect against dust and flying particles (these protect workers better than conventional safety glasses with side
shields only).
Wrap-around hybrid safety glasses that convert to goggles with a soft plastic or rubber face seal for better peripheral vision than conventional goggles.

Take these precautions if you use safety glasses with prescription lenses:

Use polycarbonate or Trivex® lenses for prescription safety glasses. These lenses provide the best impact protection in prescription safety glasses.
Make sure that new safety glasses with polycarbonate lenses are hard coated to reduce scratching.
Make sure that you are using ANSI Z87.1-compliant safety eye protection.
Do not use prescription safety lenses with tempered glass or acrylic plastic lenses for protection from high impact unless they are covered by goggles or a face shield.
If you wear prescription safety glasses without goggles, use glasses with side shields.


Nonprescription safety glasses with wrap-around side protection.	Prescription safety glasses with side shields.

2. Goggles—better protection

Goggles are needed to protect workers from high impacts, dusty environments, chemical splashes, and torch cutting or welding light (see item 5 below for welding protection). Consider the following characteristics when selecting goggles:

Use goggles with indirect venting to protect workers from splashes or fine dust. Use goggles with direct venting for less fogging when working with large particles.
Use safety goggles designed with high air flow, minimum fogging, and maximum particle and splash protection (for example, ski-type goggles).
In dusty environments, wear tight-fitting goggles over normal streetwear glasses, contact lenses, or prescription safety glasses.
If you wear contact lenses, wear tight-fitting goggles or a full-facepiece respirator to avoid corneal abrasions in dusty areas.

Indirectly vented goggles.

3. Face shields—additional protection

Use face shields to protect workers from high-impact hazards that may be present during chipping and grinding operations. Use full-face protection to prevent contact with chemical or blood-borne hazards that may be sprayed or splashed onto the face. Also do the following when selecting and using face shields:

Use face shields that are tinted or metal-coated for heat and splatter protection.
Always wear safety glasses or goggles under a face shield, since the curve of the face shield directs particles or chemicals from the side into the eyes.

Clear face shields with crown protector (may be mounted on hard hat).

4. Full-facepiece respirators—best eye protection from
dust, chemicals, and smoke

When respiratory protection is required, use full-facepiece respirators for the best eye protection against dust, chemicals, and smoke.
Note that not all facepieces are Z87-compliant for impact protection.
Full-facepiece respirators do not seal properly over streetwear glasses or safety glasses. Therefore, if you wear glasses and must wear a respirator, use prescription inserts designed to be compatible with a respirator and approved for use with your specific respirator.
If a worker wears a half-mask respirator, select the proper eye protection and make sure that
— the half mask does not interfere with the proper positioning of the eye protection, and
— the eye protection does not affect the fit of the respirator.

5. Welding helmet, goggles, faceshields, and welding respirators

Exposure to cutting or welding light can cause severe burns to the eyes and surrounding tissue (welder’s flash). The lenses for protection from cutting or welding light must be marked with the shade number—1.5 through 14 (the darkest).

Protect cutter’s or welders’ eyes with a helmet, goggles, faceshield, or welding respirator equipped with lenses of the correct shade number.

Always wear safety glasses or goggles under a welding helmet or faceshield to protect workers from particles.
Also protect the eyes of the cutter’s or welder’s helper and bystanders with lenses designed to protect against cutting or welding light.
Use the darkest shade of lens possible:
Torch soldering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5–3
Torch brazing/cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6
Gas welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–8
Electric arc welding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–14
Use ANSI Z136 eye protection for laser light hazards (not Z87).

First Aid for Eye Injuries

Specks in the Eye

Do not rub the eye.
Flush the eye with large amounts of water.
See a doctor if the speck does not wash out or if pain or redness continues.

Cuts, Punctures, and Foreign Objects in the Eye

Do not wash out the eye.
Do not try to remove a foreign object stuck in the eye.
Seek immediate medical attention.

Chemical Burns

Immediately flush the eye with water or any drinkable liquid. Open the eye as wide as possible. Continue flushing for at least 15 minutes. For caustic or basic solutions, continue
flushing while on the way to medical care.
If a contact lens is in the eye, begin flushing over the lens immediately. Flushing may dislodge the lens.
Seek immediate medical attention.

Blows to the Eye

Apply a cold compress without pressure, or tape crushed ice in a plastic bag to the forehead and allow it to rest gently on the injured eye.
Seek immediate medical attention if pain continues, if vision is reduced, or if blood or discoloration appears in the eye.

Information Resources

Obtain additional information about the selection and use of eye protection from these sources:

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
1–800–CDC–INFO

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
External Link: http://www.osha.gov
1–800–321–OSHA

Prevent Blindness America
External Link: http://www.preventblindness.org
1–800–331–2020

International Safety Equipment Association
External Link: http://www.safetyequipment.org
1–703–525–1695

American Society of Safety Engineers
External Link: http://www.asse.org
1–847–699–2929

Acknowledgments

First Aid advice provided courtesy of Prevent Blindness America.^®

Safety eye protection photos provided courtesy of Paul Vinger, Tufts Medical School.

Note: The examples shown are for illustration purposes only and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Page last updated: April 7, 2009
Page last reviewed: May 27, 2009
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Division of Safety Research

Source article: Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery "NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:
Eye Safety- Link

Cal Fire-Butte County: California Office of Traffic Safety grant

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:24:00 +0000

Cal Fire-Butte County: California Office of Traffic Safety grant

Cal Fire grant will boost efficiency: $197,373 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, Butte County Fire Rescue will purchase a new Rescue Vehicle for Butte County Fire Volunteer Company 71 in Richvale and equip thirteen engines and two Rescue vehicles with new, state-of-the-art extrication gear.

The grant announced Friday will leave more than a dozen Cal Fire-Butte County fire stations better prepared to deal with rescues at vehicle crashes.

Rescue tools: slated for purchase are air bags used to safely lift and stabilize crashed vehicles, and the latest models of extrication tools, including the "jaws of life."

In addition to Richvale, stations in south Chico, Kelly Ridge, Butte Meadows, Stirling City, Cohasset, Forest Ranch, Paradise, Jarbo Gap, Feather Falls, Robinson Mills, Oroville and Nord, as well as the Paradise Fire Department, will share funding for new equipment.

Cal Fire Training Bureau Chief Darren Read said the money for Richvale's rescue truck is also coming from a cost-sharing fund benefiting county fire departments, as well as donations from the Richvale community.

The following engines/communities will be receiving the new equipment purchased with the grant funds:

Town of Paradise Fire Department
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 44 - South Chico
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 64 - Kelly Ridge
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 71 - Richvale
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 11 - Butte Meadows
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 12 - Sterling City
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 22 - Cohasset
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 23 - Forest Ranch
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 35 - Paradise
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 36 - Jarbo Gap
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 51 - Feather Falls
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 54 - Robinson Mill
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 63 - Oroville
CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 41 - Nord

The media and the public are invited to attend a demonstration of the new equipment during a Bus Extrication class on Sunday May 10, 2009 between the hours of 10AM and 2 PM. The training will be held at the Butte College Fire Training Grounds.

Source: CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: "Cal Fire-Butte County: California Office of Traffic Safety grant

Gas, Water, telescoping valve control tool

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:15:00 +0000

California Fire News: New valve control tools

Fire hydrant 2" square telescoping valve tool

We want to introduce you to our new waterworks tools for the public safety professional, contractor or the homeowner.

We are a family run Central valley California business that has been around for over 15 years. We are introducing our new line of waterworks tools which include the 3 in 1 pro waterworks tool, the 3 in 1 mini pro waterworks tool and the 3 in 1 pro pent head (San Jose style) waterworks tool.

Opens Curb box, controls water meter valve,

Controls gas meter valves

A.C.E. 3 in 1 Pro Waterworks Tool (8)
3 in 1 Pro Waterworks Tool and Accessories and Extensions

Wheel handle valve control

These tools are constructed for durability and ease of use. They are designed to do many jobs with just one tool. Both the pro pent head and the pro are suitable for professional use by waterworks, utility companies, landscapers etc.

Buy Now special pricing for California Fire News: Ace Fabrication presents the Three in One Mini Pro - Gas, water valve control tool, manhole and Curb box cover hook, Convenient storage, telescoping tubular construction, all steel, American made

Click here to buy the 3 in 1 Mini -Pro valve control tool, Special Internet sale price.

A.C.E. 3 in 1 Mini Pro Disaster Relief Tool
Access and control Fuel Gas valves, water valves, sewer clean outs.: 3 in 1 Mini Pro - For everyday use around the home and ready for any emergency.

The mini pro is a smaller version designed for the professional but priced for home use.

Please check out our website and feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

SAR News: 21.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:13:00 +0000

SAR News: 21.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons will no longer be monitored by satellite after February 1

U.S.C.G. - Get the Fix...Switch to 406

121.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons will no longer be monitored by satellite after February 1, 2009

Where can I find more information regarding the the phaseout of 121.5 MHz beacons for satellite distress alerting?: Information regarding the phaseout is available from the NOAA SARSAT website: http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov
Who can I contact if I have questions regarding the switchover?: Individuals may contact LCDR Katherine Niles (katherine.m.niles@uscg.mil) in the Coast Guard Office of Search and Rescue (CG-534)

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.uscg.mil/global/widget/switchover.html"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View Message&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

More Information:

121.5 MHz Phase Out: The International Cospas-Sarsat Program will terminate satellite processing of distress signals from 121.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons on February 1, 2009. After this date, mariners, aviators and other persons will have to switch to emergency beacons operating at 406 MHz in order to be detected by satellites.

Coast Guard Message
Code of Federal Regulations
Press Release
Articles on Phase Out

Satellites will stop processing signals from 121.5 MHz
emergency beacons (EPIRBs and ELTs) on 01 Feb 2009.

Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking:
SARSAT

SARSAT overview graphic
Is your emergency beacon registered?
To enhance protection of life and property, it is mandatory that emergency beacons be registered with NOAA before installation and that information be kept up to date.
Click here for easy online beacon registration information.
Beacon Registration Website

EPIRB registration form ELT registration form PLB registration form

SARSAT Information:

Cospas-Sarsat brochure
SAR Satellites Help Save Lives article from CG Magazine, Dec 2007

Training Presentations:

SARSAT System Overview [view presentation]
How EPIRBs Work [view presentation]
Time to get a 406 MHz ELT for your aircraft [view presentation]
Testing magnets installed on EPIRB brackets [view presentation]

Properly Dispose of Old Beacons To Prevent False Alerts
Discarded radio beacon triggers false alarm... [read more]

A Survivor's Story
A testimonial from Rudy Snel on surviving the sinking of Sean Seamour II, thanks to an EPIRB [play audio]

Beacon Types
There are three types of beacons used to transmit distress signals:

EPIRB: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon for maritime use

EPIRB Fact Sheet
Fishing vessel carriage requirements 46 CFR 25.26
121.5 MHz EPIRBs Prohibited 47 CFR 80.1051

ELT: Emergency Locator Transmitter for aviation use

Aircraft carriage requirements 14 CFR 91.207
Time to get a 406 MHz ELT

PLB: Personal Locator Beacon for land-based applications

Firefighters Now Exempt From Wearing High-Visibility Apparel

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Safety News: CPF wins firefighter high-visibility safety apparel

Firefighters Now Exempt From Wearing High-Visibility Apparel

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today issued an Interim Final Rule to address safety concerns raised by the firefighting community regarding high-visibility safety apparel.

The Interim Final Rule:

• Revises the definition of "worker" to exclude firefighters when they are exposed to flame, fire, high heat or hazardous materials

• Exempts firefighters from the requirement to use high-visibility safety apparel, when the use of such apparel may increase the risk of injury to firefighter personnel

The rule is effective as of November 24, 2008. This amends the Worker Visibility rule (23CFR 634), which was designed to improve the safety of workers by providing increased visibility to approaching motorists and construction traffic.

"Firefighters across the country spoke out and were heard," said Lou Paulson, President of California Professional Firefighters. "The firefighter's job is dangerous enough without adding the risks that these high-visibility garments pose. Common sense has prevailed."

Click here to read this Interim Final Rule.

Source: http://www.cpf.org - Link
Firefighters-now-exempt-from-wearing-high-visibility-apparel

More:
1 - Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
is recognized as the national standard for all traffic control devices
installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel. It is available at - Link

2 - ANSI 107-1999 is the nationally recognized standard for
high-visibility garments developed in conjunction with the
International Safety Equipment Association. Copies may be obtained at:  - Link

Safety News: CPF wins firefighter high-visibility safety apparel exemption

Haz Mat News: Hydrogen Sulfide is a new method of suicide

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Trics of the Trade: New Hazmat Threat Comes to the US Hydrogen Sulfide is a new method of suicide

TONY TRICARICO
Firehouse.Com Contributor

A popular means of suicide, is there such a thing? Well apparently there is now.

In the first six months of 2008, the press reports that in Japan more than 500 people have killed themselves using hydrogen sulfide created by mixing chemicals commonly available over the counter in supermarkets and drug stores. Japan's government has long battled to contain the country's alarmingly high suicide rate. A total of 32,155 people killed themselves in 2006, giving the country the ninth highest rate in the world.

Suicides first passed the 30,000 mark in 1998, near the height of an economic slump that left many bankrupt, jobless and desperate. The Japanese government has earmarked 22.5 billion yen ($220 million) for anti-suicide programs to help those with depression and other mental conditions. Last year it set a goal of cutting the suicide rate by 20 percent in 10 years through steps such as reducing unemployment, boosting workplace counseling and filtering Web sites that promote this despicable act.

According to official statistics, about a million people die by suicide annually, more than those murdered or killed in war. According to 2005 data, suicides in the U.S. outnumber homicides by nearly two-to-one and ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the country, ahead of liver disease and Parkinson's disease. According to a 2008 report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy, the rate of suicide in the United States is increasing for the first time in a decade. The increase in the overall suicide rate between 1999 and 2005 was due primarily to an increase in suicides among whites aged 40-64, with white middle-aged women experiencing the largest annual increase.

Worldwide suicide rates have increased by 60 percent in the past 50 years, mainly in the developing countries. Most suicides in the world occur in Asia, which is estimated to account for up to 60 percent of all suicides. According to the World Health Organization, China, India and Japan may account for 40 percent of all world suicides.

Many of these incidents have occurred in apartments, private houses and vehicles. Authorities, (you and I), are concerned that it could become "more popular" in the United States as the publicity about these incident spreads.

In fact, in August 2008 the Pasadena, CA, Fire Department responded to a suicide involving Hydrogen Sulfide. The victim, found dead in his car, had mixed a fungicide and a toilet bowl cleaner in a plastic tray creating a bright blue liquid and placed the tray in the back seat of his vehicle. The man that killed himself placed a note on the vehicle warning first responders of the hazard. A subsequent investigation revealed that this person may have been to multiple web sites of Japanese origin that provides information on how to use Hydrogen Sulfide as a tool to commit suicide.

Although this incident is a suicide, it demonstrates the potential for anyone to easily produce the chemical and use it as a weapon in a terrorist attack. The Pasadena incident led to the evacuation of several businesses in the immediate area and left bystanders stranded for as much as five hours while the first responders assessed the scene.

In another incident in Japan, 90 people in an apartment building were reportedly sickened when a teenage girl killed herself using a mixture of household chemicals that produced the Hydrogen Sulfide in the bathroom of her apartment.

Hydrogen Sulfide is also known by the following names; hydro sulfuric acid; sulfuretted hydrogen; sewer gas; sulfane; sulfur hydride; sour gas; sulfurated hydrogen; hydrosulfuric acid; stink damp; and rotten egg gas. Its chemical molecular formula is H2S. H2S is a colorless, toxic, flammable gas with a strong odor of rotten eggs or flatulence. Odor is not a reliable indicator as to the concentrations because the sense of smell becomes rapidly fatigued and can not be relied upon to warn of the continuous presence of the gas. H2S is a by product of the decay of organic material and accidental exposure has occurred in situations involving sewage, liquid manure, natural gas, and animal and vegetable matter storage and processing. It can also be found at certain industrial facilities, such as waste water treatment plants, petroleum refineries, pulp and paper manufacturers, and plants producing sulfur or sulfuric acid. Small amounts of hydrogen sulfide occur in crude petroleum but natural gas can contain up to 80 percent. It is shipped as a liquefied compressed gas, bearing the placard 2.3, and the UN 1053.

The gas can be detected at a level of two parts per billion. To put this into perspective, 1 mL of the gas distributed evenly in a 100-seat lecture hall is about 20 ppb. The IDLH for this gas is 100 ppm. Remember that in determining IDLHs, NIOSH figures the ability of a worker to escape without loss of life or irreversible health effects being considered along with severe eye or respiratory irritation and other deleterious effects (for example: disorientation or loss of coordination) that could prevent escape. Although in most cases, egress from a particular worksite could occur in much less than 30 minutes, as a safety margin, IDLHs were based on the effects that might occur as a consequence of a 30-minute exposure. However, the 30-minute period was NOT meant to imply that workers should stay in the work environment any longer than necessary following the failure of respiratory protection equipment; in fact, every effort should be made to exit immediately.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines an immediately dangerous to life or health concentration in their hazardous waste operations and emergency response regulation as follows: An atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. [29 CFR 1910.120]

Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas. Being heavier than air, it tends to accumulate at the bottom of poorly ventilated spaces. Although very pungent at first, it quickly deadens the sense of smell, so potential victims may be unaware of its presence until it is too late.

Hydrogen sulfide is considered a broad-spectrum poison, meaning that it can poison several different systems in the body, although the nervous system is most affected. The toxicity of H2S is comparable with that of hydrogen cyanide. It forms a complex bond with iron in the mitochondrial cytochrome enzymes, thereby blocking oxygen from binding and stopping cellular respiration. It's kind of the opposite of Carbon Monoxide, when CO is inhaled; it combines with the oxygen forming carboxyhemoglobin. Since hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally in the environment and the stomach, enzymes exist in the body capable of detoxifying it by oxidation in to (harmless) sulfate.

Exposure to lower concentrations can result in eye irritation, a sore throat and cough, nausea, shortness of breath, and fluid in the lungs. These symptoms usually go away in a few weeks. Long-term, low-level exposure may result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory, and dizziness. Concentrations of 700-800 ppm tend to be fatal.

Toxicity levels are:

0.0047 ppm is the recognition threshold, the concentration at which 50 percent of humans can detect the characteristic odor of hydrogen sulfide, normally described as resembling "a rotten egg"
10-20 ppm is the borderline concentration for eye irritation
50-100 ppm leads to eye damage
At 150-250 ppm the olfactory nerve is paralyzed after a few inhalations, and the sense of smell disappears, often together with awareness of danger
320-530 ppm leads to pulmonary edema with the possibility of death
530-1000 ppm causes strong stimulation of the central nervous system and rapid breathing, leading to loss of breathing
800 ppm is the lethal concentration for 50percent of humans for five minutes exposure
Concentrations over 1000 ppm cause immediate collapse with loss of breathing, even after inhalation of a single breath.

Hydrogen sulfide has been used for well over a century as a method of qualitative analysis of metal ions. In fact, the Chemistry Building at the University of Illinois in 1915 had a built-in supply of hydrogen sulfide to the various labs, i.e., H2S "on tap"! The gas was stored in a 500-gallon tank! The density of hydrogen sulfide is 1.393 g/L at 25 oC and 1 atm. This is 18 percent greater than that of air.

Hydrogen sulfide dissolves in water to make a solution that is weakly acidic. So what do we do? Know your enemy. When responding to incidents, especially suicides, be aware of the possibility of hydrogen sulfide gas. You leave the rig and someone comes up to you stating that they feel dizzy or perhaps nausea, and they have a slight smell of rotten eggs, what do you suspect. As you get on the rig, you read the dispatch ticket and it states "unusual odor throughout bldg. Multiple persons sick", you got your first clue.

Remember we may need to evacuate, this is a highly flammable gas with properties that make it heavier than air. The vapors may travel along the ground finding a source of ignition and flash back. The gas may collect in a basement, sewage system or a ravine. And most importantly, our fire fighting gear offers only limited protection, it is not effective in a spill situation or where direct contact with the chemical will be made.

An interesting diagnostic clue of extreme poisoning by H2S is the discoloration of copper coins in the pockets of the victim.

Speak to the members at roll call and company drills. Discuss the properties of this gas and make everyone aware of the necessary changes in tactics to increase our survivability. Expect the unexpected. Stay focused. Transmit the proper codes to get the hazmat team on scene and have the proper meters available.

Have everyone in SCBA, and if it's a large operation, like, perhaps an apartment building, transmit additional alarms or call for mutual aide early, and don't forget the apparatus that supplies or refills the SCBA.

Should you have an encounter with a suspicious incident involving Hydrogen Sulfide notify the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. You can find them on their websites.

In closing I would like to leave you with a thougth to ponder, a buildup of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere may have caused the massive extinction event on our planet 252 million years ago. This is just one more...Tric of the Trade.

Source: Firehouse.com article - Link

Emergency Alerts: ALERT FM

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:47:00 +0000

From: FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

Hazard and Aert Information to cells phones via FM public radio

Emergency Alerts: ALERT FM Provides Solution to Nation’s First Responders, Schools and the general public via FM public radio .
WARN: Technical standards for the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) for Wireless Carriers approved by the FCC.

ALERT FM™ is a personal alert and messaging system that enables emergency management officials to create and send digital alerts and messages, including NOAA weather warnings, evacuation instructions, homeland security notices, Amber Alerts or school closings to first responders, school officials, businesses and citizens based on geographic or organizational groupings.

LAS VEGAS - NAB 08 - Global Security Systems (GSS)’s emergency alert system, ALERT FM, is poised to expand its critical emergency alert service to first responders, governments, institutions and to the public as a result of last week’s adopted ruling. The rules, set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), adopt technical standards pursuant to the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) Act passed by Congress in 2006 in response to severe communications failures from natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina.

With standards now in place, ALERT FM can provide the nation’s wireless carriers the ability to transmit timely alerts and warnings to the public in the event of an emergency. ALERT FM is designed to broadcast emergency messages over the FM public radio network as well as the commercial radio stations to reach emergency management officials, local governments, schools and, most importantly, individuals in an affected community or even across the country during a crisis.

“We applaud FCC’s order from last week and its commitment to ensuring the transmission of crucial information to public safety personnel and citizens alike in the event of an emergency,” said Robert Adams, president and CEO of Global Security Systems. “Lives are saved when first responders have the necessary tools to quickly respond to a crisis and citizens are able to receive critical alerts.”

ALERT FM provides a switch-less solution to deliver alert messages in real time to cell phones equipped with a standard FM radio chip. By using the existing FM radio networks, which remain reliable even when most wireless networks are clogged in a national crisis, ALERT FM is a “best fit” for the nation’s public alert and warning system. ALERT FM can send a single message across multiple platforms to ensure that the American public has accurate information in real time.

In comments filed with the FCC, state and local broadcasters, as well as the National Association of Broadcasters, advocated utilizing the Radio Broadcast Data System for distributing emergency warnings to cell phones and other devices equipped with FM receiver chips.

“Cell phone subscribers are only an FM chip away from having the ability to receive real time hazard and alert information over a secure and protected network,” Adams added. “Implementing ALERT FM into the nation’s public alert and warning system will save lives.”

More Information: at by Global Security Systems - Link

Hazard and Alert Information to cells phones via FM public radio

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:32:00 +0000

Emergency Alerts: ALERT FM Provides a emergency alert and messaging system solution to Nation’s First Responders, Schools and the general public via FM public radio .
WARN: Technical standards for the Warning, Alert and Response Network (WARN) for Wireless Carriers approved by the FCC.

ALERT FM™ is a personal alert and messaging system that enables emergency management officials to create and send digital alerts and messages, including NOAA weather warnings, evacuation instructions, homeland security notices, Amber Alerts or school closings to first responders, school officials, businesses and citizens based on geographic or organizational groupings.

More Information: at by Global Security Systems - Link
For more information, visit http://www.alertfm.com.
nationswireless%20carrier.pdf (25.08 kb)

News: New SCBA on the way! IAFF news release

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:19:00 +0000

Federal Contract Gives IAFF Lead in Developing Lighter Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

Washington, DC – The Department of Homeland Security has awarded the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) a $2 million contract to develop a new pressure vessel that will make the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) worn by first responders substantially thinner and lighter.

Smaller, lighter SCBA will improve fire fighter safety.

“The IAFF is proud of its record as the leader in the development of projects that provide direct benefits to fire fighter health and safety. With all the recent technological developments and new materials we can work with, it’s time to fast-track the introduction of new, lighter, less stressful, but highly protective equipment,” IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said.

The cylinders that contain the pressure vessels in existing SCBA account for much of the weight and size of the units. The weight and profile of those cylinders has been associated with increased rates of injury and fatalities for emergency responders.

The IAFF is working with Vulcore Industrial in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to use technology, engineering and new materials to modify the pressure vessel in a way that will reduce the weight and make it smaller and more flexible.

In initial prototype designs, the new pressure vessel offers an approximate 60 percent weight reduction over conventional SCBA cylinders. Prototypes also have a substantially smaller profile, measuring two inches in depth. Pressure vessels on conventional SCBA cylinders measure seven inches in depth.

The design braids new, thin, tubular pressure vessels in the harness assembly, instead of the large cylinders used today sitting on top of the harness assembly, allowing for greater mobility in confined spaces. Unlike conventional cylinders which contain air pressures up to 5000 psi, the new vessels won’t fragment if they’re ruptured. A punctured pressure vessel would simply vent contained air.

Members of Fort Wayne, IN, Local 124 have tested the prototypes in simulated confined space entry.

The IAFF’s contract with DHS spans a 15-month period. The research and development is expected to result in a new, commercially available SCBA.

“The IAFF is confident that a new generation of lighter, low-profile SCBA will be available to the fire service when this important research concludes, and our members will be safer for it,” Schaitberger said.

----------------------------

Government approvals
The DHS contract to the IAFF spans a 15-month period to advance the new technology toward commercialization. This effort includes getting the necessary government approvals for the new pressure vessel, working with the SCBA industry to integrate the new pressure vessel as part of existing SCBA, fulfilling government and NFPA standards certification requirements, and carrying out field testing to prove the benefits of the new technology. The IAFF Project Team, which also includes International Personnel Protection, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, is working with a Technical Advisory Committee, which is providing input for the integration, testing and introduction of the new pressure vessel technology. At the first meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee, several factors were identified that will help with ensuring a smooth transition of the fire service to lower weight, thinner profile SCBA. For example, since only one system can be initially brought through various required approvals and certifications, the advisory group opted for a 45-minute service life rated system.

Amazing new SCBA represent a significant improvement in personal protective equipment.
Photo : Screenshot from ABC 9 video

Harold Schaitberger, general president of the IAFF, has prioritized this effort to ensure his membership has the latest technology to minimize firefighter and other first responder stress during emergencies. "The IAFF has a long history of promoting new development projects that provide direct benefits to fire fighter health and safety," he said. "We feel that the time is right to fast track the introduction of new technology that will allow firefighters to respond lighter with a higher degree of safety by using less stressful, but highly protective equipment. At the end of this project, the IAFF is confident that a new generation of lighter, thinner SCBA will be available to the fire service."

Within the next two years, the new SCBA technology is likely to change the way that the fire service and other first responders look at SCBA and the missions that require air-supplying systems. Not only will the firefighter ensemble look different, with sleeker, lighter SCBA, the improvements for stress reduction and confined space mobility will be dramatically improved. Most importantly, the new technology will represent a paradigm change in the industry the same way that positive-pressure SCBA afforded firefighters substantially higher levels of safety and health compared to previous respirator use.

A Technical Advisory Committee of IAFF members will provide input for the integration, testing and introduction of the new pressure vessel technology. At the first meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee, several factors were identified that will help ensure a smooth transition of a new SCBA to the fire service. The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 292,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More information is available at www.iaff.org.

VIDEO: ABC 9 video

INFO: Personal Locator Beacon COSPAS-SARSAT System

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:47:00 +0000

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

The Personal Locator Beacon is one interesting gizmo as it targets those who tend to live life to the extreme, going about their duties with a variety of outdoor activities such as four-wheel driving, boating, camping, off-road motorcycling and even snowmobiling. Unfortunately, such activity is often accompanied by a wider range of risks, including breaking a random body part, getting bitten by an animal such as a snake, or being in a position where it is nigh impossible to get out of without some external help. This is where the Personal Locator Beacon comes in as it is capable of transmitting your current location (in GPS coordinates, of course) on internationally recognized distress frequencies monitored by companies such as NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System (SARSAT). Should you be unable to be under the umbrella of a GPS signal, there is always the less advanced (but accurate) option relying on the Doppler for your current position.

I guess Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) would definitely be worth every penny - after all, how much value do you place on your own life? Everyone has been created to be wired with a survival instinct, so it doesn’t make much sense to not do your bit whenever engaged in such outdoor activities. PLB will cost anywhere from $499 to $699 each, but the best thing is there isn’t any annual or subscription fees to worry about. The following are some of the specifications for your perusal.

Works in concert with the COSPAS-SARSAT System

Dedicated global satellite SAR system

Serious Life Saving Equipment

Designed to work when all else has failed

Approved to International Standards for life saving equipment

SAR agencies: NOAA, USCG, US Air Force and NASAR (National Association of Search & Rescue)

Emergency signals received by two satellite groups: GEOSAR (stationary/provides immediate alert) & LEOSAR (provides location/orbits every 100 minutes)

User Fee: NONE (tax payer supported system)

Three redundant methods of pinpointing location

Alert notification 50 seconds with GPS; one hour without GPS

Lithium batteries with 11-year shelf life

Antennas: 1 for GPS and 1 for distress message

Source: Gizmag
Tags: Personal Locator Beacons, PLBs, GPS, GEOSAR, SAR, NOAA, USCG, US Air Force, NASAR

Media: Rapid Intervention Team Staging and Task Force Operations

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:46:00 +0000

Monthly Training Topic - Rapid Intervention Team Staging and Task Force Operations

First published January 2005 - Discovered today? rehashed here because it is still good...Great RIT Media From rapidintervention.com

Rapid Intervention Team Staging and Task Force Operations

By James K. Crawford
Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire

The importance of building an equipment bank close to the scene for firefighter rescue operations cannot be underestimated. Having this Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) equipment staging area close to the firefighter rescue operations will drastically reduce the amount of time required to move this specialized rescue equipment to a downed firefighter in the event of a mayday. This operation is similar to transferring companies closer to a working fire as the incident escalates.

As we all know, seconds count when a firefighter becomes lost or trapped in a burning building. Taking steps to reduce this time wherever we can will increase the chances of survival for the firefighter in trouble. Rapid Intervention Teams must be pro-active while on the fireground. Performing building and fire condition size ups on a periodic basis during the incident should be standard protocol for the RIT. A pro-active procedure such as setting up and maintaining a pool of firefighter rescue equipment near the incident, versus running for this equipment when a mayday is declared is good rapid intervention management. A series of staging levels is incorporated into the RIT standby to better manage the operations.

Level 1 Staging

A level 1 staging operation would be for "routine" room and contents fires that are held to one alarm, a smaller fire. This type fire is usually under control within 15 to 20 minutes requiring the use of one or two attack lines. Statistically, the most dangerous time on the fireground is within the first 20 minutes of arrival. With a quick dispatch of a RIT on the first alarm of reported structure fires, a firefighter rescue team would arrive well before this time frame expires.

During a level 1 staging operation the RIT would report to command and stage in front of the building, (trying to maintain a view of at least two sides of the fire building). The team should have with them; basic forcible entry tools, full PPE and SCBA, handlights, RIT bag (if used), a thermal imaging camera (if available), and an SCBA rescue pack. This level of staging will usually be short in nature time wise and would not require the action of setting up a formal staging area.

Level 2 Staging

A level 2 staging operation would be for one alarm fires that escalate into a two alarm or greater incident, a larger fire. Additionally, a fire that would advance to a second alarm before the arrival of the RIT would advance to a level 2 staging operation. This type of incident is inherently more dangerous to firefighters and would require a more pro-active standby.

The length of on scene time increases, structural integrity of the fire building weakens, firefighters work strenuously at initial on scene tasks reducing their stamina. Engine crews advance deeper into smoke filled structures locating the seat of the fire, truck crews are spending more time on the roof, and SCBA air supplies are often stretched to the low air alarm.

All of these situations and more make for a more perilous fireground with accidents and dangerous situations lurking in the shadows. It is within this type of incident that our firefighter rescue teams must be vigilant and ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

Having a formal equipment staging area during this type of incident will increase the RIT's ability to deploy on a mayday. This level of standby adds more specialized rescue equipment to the teams arsenal requiring the use of a salvage tarp placed on the ground to better control and maintain this equipment pool. This tarp will also notify suppression firefighters that this equipment is for use by the RIT only in the event of a mayday.

Equipment such as a chainsaw and circular saw with a metal cutting blade. Having these saws immediately available to the RIT will enable them to quickly perform an enlarged opening on a structure to remove firefighters or cut steel security bars from windows for immediate firefighter escape. This staging level would also require the team to secure a power source for providing electrical power to specialized rescue equipment such as sawzalls, electric chainsaws, or lighted search rope.

In addition, the team would make arrangements for a protective hoseline to be available to advance behind the team if they deploy into the structure on a mayday. I have observed some teams purchase bright orange tarps with reflective trim for use as the staging tarp. This simply is one more way to further identify that the tools and equipment on this tarp are designated for firefighter rescue operations only. The use of a tarp is not required but certainly helps to control the pool of equipment being placed in one area.

Level 3 Staging and Task Force Operations

The level 1 or 2 staging would advance to level 3 staging for any of the following reasons:

An actual "mayday" has been declared

A firefighter or company is reported missing and the RIT deploys

A PASS device has activated that cannot be identified or located and the RIT deploys.

The initial standby team would deploy into the structure and two additional Rapid Intervention Teams, or a Rapid Intervention Task Force, would be dispatched immediately. It is best if this task force is on scene before the mayday occurs.

A way of having this task force on scene early on is to have it dispatched on the implementation of a level 2 staging operation. It is a proven fact through training and case studies of actual firefighter rescues that a tremendous amount of manpower is needed to find, extricate, and remove a downed firefighter from a burning building.

Often as much as 10 to 12 firefighters may be needed to rescue just one downed firefighter. This extra manpower could be the difference between life and death of a trapped firefighter. If the downed firefighter has become trapped or pinned by an object or debris, the initial RIT will more than likely NOT complete the removal. Their air supplies and stamina will become depleted before the firefighter is rescued. Having the back up teams in place will drastically increase the chances of survival for the downed firefighter. It is more important to have this extra manpower on scene where they are needed the most versus having to respond to the scene wasting critical time.

When the two additional RIT's arrive on the scene, one team (RIT 2) will prepare to enter the structure and assist RIT 1 with the firefighter rescue. They may also be ready to assist from the exterior of the building by creating enlarged openings or setting up mechanical advantage lowering systems for removal from elevated locations.

The other additional team (RIT 3) will work to move specialized rescue and EMS equipment from the apparatus on scene to the forward RIT staging tarp. This will save valuable time in getting this equipment inside to the victim if the initial team finds the downed firefighter in an entrapment situation. RIT 3 will then standby and protect the remaining fireground and prepare to support RIT 1 and 2. You should now have a staff of at least 10 to 13 firefighters on scene to deal directly with the mayday. If needed, additional Rapid Intervention Task Forces can be dispatched to the scene to assist with the downed firefighter operations.

This RIT staging operation should be the basic minimum procedure used on any fireground. Certainly if you have a larger response plan in place continue with what is working for you. Having a larger Rapid Intervention response to any incident is a plus when it comes time to deploy on a mayday.

Most fire departments simply do not have these resources immediately available to them. This is not to say that a plan could not be devised and implemented with some pre-planning and joint cooperation with your mutual aid fire departments. For larger career departments, this RIT task force concept and staging level plan should not be an issue. For both the career and volunteer sectors, it's simply an attitude, whether positive or negative regarding your firefighter rescue operations.

The task force can be dispatched automatically on the finding of a working fire or an additional alarm being struck. This task force could include an additional engine, truck, and rescue company devoted to RIT to arrive on scene and assist the initial standby team with rapid intervention duties such as implementing the RIT staging levels.

However you decide to set up your RIT response, keep in mind that when a mayday occurs, it happens very quickly and will catch everyone off guard. If you do not have a solid rapid intervention plan in place right then and there, chances are you will not catch up to the rescue operation.

The emergency actions involving a mayday will most likely be over within 20 minutes of the distress call. If you have to call for the task force after the mayday is sounded, you will already be behind for this event. Personally, I would rather not be throwing Hail Mary passes during a firefighter rescue. But rather planned, precise, and logical decisions that will save the firefighters life.

Conclusion

Not every procedure, guideline, or plan will work for every fire department. Each individual organization must plan and develop a firefighter rescue program that is tailored to suit their needs, response area, and building construction. But remember, firefighter rescue is extremely labor intensive regardless of where you are located. Bottom line is this. Fire buildings kill firefighters. Mix that with a combination of untrained rescue teams, inadequate rescue equipment, poor or no rapid intervention procedures, and lack of a priority in RIT and you are surely setting yourself up to be hosting a firefighter funeral. The Rapid Intervention Task Force concept is a viable way of having or getting manpower to the scene quickly to increase the chances of survival for our people in trouble. Rapid Intervention staging levels are another way of putting the resources we need close to the area it is needed most. Lets all give each other the upper hand at survival if we become lost, trapped, or disoriented within a fire building and initiate new procedures or revise old ones. Remember, change can be good?

About The Author

James K. Crawford is a Lieutenant with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire assigned to Truck Company #8 in the East Liberty section of the city and a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com. He is a Fire Suppression Instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and the Assistant Chief of Operations for the 171st Air Refueling Wing Fire Department, Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Jim is also a Search & Rescue Manager with the Pennsylvania USAR Strike Team One (PA-ST 1). He is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Fire Academy and the Air Force Fire Academy spending four years on active duty as a firefighter. He has over 25 years experience in the career and volunteer fire service. Jim teaches nationally on the subject of firefighter rescue and is the President of Rapid Intervention Training Associates and founder of RAPID INTERVENTION.COM.
Media Subject: Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) - Rapid Intervention Team Staging and Task Force Operations

Firefighting Foam contaminates water supply

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Fire foam contaminates water supply

Fire trucks' water pressure overwhelmed the city's drinking supply lines and pushed fire-suppression foam into them as firefighters tried to extinguish a burning Strip District warehouse, Pittsburgh's director of public safety said Wednesday.

Two pumper trucks were connected to fire hydrants for a long time Tuesday afternoon, said Public Safety Director Mike Huss, and as the pressure built up in the truck lines, it overwhelmed the drinking water lines' force.

"It's highly unusual, and we're surprised that it did it," Huss said.

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority advised people Downtown and in the Strip District not to use water for a few hours into yesterday morning, until the foam could be flushed from the system.

Ingesting less than an ounce of the biodegradable foam wouldn't pose a health threat, but it can irritate skin and eyes, said Bob Hutton, a project coordinator for the authority. Callers began complaining about soapy-looking water Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters allowed the four-alarm fire, which started Tuesday morning in the former Otto Milk Co. complex at 25th and Smallman streets, to burn overnight because of difficulties extinguishing it in cork- and foam-insulated walls. The building continued smoldering yesterday.

Fire Chief Darryl Jones said he had not seen the foam problem in the 20 years he has fought fires.

"We are going to make some adjustments to make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.

The fire apparently started when a construction crew's cutting torch ignited insulation in the building, the construction crew manager said. The building's owner, Jack Benoff, was gutting the building and plans to convert it to condominiums.

Source: Full story and updates at: pittsburghlive.com

Fire Gel: Fire foam contaminates water supply

Public Safety Vests - ANSI 207 Vests

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:48:00 +0000

First Responder Safety:

PUBLIC SAFETY VESTS OK SAYS FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

Public Safety Vests (ANSI 207-2006) meet the requirements of Federal Regulation 23 CFR 634 according to a letter to the CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute from Jeff Paniti Associate Administrator for Operations at the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), US Department of Transportation.

The decision clears the confusion highway responders faced in preparing to comply with the Rule that goes into effect on November 24, 2008. ANSI labeled garments Class II and Class III are referenced in the rule. In his letter Mr. Paniti stated " we reviewed the ANSI ISEA 207-2006 public safety vest standard very carefully and found this standard compatible with the ANSI/ISEA Class II requirements for night-time visibility."

As reported previously Federal Highway intends to add ANSI 207 Vests to the next revision of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The comment period is now open for the revision and pubic safety groups are encouraged to submit comments on this and other issues.

The CVVFA ERSI advocated for the clarification and rallied support for the change with the Safety Health and Survival Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and with the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition among others.

"FHWA deserves praise for making the correct decision to include the Public Safety Vest." said Steve Austin CVVFA ERSI Project Manager. "Now that the confusion is cleared up we can direct all of our efforts to educating highway responders on how to comply with the federal rule so lives can be saved" he added.

Click to download related files
1. FHWA PS Vest Compliance -.pdf Full Text of FHA Letter

1. File Your Comments on the MUTCD

Government Resources for Firefighter PPE – Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:28:00 +0000

NIOSH is probably best known among firefighters for its certification of all respirators used in the United States. Respirators are the only type of PPE that is certified by the federal government. However, NIOSH has a much larger role than just respirator certification in the area of PPE.

The organization is increasingly involved in several other programs supporting research and testing that is leading to better PPE for fire service applications. It even has a specific facility that focuses on PPE issues — the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) — which was established in 2001 at the Bruceton Research Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This article highlights NIOSH's role relative to PPE as a government resource to the fire service and describes some of the other federal programs that are directed towards improvement of firefighter health and safety.

As an extension of NIOSH's respirator certification program, the NPPTL, with support from what is now the Department of Homeland Security, developed specific criteria for SCBA that offer protection against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism agents.

NIOSH capitalized on the existing framework of requirements in NFPA 1981, the current standard for open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus used by the emergency services, and established additional criteria against chemical warfare agents based on a comprehensive hazard and risk analysis. The CBRN approval criteria became an extra certification for fire service SCBA in 2002, but are now a mandatory part of the new NFPA 1981 standard that was released earlier this year.

NIOSH NPPTL then went on to develop additional criteria to cover CBRN approvals for other respirators such as air-purifying, escape, and powered air-purifying respirators. As with conventional respirators, NIOSH maintains the responsibility for the certification of these specialized respirators while NPPTL continues to broaden its creation of new criteria for respirator development, with many of these programs benefiting fire and emergency services.

Impartial support
NPPTL personnel directly participate on NFPA protective clothing and equipment standards development committees related to fire service PPE. This role helps to provide impartial support for standards development that is otherwise unavailable to the voluntary member-based committees.

In particular, NPPTL personnel have undertaken efforts to meet standards development needs as they are identified by the fire service and other organizations. For example, a recent NIOSH-sponsored project entailed an investigation of emergency medical first responder needs, and created and revised criteria for emergency medical PPE as part of the revision of NFPA 1999.

These revised criteria are helping the protective clothing industry and end users to overcome industry performance and acceptance issues, which were inhibiting the use of certified products. NIOSH NPPTL has also sponsored a program for research into test methods that better predict the incidence of firefighter burns in protective garments where no clothing damage takes place.

This research program for the development of a "stored thermal heat energy" test method will lead to new performance criteria that will help protective clothing manufacturers apply new materials and designs to minimize burns that occur under ordinary fireground conditions and ultimately result in the overall reduction of firefighter burn injuries.

In another example, NIOSH has been working to collect surveillance data on smoke and toxic chemical exposures during wildland firefighting. This information is expected to form the foundation of performance criteria for the long awaited and overdue standard on respiratory protective devices for wildland firefighters.

In some instances, NIOSH has had to undertake short-term research programs for responding to industry issues where concerns exist about equipment in the field. Recently, it was discovered the firefighter PASS devices had alarm components that diminished when exposed to certain high heat and moisture conditions. A program led by NIOSH with support from the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Building Fire Research Laboratory worked to identify the nature of the problem, investigate test methodology for replicating the field malperformance of PASS, and recommend criteria that would overcome device deficiencies.

These criteria became part of NFPA 1982 standard adopted earlier this year. In response to a different industry concern, NIOSH and NIST joined forces to examine heat resistance testing variability associated with different laboratories for evaluating glove liners. While this investigation is still in progress, initial findings show some discrepancies exist among laboratories performing certification testing and may impact the status of some certified products in the field. Both of these programs illustrate how government resources can provide relatively rapid assistance for impartially dealing with PPE issues as they arise in the absence of overall industry oversight organizations.

Fatality prevention program
In 1998, NIOSH instituted the Fire Fighter Fatality and Prevention Program (FFFIPP). The FFFIPP investigates firefighter line-of-duty deaths — and selected non-fatal injuries — with the goal of formulating recommendations for the prevention of future casualties. The investigators use the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) model.

Medical records, death certificates, and autopsy reports as well as interviews and evaluations of PPE, particularly SCBA, are integral to the process of investigating fatalities. Each report includes a summary of the incident and specific recommendations for preventing similar events. Reports omit department and individual identifiers, as the focus is not on determining fault or blame, but rather on understanding the causes of firefighter fatalities and then developing and disseminating recommendations for prevention of fatalities.

As a result of this program, deficiencies related to the use of PPE are sometimes identified and can lead to improvements in both PPE design and deployment.

Meanwhile, government resources are being applied to increase the protective qualities and usability of PPE for fire and emergency services. Government studies are frequently undertaken to encourage evaluation for the limitations of current PPE and the potential for improvements in first responder health and safety.

While many developments have taken place over the years, one of the earliest successful programs was Project FIRES (Firefighters Integrated Response Equipment System) as sponsored by the U. S. Fire Administration, with technology transfer support by NASA and led by the IAFF. Project FIRES established the template design and performance for today's modern bunker clothing.

Currently, with the USFA as part of the Department of Homeland Security, new generation firefighter protective ensembles are being developed in two separate efforts by the IAFF and Total Fire Group through Project HEROES, and by North Carolina State University and Globe Fire Fighters Suits in their CB Ready program to deal with emerging threats for chemical and biological terrorism.

These programs are managed by the Technical Support Working Group, a government organization that fast tracks R&D programs for rapid commercialization related to domestic preparedness applications. The resulting new protective ensembles are establishing new ways to increase firefighter protection and are encouraging design innovations in clothing technology. A recent adjunct to the IAFF's Project HEROES is a new pressure vessel development program that will revolutionize the PPE industry with lower weight, smaller profile SCBA.

The judicious focus of resources through organizations seeking to address issues, heighten awareness and provide solutions is one way that the federal government is helping to promote greater levels of firefighter and other first responder health and safety issues.

Source: (1)

Government Resources for Firefighter PPE – Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:38:00 +0000

We often joke about the phrase, "Hi, I'm here from the government, and I am here to help you." Jokes surrounding the phrase focus on the differences between Joe Firefighter's expectations and the reality of the government support that is actually provided.

But all too often some aspects of truly worthwhile government programs are overlooked and it's easy to forget that there are some roles that only the government can fulfill in an unbiased and reasonable fashion. There is a range of federal government activity that supports fire service protective clothing and equipment programs.

Within the arena of government-supported PPE programs, the first area that many firefighters will identify are the grant programs, whereby individual departments are able to apply for funds to acquire equipment and supplies, which often includes protective clothing and equipment. The basis for some of these programs is to outfit jurisdictions throughout the country for domestic preparedness purposes.

As the most well known grant program for the fire service, grants from the FIRE Act or Assistance to Firefighters Grant program currently remain secure with increased funding over the past several years. The FIRE Act grant program has provided many fire and rescue agencies with critically needed equipment.

Naturally, the national fire service organizations remain in active leadership roles for the peer review for the FIRE Act Grant applications. In order to succeed in getting grant monies, fire departments must conduct a needs assessment to determine what category of the FIRE Act Grant program best benefits their community. The government offers several grant seminars that are described on ww.usfa.fema.gov, and there are several other fire news resources out there such as FireGrantsHelp.com.

The purchase of PPE through grant programs over the past several years has been limited to products that meet relevant standards. Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-8), enacted in 2003, requires that all PPE meet specific standards if federal funds are used for its purchase. This directive is positioned for strengthening the preparedness of the United States first responder community for contending with domestic terrorism threats.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has further adopted specific standards for emergency response personal protective equipment that include:

Structural and proximity firefighting protective ensembles (NFPA 1971)
Self-contained breathing apparatus meeting chemical/biological protection requirements (NFPA 1981)
Technical rescue protective ensembles (NFPA 1951)
Hazardous materials vapor-protective ensembles (NFPA 1991)
Hazardous materials liquid splash protective ensembles (NFPA 1992)
First responder chemical/biological protective ensembles (NFPA 1994)
Emergency medical protective clothing (NFPA 1999)

In order to better define first responder equipment needs, government organizations established and continue to support the InterAgency Board (IAB) for Equipment Standardization and Inter-Operability.

The IAB is a user-working group supported by voluntary participation from various local, state, federal government and private organizations. Its mission is to establish and coordinate local, state and federal standardization, inter-operability and responder safety to prepare for, respond to, mitigate and recover from any incident by identifying requirements for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear or Explosives (CBRNE) incident response equipment.

Its scope is expanding to cover all hazards associated with first response such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

The IAB specifically supports the local, state, and federal responders’ efforts in homeland security by:

Serving in an advisory capacity to all federal agenciesacilitating integration among local, state and federal response communities to promote proper selection and use of the best available equipment and procedures to optimize safety, interoperability and efficiency
Developing, maintaining and updating a Standardized Equipment List (SEL), which provides the responder a reference to the type of equipment required to prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from a CBRNE incident
Advocating for, assisting in, and promoting the development and implementation of performance criteria, standards and test protocols for SEL-listed CBRNE incident response equipment
Encouraging the coordination of local and state response communities with established military and federal acquisition programs for procurement of SEL-listed CBRNE incident response equipment
Identifying and prioritizing CBRNE incident response equipment requirements
Encouraging manufacturers, governmental, military and private agencies to sponsor priority research and development projects to satisfy local, state, and federal CBRNE incident response equipment requirements

In addition to state and local first responder organization representatives, the IAB's membership includes participants from the several federal agencies that have responsibilities in homeland security, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security itself.

The primary output of the IAB is the Standardized Equipment List, known as the SEL. The SEL provides a list of the essential equipment items needed by local, state and federal organizations for domestic preparedness. In addition to identifying the types of the items to be used, the SEL establishes the minimum requirements for many of those items by setting requirements for conformance to specific standards.

The SEL addresses the equipment needs of firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, police and specialized response personnel. Many of the firefighter and first responder grant programs are now requiring or will shortly require use of the SEL as the source of information for submitting grant applications. As a consequence, organizations must make their requests for response equipment based on items that meet the requirements of the SEL.

The SEL is organized into the four areas representing the organization of the IAB. All listed personal protective equipment items are linked with existing standards in the 2005 edition of the SEL. This means that clothing and equipment must meet the appropriate standard in order to meet SEL requirements. In turn, only equipment that meets SEL requirements can be submitted as part of many grant applications. To aid the process of selecting personal protective equipment, the IAB has developed a matrix that shows the various types of CBRNE hazards and indicates how compliant ensembles — clothing and equipment — protect against those hazards.

Limited protection
While this matrix was originally development to recognize protective ensembles for CBRN hazards, it is important to note that some types of protective ensembles provide limited protection in WMD events. For example, structural firefighting protective clothing, in its current configuration for meeting NFPA 1971 requirements, provides no CBRNE protection, but may be useful in parts of the response following a CBRNE event. Similar caveats exist for ensembles and clothing compliant to NFPA 1951 (Urban Search and Rescue) and NFPA 1999 (Emergency Medical Operations).

The Department of Homeland Security further supports a comprehensive database for first responder equipment known as the Responder Knowledge Base (RKD). This database features the largest listing of personal protective equipment for the fire and other emergency services, with the database further incorporating listing of other first responder equipment.

Protective clothing and equipment items are described in detail, with particular information provided in specific fields of information for product characteristics and properties that allow comparison of products. Clothing and equipment that have been certified to various national consensus standards are emphasized over non-certified products. The database further provides information on relevant standards, grant programs and industry references.

The RKD also permits questions to be posed to industry experts and allows firefighters to get feedback on particular products, which have been reviewed by other end users. It also provides mission critical hints and other useful information that aids in the selection of personal protective equipment. Lastly, the RKB serves as a means for reporting problems with specific products and assists in notifying the certification organization and manufacturers of issues that may relate to product quality or performance.

The federal government is working to truly help the first responder industry, including the fire service. The above information only serves as a few examples of the types of tools that the government is undertaking to improve the health and safety of firefighters.

In the next article, additional government resources will be explored that include the effort of the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory and other organizations that support research directly focused on fire service health and safety improvements.

(1)

NFPA standard for PASS alarms -- Upgraded went into effect on September 1st.

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:50:00 +0000

Firegeezer.com:

NFPA at the PASS

Yesterday we had a brief discussion about NFPA Technical Committees and then later on there was, coincidentally, an article that mentioned a LODD that was aggravated by a faulty or poorly-designed PASS alarm.

It has been brought to my attention that the NFPA standard for PASS alarms has just been upgraded substantially and went into effect on September 1st. Any alarms sold after that date cannot be labeled as “NFPA Compliant” unless they meet this new standard. The relevant document is NFPA 1982 - Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems, 2007 edition, and is maintained by the Electronic Safety Equipment Committee.

In a nutshell, this revised standard includes four demanding tests on the devices that are really quite stringent:

A water immersion requirement where the device is exposed to 350º for 15 minutes and then immersed in water for 15 minutes. After six cycles it must still function properly and be completely dry inside.
New high-temperature requirement calls for it to be subjected to 500º heat for five minutes without any melting or destruction and maintain all functions including the 95 dBA alarm sound level.
It is tumbled in a rotating drum for three hours and then tested to see if it remained fully functional.
A new “muffling” test where a subject wearing full gear lays in five prescribed positions and the alarm signal must still be emitted at the required 95 dBA sound level.

It should be noted that the three leading SCBA manufacturers, Scott, MSA and Survivair have all indicated that they will be producing PASS alarms that meet these new standards.

You can look at this new standard HERE. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on “View the 2007 edition of this document.” You’ll still have another couple of clicks to go through after that, but it’s easier than coming up with the $33 to buy one.

OSHA: Proposes $68,600 in Penalties Against Furniture Delivery Company

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:57:00 +0000

OSHA Proposes $68,600 in Penalties Against Furniture Delivery Company

ATLANTA -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $68,600 in fines against Southeast Independent Delivery Services for two violations of federal workplace safety standards.

OSHA opened an investigation in February 2007 following the death of a fleet mechanic who was pinned between two trucks while performing maintenance on one of the vehicles at the company's worksite in Suwanee, Ga.

"This was a preventable tragedy. Management had been aware of the need to take action since 2004 and had sufficient time to implement the necessary safety procedures but failed to do so," said Gei-Thae Breezley, director of the agency's Atlanta East Area Office.

OSHA issued one willful violation with a proposed penalty of $63,000 for alleged failure to implement and train employees on a lockout/tagout program to be used when performing vehicle maintenance. Lockout/tagout practices and procedures are intended to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.

OSHA also issued one serious violation with a proposed penalty of $5,600 for the company's failure to assure that employees used wheel chocks or applied the parking brake when working on vehicles.

Prior to this incident, the agency had issued safety violation citations to the company following a December 2006 vehicle collision in the yard which seriously injured one employee.

The company has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The Suwanee worksite was inspected by staff from OSHA's Atlanta East Area Office, 2183 Northlake Parkway, Building 7, Suite 110, Tucker, Ga.; telephone (770) 493-6644.

Labels: OSHA Fines

California Fire News

noreply@blogger.com (Bob Blogger) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 06:01:00 +0000

California Fire News:

Commentary -The best of Breed - Cal Fire News Top Twelve

Simply the best of breed the Top Twelve in Wildland Information resources for June

Breaking news, new equipment, fun reading, info, and of course a hot chick :

The best / Hottest Firefighter blog on the net! - The adventures of Copter Chick -She currently fly's for one company that operates the channel 4 helicopter for KNBC here in Los Angeles as well as several USFS/CDF contracts for firefighting. A beutiful chick helicopter pilot fighting fires for the USFS and CDF during the summer and flying news in Los Angeles during the winter for KNBC, Los Angeles does it get any hotter than that?, And then she shares her experience's this one you have to bookmark!
http://copterchick.blogspot.com/

The best new Firefighter blog - Firefighter Blog - Firefighter Stories, Fire News, Commentary & General Firefighting Content, Firefighting News and commentary from a old saw, written in a been there done it perspective
Firefighter Blog - http://firefighterblog.blogspot.com/

The best Fire fighter wives blog - wildland firefighter wives blog -Title says's it all Take those dirty boots off before you even think about coming in here...
http://www.wildlandfirefighterwives.blogspot.com/

The best new name in Fire photo's -Lucas911
This kid is bright and when he is not on the fireline with a hose look for him there with a lens.
http://lucas911.com/

The best in Bay Area Web Cams - Bay Area Web Cams - Simply Bay Area outdoor Web Cams! - When SCU is busy check out the Mount Hamilton view
http://www.rntl.net/cams.htm

The best Fire Information in Los Angeles County - LAFD BLOG - Brought to you by volunteer blog members of the Los Angeles Fire Department who else would have the scoop!
http://lafd.blogspot.com/

The best new wildland equipment - Chocks.com the best place for Wildland Fire rated Wheel Chocks - No more wood and rope, No more heavy rubber!, These Chocks are just Sweet! Lighter weight Extruded aluminum, Solid gripper bottom, welded handle, %15 grade single 30% grade doubled up, If your specifying Rig equipment from type 3 brush Truck to a type 1 water Tender
this is the link...
http://www.chocks.com

The best Active Fire Information in the country - Inciweb is in full swing this year and getting better everyday, For the official wildland fire scoop go to InciWeb.
http://www.inciweb.org

The best Commercial News source for Southern California Wildland Fire news - Press Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/

The best Commercial News source for Northern California Wildland Fire news-mercury news.com
http://www.mercurynews.com

The best new Wildland Fire Forum - wildlandfirefighter.org -Tennessee Wildland Fire fighters forum might go national?
http://www.wildlandfirefighter.org/index.phpWe

site dedicated to the hard working seasonal

GOLD MEDAL - The best wildland Fire forum- Wildlandfire.com Check out They said if you want the real scoop, and then the HotList for fire line reports at The king of Wildland Fire Forums if you want the real scoop you have to go here first.
http://www.wildlandfire.com

Email this • Digg This! • Share on Facebook • Subscribe to this feed • Save to del.icio.us

FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Tool Tips: How to maximize your locking pliers

Tool Tips: How to maximize your locking pliers

ALCO: SAR teams watch man drown due to policy...

Limited edition 10th anniversary 9/11 tribute painting "Twin Towers"

Order 9/11 Tribute Painting & Support CA Fire Foundation {EAV_BLOG_VER:ec40134ac98fdc23}

Fire Equipment Video: SERV Gradall Strategic Emergency Response Vehicle

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: NY-NYFD- WTC TOWER IC - NEVER FORGET ... FDNY 343 THE LIST

LODD: Washington Fire Chief Dies in Wildland Fire Incident Vehicle Accident

DEATH: Fire chief's death under investigation

By Paula Horton, Herald staff writer

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS

Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic:

Eye Safety

Eye Safety for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery

Common Eye Hazards

Common Injuries

Recommended Types of Eye Protection

First Aid for Eye Injuries

Information Resources

Acknowledgments

Cal Fire-Butte County: California Office of Traffic Safety grant

Gas, Water, telescoping valve control tool

California Fire News: New valve control tools

A.C.E. 3 in 1 Pro Waterworks Tool (8)3 in 1 Pro Waterworks Tool and Accessories and Extensions

A.C.E. 3 in 1 Mini Pro Disaster Relief Tool

SAR News: 21.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons

SAR News: 21.5 and 243 MHz emergency beacons will no longer be monitored by satellite after February 1

Firefighters Now Exempt From Wearing High-Visibility Apparel

Safety News: CPF wins firefighter high-visibility safety apparel

Haz Mat News: Hydrogen Sulfide is a new method of suicide

Emergency Alerts: ALERT FM

Hazard and Aert Information to cells phones via FM public radio

Hazard and Alert Information to cells phones via FM public radio

News: New SCBA on the way! IAFF news release

INFO: Personal Locator Beacon COSPAS-SARSAT System

Media: Rapid Intervention Team Staging and Task Force Operations

Firefighting Foam contaminates water supply

Public Safety Vests - ANSI 207 Vests

Government Resources for Firefighter PPE – Part 2

Government Resources for Firefighter PPE – Part 1

NFPA standard for PASS alarms -- Upgraded went into effect on September 1st.

OSHA: Proposes $68,600 in Penalties Against Furniture Delivery Company

OSHA Proposes $68,600 in Penalties Against Furniture Delivery Company

California Fire News

Commentary -The best of Breed - Cal Fire News Top Twelve

Order 9/11 Tribute Painting & Support CA Fire Foundation
{EAV_BLOG_VER:ec40134ac98fdc23}

A.C.E. 3 in 1 Pro Waterworks Tool (8)
3 in 1 Pro Waterworks Tool and Accessories and Extensions