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Detroit Fire Commissioner – Let Some Buildings Burn To The Ground

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I might take the policy a step further. Put the 10,000 abandoned homes designated for demolition on a list and have the fire department identify all the structures on the list that could be burned safely.

From ClickOn Detroit – The Detroit Fire Department could adjust to a looming 15 percent budget cut by allowing some abandoned buildings burn to the ground, according to the city’s top fire official.
Executive Fire Commissioner Donald Austin said his is creating three proposals for Mayor Dave Bing to consider when making deep reductions to the 2012-13 budget, likely to be below this fiscal year’s $183 million. Detroit is going through a state-monitored budget overhaul under a deal reached between Gov. Rick Snyder and city officials, an alternative to a state-appointed emergency manager……..
One of Austin’s proposals would allow vacant buildings to burn if they’re more than 50 percent ablaze — as long as they’re not a risk to inhabited structures and the weather is favorable. Austin said about 40 to 60 percent of the fires in Detroit are in vacant structures.

I might take the policy a step further. Put the list of 10,000 abandoned homes designated for demolition in front of the fire department and allow them to identify all the structures on the list that could be burned safely. According to this Wall Street Journal piece the city is sitting on over $20 million in federal money set aside specifically to deal with demolition. Chief Austin should make a pitch to get some of that money. Burn one house a day with a private demolition crew to come in the following day with a dozer, loader and dumper. Pre-plan, execution and clean up, three days from beginning to end. Surely this would cut into the typical $10,000 costs to demolish a residential dwelling.

Posted by on April 23, 2012 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, Training, Training & Development

“The Noodle” Should Get The Can. ‘Disabled’ L.A. Firefighter Moonlighting As MMA Fighter

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Last month I posted this account of a disabled retired FDNY firefighter working as an active fire captain in another town. Today LAWeekly.com published news of an L.A. City firefighter allegedly collecting disability for nearly two years who is an active MMA fighter with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses.

–Prosecutors say that laid-up L.A. city firefighter Rafael Davis was caught moonlighting as a mixed martial arts fighter, under the name “The Noodle:” The 35-year-old was arrested at his Lomita home at 9 a.m. this morning on suspicion of insurance fraud, according to a statement from the L.A. County District Attorney’s office. He was hit with four felony counts of insurance fraud, the office says.
Prosecutors contend that the Los Angeles Fire Department employee filed for workers compensation insurance between Dec. 2, 2008, to May 20, 2011, even as he fought in MMA bouts.–

If true Davis gave a black eye to the profession and deserves the full weight of the criminal justice system to bear down on him.

Posted by on April 11, 2012 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, Funding & Staffing

What Constitutes Retired – Disabled?

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I was okay with this story until it’s revealed at the end of the article he works as a fire captain in his adopted township.

“Cliff Stabner, a 55-year-old city firefighter who retired in 2003 with a three-quarter disability pension of $95,000 annually, has surfaced as a member of the fire rescue team responding to crashes at Dover International Speedway in Delaware. The Post has obtained photos of Stabner wearing an orange jumpsuit and a helmet and standing next to a rescue vehicle at Dover’s “Monster Mile’’ track. Stabner also is a fire captain in his quaint new hometown of Lewes, Del.”

I’m not privy to the details of Stabner’s retirement. I can see how he could crew for a race team, hold a fire extinguisher, man a safety line. If he can function as a fire captain he should not be pulling down a disability pension. Maybe his pension should be redefined.

My disability pension from the state of California specifically states I cannot take a job with a similar job description as my old position, as it should be. If I could carry out the tasks of fire captain and all that goes with the title and responsibility I should still be working.

Posted by on March 4, 2012 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, Funding & Staffing

Guest Post – Flashovers Are Occurring More Frequently. Know How To Be Prepared!

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Fact: Flashovers Are Occurring More Frequently. Know How To Be Prepared!

By Captain Craig Nielsen, Los Angeles Fire Department

Flashovers kill more firefighters than anything else and what’s worse than that shocking piece of information is that flashovers are happening more frequently than ever before. As a 28-year veteran of the fire service, I’ve been involved in flashover survival trainings since 1998. It’s important to ask the right questions – questions that once answered have the ability to save lives. For example, what is a flashover and why are so many more occurring these days as opposed to in the past? How can firefighters identify them, and what steps can they take to ensure they are safely managing them?

I’ll address the answers to these questions and more in a free “Understanding Flashovers” webinar sponsored by Draeger Safety, on November 10, 2011 at 8 PM EST. Firefighters and chiefs interested in participating in this educational session can register at http://draegerfiresafety.com. We’ll also have a live Q&A so your specific questions can be addressed. For now, I’d like to touch on some of the biggest questions the webinar will explore in more depth.

What is a Flashover?
Walton and Thomas define it as “the transition from a growing fire to a fully developed fire in which all combustible items in the compartment are involved in fire” although a more simple definition is “the stage when contents and gases are heated to their ignition temperatures and flames break out almost all at once.” This is the most dangerous stage of fire development and poses the most risk for firefighters – so knowing what it is and how to spot it is critical to safety.

What Can I Look Out For?
While flashovers have typical signs and symptoms, some of them are difficult to spot. Just knowing what they are can help you act appropriately and safely. Things to watch out the most for are:
Heat build-up. When the fire is low in intensity and spreading slowly, combustibles and flammable gases are heated to the point of ignition.
Look up. You can go into a structure and see from one end to the other, unaware accumulated gas in the ceiling space above may be ready to ignite.
Rollovers. These are often the preemptive sign that a flashover is going to occur and they’re identified when you see flames “rolling” across the ceiling; where heated gas tends to rise. If you witness rollovers, cool down those gases effectively and get out of the building.
Pressurized smoke. If you are observing smoke exiting the exterior of a structure, look for what kind of pressure buildup is associated with that smoke.

Why Are So Many Flashovers Occurring?
The increasing occurrence of flashovers has been covered at great length in print, online and broadcast media and it certainly deserves the attention. Here are some reasons for the uptick of flashovers:
Better turnout gear. Firefighters are putting themselves in harm’s way unknowingly because firefighters are often reliant on the protective capabilities of their gear.
Better insulation: Homes are better insulated which is great for the heating bill, but not so great for firefighters. Thermal feedback is occurring more rapidly.
Combustible items: Plastics and synthetics create a lot more BTUs. Know what you’re going into and look for signs outside of the building that can offer clues for what you’ll encounter inside.

With flashover occurrences increasing, knowing more about this phenomenon is crucial for all chiefs and firefighters, to avoid injury or death. Don’t forget to join me on November 10 for more information.

About the Author
Craig Nielsen, a 28-year veteran of the fire services, is a Captain with the Los Angeles Fire Dept. He has served as a Live Fire Training Officer, Driver Training Instructor, Career Guidance Counselor & Instructor of Record. Nielsen has been assigned to the most active fire station in the country for over two years, with 20+ responses per day. He is a California state-certified Fire Instructor and Fire Officer, and Emergency Medical Technician. He has been a Dräger Swede Survival instructor since 1998.

Posted by on November 3, 2011 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, training-fire-rescue-topics

Move Over America Law In Effect In California

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Vehicle Code Section 21809 Stationary Emergency Vehicle or Tow Truck

Freeway: Stationary Vehicles Displaying Emergency or Warning Lights

21809. (a) A person driving a vehicle on a freeway approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, a stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or a stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, shall approach with due caution and, before passing in a lane immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, absent other direction by a peace officer, proceed to do one of the following:

(1) Make a lane change into an available lane not immediately adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, or Department of Transportation vehicle, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, if practicable and not prohibited by law.

(2) If the maneuver described in paragraph (1) would be unsafe or impracticable, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed that is safe for existing weather, road, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction, punishable by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50).

(c) The requirements of subdivision (a) do not apply if the stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying emergency lights, the stationary tow truck that is displaying flashing amber warning lights, or the stationary marked Department of Transportation vehicle that is displaying flashing amber warning lights is not adjacent to the freeway or is separated from the freeway by a protective physical barrier.

Added Sec. 2, Ch. 375, Stats. 2006. Effective January 1, 2007.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 175, Stats. 2009. Effective January 1, 2010.

Click here to see where your state stands.

Posted by on May 13, 2011 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health

Guest Post; Recent Studies Showing Health Risks For Firefighters

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Submitted by T. Durdan

When we think of the dangers of a firefighter, we often think of their moments of rescue, running into burning buildings and the possible dangers and wounds that may follow. Certainly these situations present major problems for firefighters all the time, but these can be just the tip of the iceberg as far asthe risks that can come along with being a firefighter.

Researchers have found that firefighters are often at a higher risk in developing testicular cancer,lymphoma, prostate cancer, and myeloma than the normal population. This expanded risk of other diseases involves when firefighters remove their protective gear after leaving a damaged or burning building. When they take off their equipment they could still be in the vicinity of many dangerous areas. Even being in the vicinity of burning or damaged structures can lead to inhalation and exposure to
carcinogenic toxins regularly.

Dr. James Lockey of the University of Cincinnati has taken extensive looks in the past few years into the correlated risk of health problems with firefighters. It was taken on nearly 110,000 firefighters and researched the correlation to around 20 different types of cancer. The percentages of risk varied, but in many cases, they were frightening. For example, there was a 100 percent increase of risk for testicular cancer and 50 percent for lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Another great risk of firefighters is the exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma. Many of these burning buildings contain this dangerous fiber within their insulation and piping setups. This exposure to asbestos has been known to cause permanent damage to the lining of the organs within the chest and abdomen area. With the mesothelioma survival rate being extremely severe, this is one of the most dangerous health risks a firefighter can be exposed to.

When the firefighters take their gear off, cancer causing chemicals can become absorbed through the skin. Researchers are looking into ways to prevent from these secondary exposures to cancer causing toxins and chemicals. Some have suggested that mandatory showers be taken back at the firehouse upon return, while some others have targeted the study of these toxins to figure out how they damage the body and cause cancer.

Much of this research has been a result of the continued health risks of those who risked their lives on 9/11 nearly a decade ago. Reports have surfaced finding that nearly 70 percent of rescue workers have suffered from lung related health issues in the ten years afterwards.

In the end, it’s clear that firefighters risk their health not only in the ways that we commonly think of like running into burning buildings, but also in subtle ways that are often equally as dangerous. It may not seem as heroic for a firefighter to be sure to carefully follow safety protocol and wear the proper equipment at all times, but in truth it is the best line of defense against environmental toxins that are often as deadly as raging infernos. Hopefully as we approach an age of better understanding
of the cancer risks involved with firefighting, we can also take a safer approach on how to make sure firefighters remain cancer-free.

Posted by on May 2, 2011 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health

Fire Captain Says Lack Of Personnel Reason He broke His Back

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We were trained never to climb a ladder without someone footing it. If we ignored that advice we could be docked a weeks pay. The reason we anchor a ladder is to prevent the kind of injury sustained by Captain Dibble.

Link to story here.






Posted by on March 1, 2011 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, Funding & Staffing, Training & Development

Wildland Firefighter Fatalities 2007-2009 (Report)

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Wildfire Today’s Bill Gabbert points us to this report from Dick Mangan of Blackbull Wildfire Services that details wildland fire fatalities between 2007 and 2009.

Mangan’s insights are drawn from data from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Safety and Health Working Team.

Mangan breaks down the dry data from NWCG  and gives us a well detailed narrative with the insights you expect from a 30 year wildland fire veteran.

I was surprised to find that only one (1) firefighter died from a burnover in the past three years.  Aviation related accidents claimed the most lives (16) and heart attacks killed ten wildland firefighters between 2007 and 2009.  Mangan observations and conclusions are notable and very much worth the read.

The 2009 wildland fatalities data from the NWCG”s SHWT can be found here.

Posted by on February 24, 2010 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, LODD, Wildland • Tagged: , ,

Guest Post: How Does Your Department Track Training?

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From Ilya Plotkin, Program Administrator, TRAIN

Training is key to ensuring that a workforce is prepared in case of emergency or activation. This is particularly true for professions where practice and experience are vital, such as firefighting, law enforcement, and other emergency responders. Each emergency has its nuances and it is difficult to track training and also to identify gaps in training without a system capable of doing so.

      Today, many organizations employ learning management systems (LMS) to manage and track employee training. The LMS can serve web-based and classroom-based training centers, allow the tracking and reporting of training, and can provide a means of centralized information. There are a variety of LMS options available, from built-to-order systems, to pre-built systems, to free platforms.

      The LMS with which I work is TRAIN (https://www.train.org), a LMS that is free to all users and course providers. TRAIN, a community of 22 states and 2 national organizations, is geared specifically toward public health and safety professionals. The TRAIN Community utilizes economies of scale and sharing to avoid “reinventing the wheel” and ensure the preparedness of their workforces. Of the approximately 315,000 users on TRAIN, 31,515 identify their primary job role as “Emergency Responder.”

      Most importantly, TRAIN allows organizations, health departments, and fire and police departments to become Course Providers and post both classroom-based and web-based courses either to a limited audience or to a wider audience. Any organization can utilize the system to track attendance and progress of a single training or a set of trainings.

      This brings me to the question that we would like to ask: how does your department or academy currently track training? Is training tracked via a LMS, on paper, or via a database system such as Access or Excel? What experiences have you had with a LMS or online system in the past that may lead you to either promote or avoid them today? We would like to hear your responses…

Contact: Ilya Plotkin
TRAIN Program Administrator
Public Health Foundation
iplotkin@phf.org
Phone: 202-218-4426
Fax: 202-218-4409

Posted by on December 11, 2009 • Filed under: Firefighter Safety & Health, Training & Development