A federal investigation into a house fire last summer that killed two firefighters has determined that city fire officials failed to effectively respond to mayday calls.
The report Wednesday by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health concluded that several factors contributed to the deaths in Bridgeport. It notes that an incident safety officer and rapid intervention team were not readily available on scene, and that ineffective mayday procedures and training also were factors.
The Chicago Fire Department should create and implement standard rules regarding the use of fire escapes and review its safety policies, especially those concerning carrying heavy equipment, a federal report has concluded following an investigation into the falling death of a firefighter from a fire escape 10 months ago.
Choosing the right turnout gear can be a difficult and overwhelming decision. There are many different outer and inner shell configurations to consider, along with an assortment of pockets and various options your department needs. There is no catch-all answer to what kind of turnout gear to buy. Every fire department and/or individual firefighter’s needs, budget, size, etc. are different. Therefore, many factors go into making that purchasing decision. To help guide you in your purchase, consider the questions before buying new gear:
Is your department on a tight budget?
Is fast turnaround important?
Is a dry system in which the outer shell, moisture barrier, thermal barrier and wristlets work together to reduce the water in your turnout gear important to you? These systems typically have less working weight and faster drying time.
Is your department looking for gear that is constructed for natural movement? This type of gear fits closer to the body, does not bunch, promoting free and easy motion.
Are design features at critical stress points that deliver additional comfort and mobility important to your department?
Don’t forget to ask about a manufacturer’s ability to create a multiple-model or multiple-fabric configuration. This can save your department money!
Jefferson Twp., OH Stations 60 and 62 recipe for Riggsby’s Chicken is one of 10 finalists vying to win $10,000 in America’s Best Firehouse BBQ Cook-Off from Tree Top apple juice.
The finalists were asked to create videos showing online voters and a panel of judges why their firehouses and recipes are the best.
Online voting for the People’s Choice award end July 29.
The grand prize winner will be selected partly by the judges. The panel includes Audra Lowe from BetterTV; Jason Day and Aaron Chronister, authors of BBQ Makes Everything Better; and Allison Parker of the U.S. Apple Association.
Do you think your station’s BBQ recipe could sweep the top 10? Look to enter in next year’s contest.
While progress is being made, some departments still can’t equip their personnel with the necessary tools, according to the NFPA’s Third Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service.
The study — released last week — compares the recent results with those of assessments conducted in 2001 and 2005.
“Fire service needs are extensive across the board, and in nearly every area of need, the smaller the community protected, the greater the need,” they wrote.
Part of being prepared is having the right personal rescue system. One that is always with you and never in the way. The Personal Rescue System from LION integrates all escape components and stows them in a cargo pocket on the leg of the turnout pants. It can easily be deployed using any Class II life safety harness or escape belt.
This year’s IAFC Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, June 19-25, focuses on surviving the fire ground and fire fighter, fire officer and command preparedness. The IAFF’s fire ground survival program is the most comprehensive survival skills and Mayday prevention program currently available and is open to all members of the fire service.
The purpose of the Fire Ground Survival program is to ensure that training for Mayday prevention and Mayday operations are consistent between all fire fighters, company officers and chief officers. Fire fighters must be trained to perform potentially life-saving actions if they become lost, disoriented, injured, low on air or trapped. These training exercises must be consistent throughout the fire service. Funded by the IAFF and assisted by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE Act) grant program, our comprehensive Fire Ground Survival training program applies the lessons learned from fire fighter fatality investigations conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and has been developed by a committee of subject matter experts from the IAFF, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and NIOSH.
This week is IAFC’s International Association of Fire Chief’s Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week. One way to keep first responders healthy is by having their gear regularly cleaned, inspected and repaired, if necessary. Let’s face it, firefighting is a dirty, gritty job. Turnout gear that is torn, burnt and damaged through exposure to fire contaminants, as well as bio-hazards (blood-borne pathogens), can be a danger to firefighters’ health. Proper care and maintenance helps keep the protective performance of your gear intact. It can extend the useful life of turnout gear and can help reduce secondary exposure to particulate contamination. It can also lengthen the replacement cycle of department’s turnout gear. Skilled repair can bring gear back to serviceable levels of safety and performance.
Check out the following video depicting LION TotalCare’s cleaning, inspection and repair services. This video also provides examples of how LION TotalCare’s program has enhanced the health, safety and performance of a couple of large fire department and their gear.
Our bodies rely on core strength more often than you think. The core muscles aid in stabilizing the spine, which helps maintain a proper body alignment and, with exercise, can essentially reduce injury. By nourishing the core with appropriate conditioning, you take a conscious step in preventing work-related injuries. As firefighters you are lifting heavy equipment, carrying people down ladders and stairs, and performing many actions that require your spine to move in all directions. When your abdominal muscles–your “core” muscles–are not strong, severe strains and back injuries while on the job can result. Core strength is a key component in avoiding these widespread work-related risks.
Under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, Underwriters Laboratories examined fire service ventilation practices as well as the trend over the past several decades to account for larger homes, more open floor plans and volumes and increased synthetic fuel loads. This fire research project developed the empirical data that is needed to quantify the fire behavior associated with these scenarios and result in immediately developing the necessary firefighting ventilation practices to reduce firefighter death and injury.
By Susan Nicol
Under the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, 
LION Connects
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