Media: Rapid Intervention Team Staging and Task Force Operations

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

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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

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

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

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

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.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. It is tumbled in a rotating drum for three hours and then tested to see if it remained fully functional.

4. 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

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.

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Sweet Chocks from Chocks.com

Editor - We received some real sweet Chocks from Chocks.com today, These are lightweight but built like a Abram's tank and rated at 30% grade with both used. Solid Bottom meets the Forest Sevice requirements these Chocks are just too Sweet!

The brackets supplied seem ok but will need some re-work for off road Tactical Water Tender use so that the Chocks are properly secured from theft and off road use.

Got to get em' mounted and then we will update after they get the workout, That I am sure they will get this Fire season out here in the West.

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HWC6-WHY Medium Yellow Aluminum Chock
Extruded with Welded Handle

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Extruded with Welded Handle, HWC6-WHY Medium Yellow Aluminum Chock Extruded with Welded Handle	Order HWC6-WHY Medium Yellow Aluminum Chock Extruded with Welded Handle Product Number: 1120315600
Drawing/Specifications Extruded with Welded Handle CAD Drawing"> Material: Aluminum Size: 6"H x 6"W x 10"L Weight: 4.75 lbs. Item No.: 1120315600 PDF: Catalog Description HWC6-WHY is a medium extruded aluminum chock that is well suited for medium tire use. The HWC6-WHY features a yellow powder coated finish. A welded aluminum handle on the back for ease of use. A serrated tire contact area for advanced tire traction and a solid bottom to resist soil compression. This wheel chock will not harm blacktop and is non-sparking. Commonly used on bucket trucks and off-road vehicles. Safety Data Tire Size: Medium Tires % Grade Rating: 11% Test to Failure: Meets SAE standards Best Use: General. Large-Tired Vehicles with Potential Off-Road Use. Great for tires 19.5R or less. Features: Extruded Aluminum Construction. Welded Handle.Powder coated yellow finish. Solid Bottom Resists Soil Compression.

Storefront fire a foamy test for Chicago firefighters' newest gear: "

Storefront fire a foamy test for Chicago firefighters' newest gear

By Alexa Aguilar
Chicago Tribune
Copyright 2007 Chicago Tribune
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News

PHOTO BY TIM OLK, FIRE DEPARTMENT PHOTO UNIT

CHICAGO — A woman was hospitalized with minor injuries Monday after a fire swept through three storefront businesses in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood.

The blaze began about 2:15 p.m. in the basement of La Baguette Bakery, and then spread to a neighboring shoe store and a Colombian restaurant in the 7000 block of North Clark Street, fire officials said. The businesses share a common basement, a fire official said.

Employees at several businesses across the street said they heard a "boom," and then saw employees at the bakery, shoe store and restaurant running out of the building, as huge clouds of smoke billowed from the adjacent businesses.

About 150 firefighters, paramedics and support personnel were eventually on scene, after a mayday alarm came through when a firefighter couldn't be found inside, Chicago Fire Cmdr. Will Knight said.

The firefighter lost contact for a few minutes, which triggers an immediate signal, Knight said. He was found uninjured, Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco said.

Once on the scene, firefighters pulled out a new high-expansion foam unit. The machine helps to smother the fire in hard-to-reach places, such as the bakery's basement, Orozco said.

As smoke poured out of the bakery's broken windows, firefighters hooked up a large, plastic tunnel to a firetruck and then connected the tunnel to the inside of the bakery. The foam, which resembled bubble bath, shot into the space, filling the building to its ceiling and pouring out into the street.

Eventually, the white foam covered the street and the firefighters.

The fire's cause is under investigation, Orozco said."

Water injected turbine for fire suppression by Willimczik

OIL RIG FIRE SUPPRESSION

wildland urban interface operations

Thirteen experienced WUI specialists from federal and state fire agencies and Firewise programs were recently interviewed regarding their notable successes and effective practices in wildland urban interface operations and practices.
Special thanks are extended to these interagency community members for sharing their important lessons and practices with the wildland fire community.

Part 1 pdf
Part 2 pdf


From Wildlandfire.com They Said

The Lessons Learned Center recently interviewed thirteen experienced WUI
specialists from federal and state fire agencies and Firewise programs
regarding their notable successes and effective practices in wildland urban
interface operations and practices, for a two part edition of Scratchline.
You will find links to both part 1 and part 2 below.

Thank-You and Take Care,

Brenna (For Paula Nasiatka, Center Manager)

www.wildfirelessons.net/documents/Scratchline_Issue19.pdf (large 1532 K pdf file)
www.wildfirelessons.net/documents/Scratchline_Issue20.pdf