firefighter safety awareness dw kerr november 2005 point pleasant fire company #1

FIREFIGHTER SAFETYAWARENESS

DW Kerr

November 2005Point Pleasant Fire Company #1

Firefighter Safety Awareness - November 2005

2

MAJOR CAUSES OF FIREFIGHTER INJURY/DEATHS

• Motor Vehicle Accidents - POVs/Apparatus

• Cardiovascular/Overexertion

• Lost & Disorientated In Fire Structures

• Flashovers/Backdraft/Structural Collapse

• Trauma – Falls/Lacerations/Burns

• Infectious Disease


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PERSONAL SAFETY

YOUR RESPONSIBILITY• Observe Incident Command

• Use Personal Protective Equipment (Turnouts/SCBAs/PASS device/Radio)

• Comply with accountability

• Stay with apparatus and crew

• Observe procedures

• Know your limits - 2 bottles – rehab

• Have an exit plan

• Think then act


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INJURY & LIFE PREVENTION OPTIONS

• Adopt Safety Culture

• Safe driving/use of seat belts

• Physical fitness/routine exams/eating/smoking

• Personal protective equipment

• Fire ground safety procedures

• Immunizations & infection control


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ADOPT A SAFETY CULTURE

Attitude Awareness Actions Accountable


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MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

• Speed

• Driver and driving conditions

• Seat belt usage

• Backing-up – Use a spotter

• Civilian vehicles at scene – • Not seen - be visible/have an escape route

• Struck by - stay out of the way/block with apparatus

• Apparatus – Too fast for GVW


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HEALTH & LIFE PREVENTION

Routine Physical Exams Lifestyles

• Diet

• Exercise

• Smoking/alcohol

Immunizations/ vaccinations


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PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Turnout Gear - hoods SCBA PASS device Buddy breathing connection Radio – Distress button Lighting Tools TI Camera Rope/webbing/carbineer -TBD


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LOST OR DISORIENTED IN FIRE STRUCTURE

• Incident Command• Duration of burn• Signals upon arrival • Color of smoke• Thermal damage• Physical damage

• Risk Management • Risk little to save little

• Tactical• Staffing• Level of water/ventilation provided• Exits available – provided and created


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RECOGNIZING POTENTIAL FLASHOVER

Def: All surfaces reaching their ignition temperature simultaneously

Warning Signs:

Flames in overhead Sudden increases in heat generation Sudden lowering of the smoke layer


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RECOGNIZING POTENTIAL BACKDRAFTS

Def: Fuel rich smoke with limited oxygen content

Warning Signs: Heavy smoke stained windows Glass crazing Puffing/pulsing smoke Pressurized smoke Black smoke becomes dense gray


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STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE

• Incident Command –duration of burn

• Size-up – interior/exterior conditions/signs

• Light weight construction- truss/masonry veneer walls/chimneys

• Sound out floor/surfaces upon entry

• Be aware of area capacity – standing water & personnel

• Heavy suspended mechanical equipment

• Fall-down zone – 1.75 X.


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FIREGROUND SAFETY PROCEDURES

• Incident Command

• Accountability System

• 2-in-2 out rule

• Teams with radio

• Teamwork - staying together or on apparatus

• Use PPE/Turnout gear

• Use SCBAs/PASS devices

• Plan Escape routes - ladders/lighting

• 2 bottle rule - rehab


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ACCOUNTABILTY 3 Tags

• Helmet - apparatus • Coat – entry into hazardous area• Bunker pants – permanent identifier

Apparatus ring Entry area ring PAR – personnel accountability record Safety/Accountability Officer Used for all types of operations

• Marine/technical rescue


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LOST FIREFIGHTER ACTIONS

• Stay calm – preserve air supply/ skip breathing/filtered• Stay with partner/crew• Activate PASS device• Monitor radio/Update Command• Initiate MAYDAY- activate distress button

• Use hose line to follow back• Use flashlight to signal rescuers• Use tools to alert rescuers• Locate an exit – openings/exterior walls• Get to lower level– except for basement• Take defensive position/location


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STANDARD SIDE DETERMINATIONS

KNOW YOUR LOCATION!!! A - Front/street side B - left side – clockwise from A C - rear side – clockwise from AB D - right side - clockwise from ABC 1,2,3… indicate levels above ground


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LOCATING LOST FIREFIGHERS

RIT/FAST Assistance Required Last known location Tracing hose lines Evidence of location described by the lost FF Listen for audible sounds of FF

(shouting/tapping)/PASS/SCBA alarm Listen for portable radio messages Flashlight beams Planned searches


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FIREFIGHTER RESCUE TECHNIQUES

HOSE LIFT HANDCUFF LIFTS SCBA HARNESS SLIDE/LIFT WEBBING/CARABINEER ON SCBA HIGH POINT LADDER RETRIEVAL WALL BREACHING WINDOW CUT-OUT


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COMMUNCIATIONS

PRIORITY VS. MAYDAY Water supply problem Lost/disoriented Important message Low or out of air Impending collapse Structural Collapse Change in fire conditions Rapid fire change


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MAYDAY COMMUNICATIONS

YOUR IDENTIFICATION

YOUR PROBLEM

YOUR LOCATION


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TRAUMA

• Falls• Ladders – use spotters/tie off/leg locks

• Apparatus – use steps & railings/get help

• Cuts/lacerations• Gloves/boots

• Crushing injuries• Beware of collapse zones

• Stay away from under suspended loads


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INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Blood/body fluids – Hand/eye protection• Plastic gloves under work gloves

• Treatment of cuts/lacerations – seek physician atten

• Wash hands after calls

• Decontamination/discard soiled gear/equipment

Waterborne• Dry suits

• No open wounds

• Treatment of injuries

• Immunizations

• Decontaminate


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SUMMARY

FF is a team activity All members must play as a team Everyone has the accountability &

responsibility for the well-being of self and other team members

Command must be observed Procedures must be observed PPE must be used

firefighter safety awareness dw kerr november 2005 point pleasant fire company #1

Documents

smoke layer slide

gvw slide

dense gray slide

apparatus apparatus

fuel rich smoke

sudden increases

injury life prevention

radio teamwork