FIREFIGHTER SAFETY AWARENESS DW Kerr November 2005 Point Pleasant Fire Company #1
Dec 23, 2015
FIREFIGHTER SAFETYAWARENESS
DW Kerr
November 2005Point Pleasant Fire Company #1
Firefighter Safety Awareness - November 2005
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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