Many firefighters today rush to the scene whether it be in a personal vehicle as a volunteer or a paid firefighter.  We must think safe as soon as the tones drop.  The Houston Fire Department has implemented some safety rules following the death of two firefighters.  Captain James Harlow, 50, and Probationary Firefighter Damien Hobbs, 30, at a house fire that rapidly deteriorated.  Here are the rules that the fire department put in place after these deaths.

Seat belts — Use of seat belts is mandatory any time the vehicle is in motion.

Pretty straightforward and I know that I am, I believe, now in full compliance, although it wasn’t always the case. Learning how to effectively hook up your SCBA while belted goes a long way in helping with this. The front half of the apparatus really sets the pace on this. If you’re the driver or officer, demand it and lead by example.

Speed — Obey all traffic laws; obey all HFD policies; do not bust red lights or intersections; non-emergency response is acceptable.

It’s VERY easy to let this slide, but it’s not at all acceptable. If responding in your personal vehicle on a call back or as a volunteer, you can be so busy listening to the call and thinking of other things that you can easily forgot how fast you’re going. There are effectively three speeds; under the speed limit, at the speed limit and over the speed limit. If you go a little over, before you know it, you could be going a lot over.

PPE — Only HFD issued PPE; no extra layers for insulation; weakest part of PPE ensemble is the SCBA face piece.

The use of PPE every time seems a pretty simple concept, but each year there are lots of injuries that never needed to occur because people did not wear all of their PPE. There are lots of excuses, and in lots of departments it’s very hard to get properly fitting, useful PPE. It’s very easy to skip certain parts of our PPE and even I’ve done it before. There were days when I didn’t wear my hood but I learned my lesson. I even wore street shoes at the station one day and discovered that the new wheel chocks had moving parts. Let’s just say my foot modeling career was over at that point.

We must also always remember that our PPE is only as good as our weakest link. Before my department issued bailout equipment, I was purchasing my own ropes and carabineers. While purchasing components at the local mountain climbing store, the salesperson asked me what I was getting the carabineers for. When I told her, she mentioned that the metal might melt or warp at a fairly low temperature. So, I asked at what temperature the rope would burn through, too.

Size-up — Perform a 360; accurate arrival reports; use TIC for temperature reading prior to entry, communicate via radio.

I’m a big believer in at least the team leader, if not every person, seeing the big picture. So take the time and take the walk. Even though we teach that size-up begins long before the call, you need a personal, visual reference. We can often feel that we don’t have the time; we’ve been given an order and need to get in the building fast.

When we look at LODDs in structure fires, many happen at residential properties where a 360 wouldn’t be that hard to accomplish. If you’re an officer or team leader, it’s a must. And if you’re sending teams into harm’s way, you should make sure they’ve taken the walk before they go in.

Water before you go — Goal to have an uninterrupted water supply before entry.

Not that long ago our district only had hydrants in a small percentage of the area. We went to plenty of fires, others and ours, where if the water hadn’t been figured out it simply took us longer to lose the fight. As first due units it’s easy — and again I’ve done it — to get so focused on getting even a limited amount of tank water on the fire that you forget to ensure a plan for an uninterrupted supply. A blitz attack, darkening it down from the outside makes sense, but command, the hydrant man, the chauffer, and the guy on the nozzle all need to make sure we’re bringing water to the fight, with more than we need in reserve.

Low-Low-Low — On entry; inside; on exit.

When I joined the fire service, I had a great instructor by the name of Tom Maloney. Tom was always adamant about this tactic. It’s a habit that many of us lose over time. Heat, especially from hidden fire, has a way of increasing without us realizing it. And on this issue, we’re kind of like lemmings: once we see one firefighter standing up, we tend to all stand up.

Ventilation — Goal of first ladder is ventilation; release heat and smoke to benefit firefighters and survivable victims.

I could go on for hours on this. Until recently I was the captain on the Truck in our department and I truly believe many departments have lost the art of coordinated ventilation, and are much too focused on getting the line on the fire first.

RIT — RIT on every incident; in place ASAP.

The speed and complexity with which events can occur simply makes this a necessity. Keeping the RIT available for each call will become a habit, a learned behavior over time. Not unlike the water supply rule, the time when you most need it isn’t the time to find out you don’t have it.

Crew integrity — Not an option; critical to incident accountability; call Mayday early.

Freelancing is dangerous to you and me, so knock it off. We often see people do it and don’t want to be the bad guy. Let’s be honest, most of us are type A, get it done people and don’t want to stand around. What we don’t convey enough (myself included) is that when you freelance, you screw me up — so stop it.

We must also realize that the building and its contents are less forgiving of human errors. The amount of time we now have to realize that we’re in trouble and get ourselves out is much less than it was 15 years ago. Situational awareness, knowing your own condition and conveying it up the chain, is paramount to self-survival. We must make early Mayday calls socially acceptable in the firehouse.

Communication — Throughout incident; interior and exterior progress reports.

We all have the folks in our departments who people feel talk on the radio too much. It happens and newer members see us roll our eyes and begin to learn that talking on the radio is bad. I’ve thought it myself and I’m sure I’ve conveyed it.

There is no way for command to know what is going on and how we are doing if we don’t provide feedback through communicating or progress reports. If you’re on the outside, demand reports. If the interior crew isn’t providing the right information, make them repeat it. Do it enough and you’ll get what you need each time.

The above rules are basic, but sound. There are lots of rules; the key is to truly learn them.

At approximately 1530, on January 15, 2010, tanker 5120 was responding to a structure fire when the driver lost control of the apparatus in a curve on Highways 130 and 83.  Two occupants were pinned in and later airlifted from the scene to a trauma center.  Specific injuries are unknown at this time.

The structure fire that Queheel was responding to was also answered by Station 5, (Stewartsville Fire Department) to help aide in extinguishing the house fire.

More details will be available soon.

Reno Ladder Truck At Work

RENO, Nev. — Shortly before 2300 hours on December 7, 2009, Reno firefighters responded to a residential structure fire at 1635 Ghettis Way.  The man that lives at the residence stated that he was inspecting an old World War II flare which ignited the home and caused heavy damage.  The man that lived there, his wife and cat all escaped unharmed but the home suffered damage to the garage and both vehicles inside the garage.  The fire also extended into the attic and spread causing additional damage. It took almost 2 dozen firefighters to control the blaze.

Before we get into this investigation, let’s go back to the LODD date.

On December 31, 2008, Paid On-Call firefighter Jarrett Lee Little was responding to an emergency incident in a engine/tanker as the driver. This particular engine had a 1,500-gallon tank equipped.

   As Little made a left hand turn in the vehicle, he lost control, struck a telephone pole and then overturned. He was removed from the vehicle and flown out by a medical helicopter to a hospital which later pronounced him dead.

There were two other firefighters in the apparatus at the time of the accident and they were also injured. This was Firefighter Little’s first shift.

According to the NIOSH investigative report released Monday night, Firefighter Little was wearing a seatbelt. The officer on the apparatus at the time of the accident stated that Firefighter Little had driven through the same intersection two times earlier that day and he had driven the apparatus prior to his first day on the job.

Investigators stated that Firefighter Little had driven similar apparatus’ before in the past. The officer on board at the time of this incident had removed his seatbelt to untangle his SCBA a few seconds before the accident.

An off-duty firefighter witnessed the crash and stated that the apparatus was traveling around 20-30 mph.

NIOSH investigators listed the following factors in the wreck:

• Driving too fast for conditions

• Removing seat belts while the vehicle is in motion

• Insufficient training on intersections and difficult road conditions

• Insufficient rollover protection for the occupants of the fire apparatus

• Driver inexperience with this specific fire apparatus

Why do fire apparatus manufactures not put in the proper ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) that Firefighters need? How many more firefighters have to die before this is a standard? We have standards that state all departments must use couplings made in the U.S.A. (Which is nothing more than palm greasing going on) but we can’t have a standard that our apparatus should have ROPS.

**REMEMBER** Always wear your seatbelts! If you have to don or untangle your SCBA at the scene, do so. But it’s best to make sure everything is correct on your trucks PRIOR to the call! Not that this was the cause of death, but it’s a great habit that could prevent major injuries.

Feel free to discuss this information in the comments area.

Firefighters in Texas not only fight fire, but also keep the public and their property safe. Everyday, Texas firefighters, both men and women risk their lives to keep others safe. Texas requires that paid firefighters meed qualifications before getting hired on a fire department.  The Texas volunteers are not required to meet these standards. However, they can take the certifications and it would be in their best interest to do so since the classes teach them how to save their lives along with their partners lives. The volunteer can also receive free training through their local organization or fire department.

There are 5 simple steps to become a firefighter in the state of Texas. We have listed them below in order to help you become a firefighter.

1. Train. Get used to training as your career progresses. You are going to train, train and train more. This is a good thing but can seem quite boring at times but always pay attention.  You can never get enough. You will obtain basic structure fire suppression and firefighting techniques. You will be required to take classes from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) which will consist of 468 hours of your basic firefighting skills. If you have prior military experience as a firefighter, some of your training may transfer over. You will have to contact the TCFP for more information. You will also have to take the NFPA Firefighter I & II courses along with HazMat Awareness and Operations.
2. Take the exam by the TCFP. You MUST take this exam to be-come a paid firefighter in the state of Texas.  You can contact them by calling (512) 936-3838. Let them know that you are ready to take the exam and they will send you a study guide to help you get ready for your exam. This packet will also include dates and locations of an exam near you.

3. All firefighters in Texas must have a basic emergency medical training that is also called an Emergency Care Attendant or a (ECA). Many of the Texas fire academies offer this course as well so you do not need to worry about going somewhere else to get it. You can also obtain this through local community colleges and other ways.  To find a list of providers for the ECA, you can call  the Department of State Health Service at (512) 834-6700.

4. The fourth step to becoming a firefighter in Texas is to apply for your certification. When you are finished completing these steps above, you are then able to apply for certification. Contact the TCFP at the number in step #1. This will cost around $20 to obtain the application.

5. Pass the background check. After you submit your application, you will undergo a background check to make sure you meet the requirements set forth by the State of Texas. If you pass the background check, you will be granted certification.
After these 5 simple steps, you can become a Texas Firefighter and enjoy a great and rewarding career!

**If you are a Texas Firefighter and the process is a little different from the above, please let us know so we can change our content to provide better instructions for those inspiring to become a Texas Firefighter! Thank you!

At approximately 17:30 hours on Wednesday, November 18th, the Laurinburg Fire Department was dispatched for a brush fire with structures endangered on highway 401 in Scotland County. While engine 11 was en route, Engineer Chad Donaldson could see a plume  of black smoke and immediately called back to central for more support. Calls to 911 poured in which then confirmed it was not a brush fire but a warehouse fire.
“It was the largest fire I have ever responded to in my 10 year career,” Donaldson said.
He said he knew it had to be something big as he was two miles out. He knew then that a commercial building was likely on fire.
When Donaldson arrived, he rushed over to one end of the warehouse to keep it from spreading to nearby woods which divided the warehouse and a residential area.
Laurinburg Fire Chief Harold Smith arrived soon after Donaldson and took command of the scene.
Close to 75 firefighters spent 10 hours battling the blaze and putting out hot spots throughout the warehouse.
At around 0300 hours, the fire was contained highway 401 was finally reopened.
At 0730 hours, the Laurinburg Fire Department went back out to the warehouse for a rekindle and spent around 4 hours. Equipment was brought in to move the walls of the warehouse so that firefighters could get closer to the existing hot spots.
The fire chief said that, while the facility appeared to be a single building from the street, it was actually two warehouses adjoined by a 30 ft. corridor.

One warehouse was completely destroyed while the other took significant damage, Smith said. He also said that the warehouse contained various industrial products like paper and plastic.
Smith said the cause was as of yet unknown, but the State Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Scotland County Sheriff’s Department are investigating. All losses of this magnitude are investigated
The fire took a toll on Donaldson on the nearly 75 firefighters who arrived at the scene.

“It is definitely both a physical and mental challenge,” Donaldson said.

The Laurinburg engineer said it was especially draining as many were still tired from fighting the Wagram fire on Tuesday night and his shift was about to retire for the night when the call came in.
The years of training paid off for all departments in Scotland, Robeson and Marlboro Counties.
The fire departments that responded included:
City of Laurinburg, Stewartsville, Laurel Hill, Wagram, Gibson, Queheel and McColl. Also on the scene were the Scotland County Rescue Squad, Scotland Emergency Services, American Red Cross, Scotland County Sheriff’s Department and the Laurinburg Police Department.

Photos: Anne Griffin

Click here for more photos on this fire taken by Anne Griffin.

One of the most important factors in obtaining money for your fire department is to write a grant that will get you the money your department needs.  Many fire departments believe that grants are only for volunteer departments.  They are local, state and federal fire departments as well. Fire grants can help you attain money for equipment, apparatus, training and supplies. Below, we are going to explain the best way to write a grant that will help you get the funds you deserve.

1. Outline the grant request requirements made by the funder. Some funders, such as the AFG site at firegrantsupport.com, help to identify what should be included in a fire grant. Writing an outline can help maintain your fire Grant’s focus and make your proposal more effective.
2. Begin with an executive summary that discusses your fire department, the amount of the request and how long you are requesting funding. Think of the executive summary as the outline for the funder, which invites the grant reviewer to read further and provides a synopsis of what you are asking for in the fire grant.
3. Write the narrative, which is often considered the most difficult part of a grant proposal application. However, it can be simplified if properly research and prepared. The narrative should cover areas such as success and needs of the department, and how the funding will improve your fire department’s ability to respond to emergency. Some basic rules to follow include answers about who you are, what the problem is, what the solution is and how much it will cost.
4. Define why you need the amount requested, and make sure it is supported in the narrative and by the itemized statement. List expenses and income, such as in-kind, matching grants and grants you are planning to apply for or are being considered for at the time of application. Funders may want a justification of all expenses listed on a grant request. Include financial information from the previous year in order to show that your fire department is fiscally responsible. If you were operating in the red the previous year, be sure to explain why and how you are planning to overcome this financial issue.
5. Review the application before submitting the proposal for a fire grant. If you were the one providing funding for an organization or fire department, consider what the organization might want answered. They would want to know why you need the money, what you are getting for it and what is the impact that it will make, not only on your department, but for the community as a whole.

Click Here to see an example of a fire deparment grant.

Fire Grant Tips & Warnings

Fire grants have prerequisites and requirements that must be met to be considered for funding. These differ by funder, and recognizing what the funder requires is essential to submitting a strong grant application.

It is not recommended to write your grant based on a grant template. Make the grant flow with your department and the reason the grant is needed. This will greatly increase the funding you need.

We have just started to use the Cleveland Roll on our trucks. This method has yet to fail and I believe every fire department should at least try it on one truck. I am sure that all of your trucks will change to this load once you use it a few times.

A Chester Pennsylvania Firefighter has recently been suspended without pay after he refused to remove an American flag sticker from his firestation locker.

Firefighter James Krapf was told to remove the sticker from his locker since he violated a policy the department has in place that states personal items can only be placed on the inside of the locker. The flag is displayed on the outside of his locker.

This policy was put into place after other firefighters complained about a cartoon that they found racially offensive.

James Krapf was suspended on Thursday and so far is the only firefighter at the station to be suspended for this policy.

“I shouldn’t have to remove the flag of the country I believe in. I love my country,” Krapf told Myfoxphilly.com. “I love my job. I love helping people. I’ve been doing this 11 years in the City of Chester, so this is something I love to do.”

Krapf said he would like to meet with the fire commissioner and the mayor to discuss the issue and his suspension. The fire commissioner reportedly told local media outlets that the only way to make sure people would not be offended by other firefighters personal items was to make a rule to not allow any items at all on the outside of the lockers. This would also decrease the bickering among the staff.

MERRICOURT, N.D. — The town of Merricourt used to have its own fire department. Now, fires in and around the town are fought by fire departments in Ellendale and Edgeley.

Merricourt, a town of less than five people about 50 miles south of Jamestown, lost its fire department about three years ago because its fire chief retired and no one took over, said John Elstad, deputy fire marshal for central North Dakota.

“It’s never a good thing when a fire department has to close up,” Elstad said.

Small-town fire departments are closing across the Midwest, said Lois Hartman, the retiring North Dakota Firefighters Association executive director.

The departments need more money and equipment and they have expansive service areas that continue to grow, she said. These challenges result in longer response times, fewer volunteers and more areas at risk.

When Merricourt’s fire department disbanded, the Edgeley Volunteer Fire Department picked up some of its service area, said Greg Gibson, Edgley’s fire prevention officer. That department’s combined service area is greater than the areas served by firefighters in Bismarck or Grand Forks.

Fire departments such as Edgeley’s receive money from each fire fought through homeowners’ insurance policies or from the homeowners themselves, Gibson said. The Edgeley Fire Department also receives a small amount from the state and from federal programs, but not enough to purchase the equipment it needs.

The department’s current protective gear is about 20 years old and does not meet the National Fire Protection Association code, Gibson said.

Federal Emergency Management Agency and state grants can help pay for equipment upgrades, Elstad said.

“The problem that arises with a fire grant is the amount of money needed to match the percent of money,” he said.

For example, a new truck costs about $180,000.

FEMA expects small departments to foot 10 percent of the bill — or $18,000 — almost an entire year’s budget, said Alan Nitschke, a firefighter in Edgeley and chief of the Jud fire district.

Elstad said grants could come from corporations, and certain equipment companies may offer financing to some smaller departments.

The Department of Homeland Security also offers grants but the paperwork is difficult to fill out, Nitschke said.

The Streeter Fire Protection District is just that, a district, not a department. It receives funds from tax dollars collected by the county, Elstad said. It cannot charge per fire call as Edgeley charges.

Streeter became a district around 1985 after the town’s rural and city departments approached city officials with the idea. The public voted in favor of the idea at a special election, Elstad said.

Streeter has an annual budget about $12,000, compared with Edgeley’s budget of $20,000. Streeter’s district covers 324 square miles while the Edgeley Fire Department covers 423 square miles.

Being a district with county funds and enlisting a professional grant writer made Streeter one of better-equipped departments in the area, said Tim Dewald, the Streeter fire chief. The professional grant writer has a 95 percent success rate, he said.

A volunteer firefighter with a full-time job and a family just may not have the time to organize fundraisers to get the money needed for the department, Hartman said.

“The community needs to get behind that fire department and assist them with the fundraising,” she said.

The Edgeley Volunteer Fire Department has a 30-man roster, but only about eight of the same firefighters show up at fire calls, said Justin Fredenburg, one of the firefighters.

Volunteer numbers could be better in Streeter, where 15 are active firefighters, Dewald said.

“We need training and more volunteers,” he said.

For Elstad, being a local firefighter shows a sense of community pride.

“I think being a member of the local fire department shows you support your community and are interested in the safety and lives of your community,” he said.

The lack of volunteers could be attributed to the aging population in North Dakota, Elstad said.

Gibson worries that Jud will lose its fire department some day, forcing Edgeley to expand its service area once again.

Jud, a city of 67 people, has its fire department only because of Nitschke’s work, Gibson said. That department will close when Nitschke wants it to, he said.

And when it does, one stretched department will have more ground to serve, Gibson said.

Junior firefighter programs have started in some areas but liability issues still must be resolved, Hartman said.

“It’s a serious problem, and I’m sorry to tell you we don’t have any good answers for it,” she said.

Source: By An AP Member Exchange Feature By BEN RODGERS