The tragic deaths of two Buffalo (NY) Fire Department firefighters in a floor collapse during a residential structure fire Monday underscores the deadly seriousness of the job, as noted in The Buffalo News editorial below. Stay tuned to www.fireengineering.com for more updates on this terrible loss, and visit the Fire Engineering Training Community, where community members are posting their tributes to the fallen firefighters.
Join us tomorrow, Thursday, August 27, for a new vehicle extrication Webcast presented by Dave Dalrymple. "Alternative Tool Evolutions" will explore different training approaches to give your members more experience with modern vehicle extrication and rescue situations. Register now for this free online presentation at www.fireengineering.com/webcasts. -- Peter Prochilo, Online Editor
NEWS
Heroism and Sacrifice Evident in Loss of Buffalo Firefighters The Buffalo News The deaths of Lt. Charles "Chip" McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom are a reminder of the dangers of the occupation they chose, to which they necessarily brought a willingness to sacrifice much for the chance of saving lives.
Survey: Americans Recognize Risk of Fire, Don't Worry About It
A nationwide survey conducted by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers revealed that more Americans believe fire is the event that will most likely cause harm to them or their family when compared to lighting strikes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods.
TRAINING
Fire Escapes: Counterbalanced Stairways
The counterbalanced stairway is a common method used to protect occupants from unwanted visitors coming up the fire escape. Gregory Havel discusses operational issues regarding this building feature.
Hazmat Survival Tips: Equipment Concerns for First Responders
Regardless of your level of expertise, it's the little things that can trip you up. Steve De Lisi describes a diesel fuel spill scenario gone wrong and asks how your department would respond.
Training Minutes: Padlocks
In this forcible entry video, John Buckheit demonstrates how to overcome a variety of padlocks using only hand tools.
The Connection: Health Hazards for Firefighters
Host Cheryl Horvath talks to Suzanne Snedeker, associate director for Translational Research for the Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors at Cornell University, and Nellie J. Brown, director of Cornell's Workplace Health & Safety Programs, about their work and how it is raising awareness about firefighter health risks.
Drill of the Week: Accident Investigation By Forest Reeder As with any occupation, there is a potential for accidents every day in the fire service. Review your local procedure for conducting investigations using this week's drill as a discussion point guide.
PRODUCTS
Product Video: Plugging & Patching Drums
This video from Action Training Systems discusses the dangers of leaks in hazardous materials drums, demonstrates leak control, and more.
GasAlertMax XT
BW Technologies by Honeywell announces the release of the GasAlertMax XT multi-detector. Simplify remote sampling in confined spaces with the GasAlertMax XT's nonintrusive integrated sampling pump and SmartSample diaphragm pump technology.
RescueTECH ACCESS Lifeline
Certified by Underwriters Laboratories to National Fire Protection Association 1983, Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services (2006 ed.), this super-strong rope has low stretch and excellent flexibility and knotability.
Advantage 400 Series Half-Mask Respirator
MSA's innovative Advantage 420 Respirator allows users to quickly adjust the mask according to individual needs. The patent-pending UniBond facepiece helps to eliminate multiple leak paths while the textured sealing surface reduces facepiece slippage when working in hot, humid conditions.
Ward Diesel NO SMOKE
Ward Diesel's NO SMOKE features automatic, hands-off operation when exiting and returning to the station and manual on-scene protection. NO SMOKE 2 removes gaseous matter on 2007 model engines and beyond.
CONNECT
Forum: Dry Hydrants
"How often do you flush your dry hydrants? When getting water from a dry hydrant, what technique do you use?" -- Todd McKee
Quick Vote
Should departments that merge fire and EMS use EMS officers on apparatus after brief training?
Last Week's Question: Does management training fit into the culture of volunteer departments? View the results
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION: Fire Engineering magazine provides real life topics on techniques and issues that impact firefighter safety. Subscribe now at www.fe-subscribe.com for as little as 7 cents a day!
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION: Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend? Get your own personal Fire Engineering newsletter subscription at www.fe-newsletter.com.
If you are experiencing formatting problems with this newsletter, please forward your copy to newsletters@pennwell.com and please include the name and version number of your email program and operating system.
