Confined Space Rescue

Recently I've been working on some confined space curriculum so I thought I would share some of the issues that confined spaces present to firefighters. Reading through various articles and reports you will see that there is a common hazard that we face when dealing with confined spaces. That hazard is an immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) atmosphere. A majority of the time when there is an IDLH atmosphere there’s no visual cues to let you know that there is something wrong. Most of gases that we face in an IDLH atmosphere are colorless and odor less.  Because most of the gases are colorless and odorless they require us to have a good gas monitor to detect the various gases that we have the potential to face. Also we need to be able to interpret the readings from that gas monitor and have an understanding of what they mean. Too often I see people not operating the gas monitor properly. The biggest mistake that I see people making is they ends up putting the monitor in too quickly or just dropping the monitor in on a rope. Every gas monitor is different but the thing that is the same is it takes the monitor a few seconds to read the sample. So going too fast will not allow the monitor the appropriate amount of time to read the sample. You need to give the monitor an appropriate amount of time to read the sample or you will not get a good reading. Each manufacture is different so consult you manufacturers guide to know how long it takes for the monitor to read the sample. Dropping the monitor into the space on the rope should be the last resort. Gases can stratify depending on their vapor density in a confined space. Stratification gives you different readings at different spots in the space. So you could have a low oxygen reading at the bottom but by the time you bring the monitor up it could be reading normal. Your monitor should give you your high and low reading and you should be able to see what you highs and lows are. You have to be familiar with your gas monitor to be able to read the hi and low readings. The biggest issue with dropping the monitor in the hole is you don’t know where those readings are from. Hazardous atmospheres are the biggest issue when dealing with confined spaces. Having a good knowledge of what hazards are present, how to how to detect any unknown hazards and how to mitigate the atmospheric hazards are vital when dealing with confined space incidents. Almost every community the country has a confined space. Below is a summary report from the NFPA concerning fatalities from confined space incidents. Also a NIOSH report from a line of duty death dealing with a confined space. Then there's a near miss report from an confined space incident in Florida.  

NFPA report on
https://www.nfpa.org/Assets/files/AboutTheCodes/350/2152%20fff%20involving%20confined%20spaces%20-%2003-12%20(2).pdf

New York Fatality related to confined space rescue
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201031.html

Florida accident
http://www.hazmatnation.com/confined-space-florida/#gref

West Albany Rescue

This featured rescue comes from @DaSquadFather on Instagram. It’s West Albany Fire Department’s Rescue 12 out of Colonie New York. The truck is a 2015 Pierce Arrow XT walk-in rescue. The truck features an electric awning, a weather station, two 9000 watt Will-Burt light towers with sidewinder cameras, forward facing camera with DVR and an outdoor work station. 

The West Albany Fire District  is a volunteer fire department that protects approximately 6300 people living in about two square miles. WAFD operates two engines and one rescue. If you want more pics and videos of this rig go check out the DaSquadFather on Instagram

Auto extrications and hose lines

I had a follower pose a few questions for The Rescue Boss world. Follower Jeremy Mader asked the question "How many departments have SOP's about deploying a charged hand line during extrications and who has actually had a car catch on fire due to popping a door?" This is an interesting question that I hope will generate a conversation. My organization has a policy in place and it is expected that there will be a charged hose line in place when we have a working extrication. Even though a hose line is deployed I have seen a few with this practice. The first issue that I normally see is no one mans the hose. Most of the time in limited man power situations the crew is working on extricating the patient and there isn't anyone left to man the hose line. I'm sure someone is saying then you need more people responding. I agree and by the time the others crews get to the scene either they get involved in the extrication or they arrive on scene when the extrication is over. The other issue that I see people do is they stretch the line out and then they don't charge it. At that point I'm not sure why we are even stretching a line. If you are stretching a hose line for the worst case scenario then we need to be ready and put water to it. The second part to Jeremy's question is has anyone actually had a car catch fire during an extrication. I have never had this happen to me and I have never heard of it happening. I am not saying that it has never happened it just hasn't happened to me. So weigh in and give me situations that have happened to you.

Harrisonburg Rescue Squad's Squad 41

While on vacation I spotted this beautiful rescue truck at the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad. I reached out to The Rescue Boss followers and got some pics and info about the truck. Followers Dustin Gladwell, Chris French and Stanley Barbour who all provided pics and info. Here's a little info about the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad from their Facebook page:

The Harrisonburg Rescue Squad is a volunteer agency that provides service to Harrisonburg and parts of Rockingham County. HRS owns and maintains a full fleet complete with ambulances, response vehicles, a Heavy Rescue Vehicle, and a Mass Casualty Incident Response Unit. We offer new member training, EVOC certification, and many other EMS courses. R40 has over 120 active volunteer members and responds to over 7,200 calls-for-service per year. The volunteers take pride in the ability to provide extensive life-saving services to the local community.

Here's Harrisonburg Rescue Squad's website https://www.harrisonburgrescue.org/about/

Chassis:

• Velocity chassis, 70” cab w/20” raised roof

• Wheelbase: 255.5”

• Overall Height: 11’ – 6”

• Overall Length: 41’ – 8.87”

• 5-person cab seating capacity

• GVW Rating: 68,000 lbs.

• Frame Rails: 13.38”

• Front Axle: TAK-4® independent front suspension, 24,000 lbs.

• Rear Axle: Meritor MT44-14X, 44,000 lbs.

• Engine: DDC DD13, 500 hp, 1650 torque

• Transmission: Allison EVS 4500

• Side Roll and Frontal Impact Protection

• Bumper: 26” w/ full width raised tool tray/officer side reel storage

• Winch: Warn Olympus 25,000 lb. front fixed

• Command Zone™ advanced electronics system

Rescue Body:

• 300” heavy duty stainless steel body o 30” deep side compartments o 24.5” deep roof storage compartments

• Tank: 250 gallon

• Pump: Waterous 250 GPM, single stage

• Foam System: FoamPro 1600 foam system with 10 gallon foam tank

• 40 kW Lima 3 Phase frame mounted generator

• EMS storage in crew cab area with driver side exterior access

• NFPA light package: Code 3 Upper and Lower Warning Lights

• Scene Lighting: Whelen Pioneer PCP2 lights, Body roof mounted Command Light

• Pump Control and Outlets: Electric controlled pump valves o Front bumper and side 2.50” outlets

• Compartment Equipment: Full Complement of Adjustable Shelves, Slide out Trays, Toolboards, Tilt trays and custom equipment racks

• Rear Compartment: Custom equipment rack designed for trench rescue equipment, NFPA ladder compliment, miscellaneous storage

• (5) roof hatch compartments with forward recess for light tower

• Body Accessories: Recessed electric awning, 9000# rated rope tie off anchors, rear davit arm mount, 9500# winch rated points around perimeter, underbody crib compartments

• Breathing Air System: (6) 6000 UN bottle cascade system, RSP two bottle fill station, custom Eagle air control panel, dual pressure Sierra booster pump, Dual CMW breathing air tool air reel

• Tool Air System: Atlas-Copco 5hp 16.7CFM/217psi roof mounted compressor

• Hydraulic Tool System: Genesis 5 tool outlets, 3 CMW reels, 2 power units

Here's a youtube video showcasing this truck

https://youtu.be/dqV6Efp7CZE

Thanks for the info folks. 

Bentleyville’s Rescue

Another Facebook follower sent us in his rescue. This rescue is from the Bentleyville Fire Department in Bentleyville PA. It was shared with me from Dominic Sicchitano. Below is the info that Dominic shared about Rescue 11. It’s a sharp looking truck. 

Bentleyville Fire Rescue. Rescue 11 is a 2015 international/hackney. Rescue 11 is PADOH certified QRS. Rescue 11 is equipped with Genesis Rescue Tools (both hydraulic and Edraulic). It’s also equipped with crutch struts along with a variety type of air shores. Rescue 11 is equipped to handle other rescues such as confined space, high angle rope and structural collapse. The department currently covers Bentleyville borough and West Pike Run township (contracted). We utilize this rescue as part of our Rapid Intervention Response. Currently we respond RIT into 12 different municipalities.