All Subject Packet Bertrand Twp. Fire Department December 2013

Monthly Training Packet

Upcoming Training Date/Time Ice Water Rescue Games 12/23/2013

Quick Drills Throw Bag practice

Cold Water Rescue

Ice Water Rescue

Bertrand Twp. Fire Training Division Review Materials

Line of Duty Death – Ice Water Rescue

Training. SCBA Bottles Web links Winter Driving

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WATER RESCUE THROW RESCUE STEPS

Research and Program Development www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/RPD/rpd_home.asp

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Step 1 – Loosen draw string at the top of the bag. Grab the looped end found on the top of the rope within the bag. Step 2 – While holding the looped end, throw the bag in a underhand softball pitch fashion.

Steps for Deploying a Throw Bag

RESCUE TRAINING

References: Delmar Water Levels I and II, pages 64

NFPA 1006, 2008 JPRs 11.1.6, 11.1.7

RescueDailyQuickDrills‐EasyAccesstoTrainingTopics

October 2009

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WATER RESCUE THROW RESCUE STEPS

Research and Program Development www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/RPD/rpd_home.asp

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Step 3 – Try to throw the bag beyond the victim’s location. Step 4 – Once the victim has the rope, back away from the edge of the water to avoid falling in and pull in the victim.

RESCUE TRAINING

Steps for Deploying a Throw Bag

RescueDailyQuickDrills‐EasyAccesstoTrainingTopics

October 2009

Company Training Drill

Drill Assigned to: Local Drill Applications Date of Drill:

SOG #: Reading Assignment: Practical Assignment:

NFPA Objectives (JPR’s) Job Levels Critical Safety Points

• NFPA 1006: 5.2.2, 11.1.4 • All first responders • Crew safety and equipment use

• Hypothermia and exposure con-siderations

Engine Company #1

1. You arrive to find a neighbor who witnessed a child go out onto the thin ice to retrieve a dog that fell

through. The victim is still visible at the edge of the hole in the ice. What are your initial actions as first responders at the awareness level?

2. What are your concerns regarding scene security and safety? How would you begin the rescue or recovery operation?

3. How would you notify a trained and equipped rescue team for this situation? Are there any other procedures

at the department level that must be completed for this incident?

4. What actions can you take while the trained and equipped rescue team is responding and assembling on the scene?

5. What support activities can the first-in companies perform to assist the trained and equipped rescue team

during the incident?

Almost every community has the potential to respond to a ice rescue emergency. Even in warmer climates, the

few times that ice may form may make children inquisitive and in danger of falling through the thin ice. Use this basic response scenario to discuss how your first arriving equipment would handle a victim in the water incident

using your department SOG’s and if possible, using your available equipment for a dress-out drill.

A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation April, 2011

Fire Fighter-Paramedic Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Ice Rescue Training – New Hampshire

Executive Summary

201103

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

On January 16, 2011, a 46-year-old male volunteer fire fighter-paramedic (FF/P) participated in ice rescue training. During the training, the FF/P played the role of the victim. After the last evolution, the FF/P walked approximately 400 feet in 13 inches of snow toward the staging area when he complained of shortness of breath. After a transport ambulance arrived, the FF/P went into cardiac arrest. Crew members and ambulance personnel provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support as the FF/P was trans-ported to the local hospital’s emergency department (ED). CPR and advanced life support continued in the ED for an additional 31 minutes until the ED physician pronounced him dead. The death certificate and the autopsy listed “coronary artery atherosclerosis” as the cause of death. Given the FF/P’s underlying coronary artery disease (CAD), NIOSH investigators concluded that the physical exertion involved in the training and in walking through the snow triggered a cardiac arrhyth-mia resulting in his sudden cardiac death.

NIOSH investigators offer the following recommen-dations to address general safety and health issues. However, it is unclear whether these recommendations could have prevented the FF/P’s death.

Provide preplacement and annual medical evalua-tions to all fire fighters.

Ensure fire fighters are cleared for return to duty by a physician knowledgeable about the physical demands of fire fighting, the personal protective equipment used by fire fighters, and the various components of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582.

Phase in a comprehensive wellness and fitness pro-gram for fire fighters.

Perform a preplacement and an annual physical per-formance (physical ability) evaluation.

Provide fire fighters with medical clearance to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as part of the Fire Department’s medical evaluation program.

Conduct annual respirator fit testing.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an institute within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. In 1998, Congress appropriated funds to NIOSH to conduct a fire fighter initiative that resulted in the NIOSH “Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program” which examines line-of-duty-deaths or on duty deaths of fire fighters to assist fire departments, fire fighters, the fire service and others to prevent similar fire fighter deaths in the future. The agency does not enforce compliance with State or Federal occupational safety and health standards and does not determine fault or assign blame. Participation of fire departments and individuals in NIOSH investigations is voluntary. Under its program, NIOSH investigators interview persons with knowledge of the incident who agree to be interviewed and review available records to develop a description of the conditions and circumstances leading to the death(s). Interviewees are not asked to sign sworn statements and interviews are not recorded. The agency’s reports do not name the victim, the fire department or those interviewed. The NIOSH report’s summary of the conditions and circumstances surrounding the fatality is intended to provide context to the agency’s recommendations and is not intended to be definitive for purposes of determining any claim or benefit. For further information, visit the program website at www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire or call toll free 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

Death in the line of duty...

A Summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation Report #2011-03

Fire Fighter-Paramedic Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Ice Rescue Training – New Hampshire

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Introduction & MethodsOn January 16, 2011, a 46-year-old male volun-teer FF/P died after participating in ice rescue training. NIOSH was notified of this fatality on January 18, 2011, by the U.S. Fire Administration. NIOSH contacted the affected FD on January 25, 2011, to gather additional information, and on January 27, 2011, to initiate the investigation. On February 7, 2011, a safety and occupational health specialist from the NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Team conducted an on-site investiga-tion of the incident.

During the investigation, NIOSH personnel inter-viewed the following people:• Fire Chief• FF/P’s daughter

NIOSH personnel reviewed the following documents:• FD training records• FD standard operating guidelines• FD incident report• Police incident report• Emergency medical service (ambulance) incident report• Hospital ED records• Autopsy report• Primary care provider medical records

Investigative ResultsIncident. On January 16, 2011, the FD scheduled a training exercise in ice rescue (Appendix A). Crew members assembled at the fire station a little before 0800 hours and drove FD apparatus (engine, rescue, medic unit, and a pickup) to the frozen river/pond training site (Figure 1). Twenty crew members, including a paramedic, two emergency medical technician-basics (EMT-B), three EMT-intermediates, and 14 fire fighters participated. Weather conditions included a temperature of 26°Fahrenheit (°F) and 63% relative humidity. The pond was frozen, and the entire area was covered with approximately 13 inches of fresh snow [Weather Underground 2011].

At the training site, crew members first conducted sled-based ice rescue training. The FF/P, wearing civilian clothing including a winter coat, observed this training from shore. The training lasted approximately 1 hour.

Crew members moved to the end of the pond for in-water ice rescue training. The FF/P donned an ice rescue suit weighing approximately 10 pounds and swam through a culvert to the training

Figure 1. Location of sled training

A Summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation Report #2011-03

Fire Fighter-Paramedic Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Ice Rescue Training – New Hampshire

Page 3

Investigative Results (cont.)

location (Figure 2). The water at this location was approximately 3 feet deep and at freezing temperature. Speaking to a crew member, the FF/P was concerned about aggravating a recent shoulder surgery. The crew member showed the FF/P how to hold onto the rescue rope while the crew member “rescued” the FF/P. The training lasted approximately 1 hour, and crew members exited the pond area by either climbing the steep snow bank or walking about 400 feet around the river bank. The FF/P walked around the river bank.

As the FF/P neared the staging area, he reported shortness of breath and lay down in the snow. Crew members brought a Stokes® basket to carry the FF/P to the rescue unit and summoned an ambulance (1102 hours). When the FF/P climbed into the Stokes® basket, he began to lose consciousness. Crew members rushed the basket to the rescue unit, 75 feet away, as the FF/P began to have seizure-like activity.

Inside the rescue unit, the FF/P was unresponsive. He stopped breathing and had no pulse. CPR (chest

compressions and oxygen delivery via bag-valve mask) was begun. A cardiac monitor attached to the FF/P revealed two heart beats in rapid succession (bigeminy). One shock (defibrillation attempt) was administered without positive change in the FF/P’s clinical condition. A police officer notified the FF/P’s daughter of the incident; the daughter relayed pertinent medical history via the police officer to the crew members at the scene.

The ambulance arrived on the scene at 1111 hours and found the FF/P unresponsive, not breathing, with no pulse, and with CPR in progress. The FF/P was intubated, and lung sounds were verified by capnography [AHA 2000]. An intravenous line was placed, and cardiac resuscitation medications were administered through the IV line. The ambulance departed the scene en route to the hospital’s ED at 1130 hours. During those 19 minutes the FF/P’s heart rhythm alternated between ventricular fibrillation, pulseless electrical activity, ventricular/bradycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia. Three additional shocks were administered without improvement in the FF/P’s clinical condition. CPR and advanced life support continued throughout the transport. The ambulance arrived at the hospital’s ED at 1147 hours.

Inside the ED, advanced life support continued without positive change in the FF/P’s clinical condition. Resuscitation measures continued until 1218 hours, when the attending physician pronounced the FF/P dead.

Medical Findings. The death certificate and autopsy listed “coronary artery atherosclerosis” as the cause of death. The FF/P’s blood was not tested for carboxyhemoglobin (a measure of carbon monoxide exposure), but nicotine was identified.

Figure 2. Location of ice rescue training

A Summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation Report #2011-03

Fire Fighter-Paramedic Suffers Sudden Cardiac Death During Ice Rescue Training – New Hampshire

Page 4

Description of the Fire DepartmentAt the time of the NIOSH investigation, the FD con-sisted of one fire station with 45 uniformed volunteer personnel. It served 6,000 residents in a geographic area of 17 square miles.

Membership and Training. The FD requires new fire fighter applicants to be 18 years of age (21 years to drive fire apparatus), have a valid state driver’s li-cense, be a resident of the town, and have the approval of the committee of fire engineers. The applicant is then voted in or out by the members at the next gen-eral meeting. New members receive 220 hours of fire fighter training to become certified as a Fire Fighter 1, an additional 160 hours to become certified as a Fire Fighter 2, and an additional 200 hours to become an emergency medical technician. The state has no mandatory minimum training levels for volunteer fire fighters. The FF/P had 3 years of fire fighting experi-ence and was State-certified as Fire Fighter 1, Appa-ratus Operator, Paramedic, and in hazardous materials operations. He was a member of this FD for 2 months.

Preplacement and Periodic Medical Evaluations. The FD does not require preplacement or periodic (annual) medical evaluations for members. No annual SCBA medical clearance or annual SCBA facepiece fit test are required. Members injured on duty must be evaluated by their primary care physician who for-wards a decision regarding return to work to the State Office of Workers’ Compensation. The State Office of Workers’ Compensation makes the final determination regarding return to duty.

Health and Wellness Programs. The FD has no formal wellness/fitness program. No strength training equipment is available in the fire station; however, a local gym offers a 30% membership discount to FD members. No physical ability test is required for can-didates or members.

The FF/P’s known risk factors for CAD included smoking, high blood cholesterol (207 milligrams per deciliter [normal is <200] [elevated on the first and only cholesterol level measured]), and obesity (based on a body mass index of 34.7 kilograms per meters squared [> 30.0 kilograms per meters squared is considered obese]) [AHA 2011; CDC 2011].

In 2005 the FF/P was hospitalized for chest pain, but testing showed no evidence of a heart attack. To screen for possible CAD, a stress echocardiogram was performed. The FF/P exercised for 10 minutes on the Bruce protocol [Sport Fitness Advisor 2011], achieving 9.7 metabolic equivalents (METs). He stopped when he reached 85% of his maximum age-predicted heart rate (160 beats per minute). He had no reported angina, normal blood pressure response, and no ischemic changes on electrocardiogram. Echocardiogram imaging revealed a normal left ventricle size, wall motion, and ejection fraction. He was diagnosed with pericarditis and discharged from the hospital.

The FF/P last visited his primary care physician in September 2010, but had more recent visits to his neurospinal specialist for shoulder surgery and follow-up. At his December 20 visit, he was released for duty by his neurospinal specialist.

Investigative Results (cont.)

Company Training Drill

Drill Assigned to: Local Drill Applications Date of Drill:

SOG #: Reading Assignment: Practical Assignment:

NFPA Objectives (JPR’s) Job Levels Critical Safety Points

• NFPA 1006 (Water Ops) • All responders • Crew safety—Limit entry

• PPE assignment

Incident Scenario

Date: Saturday May 10 Notification time: 1700 hours On scene time: 1706 hours

Location: Retention pond 300 feet across by 700 feet wide in a field between several commercial buildings,

depth estimated at 10 to 15 feet, water visibility poor, water temperature 68F. Weather conditions, air tempera-ture 82, winds calm.

Situation: You are on a first due response for a fire department that has water rescue operations level response

capability only. Mutual aid divers from a neighboring town have been notified and are enroute with a 15 minute ETA. You were called to the scene of a reported drowning of a teenager in a retention pond. The teen was re-

ported to be on an air mattress that sank after losing air. You have one wet teen flagging you down upon arrival

who was also on an air mattress but unable to reach his friend before he went under. You are now at the boat ramp.

As the teen is hysterical all you can get out of him for the time being is his friend was straight out from where

you are now standing but he is unsure how far. The subject was a white male wearing red swim trunks. A secu-

rity guard who placed the 911 call is with the teen. He did not witness the drowning and only came over when he heard yelling.

Scanning the area you notice a fisherman by the west side of the pond.

Witness Information

The witness was fishing by the tree on the north side of a retention pond when they noticed a boy slip from an air

mattress and yell. The other boy tried to get out to him but before he could the boy went under. You were not quite sure if they were playing so you went back to fishing. From were you were fishing the last you saw of the

boy he lined up with the stack of the factory building on the other side of the pond and was about 3/4ths the way across the pond.

First-in Company Water Rescue Operations Review the incident scenario and discuss your departments operations for this type of response. Deter-mine your initial company actions, activation of additional resources and crew assignments for the initial phases of this operation. Use your departments SOG for this incident scenario and use the area map and operations check sheets as supplements to your scenario. Insert any local references to the scenario description.

Equipment Responding/Available Additional Resources Needed

Company Training Drill

Drill Assigned to: Local Drill Applications Date of Drill:

SOG #: Reading Assignment: Practical Assignment:

Boat

Ramp

Based on scenario description, place responding equipment and identify victim location position.

1. What are your initial actions? 2. What are the minimal levels of crew PPE that are available and assigned?

3. Who and how are additional resources for this incident notified? 4. What support or operational roles will the first responders take at this incident?

Company Training Drill

Drill Assigned to: Local Drill Applications Date of Drill:

SOG #: Reading Assignment: Practical Assignment:

Published by theGlatfelter Insurance GroupYork, Pennsylvania

VOLUME 09 • NUMBER 4

IN THIS ISSUE

EMPLOYMENTPRACTICES UPDATESupreme Court FindsFirefightersWere Subjected toReverse Discrimination

2345

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We welcome comments, suggestionsand questions from our readers.

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Bringing important information to emergency service organizations

Winter Driving:A Different Spin

INSE

RT

8

Winter is coming! And that brings adverse driving conditions for everyone, especially forthe emergency services. While responding, the emergency service driver will face wet andsnow-covered roads, icy streets and bridges, reduced visibility and other drivers who arefacing the same weather-related driving conditions.If your area of response is affected by winter weather conditions, then being proactive in preparingyour drivers and vehicles for winter weather is essential to providing timely service to your community.

Review the following measures with yourdrivers and operators to help them get safelythrough the winter.

Conduct pre-winter and post-winterinspections of vehicles with emphasis on:

• The condition and inflation of tires

• Brakes

• Wiper blades and fluid

• Headlights/emergency lights

• Defrosters

Also make sure your organization checks thefollowing prior to winter driving:

• Review the organization’s guidelines on the use of chains.

• Inspect chains for broken links and spread hooks.

• Fit the chains to the wheels of the vehicles, and mark the chains for thosewheels. This makes it quicker to install them the next time.

• Review winter driving tips with all drivers. Slow down, have patience, keepextra following distance and understand the vehicle’s handlingcharacteristics in inclement weather.

• Review your organization’s response area and mutual aid area with respectto road conditions during the winter.

• Identify streets/roads that are susceptible to icing up morefrequently than others.

• Know the highway department’s snow removal routes. This will enable you to pre-plan routes of response duringsevere winter weather conditions.

Preparing for Snowflakes ...and Snowbirds

Lost Electronic Equipment:A Loss Prevention Nightmare

Leadership, the Old Definesthe New

MABAS Enhances US ResponseCapabilities

Winter Driving: LessonsLearned

News You Can Use

CANADIAN NEWS–Change and the VolunteerFire Service

Safety & Protection: Never AnAfterthought

Winter driving is not

complicated nor are there

any special tricks to driving

safely. Have patience, slow

down, know your vehicle’s

winter driving characteristics

and be aware of changing

conditions of the roads.

As always, the objective of

the emergency response is

getting to the emergency.

Don’t let winter weather be

the cause of an accident or

prevent you fromgetting to

the emergency.

Photo courtesy ofDeFreestville FireDepartment.

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All Subject Packet Bertrand Twp. Fire Department December 2013

SCBA Breakdown - Cylinder

The air cylinder on a self-contained breathing apparatus is essential to proper operation. Think of this bottle as ‘your lungs’ when you are on air. Through the evolution of the SCBA, the components have gone through many changes and modifications. These upgrades have made the units more dependable, user friendly, easier to operate, and most importantly – SAFER! The following is a focus on what you need to know when inspecting an SCBA air cylinder and before wearing one in an Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health (IDLH) atmosphere. Air Cylinder Parts – The bottle consist of three main parts; body, valve and gooseneck. These can be broken down further, however a qualified technician should repair or alter. The body of the cylinder can be made of lightweight steel/aluminum, carbon fiber and composite construction. Currently, BTFD uses Carbon Fiber and Lightweight Aluminum bottles. The first step in the inspection of the body is to ensure no major damage exists. Look for gouges and holes. Look at the label, ensure it is legible and locate the hydrostatic test date. Carbon Fiber bottles should be tested every 5 years and have a lifespan of 15 years. For the Aluminum bottles this process is the same and you should ensure no dents occur. The hydro test date will be stamped into the bottle rather than a sticker.

Move on to the gooseneck and valve area after the body is inspected. Ensure the gooseneck is attached properly. Look at the following key points:

Gauge is clear and protected. Bottle PSI is full. Threads clean and free of defect. Weep hole is free of debris. Bump stop attached. Hand wheel locking mechanism is

working. Backpack hanger is fixed and tight. Burst disk is in place and free of debris.

All Subject Packet Bertrand Twp. Fire Department 2013

Useful Training Resources

Fire Training Toolbox has drills, articles, online courses and plenty of resources to fulfill your training needs. http://firetrainingtoolbox.com

Firefighter Close Calls will keep you up to date with recent incidents, upcoming events and the latest information. http://firefighterclosecalls.com

Fire Tactics is a site dedicated to educating the world on Fire Behavior, Dynamics, Rapid Fire Progression and Tactics. http://firetactics.com

Buildings on Fire combines the science and street. Great resource for how buildings behave under fire conditions.

http://buildingsonfire.com

Boron Extrication will keep you on the leading edge of Auto Extrication. Factory updates on new materials will give you the knowledge for the next “pin job.”

As usual keep up to date with: http://fireengineering.com http://firehouse.com http://firefighternation.com http://firerescue1.com