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It is the five year anniversary of the Grand Prix Fire, Cedar Fire and the Old Fire.  Those that assisted in these major wildland and urban conflagration fires will remember them as defining moments in their career.  The long hours of firefighting and utter devastation is burned deeply into all of our minds.

It was a terrible month for Southern California.  Thousands of homes were lost and several lives.  Our hearts go out to Brother Firefighter Steve Rucker who lost his life that October 5 years ago while battling fires near San Diego.

I am assured that the loss of lives and property that fire season has not gone in vain. Many of us were able to take something away from these incidents and help build our slide carousel of experiences for future references of lessons learned.

The Old Fire

The Cedar Fire

The following firefighter ladder evolution is based upon the criteria and standards utilized by the Victor Valley Fire Academy in Southern California. The VVC Fire Academy is an Accredited by the California State Fire Marshall’s Office.

Emmitsburg, MD. – The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have completed a report, Technical Note 1499, Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging Cameras – Small- and Full-Scale Experiments.

This report provides information on the research conducted as part of a project partnership on Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) imaging performance metrics and test methods. The overall objective of the report is to provide science-based information to national standards developing organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in support of NFPA 1801, Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service.

This study was conducted with support of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate. The report describes performance metrics on TIC image contrast, effective temperature range, resolution, and image and thermal sensitivity.

“Each year fires in structures trap firefighters resulting in their injury and sometimes, death,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade. “This research partnership has developed critical information to support the development of a national standard on Thermal Imaging Technology that previously did not exist which will enhance the safety of our nation’s firefighters.”

NIST and USFA conducted research on the performance of thermal imaging systems to enhance firefighter safety in operational situations. Current thermal imaging technology was assessed by investigating a variety of commercially available thermal imaging cameras in the laboratory as well as in full-scale burns. The research also explored new technology that might enhance performance of future thermal imaging devices and worked to incorporate new technology into enhanced infrared cameras. Issues such as differential resolution, thermal exposure, performance during suppression, and ease of use were also examined. This project complemented existing NIST funded research on the development of a standard on thermal imaging technology.

“This study examined the capabilities and limitations of such thermal imaging technology and may lead to improved evaluation, standards, training, and understanding by local fire and emergency services departments,” said NIST researcher Nelson Bryner. “NIST was pleased to work with USFA in this effort to provide science-based information to national level standards developing organizations on this life saving technology for the fire service and the public they protect.”

Another technical report documenting the needs of the fire service community, Thermal Imaging Research Needs for First Responders: Workshop Proceedings, was previously published as part of this study.

These reports are available for download, free of charge, from the both the USFA and NIST.

Performance Metrics for Fire Fighting Thermal Imaging Cameras

Thermal Imaging Research Needs for First Responders: Workshop Proceedings

Further information about this partnership effort, may be found under the Research section of the USFA Web site.

West Coast 911 Source - Written by USFA

National Preparedness Month provides us all another opportunity to take time to focus on the wide variety of risks that confront our communities and emergency services providers. While it is obvious that fire and other emergency service organizations are consistently refining their capabilities to address the service challenges of their operational environments, it is less obvious as to what material investment they are making to protect their own personnel and resources. Emergency services providers across the Nation spend countless hours assessing ways to improve their service delivery capabilities in the mindset of “responders,” but what happens when circumstances develop that make these “responders’ simply another part of the at risk population?

USFA has just released a Technical Report entitled Fire Department Preparedness for Extreme Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters which highlights a number of key issues to be addressed in developing organizational preparedness initiatives for specific hazards. The report offers various practical examples of lessons learned which have been incorporated into emergency operating plans and mutual aid agreements, which can serve as food for thought and models to others.

In the state of California, fire departments have invested huge sums and tireless efforts to develop sophisticated earthquake related emergency operations plans and resilience capabilities addressing a wide variety of issues, including structural standards for facilities, sustained periods requiring self reliance, and staffing challenges. However, many other jurisdictions across the Nation sharing similar seismic fault risks have yet to plan and exercise for such a potentially catastrophic eventuality. While this and other such natural risks may be relatively infrequent occurrences, their high consequence impact potential should prompt studied preparedness efforts.

Has your department conducted formal operational risk assessments for all the likely weather emergencies or natural disasters that could compromise its resources and the service expectations of the community? Has your organization developed innovative ways to leverage resources for high impact events that take in to account the lessons learned from previous events that could be shared by others?

Article Written by Ken Kuntz / USFA - Source USFA Website

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Department of Homeland Security’s United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a report today examining the causes and characteristics of fires occurring in residential structures and buildings. The report, Residential Structure and Building Fires, was developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of USFA.

The report presents an overview of residential structure fires and trends for one-and two-family, multifamily, and other residential structures. This report also addresses residential building fires for each of the three residential occupancy types.

The report is based primarily on 2005 NFIRS data and the 2005 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) survey data. In 2005, there were an estimated 396,000 residential structure fires, resulting in 3,055 civilian fire deaths, 13,825 civilian injuries, and $6.9 billion in loss.

“Most fires and related deaths and injuries in residences are preventable,” said United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade. “It is important that you take the necessary precautions to ensure your home is fire safe. Install and maintain smoke alarms and sprinklers, and establish and practice your escape plan. By being prepared, you can help reduce the chances of fire injury or even death.”

Fires in residential buildings—a subset of residential structures—accounted for 95 percent of residential structure fires and fatal fires, 97 percent of residential structure fires with injuries, and 95 percent of fires with dollar loss. There were an estimated 376,500 residential building fires in 2005. These fires claimed the lives of 2,895 civilians and injured an additional 13,375 civilians.

Cooking (41 percent) and heating (13 percent) are the leading causes of residential building fires. Cooking also accounts for approximately 25 percent of fires that injure civilians. Smoking (20 percent) is the leading cause of fatal residential building fires.

Source - USFA / Download the full report HERE

The International Association of Firefighters has recently put out an article regarding their stance on the number two killer of firefighters - Vehicle accidents.

The primary emphasis is once again; seat belts.  Buckle up out there guys. Stay safe.

Here is the article:

Firefighter Vehicle Accidents and Seat Belts - vehicledeaths

An arbitrator has ruled that the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, violated provisions of a labor agreement between the IAFF and the Command by reducing staffing last year.

The arbitrator determined that the Command did not have the authority to reduce staffing on Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) equipment required by Department of Defense (DoD) policy and that the employer must either return to previous staffing levels or apply for a waiver from DoD.

In the decision, the arbitrator agreed with the IAFF’s position and held that the Command violated DoD policy and the governing provisions of the labor contracts which required it to adhere to pertinent regulations and policies.

Her findings in the ruling concluded that reductions in staffing of ARFF vehicles would impede the ability of fire fighters to effectively respond to emergency incidents and increase the safety and health risks for fire fighters and all on the scene. “This action appears contrary to the [Command]’s assertion that the safety of the fire fighters, flight crew, passengers and the aircraft is the first concern,” she wrote.

The ruling requires the Command to immediately restore minimum staffing of ARFF vehicles to three, undertake a risk analysis concerning staffing and propose a timetable for restoring staffing levels or applying for a waiver from DoD.

The IAFF represents ARFF fire fighters at Hanscom Air Force Base (Bedford, Massachusetts), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Dayton, Ohio), Robins Air Force Base (Warner Robins, Georgia) and Tinker Air Force Base (Tinker, Oklahoma).

For more information, contact 16th District Vice President Jim Johnson at (202) 360-1318 or (937) 470-4340.

Story by IAFF

Robyn Benincasa, a firefighter at Pacific Highlands Ranch Fire Station 47, likens her fire crew to “The Brady Bunch.”

The new station’s “A” crew Captain Greg George is the head of an all female outfit, including Benincasa, firefighter paramedic April Lallo and engineer Melissa Cleary; all close friends who transferred together from Point Loma. They are the only regularly scheduled all-female crew in the county.

The country's only all-female crew works Station 47 with Capt. Greg George. The women are from front, April Lallo, Robyn Benincasa and Melissa Cleary. They were training with Del Mar Height's fire engine. / Photo by: Danielle Vinland

After six months in Pacific Highlands Ranch, they are one very happy bunch, enjoying protecting the surrounding community out of their enviable home.

The “A” crew is one of three working in a rotation of 24-hour shifts at Station 47, twelve firefighters in total. Captains Dave Connor and Paul Carrozza head up the “B” and “C” crews respectively.

“Everyone here in the fire station has a lot of experience,” George said. “The community can feel really confident that they are getting some of the best of the best.”

All feel very lucky to be working at what is considered one of the nicest fire stations in the city - Mayor Jerry Sanders even said so at the February grand opening.

“I love it, it’s the best,” said Benincasa of 47. “Everyday we pinch ourselves.”

As happy as they are to be in the community, the response from residents has been just as warm, Benincasa said.

“We’re glad they’re here,” said Manjeet Ranu, a Pacific Highlands Ranch resident and representative on the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board.

Ranu said that the 2007 wildfires only reinforced the need to have a fire station in their community.

“On the rare occasions that I actually hear sirens, it reminds me that we’re fortunate to have first-rate emergency services right here,” Ranu said.

Neighbors have had plenty of opportunities to see firefighters out and about as a lot of the work they’ve been doing in the last six months has been driving around; getting to know streets and neighborhoods and learning how to get into gated communities. Knowing all the area’s “nooks and crannies” is important in times of emergency when they need to get someplace very quickly, according to Benincasa.

The new “digs”
The 10,500-square-foot station is located on Edgewood Bend Court off Carmel Valley Road. With its Spanish-style architecture, it fits right in with the feel of Pacific Highlands Ranch.

Its look makes it strikingly different than the 46 other stations in the city, George said. The doors to the engine bay don’t even roll up; they open up like barn doors or as Benincasa jokes, the gates of heaven. She’ll even imitate the angel’s singing.

During their 24-hour shifts, firefighters get to whip up meals in a state of the kitchen that features four refrigerators, stainless steel countertops and its very own coffee bar.

The A shift has the most decorated fridge, with pictures of the female firefighters enjoying days off together and participating in events like the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

The kitchen opens up into the day room, where firefighters can hang out and rest between calls or watch TV in the four inviting easy chairs.

Station 47 also has a fully stocked gym where some other city stations may only have a collection of free weights, George said.

“Our crew really likes to work out,” said Benincasa, who is also a well-known endurance athlete. “We’re in there all the time.”

Faster response times
According to George, the new station has one of the lower call volumes in the city. They are responding mostly to traffic accidents, heart attacks and fires on the freeway due to their close proximity to Highway 56.

So far, Pacific Highlands Ranch has not been a community that has called out these firefighters to coax cats out of trees.

“When this community calls us, we know they really need us,” George said.

Dispatch is handled by a computer-aided system. It figures out in real time what engine is physically closer to the incident location. For example, for one recent incident at the Pacific Athletic Club, Station 47 was called to the scene even though Station 37 on Del Mar Heights is closer. Their engine happened to be elsewhere at the time and the computer can calculate if one engine has another beat by as little as 22 seconds.

“It’s had the same effect as if we had added fire stations,” said George.

Each department engine and ambulance also has its own personal digital assistant (PDA), where they can easily transfer incident and patient information to trucks responding to the scene and in turn to emergency rooms using an award-winning program designed by George.

West Coast 911 firefighter news story source - Del Mar Times