Work your failures out in training. The time for learning isn’t in the middle of a call. I would like to think that none of us makes mistakes on calls but that simply isn’t the case. Let others learn from your mistakes as well. This is a pretty good video.
Upon arrival, it is important to perform a full size-up of the situation and positioning of the vehicle(s) prior to committing the truck. Check out this videio from AZ:
Few ideas: Chok two wheels, puncture the tires, wooden cribbing
Here is a good video that shows how to use the hydrant assist valve we have on Engine 4
I am sure everyone has taken the NIMS courses but if your new and haven’t here are the links to take the courses and get your certificate.
Everyone should take:
IS-100.b – http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is100b.asp
IS-200.b – http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is200b.asp
IS-700.a – http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is700a.asp
Officers should also take IS-800.b (http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is800b.asp)
A reminder of what to do when you get into trouble.
OBJECTIVE:
The focus for this month’s training will be activities and skills required of a typical truck company at structure fires. Actual training will be in the form of classroom and basic skills; to be culminated by a formal academy class which will focus on the implementation of the skills learned and practiced during the previous departmental training.
SCHEDULE:
February 7, 14, and 19 => Classroom discussion of truck company responsibilities including: Ventilation, Forcible Entry, Search and Rescue, Salvage, and Overhaul. Practical application of the basic skills needed to perform these individual tasks by performing the following: primary and secondary searches, PPV set-up and operation, salvage cover deployment, and water shuttle and catch-all construction.
February 26-27 => Academy class taught at TCFD to build on the previously learned basic skills. The focus of the class will be the implementation of these tasks on the fire ground, strategic considerations for their use, and how the truck company fits into the overall mission accomplishment on the fire ground.
New Philips HeartStart FRx Defribrillators have been added to Tega Cay Engine 1, Ladder 1 and Engine 4. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with these new state-of-the-art AEDs.
The FRx is used to treat ventricular fibrillation (VF), the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is a condition that occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops pumping. SCA can occur to anyone – young or old, male or female – anywhere, at any time. Many victims of SCA do not have warning signs or symptoms. Some people may have a higher risk for SCA than others. Causes vary and may be different for infants and children than for adults. VF is a chaotic quivering of the heart muscle that prevents it from pumping blood. The only effective treatment for VF is defibrillation.The FRx treats VF by sending a shock across the heart, so it can start beating regularly again. Unless this is successful within the first few minutes after the heart stops beating, the victim is not likely to survive.
The Philips HeartStart FRx Defribrillators have an Infant/child key (located in the case) that turns the AED into a pediatric defibrillator, tailoring the voice instructions and therapy to the needs of a child. That means just one pad set works for adults, children, and infants. The infant/child defibrillation is for patients less than 8 years old and weighing less than 55lbs.
Additionally, this advanced AED unit can provide step-by-step CPR instructions for both an Infant/Child and an Adult. The HeartStart FRx offers on-demand CPR Coaching. Calm, clear voice instructions are precisely timed to the responder’s actions, guiding the responder every step of the way.
Philips has posted a great video walking through both a Infant/Child Defibrillation and an Adult Defibrillation. Check it out by clicking here.
Routine Checks & Maintenance:
The HeartStart FRx automatically conducts self-tests every single day, whenever the battery is operational. It performs over 85 different tests during this automated self-test eliminating the need for manual calibration.
The only manual test should be to ensure the Green Ready light is blinking at all times.
Do not store the AED with the Infant/Child key inserted.
Information gathered from http://www.healthcare.philips.com
Well here’s a first for me…a CO (Carbon Monoxide) call that actually was an alarm going off because of CO and not a low battery. The homeowners had just cut on the heat for the first time of the year and the CO detector went off. We have been complacent with these type calls and normally just walk right in to investigate with a CO detector. Normally this shows a big fat zero but tonight it shot up to the 40′s when we entered the structure. Being that CO isn’t good for breathing, we immediately left the house and the re-entered on air. I wasn’t sure how much CO will cause an issue but the alarm never went off on the detector so it was still in safe limits but better to be on the safe side. So my thought was how much CO is bad in ppm and now for the executive answer:
The health effects of CO depend on the CO concentration and length of exposure, as well as each individual’s health condition. CO concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm). Most people will not experience any symptoms from prolonged exposure to CO levels of approximately 1 to 70 ppm but some heart patients might experience an increase in chest pain. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.
……
The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:
- Mental confusion
- Vomiting
- Loss of muscular coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Ultimately death
source: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/466.html
After looking a little farther the EPA has some pretty good info:
Levels in Homes
Average levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.
Standards or Guidelines
The OSHA standard for workers is no more than 50 ppm for 1 hour of exposure. NIOSH recommends no more than 35 ppm for 1 hour. The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for CO (established in 1985) are 9 ppm for 8 hours and 35 ppm for 1 hour. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends levels not to exceed 15 ppm for 1 hour or 25 ppm for 8 hours.
source: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
These guys tried to dispel some of the myths that are associated with falling in water with full turnout gear on.
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