NIOSH Charleston report & safety advisory from PA LODD; 2nd MD FF goes home; LODD bill not paid; Allowing 2 hats; Fire Explorer killed
(Updated at 9:12 PM)
NIOSH issues Charleston report
Read the story behind this surprise release of the draft report from NIOSH.
NIOSH warning on aerial ladders with locking waterways
NIOSH issued a safety advisory on Thursday in connection with April 8 LODD of Deputy Chief Michael Crotty. Chief Crotty with the Lawrence Park VFD in Erie County, PA was killed during a fire at Port Erie Plastics when he was “struck by a motorized water monitor and 30 feet of aluminum pipe that was ‘launched’ off an elevated aerial ladder”. Excerpts from the safety advisory:
NIOSH recommends that all fire departments utilizing aerial ladder trucks with locking (pin-anchored, lever actuated, clamped) waterways immediately take the following actions to reduce the risk of fire fighters being struck by unsecured waterways or parts of the waterway:
Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and/or Guidelines (SOGs) on setting up multi-position waterways include steps to properly position the waterway and to inspectand verify that the locking mechanism (anchoring pin(s), lever, clamps, etc.) are properly installed and functioning as designed before pressurizing the waterway.
Properly train and practice the correct method of securing waterways and verifying they are secured (per manufacturer’s recommendations).
Preliminary findings in this investigation suggest that some equipment designs do not provide secondary stops for the waterway on aerial ladders. Thus, failure to properly secure the waterway in the proper position can lead to catastrophic waterway failure and possible serious or fatal injury to fire fighters working in the area.
Monitor and pipe that “launched” killing Chief Crotty
Click here to see the entire safety advisory with more details and illustrations
Two home, one still in the burn unit. The latest from Montgomery County collapse. Family concerned how victim’s smoking has been portrayed.
Firefighter James Heikka went home on Wednesday. Firefighter Mark Mechlin left the hospital on Monday. That leaves Captain Dwayne Dutrow stills in the MedStar Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center. He is listed in fair condition.
If you missed out latest compilation of video, audio, still pictures from Saturday’s fire in Rockville, click here.
Paying the price
Anthony Cox did, but so far the City of Topeka hasn’t. You may recall that Captain Cox collapsed at died at a fire last August 13. It turns out the city still owes $3,000 on a $15,000 funeral bill. Read the details.
Fire Explorer struck and killed
This is a picture of 14-year-old Ralph Russo who was struck and killed on his bicycle Monday in West Haven, CT. There is more to this story. We get it from Chief Billy Goldfeder on The Secret List this morning:
While naturally, no one can yet determine if it will be declared federally as an official LODD, we have been advised that a Fire Explorer in West Haven (CT) was killed after he was struck by an SUV, as he was going to a car crash run on Monday. The Fire Explorer was 14 year old Ralph Russo of West Haven.
Russo was riding his bike with a friend when they reportedly headed to a dispatched car crash, when Russo was tragically struck by a Jeep. Efforts to save his life were not successful and he died from his injuries. Russo was a middle school student and a part of the Fire Explorer program in West Haven. The SUV driver involved was obeying all traffic laws and is not facing any charges.
This appears to be a very tragic accident involving a fine and wonderful community minded teenager who loved many things-including his role at the WHFD. And while the issue of LODD/non-LODD is an emotional one, you will remember the case of Junior Firefighter Chris Kangas from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, who lost his life in what appears to be a similar fashion, just a few years ago. That claim as an LODD was denied by PSOB…but has been challenged and is now in the hands of the Courts. Here are some details.
The issue and definition of what an LODD is, and what it is not, is dependent upon who you ask. At first glance it seems clear, but it isn’t. For example, the PSOB folks at DOJ, who are the bottom line as far as benefits, have their definitions. Furthermore, the NFPA has their definitions of an LODD, while the USFA and NFFF have theirs. And at the local level, there are also diverse local definitions.
There are many “Junior” members who play an important role in providing service much the same as there are many very “Senior” members, who as active members of their FD, also play critical roles locally….all whose services are very important. All good people wanting to help.
CT bill would stop ban on two-hatters
The General Assembly has passed bill that stops cities and towns from banning their paid firefighters from serving as volunteer firefighters in their home towns.
The Senate gave the bill final legislative approval on Wednesday. It now heads to Gov. M. Jodi Rell for her signature.
Over the years, several towns with paid fire departments have enacted bans, including East Hartford and New Britain. Most recently, Hartford decided to enact this prohibition, effective July 1.
The bill applies to paid firefighters who voluntee
r during their personal time.
FF brings 4 to safety
One of a series of images from WNBC-TV of a fire on Church Street in Lower Manhattan Wednesday. Fire was on the second floor of a five-story building. FF Thomas Maresca is credited with getting two women and two children out of the burning building. Not much more detail. Click here to see the rest of the images.
Lacking confidence
Safety is what federal firefighters say is behind a no confidence vote in Naval District Washington (NDW) Regional Fire Chief Edward Stillwell. Here is some of what IAFF Local F121 wrote in a press release earlier in the week:
Chief Stillwell allows new and experienced fire fighters to answer emergency calls without the necessary up-to-date training;
The chief has not ensured that all fire fighters have proper protective gear for dangerous incidents such as bomb searches;
Chief Stillwell has failed to provide adequate communications equipment. Specifically, the radios NCPFFF fire fighters use are not interoperable among military installations. If a victim becomes trapped or injured in an emergency, radio unreliability puts the lives of fire fighters and citizens at risk;
The chief has not taken steps to follow applicable National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
Troubled bridge over waters
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3lb33RI-DE&hl=en]
From Louisville, KY on Wednesday. An old railroad bridge burns over the Ohio River. Click here for more details and more video. Raw helicopter video is here.
More video from San Antonio
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Another view of Tuesday night’s fire at Our Lady of the Lake University. FireGeezer also has a good compilation and more details about the fire.
Jersey City fire
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No date or location on this apartment fire.
Second West Lanham video
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Another video from PGFD’s Station 828. There are more. Click here for the complete set.
