Archives for flashover

See all posts in the network tagged with flashover

Best of the Rest – Shaved Heads, Daytona 500 Fire, The Bowring, The Hose Jockey, and a Great Article to Read

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The Bowring Tool

Feature post: The latest review completed is on the Bowring tool. I (I am one of the reviewers and the site administrator) am seeing how benificial this site can be with letting others rate the products too. I gave the Bowring a 7. The user score is a 3.1 (7 votes total) as of this writing. The site gives users and visitors the ability to rate the products themselves. You don’t have to login to offer your thoughts. If you want to login, you can register or use Facebook to connect. It is as simple as that!

It seems as though there are 3 kinds of people when it comes to the Bowring. Those who love it, those who hate it, and those who have never heard of it.

Quick Drills

You can view all of the weekly drills by FirefighterCloseCalls.com here. Try these two at the firehouse this week:

News and Opinion

The Blog of the Year Contest for 2011-2012 will be starting on March 1st. This will be the third year for the contest. This year, FireCritic.com teamed up with FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com for the contest. The sponsor this year is the American Military University. Look for more information on the contest, how and when to nominate, and when voting begins in the next two days!

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb - Why We Climb: Taking the Step to Honor and Heal - When five firefighters from Colorado first gathered in the spring of 2005 to climb the stairwell of a local office building, they intended to do it for conditioning and camaraderie. They never thought that, within six years, they would be coordinating a series of nationwide climbs to honor the lives of the 343 firefighters from FDNY who died on September 11, 2001 and help their survivors heal. As we approach the 2012 9-11 Memorial Stair Climbs with the inaugural event at FDIC on April 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium, we look back at a recent event that explains why we climb. Click here to register for the FDIC climb and here to find other climbs this year.

Brotherhood Cuts – I have been mentioning this for weeks. It goes down on March 10th. MtAirynews.com picked up the story and I am even mentioned in the article. Firefighters Shave the Day - “I have decided to join friends and firefighters to shave our heads and mustaches to raise money to help protect each other. The funds raised will go to purchase bail-out kits for fire departments in Surry County,” said Gillett. Read more: Mount Airy News – Firefighters to shave the day

Speaking of Shaving Heads… Check out 9 Year Old Jordan!

Jordan and her brother at their father's firehouse on 9/11/11

Jordan B. is 9 years old. Her father is a long time reader of The Fire Critic.This year, Jordan is shaving her head for St. Baldrick’s. Read more about this little girl here. Read it here

Jordan is hoping to raise $3000. She has already raised $1780. Help her out! Her message: I’ve answered the call to be a hero! I’m having my head shaved to stand in solidarity with kids fighting cancer, but more importantly, to raise money to find cures. Please support me with a donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U. S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I’m really asking you to support these kids.

A lesson in Social Media - Site Unseen: Red Sox Spring Training Park Gaffe: Boston’s beloved baseball team is moving into JetBlue Park this spring in Ft. Myers, Fla. The new crown jewel of the Grapefruit League cost an estimated $78 million to build … but they probably wish they’d spent a few more bucks. A resident not far from the new ballpark owns the most likely web domain name for the Red Sox new spring home. Eric Engelman purchased the site last year. Read it here

The Hose Jockey has an excellent awareness article and video on MAYDAY scenarios. Check it out here

One of the best articles I have read all year resides on FireEngineering.com. The article titled “Thirty Five Years: An Open Letter to My Father”: I barely knew what a screwdriver did when he taught me to tie knots, told me handcuff knots are good for dragging a lifeless firefighter and he taught me a snap bowline and winked, said, “Impress them with that one, kid.” He gave me a prussic and a couple of carabiners and showed me 20 things to do with that loop of rope, like hanging onto a 2 1/2 for an hour despite squad telling me I am a wuss. Read it here

IronFiremen.com – America’s Fire Captain Willie Wines Jr. has been following a local story of a volunteer Chief who has been outspoken against the hiring of a County wide Fire/EMS Director. Willie shoots it straight and offers some quotes from the misinformed Chief. The latest is here. Read previous posts here and here.

Jerry Perdomo is still missing in Maine. I posted here and here on the story. Firefighter Nation has been keeping up with the story and its latest here.

ELAFFHQ.com – The guys at ELAFFHQ are giving stuff away. Word is that they will soon be giving up their identities. Willie and I couldn’t be more proud of this couple for coming out of the closet! Get your swag here!

Statter911.com has the latest on our brothers in Bladensburg here

By now, I am sure you guys have seen the video from the Daytona 500 last night when Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into a jet dryer truck. If not, the video is below

Posted by The Fire Critic on February 28, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, News, Videos • Tagged: Bethpage Fire Department, Buies Creek Fire Department, caution, Cheryl McClary, collision, crash, Dave Blaney, Dave Statter, David Gilliland, Daytona, Daytona 500, DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, EMS, EMS1.com, EMT, Ethan Sorrell, Explosion, fiery crash, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighter Product Reviews, Firefighting, FireProductReview.com, FireRescue1.com, Fires, Flashover, high winds, House Fire, IronFiremen.com, Jane O'Toole, Jeff O'Toole, jet dryer, jet kerosene, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kathy Sorrell, Kevin O'Toole, Landon Cassill, Mark Bashoor, Mark Brady, Maryland, MedStar Burn Unit, Michael McLary, Montoya, NASCAR, Noo. 42 Chevrolet, Paramedic, PG fire, PGFD, Prince George's County, Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, race, Rhett Fleitz, Riverdale, Riverdale fire, Riverdale Park, Riverdale VFD, sellfiretrucks.com, Social Media, STATter911.com, Tony Raines, vacant house, Vann Sorrell, Video, Washington Hospital Center, Willie Wines Jr., wind fueled fire

Raw Video: FDNY Rescue 2 Firefighter Rescued from Brownstone in Crown Heights on Fire. 4 Others Injured

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Below is the amazing video of an FDNY Firefighter from Rescue 2 bailing out of a window onto an aerial ladder. The firefighter is in flames as he gets out of the building and another firefighter helps put out the flames. Check out STATter911.com for more details on this fire. In total, 5 firefighters were injured in this fire with some experiencing severe burns.

I will also be adding updates of this incident on The Fire Critic Facebook page

Captain Willie Wines Jr. sits at the table and talks shop with the firefighters of FDNY Rescue 2

Captain Wines, Zach Green, and I also recently visited Rescue 2 and other FDNY firehouses. You can view images here.

I do not know if any of the men we met during our trip were injured in this fire and it really doesn’t matter. I do hope our injured brothers heal quickly so they can get back on the rig to fight the next fire.

Update from The Secret List:

FDNY Firefighters rescued one of their own earlier, pulling him “on fire” from a Brooklyn brownstone. As members searched the Crown Heights dwelling for victims, the top floor of the 3 story dwelling on Prospect Place apparently flashed, trapping at least one Rescue 2 Firefighter inside. An aerial ladder was raised to the third floor window and another Firefighter at the top of the ladder helped get him out. The FF was burning and the FF on the ladder hit him on his back to knock down the fire.

Here is a video with some more information and a clearer look at the fire

Posted by The Fire Critic on December 19, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Close Call, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: bailout, Brooklyn Crown Heights, brownstone, burn center, burn unit, burned firefighter, burns, Close Call, Cornell Burn Center, Crown Heights, Dave Statter, EMS, EMT, evacuation, FDNY, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Fireground Video, Fires, Flashover, House Fire, injured firefighter, IronFiremen.com, New York Daily News, Paramedic, Prospect Place, Rescue 2, Rhett Fleitz, Social Media, STATter911.com, Video

Fact: Flashovers Are Occurring More Frequently. Know How To Be Prepared!

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This is a guest post by By Captain Craig Nielsen, Los Angeles Fire Department

As a 28-year veteran of the fire service, I’ve been involved in flashover survival trainings since 1998, and I’m seeing more and more occurrences of this phenomenon than ever before. Walton and Thomas define a flashover as “the transition from a growing fire to a fully developed fire in which all combustible items in the compartment are involved in fire” although a more simple definition is “the stage when contents and gases are heated to their ignition temperatures and flames break out almost all at once.” As the number of flashover occurrences increase significantly, so do the number of injuries and deaths.

That’s a big reason why I’m hosting a free “Understanding Flashovers” webinar sponsored by Draeger Safety, on November 10, 2011 at 8 PM EST. Firefighters and chiefs interested in participating in this educational session can register at http://draegerfiresafety.com. We’ll also have a live Q&A so your specific questions can be addressed. For now, I’ll cover some of the key questions firefighters are asking.

Why Are So Many Flashovers Occurring?

The increasing occurrence of flashovers has been covered at great length in print, online and broadcast media and it certainly deserves attention. Here are some reasons for the uptick of flashovers:

Better turnouts. Firefighters are putting themselves in harm’s way unknowingly because firefighters are so well encapsulated.
Better insulation: Homes are better insulated which is great for the heating bill, but not so great for firefighters. Thermal feedback will occur more rapidly.
Combustible items: Plastics and synthetics will create a lot more BTUs. Know what you’re going into and look for signs outside of the building, and you will increase your preparedness for what you’ll encounter inside.

What Are The Warning Signs of Flashover?

Flashover. Attempting entry. Bowling Green, Kentucky. Photo by: Wales Hunter/Code-Red source: FireNuggets.com

Flashovers have signs and symptoms and knowing what they are can help you act appropriately and in the safest way possible. The warning signs can typically be seen and identified, such as:

Heat build-up. When the fire is low in intensity and spreading slowly, combustibles and flammable gases are heated to the point of ignition.
No visibility. You can go into a structure and see from one end to the other, not knowing accumulated gas in the ceiling space above may be ready to ignite.
Rollovers. These are the preemptive signs that a flashover is going to occur. If you witness rollover, cool down those gases effectively and get out of the building.
Pressurized smoke. If you are observing smoke exiting the exterior of a structure, look for what kind of pressure buildup is associated with that smoke.

What Can I Do To Be Safe?

Safety is always a priority. Here are a few steps to be safe in a flashover:

Two in – Two out. Flashover can cause disorientation and panic. Work in teams.
Secondary means of egress. Determine another way out before you even go in.
Facepipe and full PPEs. This is the best protection for any firefighter.
Risk vs. Gain. Establish what you’re risking going into the structure and if it is worth putting yourself in harm’s way by going in.

With flashover occurrences increasing, knowing the warning signs is crucial for all chiefs and firefighters, to avoid injury or death. Don’t forget to join me on November 10 for more information.

About the Author

Craig Nielsen, a 28-year veteran of the fire services, is a Captain with the Los Angeles Fire Dept. He has served as a Live Fire Training Officer, Driver Training Instructor, Career Guidance Counselor & Instructor of Record. Nielsen has been assigned to the most active fire station in the country for over two years, with 20+ responses per day. He is a California state-certified Fire Instructor and Fire Officer, and Emergency Medical Technician. He has been a Dräger Swede Survival instructor since 1998.

Posted by The Fire Critic on November 7, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, News • Tagged: Captain Nielson, Fire, Fire Critic, Fire Department, Fire Service, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighting, Flashover, IronFiremen.com, Los Angeles Fire Department, Rhett Fleitz, Social Media, Willie Wines Jr.

San Francisco Firefighter Dies After Flashover: LODD Video, Audio, and Links

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June 2, 2011 is a tragic day for San Francisco Firefighters. Lt. Vincent Perez was killed battling a blaze in the Diamond Heights area of San Francisco. Firefighter Anthony Valerio is fighting for his life in critical condition.

Firefighters were called to the fire at 133 Berkeley Way at about 10:45 a.m.

San Francisco Lt. Vincent Perez

Lt. Perez, 48, was a 21 year veteran of the fire service. Rest in Peace.

This is the first LODD in San Francisco since 2003.

Lt. Vincent Perez, 48, died trying to extinguish a fire at a four-story home in Diamond Heights. Anthony Valerio, 53, is in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital’s intensive care unit with severe burns. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com

“Our hearts are heavy as we are reminded of the sacrifices firefighters and their families make each day to keep our City safe,” [Mayor]Lee said. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the two injured firefighters and their families for a safe and speedy recovery.” Read more: http://www.sacbee.com

San Francisco Firefighter Anthony Valerio remains in critical condition.

Links:

Posted by The Fire Critic on June 3, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, Mayday, News, Videos • Tagged: Berkeley Way, California, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, Diamond Heights, EMS, Fire, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, firefighter killed, Firefighting, Fires, Flashover, House Fire, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, Mindy Talmadge, Paramedic, Rhett Fleitz, San Francisco, San Francisco Fire Department, Vincent Perez

Mark Falkenhan Was the Ideal Firefighter, Paramedic, Husband, and Father

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Previous Coverage on Fire Critic Here

Update: Funeral Arrangements:

Viewings will be held Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Ruhl Armory on York Rd. in Towson

His funeral will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

Interment will follow at Dulaney Memorial Gardens.

Firefighter Mark Falkenhan was overcome in flashover conditions on the third floor at a 4 alarm fire in Baltimore County. He was rescued by fellow firefighters and died at the hospital. Firefighters rescued two occupants during the fire.

Mark Falkenhan was a firefighter, a paramedic, a husband, and a father.

The Essex-Middle River Patch offers an excellent view of Mark’s life in an article titled “Great Firefighter, Great Husband, Great Father”.

If you don’t do anything else, read the article here!

It is clear that Mark was a role model.

mark falkenhan

Essex-Middle River Patch:

Mark left his job with Baltimore County Fire to work for the U.S. Secret Service. He remained a volunteer firefighter with the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company in Baltimore County.

Shorlty after he graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1986, Falkenhan joined the Middle River Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Co. He rose to the rank of chief and is a lifetime member.

Falkenhan then joined the Baltimore County Fire Department as an emergency medical technician in 1990.

He married Gladys on Nov. 11, 1993, and became an EMT-Paramedic the following year. He served at various stations across the county before retiring in 2006 to accept a job with the U.S. Secret Service.

Most firefighters will learn something from every Line of Duty Death. Those lessons are typically learned once the reports are published and the findings are disseminated. It is already clear to me that Mark’s death, the 10th LODD this year, already has a positive message. Live, Learn, and Love… both in our families at the firehouse and more importantly at home.

Mark was 43 years old.

More coverage and links:

Below is the Press Release for the fire that claimed Mark Falkenhan’s life from Baltimore County (more…)

Posted by The Fire Critic on January 20, 2011 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News, Rescues • Tagged: Baltimore County, Baltimore County FD, Baltimore County Fire Department, Baltimore County Volunteer Fireman's Association, Baltimore County Volunteer Fireman's Association Middle River Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Co, Baltimore Fire, Baltimore Fire Rescue Academy, Baltimore Firefighter, Baltimore Firefighter Injured, Dowling Circle, Dundalk, Eastview, Emergency, Essex, Fire Critic, FireCritic.com, Firefighter, Firefighter Close Calls, firefighter down, firefighter killed, Firefighting, Flashover, Fullerton, Golden Ring, Hillendale, In the Line of Duty, John Hohman, Line of Duty, Line of Duty Death, LODD, Lutherville, Lutherville VFC, Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company, Mark Falkenhan, Mark Faulkenhan, Maryland, MAYDAY, MFRI, Paramedic, Parkville, Rhett Fleitz, Sam Snyder, Towson Crossing, U.S. Secret Service, United States Fire Administration, United States Secret Service, USFA, USSS, Woodlawn

German Firefighters have Close Call

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On top of this I also found a photo of one of their stations. Check out this beauty. I count 10 bays.

Update: Apparently, I botched up this entire post (according to a comment). I linked to the wrong department and the video is from 2004 as I am told now. And here is the proper link for the Berlin Feuerwehr.

Ok, I admit that this is an “old” video. Not too old though. The video was uploaded last October and features Berlin Firefighters getting to work on a job. Once the firefighters get everything in place the building collapses and becomes engulfed in flames. At the very end it shows two firefighters barely getting out safely.

I thought since we were on the topic of firefighting in Europe I would incorporate this video (video below) to show off Berlin’s Bravest.

Gotta love this logo

To top all of that off, I found out that one of the volunteer departments in this City have a rather unique logo (below right). You can visit the website for this department here.

They have Full-time firefighters and Volunteers as well. Other than that it is a little hard to decipher exactly how this department operates even with translating it into English. It appears as though it has a central station with full timers and several other stations with volunteers. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

I will also note that this video was featured on TheBravestOnline.com.

I have also found a lot of information I will share in the future about the Bravest in other Countries.

Video here: