Engine Co was dispatched for a transformer fire (green box). Upon arrival crew noticed smoke coming from a power co "green box" (pad mounted transformer). Crew proceeded to force entry into the box and found no fire. Power Co rep arrived on scene and was concerned that crew had entered the box.
LESSONS LEARNED:
Power Co Safety Officer advised that there was 35,000 volts running through the box and that the crew was lucky there were no fatalities due to the shock hazards and explosion hazards. These incidents should be treated as Haz-Mat incidents and a hot zone should be established and deny entry until the utility company arrives and deems the area safe. Additional training has been arranged from the power co.

We had a firefighter that was injured on Wednesday 10/16/09 during suppression activities of a vehicle fire. While working wearing full PPE the firefighter was stepping back from a vehicle that had been on fire and was now in the overhaul stage. The firefighter when he stepped back to allow another firefighter to walk in front of him stepped back off of a culvert that was hidden by overgrown grass. The firefighter reported injury to command immediately and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Our firefighter has been placed on no physical duty until after he receives medical clearance to return to duty. The firefighter did not fall completely to the ground during the fall. The firefighter did not suffer any fractures but he has been suffering from lower back pain and muscle spasms. We hope he has a speedy recovery, and can return to work soon.
Lessons Learned
Lessons that can be learned from this are always ensure that slip trip and fall hazards have been identified. Always watch where you are walking. One way this could have been prevented is working with the county and state road departments to ensure that all culvert ends are marked with posts and reflectors. Had the culvert been identified the hazard would have been noted and the injury could have been avoided. Just remember to keep an eye on your surroundings and ensure everybody's safety. Even when wearing full and appropriate PPE things can go wrong and somebody can be injured.

We had a firefighter that was injured on Wednesday 10/16/09 during suppression activities of a vehicle fire. While working wearing full PPE the firefighter was stepping back from a vehicle that had been on fire and was now in the overhaul stage. The firefighter when he stepped back to allow another firefighter to walk in front of him stepped back off of a culvert that was hidden by overgrown grass. The firefighter reported injury to command immediately and was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Our firefighter has been placed on no physical duty until after he receives medical clearance to return to duty. The firefighter did not fall completely to the ground during the fall. The firefighter did not suffer any fractures but he has been suffering from lower back pain and muscle spasms. We hope he has a speedy recovery, and can return to work soon.
Lessons Learned
Lessons that can be learned from this are always ensure that slip trip and fall hazards have been identified. Always watch where you are walking. One way this could have been prevented is working with the county and state road departments to ensure that all culvert ends are marked with posts and reflectors. Had the culvert been identified the hazard would have been noted and the injury could have been avoided. Just remember to keep an eye on your surroundings and ensure everybody's safety. Even when wearing full and appropriate PPE things can go wrong and somebody can be injured.

We have had seven sections over the past few years separate at the coupling. Fortunately we did not have nay injuries. The coupling does not break but the hose slips out of the coupling. After extensive investigation and meeting with the manufacturer it was discovered that they are no longer using that style coupling in their manufacturing of LDH. The problem hose had a narrow collar around the hose with a black plastic insert from the coupling. They now only use an aluminum insert instead of the plastic. The older hose had a wider collar with a blue plastic ring that went between the outer metal collar and the hose. This set up had the black plastic insert but with the wider collar and with the extra blue plastic ring the gripping surface was greater and we have had no reported issues with that arrangement.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Always position yourself in a safe place if possible when testing or using 5" LDH. Inspect and investigate all hose failures for potential similarities and follow NFPA and manufacturer recommendations to the letter.

While doing yearly hose testing, we where testing hose from ladder 1, a quint. We had laid out 4 or 5 lengths of 3" and 2 1/2. The truck backed up again to lay 300' of 5", someone had connected the 5" to the discharge of the engine used for testing. The truck had almost 200' out of the bed; I stepped over the 5" to do something on the other side. The 2nd coupling got stuck in the truck and pulled the 5" taught. I must have had 1 foot on the 5" when it happened. It lifted me in the air and tossed me backwards, landing on my head, right elbow and right shoulder. I was knocked Unconscious and shipped to the trauma center by ALS.I had a Concussion and some damage to my right shoulder. Accident happened 9/18 and I am still out on workman’s comp.
LESSONS LEARNED:
Stay clear of ALL hoselines that are being laid.

While performing morning equipment checks a fire fighter was running a gas powered cut-off saw with carbide tipped demolition blade installed on the saw. While throttling the saw to its maximum rated speed the fire fighter observed that the saw didn't sound like it was running correctly, at that moment the carbide tipped demolition blade came off the saw, came out of the blade guard, spun across the concrete station ramp at time becoming airbourne before striking a vehicle traveling in the roadway approximately 100 feet away causing property damage to the vehicle.

The Investigation:

All carbide tipped demolition blades were removed from service pending investigation into the cause of the incident. On examining the saw there was no apparent damage to the saw. The bolt that secures the blade to the saw was found to not be damaged. There was a nylon spacer found on the arbor to adjust the arbor size of the blade to the saw. I made contacted with Mr. Solomon Nutt, the Stihl representative for this area via phone and discussed briefly the incident. He without hesitation stated that Stihl does not stand behind the use of demolition blades as I had described to him on their saws, he was quick to inform me that there is a warning written in the owner’s manual and displayed on the saw. During our discussion of the event and the potential for injury during fire ground operations Mr. Nutt noted that the fire service is the only group still using carbide tipped demolition blades. The private sector is not permitted to us these blades due to injuries caused by them. Other areas of concern with the use of these blades on rotary saws include no retractable blade guard, no blade brake, lack of proper blade installation (not torque), and the type of bushings being used to correct the arbor size. On August 17, 2009, I contacted Lynn Cleek the District Manager of construction products for Husqvarna/Partner. During our conversation about the carbide tipped demolition blade and the use of Partner/ Husqvarna saw to power the blade Mr. Cleeks stated that they do not support the use of carbide tipped demolition blades on rotary saws. He went on to say the fire service is the only group still using these blades. Mr Cleek also offered to look at the saw and blade to evaluate and provide insight into the incident. On Wednesday August 26 Mr. Cleek examined the blade and we discussed safety issues related to blades of this nature. During our conversation he made me aware of a OSHA standards that apply to operation of the saw, they are standards 1910.243(a)(1)(i), 1910.212, 1910.213(r)(4). On November 15, 1999 a Standard Interpretations was prepared addressing fire department use of carbide tipped saw blades. The link to this document is Guarding/hazards of using woodcutting sawblades on a cut-off machine.[1910.243(a)(1)(i); 1910.212; 1910.213(r)(4)]. I also reviewed three other saw manufactures for their guidelines for blade usage, not one of the three recommends the use of carbide tipped demolition type blades on their cut-off saws. Factors leading to the incident: •  

The use of carbide tipped demolition blades on our rotary cut-off saws. •          

Not maintaining equipment as required by the manufacture. • 

Using an improper type of spacer for the blade being used (solid core blades require metal spacers). •           

Not properly training all operators of power equipment on the manufactures recommended procedures.

Recommendations: The overwhelming body of evidence indicates that all carbide tipped demolition blades should be removed from service to provide for a safe working environment for our personnel. Replace the saw blades with blades that have been approved for use by fire and rescue organizations. Improve our wood cutting capabilities by replacing the present bars on our chain saws with bars with guards that limit the exposed chain during ventilation operations. Properly train all operators of power equipment on the manufactures recommended procedures. Properly maintain equipment as required by the manufacture. Insure the proper size blade in installed Insure when wood is cut it is with a saw that has a retractable blade guard, the saw has a braking device to stop/ slow the blade when the source of power is removed. Make every attempt to use saw blades that have the proper size arbor for the saw that is being used. If this is not possible use the proper type of spacer for the blade being used (solid core blade equals metal spacer).

While on morning inspections, an engine company from the VA Medical Center Fire Department in Chillicothe Ohio discovered a pickup truck sitting on top of a hydrant. Upon stopping to investigate, the crew found the driver of the pickup who accidently backed on top of it while attempting to turn around. A Gradal lift was used to lift the pickup off of the hydrant. No damage was found to the hydrant.

A California firefighter pulled a trapped driver from his disabled pickup just seconds before a commuter train slammed into the truck Thursday morning.
 

The pickup wound up on the tracks after colliding with a sport utility vehicle. At about 5:30 a.m. Thursday, a firefighter was inside the pickup trying to free the driver, and another firefighter was outside the vehicle, Oxnard Fire Department spokeswoman Deborah O'Malia said.

Then the rail signals started flashing and crossing guards dropped down over the accident scene.

O'Malia said the firefighters freed the driver just seconds before the train hit.

"They managed to pull this guy out. They would have been killed," O'Malia said.

The train struck the pickup, which flipped into air and landed in a gully.

"They were lucky they didn't get hit by the truck," O'Malia said.

The Metrolink train stopped and remained at the scene for more than an hour while investigators examined the wreckage. Metrolink spokesman Francisco Oaxaca said no one on the train was hurt and that train and a second Los Angeles-bound train were delayed 90 minutes.

Ambulances took the injured SUV driver and pickup driver to nearby St. John's Regional Medical Center. O'Malia said their injuries were not life threatening.

The names of the firefighters and crash victims weren't disclosed.
 

A North Arlington firefighter was injured on Wednesday August 19, 2009 while charging a Fire Hydrant near a P.S.E & G substation. The Standpipe Coupling Ring that attaches the Fire Hydrant to the Vertical Pipe split in half with explosive force.   A five ( 5" ) hose had been attached to the hydrant steamer connection, with a shut off valve, to assist P.S.E. & G in a cooling operation at one of their primary electrical substations. One transformer at the station had been removed from service for emergency repairs and because of the summer heat and extra demand the remaining transformer was beginning to overheat resulting in local blackouts.

 
The firefighter was standing behind the hydrant and had just started to charge it when he heard a high pitch whistling sound. Sensing that something was not right he started to turn and run away from the hydrant. At this point the Standpipe Coupling Ring split into 2 pieces striking the firefighter in the shin.
The firefighter receiced a severe bruise to the the leg bone that required a half cast to help relieve the pain while standing. It is not sure yet how long the firefighter will be out of work.
 
The hydrant is a U. S. Pipe - Metropolitan M-94 model. Manufactured in 2006.
The hydrant was a private yard hydrant that had just been replaced 2 months ago. The hydrant is attached to vertical steel pipe with a cast iron or cast steel collar called a Standpipe Coupling Ring.
 
Initial review of the Standpipe Coupling Ring revealed a coating of rust at one of the break points that could have come from a crack that allowed water to seep into the Ring. At this point we cannot tell if the Standpipe Collar Ring was damaged during installation, subsequent to installation or was a defect from the factory.
 
We plan on instructing all of our firefighters to check the Standpipe Coupling Ring for any cracks or damage before charging a fire hydrant, but a small hairline crack may be difficult to spot when hooking to a hydrant at a fire. Routine annual inspections should also include the Standpipe Coupling Ring and any damage no matter how minor in appearance should be cause for removal and repair.

When I say bees I mean the yellow/black flying insects that nest in the ground. I was on duty and we got a call about a tree that had fallen into some power lines and was on fire. When we got on scene we had a tree leaning on 2 wires burning a little. The power company got there pretty quickly and shut off the power. Then the base of the tree cut so it would fall off the wires. When it hit the ground it must have landed on the nest. I went to the tree to make sure it was not going to keep burning and I felt something stick my hand. I thought it was a thorn and kept checking the tree. I felt some more stings and noticed the bees on the ground and flying around me. At this point I got out of there.
 
The tree was not burning so we left the scene. As we left the scene I told Shammy I had gotten stung a few times, I didn’t think it was a big deal. I said it would suck if the first time I got to use an Epi Pen on someone was on myself, in hind sight I should have.  I had driven about a mile and started to have vision problems. I stopped and told the Shammy, other guy with me, he needed to drive. He asked if I was serious and I said “Yes, I need you to drive, like to the hospital.” He asked if I wanted to jump in with the chief who was behind us and I said yes. We had gone about a half of a mile when I don’t remember anything till I got to the ER and one of the city Cops opened the door to pull me out. I walked to the wheelchair and then helped take off my bunker pants and get on the bed.
 
They stuck me with Benadryl, Epi, started an IV with a 300cc bolus and 2 other shots. My blood pressure and pulse was LOW. They put me in the trendelinburger(sp) position, (laying flat with my body angled head down). I can around fast and was released after a little over an hour.
 
I had been stung about 2 years ago on my lower leg and it swelled up and took 3-4 days to go away. No other problems at that time. This time I got hit by 2 bees hard and 3-4 others a little bit. This morning my finger and hand that took the first and hardest hit is still swollen some and the side of my face is a little also where I took the second hardest hit.
 
When I got in with the chief he asked if I wanted him to use an Epi Pen on me, we carry them on the Engine and 2 others truck but not in the chiefs, I said no didn’t think I was that bad or would get that bad, I should have had him use it. 
 
The important thing to learn from my experience was that it you get stung it can knock you down QUICK!!! It was about 15 minutes from when I got stung till I was OUT!!!. The good thing was my vision was going but I had motor function so I could stop the Rig. I also didn’t have any problems breathing that I know of, chief said I was making some strange noises as I breathed after I went unresponsive.
 
I now have an Epi Pen. I hope you take this to heart and take stings serious, because I didn’t but I got lucky this time because of who I was around and how close we where to the ER.

On Wednesday August 12, 2009 at approximately 1645 hrs Zephyrhills Fire Rescue was conducting a hose evolution and flow test on a dry standpipe system. This system was one of four (4) identical system installed in a three story, 55 and over, adult residential apartment building nearing completion of construction. These systems as well as the automatic sprinkler system all use 5” storz FDC connections. Soon after the 5” LDH was connected to the 5” FDC connection and charged with hydrant pressure only, a catastrophic failure occurred. The LDH FDC connection separated from the piping extending through the wall. The charged hose and the detached FDC whipped around several times before the line could be shut down. Two personnel were in the vicinity of the FDC and were observing proper positioning and safety measures. Both escaped unharmed, scared but wet! Minimal damage to the surrounding area occurred.    

After the FDC supply line was shut down and secured an on scene investigation revealed that the standpipe FDC piping had not extended an adequate distance outside of the wall. Literally only ¼” of threads were exposed to connect the FDC storz adapter. The FDC was checked before connection of the LDH and appeared tight. The inadequate thread captured by the FDC connection led to failure of the connection once water and weight of the hose were applied. It should be noted that the Fire Protection Company is a National Company with a good reputation. Close inspection after installation and during acceptance tests must be done to ensure similar incidents do not occur. Luckily no injuries occurred and no extensive property damage occurred. Had failure occurred after operating pressures were applied the outcome would be significantly different.

Our department responded to a vehicle fire with our 2000 E-One 75 ft. Quint. Upon our arrival we found a conversion van with fire showing in the crowded parking lot of a department store. The Captain and firefighter assigned to the apparatus were in the process of stretching the 1 3/4" attack line to the vehicle fire when the apparatus pressure governor ran the engine rpms up abnormally high in an effort to create pressure. The apparatus Engineer could not determine why the apparatus was running the pressure up so high and immediately began measures to reduce the pressure. The pressure was restored to the normal operating pressure for the line that had been pulled. It was then noticed that water was flowing from the LDH discharge on the right side of the apparatus. This was not normal and caused the Battalion Chief on scene observing the company’s operations to investigate the flowing water. During the investigation it was determined that the center of the 5" storz cap on the LDH discharge had blown apart and the discharge was leaking. There were two parts to the cap located approximately twenty feet from the apparatus in the parking lot. The apparatus Engineer attempted, unsuccessfully, to stop the flow of water from the discharge. When units returned to quarters it was determined that the discharge valve was out of adjustment and had been leaking by for an undetermined amount of time. The water resting against the stortz cap had caused corrosion and pitting to the cap. This corrosion along with the pressure being exerted by the pump working at its normal pump discharge pressure caused the center of the cap to fail and fly into the parking lot. When the cap failed the pressure governor on the apparatus increased the engine rpms because it thought the demand for water was being increased. This was the cause of the apparatus engine increasing rpms so quickly. If department personnel had been in the immediate area of the cap pulling the attack line personal injury or death may have occurred.

Lessons Learned 1. Apparatus engineers need to be reminded that if a discharge cap is removed and water leaks from the discharge repairs to the valve need to be made. 2. During apparatus maintenance be sure and check the inside of caps and turndowns for pitting and corrosion. If they show signs of this they need to be replaced which is what NFPA 1962 recommends. 3. The cap needs to be tested according to NFPA 1962 once it is cleaned and lubricated or needs to be replaced.

Nearly two years ago my fire department was operating at an exercise where a 6" pre-con valve suddenly came apart and along with the hose moved a considerable distance from the suction intake of the engine it was attached to. I am not sure of the specifics or what water pressure the valve was under. You can see in pictures that I have of the valve that the valve had significant damage due to corrosion. The corrosion was most likely a result of about 18 years of exposure to "hard water" water in our public water system. The valve has been pre-connected to the engine since it was new in 1989. Please contact me if you would like the photos of the pre-con valve mailed to you.

Lessons Learned: We spend a lot of money every year testing our hose, but seldom test our appliances per NFPA standards. In addition to the safety hazard of flying pieces or whipping hose when a valve fails, the failure may result in the loss of water pressure to firefighters operating inside a building. Frequent leaks in apparatus piping and fittings is one indication that you could have a problem caused by corrosion. Relief valves on LDH appliances need to be exercised often to ensure their operability. In addition the relief valve setting needs to be checked to ensure that it operates at no higher than your typical expected maximum water pressure. Any time LDH appliances are dropped they should be static tested. Fire departments should consider not pre-connecting these appliances to LDN, as they often get dropped hard into the street when hose is laid out. Take the time to attached the appliance after the hose hits the street or ground.

Another firefighter I work with. FF was charging a +/- 90 psi hydrant when the hydrant blew off from the base bolts. The hydrant base bolts were rotten and bad hydrant was replaced. No injuries were reported because the FF wasn't standing over the hydrant when it was charged. Sounds like possibly what happened in NJ.

Lessons Learned: When charging a hydrant do not stand over bonnet bolt in case hydrant lets loose, or bonnet bolt is loose.

One of our rookies was issued USAR gear pants and he wore it for a couple of months. He even wore it in a small fire. We have a heavy rescue station that was issued USAR gear from a grant and SOMEHOW two sets of the gear were put into the spare gear locker and issued to the kid by mistake. The Rookie has never had any contact with USAR gear and all he knew was that it was light weight. BTW, the gear was ordered in the same color and with the same reflective stripes as our issued bunker gear. Several people have said, " he should have known that this wasn't supposed to be worn in fires" but in the rookies defense" you don't know what you don't know". Our fire Department is a department of 237 and we have gone through several rounds of budget cuts over the years. We have a severe lack of oversight due to a lack of personnel. To the departments credit the gear was removed as soon as it was discovered. We got lucky on this one, this kid could have suffered severe burns to his legs wearing these pants.

Lessons Learned: We need better accountability from our admin.