I am not a firefighter, just a buff. However, I average between four and five 9-1-1 calls every year to report that fire apparatus and fire department ambulances (the most common culprit) forgot to turn on their emergency lights! I can't help but conclude that this is a common problem. I have seen it in many different departments. When I report it to the respective fire alarm office, they will sometimes quickly notify the apparatus on the radio to "check their lights" and sometimes wait so long to do so that it is no longer relevant. One large, east coast fire alarm office actually gave me a hard time for trying to report it. This may seem trivial to most of the safety matters that you address, but seems to me to be an unnecessary hazard and completely avoidable error. Has anyone ever thought of designing a light bar that automatically goes on when the sire is activated? I know that it would have to be unique to fire apparatus, since the police would not go for it. Training and the use of a "mental checklist" is probably the answer, but I really believe that the fire service does not take this issue seriously. Thank you.

Every wednesday night we have our weekly maintence and drill night. This past weds our Rescue truck had a dead battery. The maintence crew for the vehicle had placed the battery on charge. They had set it on the proper settings and continued with the evening drill. About 45 mins later i was walking by the vehicle and heard that the battery was bubbling a bit. I then turned off the charger and waited a few seconds. I then started to take the charger cable off the battery post. As i was remvoing the cable off the battery, the top of the battery exploded and the battery acid had sprayed all over my face, hands, and neck. When it went off i had closed my eyes and mouth tight. Two other firefighters were about 20 feet to right when this happen. They ran over to me and walked me over to the hose and sat me down on the ground. They started to flush my face, arms, and neck. The also summoned for the ambulance crew for the equipment, etc... I was then transported to the local trauma center where the continued to flush my eyes and face for several hours. I was released later that evening with minimal injuries to my face and eyes. This all happen about 24 hours ago and my face is still burning slightly but it could have been 100% worse. My crew did a wonderful job in performing there duties!!!

LESSONS LEARNED: Never ever take a simple job as charging a battery for granted. I was very lucky this time. I was also lucky that there was member down at the fire station that could begine medical attention on me right away. Remember whenever u are working on a truck always use eye protection and proper equipment.

As a volunteer FF at age 16 I permanently injured my thumb putting a 6" hard suction hose back on the engine. The hose was mounted high up on the truck requiring three people to put it back. I was on one end, somebody in the middle and the opposite end. I got my end up, the middle did also. The person on the far end wasn't quite tall enough and his end came back down causing the whole hose to fall down. I just happened to have it catch my thumb and bend it backwards. I am now permanently partially disabled and have a fused thumb.

LESSONS LEARNED: Most departments probably don't use their suction hoses as much as we do out in the country so the risk is less. In my opinion, all engines should be equipped with the racks that hydraulically lower ladders and suction hoses to a more comfortable height. Not just thumb injuries can occur. Lifting objects above your head can cause injury to backs, necks, etc. I hope nobody else goes through what I have gone through for a piece of suction hose.

Recently we experienced an engine fire in a large haul truck.  Other than the overall size of the truck, the basic configuration of the motor, turbocharger, coolant system, etc., is quite similar to other heavy duty trucks. 

The fire, and resultant damage, was minor due to quick action by nearby maintenance personnel responding with a dry chem. fire extinguisher.  The driver stated he could smell anti-freeze in the cab of the truck, however assumed it was a minor leak and continued to drive the truck to find a good place to pull over to inspect the problem without blocking other traffic.  Other personnel that saw the truck go by noticed a coolant leak in the engine compartment (off side mounted engine) and gave notice to the driver via radio.  The driver stopped and as he walked around the truck to inspect the problem he saw a fire in the engine compartment.  The flames were reported to be a distinctive blue color.  The driver stated at no time was there any yellow color to the flames.  The fire progressed in size quickly until extinguished w/ a hand held 10 lb. dry chem. FE.  The on-board self-contained fire suppression system was not discharged.
 
An investigation revealed a flex coupling ruptured.  This coupling joined two hard lines carrying coolant.  Coolant under pressure was sprayed all over the engine compartment including in the vicinity of the turbocharger.  The hard lines w/ coupler was located directly on top of the valve cover of the motor.  The source of the ignition of the fire could not be determined until information regarding ethylene glycol was researched.  Ethylene glycol has an auto-ignition temperature of 748 deg. F., and will flash burn at lower temperatures if atomized in the vicinity of temp.’s at or greater than 250 deg. F.  Turbochargers typically demonstrate temperatures well in excess of these numbers.  A coolant mix of water and ethylene glycol based anti-freeze in the presence of these high temperatures will decompose the water out of solution and the remaining ethylene glycol may undergo auto-ignition.  The resulting fire may be similar to an alcohol fire, resulting in a blue flame. 
 
See below for more information on ethylene glycol.  In particular, see the section on “industrial hazards”.  All in all I found this article very interesting.  Ethylene glycol is used for many purposes other than for coolant, including (at one time) the manufacture of explosives, including dynamite.  Something to think about, perhaps, as you are pouring your favorite coolant into your radiator!  Read on:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol
 
Also, this information is taken from the MSDS for CITGO Antifreeze and Coolant (MSDS # 657201001):
 
All in all we learned some very interesting information from this incident.  All heavy truck operators should be advised to stop and investigate any incident of odors of coolant, in the cab or outside the cab in the area of the motor.  Report and/or repair leaks immediately.  The time spent may save a great deal of damage, even preventing a fire. 

WAMSUTTER, Wyoming - Battling an intensely hot fire after a cargo truck crashed on a highway, emergency crews were surprised to find themselves suddenly fired upon — by corks from exploding wine bottles inside.

"The corks were popping out of the bottles like the old Jiffy Pop (popcorn) we grew up with," Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Scott Keane said. "My trooper got hit in the arm with one."

The fire Thursday was so intense it burned the trailer down to its axles, melted the tires and damaged about 75 feet of pavement.
 

Besides the heat and flying corks, firefighters also had to deal with shattering bottles.

But Keane says no one was injured, and the truck driver escaped the fire. Keane says the wreck likely was caused by a locked brake or hub malfunction.

While operating at a structure fire on Jan. 3, 2010 we encountered a problem with a 4"x5" Storz hose adapter. As the Engineer and firefighters were making the connection from the hydrant to the apparatus, the lock on the 4" side of the adapter broke causing the hose to come loose from the apparatus. The hose knocked down the Engineer with the coupling striking one firefighter in the helmet and the hose taking his feet out as well. No injuries were noted to any personnel. The helmets and turnout gear did its job of protecting all personnel.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Always wear your PPE no matter what your job is on the fireground. A lot of departments do not require their operators to wear any PPE. I think this is a classic case that no matter what your assignment is on the fireground you need to be properly dressed.

My fire department was dispatched to a "fire alarm" called in by the alarm company. Within minutes of the dispatch, our first due engine with a crew of three firefighters and a junior firefighter went en route. While responding to the fire alarm, dispatched notified our engine that it was a confirmed false alarm and our engine to be in service. Being in the officer seat, I had decided to continue in non-emergency to confirm the alarm, as our department has a no cancellation policy. We arrived on scene in a matter of two or three minutes. At this time we did not have a key holder on location and requested dispatched to get a hold of one. From this point on, chaos broke out. Our engine was notified that the key holder notified stated if his wife’s car is in the garage, she is home. After seeing her car in the garage our engine did a complete 360 and determined with information from the husband this very well could be a medical emergency. Our junior firefighter realized that the lady was laying face down in her garage and not moving. At this time the crew of three firemen used forcible entry in a garage window on the side of the structure. One firefighter gained entry as another followed through the window. At this time the interior firefighters with no BA's on relayed to the exterior firefighter that the vehicle inside the structure was still running and breathing apparatus is needed. The firemen inside tried endlessly to open the garage bay door, but then realized the power was cut to the garage. At this point, neighbors had gathered around the house, curious to what was going on. The interior firemen finally got the garage door to open manually. At this time the scene was deemed a suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. All three firefighters at this point where inside the structure assessing the patient. We were unable to open the garage door because neighbors tried to get in and "help" their neighbor. The three of us firefighters were inside this carbon monoxide rich environment with no ventilation until the squad arrived as well as more fire department personnel. Although it was only a few minutes (ten being the max) we spent inside this carbon monoxide rich environment, we could've died. We all had side effects of CO poisoning with headaches that had been there for one or two days after the fact. We all were lucky to be alive.

LESSONS LEARNED:
We learned a few lessons on this call, one of which being:
1. Think before you act, you cannot help someone if you, yourself is hurt.
2. Breathe... In the heat of the moment, us firefighters can make some poor decisions, even though our job calls for us to stay composed under pressure. We realized we may have not returned to our families after that call. This is not the way to learn by any means but we gained a ton of knowledge, and experience from this call. Hopefully, we will never run into this situation ever again.

These pictures illustrate a close call that occurred when a hydrant connection failed. The hydrant had been made per proper procedure with a 5” hose. While charging the line it separated from the hydrant threads. (Picture 1 shows the beginning of the separation.)
Fortunately the hydrant person was behind the hydrant while charging and no one else was standing in front. (Pictures 2, 3 & 4 show the movement of the line once it separated.) The separation did not occur until the hydrant had been fully opened as you can see in picture 5.
Turns out that the water district replaced the steamer port with a fitting that did not have the proper threads.

Medic 9, and Medic 8 dispatched to a vehicle fire. Dispatch was unable to determine which area the incident was in, so both entities and their respective ALS unit were dispatched. Reports came in that a pick-up truck was on fire and was also towing some construction equipment, operator was attempting to remove equipment from the trailer at this time. M-8C arrived on scene to find a pick-up truck with an engine compartment fire, beginning to extend to the passenger compartment. Dispatch was notified by M-8C that fire was in other departments coverage area. Vehicle operator was using a bobcat, that he initially was towing, to remove the trailer from the vehicle. E-155arrived on scene. A firefighter in full PPE with SCBA began to pull and flake out attack line. Upon charging the line, an unidentified firefighter, wearing no PPE, then took the nozzle from the firefighter and began to make the attack on the vehicle. Fire was knocked down and  E-3, E-6, and M-9 arrived on scene. Officer from Hanover Township assumed incident command and mop up was initiated. M-8C was placed available, M-9 would handle any EMS needed. Units operated on scene for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. No injuries were reported.

LESSONS LEARNED

Although this is, in most of our minds, a "bread and butter" operation, so many things can go wrong at a car fire. Please remember to wear PPE and SCBA when operating at a car fire.

A recent safety issue has been brought to my attention that impacts anyone accessing lands with covered locked gates. The head of security for Island Timberlands has informed me of a recent incident that caused a serious injury to an employee of Cercom Canada. The employee reached up into the lock cover of a gate on mount Benson and received severe lacerations to his hand. The injuries were caused by razor blades taped to the gates lock and cover. Before reaching up to unlock any gates, take the time to visually inspect the lock and cover. Report any similar type of vandalism to your OHS representative and the RCMP. Be Safe!

 Responded to a double fatality rollover last week. The vehicle in question went off the road and overturned in a pond killing both driver and passanger. A tow truck was used to remove the vehicle (FordF250 P/U) from the pond. Deep snow, ice and mud made this a very difficult task during wich the tow truck snapped two cables and a heavy tow chain. My personnel were directed into a safe zome during the process. The tow truck operator was brushed by the first cable that snapped and nearly hit by the tow chain. The large steel grapeling hook at the end of the chain missed the tow truck operators head by 4 inched and ended up 100 feet away on the other side of the roadway.

LESSONS LEARNED:

Respect tight wire rope and cables! Establish a safe zone for responders (2X cable legenth)! Don't trust tow truck operators to know what they are doing! Tow truck operators should use PPE including helmets!

Our Fire District was dispatched to a structure fire today (11-24-2009) of a small 1 car garage. Once the first Engine arrived on the scene the Fire Chief and the 2nd Assistant Fire Chief started hooking the hydrant. The Fire Chief (which drove the Engine) returned to the pump panel and the 2nd Assistant went to turn on the hydrant. On the third turn, there was so much pressure on the 4" line that at the angle it was going into the Engine the 4" line broke the fitting off the Engine and set out about 130 pounds of pressure on a loose line shot towards the Fire Chief and by-standers watching the fire.
Lessons Learned:
Watch the fittings and the setup on the Engines during emergency and non-emergency operations. Also to make sure that either PD or Fire Police are present to keep the crown away from the scenes and the Apparatus.

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.