Jan/Feb 2005

Jan/Feb 2005 A newsletter for Texas Firefighters		Texas Fire World Nursing Home Residents Left Defenseless Against Fire Emergencies When it comes time to choose a nursing care facility for a parent, grandparent, or loved one, many things are taken into consideration to make sure the best care possible is being administered. The presence of fire sprinklers in care facilities is something that is not usually part of the list of considerations. Most people automatically assume all nursing facilities have fire sprinklers and smoke detectors. As of right now, older care facilities are not required to have any such thing. Building codes in many states require newer care facilities to have fire sprinkler systems while a “grandfather” clause exempts older facilities. Recently, legislation in several states has been presented to require all nursing homes and care facilities to have sprinkler systems. The sudden concern has come in the wake of two nursing home fires in 2003. Sixteen lives were first lost in Hartford, Conn., and another fire took the lives of 15 others in Nashville, Tenn. Both nursing homes were without sprinkler systems. A report released in July 2004 by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the loss of life in both cases could have been reduced or eliminated with the presence of working fire sprinklers. Journalist Al Thompkins of Poynter University said according to a GAO report, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will likely require nursing homes to retrofit sprinklers in 2006. Critics of the recent legislation have cited that the cost for retrofitting sprinklers to older homes would be too great. However, officials are working to provide incentives for voluntary installation such as accelerated depreciation from 30 years to five years and low interest loan programs. The NFPA said fire sprinklers can reduce the chance of death in a nursing home fire by 82 percent. They have estimated that one-quarter of all nursing home fires occur in facilities without fire sprinklers. Presently, only 12 states require that old and new care facilities have sprinkler systems. Texas is not one of them. Out of 1,143 Texas nursing homes evaluated in a report by the GAO, 84.4 percent were found to have fire safety deficiencies. Our state ranks ninth in a nationwide ranking of nursing home conditions. As advocates for public safety and fire protection, firefighters should educate the public so they can make wise decisions when choosing a care facility for a loved one. Local nursing and retirement homes should also be encouraged to install sprinklers and smoke alarms as well as practice fire drills with all staff shifts. Making sure that care facilities are kept up-to-date on fire protection and prevention is the only safeguard against future incidents that could end with the tragic loss of life.

Table of Contents •New Audio/Visual section at Texas Commission • The Fire Museum of Texas • FW Conference Registration Info • Roof Collapse Prevention Video • Funds Set Aside for DHS

The Iroquois Theater Fire On December 30, 1903 the new Iroquois Theater, thought to be fireproof, was packed with 1,900 spectators who came to see a popular musical. Well developed theater fire precautions had been created prior to 1903. Unfortunately, Iroquois Theater management did not follow them. Stage scenery and backdrops painted with flammable paint and suspended near hot lights presented major fire hazards. During the play, a hot light ignited a nearby velvet curtain. Firemen near the stage were only equipped with a patent powder that proved ineffective when sprinkled on the flames. The asbestos curtain became stuck before reaching the floor. Iron gates added to exit doors by management took extra skill to open, and other doors opened inward trapping theater occupants. The fire led to the death of 600 audience members. After this tragic event, the City of Chicago rewrote its fire code to mandate outward-swinging doors for all theaters and similar establishments. A new set of safety regulations were also adopted for theaters. The event is ranked as the worst theater fire in the history of the US.

News Briefs

Former Agent Linked to Grenade Explosions

A paramedic linked to a recent “flash bang” grenade explosion in Magnolia, Texas is suspected of being involved in a similar incident that occurred in July.

Gene Williams Jr., 42, head of the tactical medical squad for Cypress Creek EMS resigned from his position on unpaid reserve at the Hempstead Police Department the day after the incident occurred, officials said.

Huffman Assistant Fire Chief, Steven Cosby, 26 lost part of his foot when an explosive device went off near him, investigators said. Authorities said Williams was an agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Beaumont six years ago.

Investigations are still underway by the Hempstead Police Department for his possible connection with the explosion of a “flash bang” grenade in a parking lot in late July. The case is pending with the city attorney.

Texas Commission Sports new A/V section and Terrorism Collection

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection now has an audiovisual (A/V) collection separate from the book collection. It also features 22 videos in their new Terrorism section. Topics include weapons of mass destruction, chemical weapons, anthrax and other biological weapons, bomb threats, and surviving secondary devices.

Reservations for these videos must be requested early due to the frequency of requests for videos. Searches on the web catalog reveal new subject headings and categories that are still being updated. The A/V section is organized alphabetically by subject making materials much easier to find. Requests can be made online or by calling the library at 512-239-4925.

Questions regarding difficulties locating a desired subject should be directed to Cheryl Simonsen, librarian by phone or email: Cheryl.simonsen@tcfp.state.tx.us.

Free Highway Responder Video Available

The Emergency Responder Safety Institute, host of the ResponderSafety.com website, working with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, has announced the availability of the institute’s free videotape, “The Ten Cones of Highway Safety.”

The institute is committed to reducing deaths and injuries to America’s emergency responders, who are a national critical infrastructure. The video is available at no charge to training officials of fire/EMS and law enforcement departments.

Advanced training materials designed to supplement the initial awareness-level program is nearing completion. Use the following address to access the on-line video request form: http://www.respondersafety.com/ download/videoform.html.

Career Firefighter Killed in Roof Collapse

While providing mutual aid in a commercial restaurant/lounge structure fire in Missouri, a 40-year-old career firefighter was killed. The victim was searching for the seat of the fire along with two volunteer firefighters from another department.

One of the volunteer firefighters lost the seal on his self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask, and immediately abandoned the nozzle position

retreating through the closest door followed by his backup firefighting partner. The two fire fighters were unaware that the victim was still inside due to thick smoke with zero visibility.

An imminent roof collapse caused the Incident Commander (IC) to order an emergency evacuation using an air horn signal. Personnel accounting revealed that the victim was still inside the building when the roof partially collapsed.

Search attempts led to the discovery of the victim face down with his mask and thermal camera tangled in a chair. The face mask was dislodged and not over his mouth. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established some guidelines in order to minimize the risk of similar occurrences. Fire Departments should:

· Conduct pre-incident planning and inspections to facilitate development of a safe fire ground strategy.

· Review, revise where appropriate, implement and enforce written Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) that specifically address: Incident Command (IC) duties, emergency evacuation procedures, personnel accountability, rapid intervention teams (RIT) and mutual operations on the fire ground.

· Train SOGs about the incident command system, and lost fire fighter procedures with mutual aid departments to establish interagency knowledge of equipment, procedures and capabilities

· Ensure the IC conducts a risk-versus-gain analysis prior to committing fire fighters to the interior and continually assesses risk versus gain throughout the operations.

· Ensure that all firefighters are equipped with radios capable of communicating with the IC. For more information on the case (#F2004/10) call toll free 1-800-35-NIOSH or visit the website: www.cdc.gov/niosh/firehome.html.

Texas Museum

The Fire Museum of Texas, Beaumont

Those who can’t get enough of fire trucks and equipment often dream of a place they can visit where they are surrounded by the evolution of the fire profession across the state. A high point of interest to many fire buffs is the Fire Museum of Texas.

It first opened its doors in 1984 and is housed in what used to be the Beaumont Fire Department headquarters in 1927. The museum was endorsed by the Texas State Firemen and Fire Marshall’s Association as the state fire museum in 1986. It is also home to the Texas Firefighter Memorial and the largest fire hydrant in the world.

The museum has many other features of interest to visitors including an extensive collection of antique fire engines and equipment dating as far back as 1856. Displays include a hand drawn Tub Pumper from 1856, a 1909 Aerial Ladder Truck, and a 1931 Light Truck sent to the New London School Explosion in 1937 and the Texas City Disaster in 1947.

Several activities are made available for kids who visit the museum. They can walk in the shoes of a fireman by dressing up in firefighter gear and driving a simulated fire truck to a fire. The museum also presents a Fire Safety Activity Center in which children can practice fire drills and visitors of all ages can learn about proper household safety.

A summer camp and other sponsored events with live demonstrations are hosted by the museum in order to create opportunities throughout the year for kids to be educated on fire safety and prevention. For more information on how to become a member or to make a tour reservation, visit the museum website, www.firemuseumoftexas.org, or call 409-880-3927.

photo courtesy of the Fire Museum of Texas

Tracking Taxpayer Money

After wondering about the use of tax money by fire departments, taxpayers will finally be able to get answers to their questions. Recent investigations have revealed that volunteer fire departments have had trouble handling tax dollars and donations.

Officials in Bexar County, Texas have been led to approve changes that require departments to submit detailed financial reports and open financial books to the county auditor and fire marshal. Citizen concerns arose after incidents involving fire departments in Converse, Lytle, Primrose and Southwest were discovered relating to missing money.

Bexar County Commissioner, Tommy Adkisson hopes that the new requirement will help ease the minds of taxpayers on how their money is spent. The changes will also include free financial training to all volunteer fire departments on how to keep proper financial records.

Opportunities & Legislation

Illinois Initiates Firefighter Job Protection Act

Community members across the nation rely heavily upon the response of volunteer firefighters. Most of them must work paying jobs to provide for themselves and their families. Many deal with the worry of losing their jobs because of their position in public service.

The Governor of Illinois recently signed the Volunteer Firefighter Job Protection Act. House Bill 4851 says employers of volunteer firefighters in communities with 3,500 people or less can not dismiss the firefighter for being late

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continued from above... or missing work because of a commitment to fire response that occurred prior to the start of the work day. The termination of a volunteer firefighter by an employer is in violation of the Act and civil action may be brought up by seeking reinstatement to the position, payment of back wages and reinstatement of fringe benefits and seniority rights. The bill was signed in hopes of keeping and attracting volunteer firefighters. Training Video to Help Prevent Roof Collapse The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new free training CD-ROM and DVD to help protect firefighters from a possible roof collapse. The CD simulation recreates a restaurant fire in Houston in which two firefighters were killed when the roof collapsed. Using information from investigations of the collapse, the CD simulates the fire as it began in an office, its entry into an attic, and its spread to hidden roof trusses leading to the roof collapse. It includes narrations such as cutaway walls and ceilings that inform the viewer of possible locations for inspection to help prevent a collapse. The DVD contains video of roof collapse field experiments with the Phoenix, Ariz. Fire Dept. It also features burning warehouses and single wood frame structures. The production of the CD-ROM and DVD is in an effort to predict roof collapses. For more information, contact John Blair at john.blair@nist.gov. ODP Grant Regulations Changed All the time and effort the NVFC put into working in legislation has finally paid off. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) approved a change to the guidelines of the ODP grant funding in November. The change will allow the funds to provide compensation to volunteer firefighters participating in ODP training and exercises. An NVFC official said the compensation includes the use of ODP grant funds to provide stipends, cover lost wages, and provide compensation to volunteer, paid-on-call, paid-for-call, and paid-per-call firefighters. Prior to the change in guidelines, it was almost impossible for volunteer first responders to receive any compensation for being involved in anti-terrorism courses. Federal grants only reimbursed overtime and backfill costs for full-time firefighters. Congress Sets Aside Funds for DHS The appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005 that funds important fire service grant programs was passed by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
		Free Training!		Don’t Forget!!		Free Training!
			Register to attend the Industrial Fire World Conference and Exposition March 21-25, 2005 American Bank Convention Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
	This conference qualifies for Texas Forest Service Training Scholarship reimbursement for Texas Fire Departments. Attendees may register for classes for all five days if desired. Steps to Receive Scholarship Reimbursement: 1. Submit Texas Forest Service application and receive approval 2. Register with payment for IFW Conference 3. After completion of programs, receive certificate 4. Submit certificate of completion to Texas Forest Service for Reimbursement *Departments must be preapproved by the Texas Forest Service prior to the Conference in order to receive remibursement.* A link for the TFS Scholarship Application is available at www.fireworld.com under “Conference Information” or at the Texas FireWorld homepage.

	Congress set aside $650 million for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE Act) which is a decrease of $100 million from the last two years of funding at $750 million. Congress also voted to provide $65 million to the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program (SAFER) which had not been funded before. The overall federal budget and increasing deficit led to the cut in the FIRE Act. In creating the bill, Congress specifically mentioned that DHS keep the all encompassing focus on “all-hazards” preparation and to reinstate program categories the department was considering getting rid of such as wellness and fitness programs, emergency medical services, fire prevention programs, public education programs and modifications of facilities for health and safety personnel. The department was also directed to continue funding applications in compliance with local priorities and those established by the United States Fire Administration (USFA) while also including the USFA in grant administration. The recent reauthorization of the FIRE Act back to the Emergency esponse and Preparedness Division of DHA with specific instructions made by Congress concerning the focus on “all-hazards” response has eased prior concerns of the IAFC.				Texas Fire World PO Box 9482, 540 Graham Rd. College Station, TX 77842/45 Phone: 979-690-7559 Fax: 979-690-7562 Publisher: David White davidw@fireworld.com Editor:Donna Berny donna@fireworld.com

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