Mar/Apr 2005

A newsletter for Texas Firefighters

Texas Fire World

Emergency Vehicle Collisions:

When Accidents Happen

It has been estimated that the second leading cause of death to firefighters has been due to Emergency vehicle Collisions. According to In Service Online, in the last 10 years, more than 225 firefighters have died in vehicle accidents while in duty. The accidents can be the result of many factors from equipment malfunction to human error. Researchers have said that the increase of the number of flashing lights increases the likelihood of an accident. An article by Stephen Sullivan said that one Missouri fire department found their accident rates declined when responding without lights and sirens while the time it took to arrive stayed the same. Some psychologists say the color of an emergency vehicle has a better chance of catching civilian attention if they include a greenish yellow color.

Fire Departments can take several actions to help prevent future emergency vehicle collisions. Many of the precautions include a simple regard for rules and procedures outlined by fire departments. In his article, Chris Cavette offers five steps to help improve Emergency Vehicle Safety.

1. Use Seat Belts, failure to do so should result in disciplinary action.

2. Ride Inside, a policy should be established that everyone should ride inside the apparatus cab and prohibit firefighters from riding anywhere on the body of the apparatus.

3. Restrict Alcohol Use, alcohol should be restricted within a reasonable period prior to reporting for duty.

4. Restrict Vehicle Speed, prohibit travel of more than 10mph over the posted speed limit and not more than 20 mph when forced to travel in opposing lanes when responding the emergencies. A maximum speed of 35mph for tankers is reasonable to prevent rollover accidents.

5. Train Drivers, only those who have obtained a valid driver’s license for this type and class of vehicle should be driving an emergency vehicle.

The Emergency Vehicle Safety Report released in August 2004 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also set some guidelines that are meant to assist in improving emergency vehicle safety and preventing accidents. A few of those listed in the initiative include:

- Mark apparatus with conspicuous, contrasting colors

- Install contrasting colored restraints and rearview mirror above the officer’s seat. - Use a spotter when backing the apparatus

- Always bring units to a complete stop at red lights, stop signs and activated or unguarded rail crossings before proceeding

- Require members to wear highly reflective materials when conducting highway operations.

- Require driver training instructors to have appropriate instructor credentials and first hand experience in emergency vehicle operations. More information on the Emergency Vehicle Safety Initiative can be obtained free online at www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/research/safety/vehicle.shtm. I Information on training seminars for emergency vehicle safety can also be found from the Emergency Services Education and Consulting Group at www.vfis.com/esecg_training/train_sem1.htm.

Resources: Cavette, Chris. http://firechief.com/ar/five-steps-toimprove87443/ “Fire Trucks are Supposed to be Red, Right?” www.psychologymatters.org/solomon.html. Solomon, Stephen S. www.respondersafety.com/news.2004/0309_flashinglight.html.

News Briefs

GAO Studies the Right to Volunteer

The General Accountability Office (GAO) will soon begin a study on career firefighters’ right to volunteer when they are off duty.

Representative from Congress requested the study in November of 2004 to focus on the circumstances in which career firefighters are restricted from volunteering for other fire departments during their off-duty hours.

Officials hope the study will reveal how limitations on volunteering may be affecting the ability of fire departments to carry out their responsibilities.

The GAO plans to:

- Develop an estimate of the number of career firefighters who volunteer during off-duty hours.

- Examine the extent and origin of any restriction on volunteering, including an estimate of the number of fire departments and firefighters affected by such policies as well as reasons such policies were put in place.

- Examine staffing levels at volunteer and combination fire departments in areas where fire departments prohibit or discourage career firefighters from volunteering in another jurisdiction during off-duty hours.

The NVFC is working to give all American Firefighters the right to volunteer in their communities without impediment from other government organizations. A recent House bill reauthorized the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. It stipulated that firefighters hired under the grant program could not be prohibited from volunteering in another jurisdiction in off duty hours. However the stipulation was dropped when the bill went to the Conference with the Senate version.

Louisiana Officials Accused of Obstructing DHS Audit

Three officials from the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are being accused of obstructing the Department of Homeland Security audit of a federal grant program. HSE deputy director Col. Michael Brown, OHSEP Administrator Col. Michael Appe, and State Hazard Mitigation Officer Daniel Falanga were charged with two separate indictments for alleged attempts to block a DHS audit of the state’s federally funded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

U.S. officials are investigating the use of funds once they were directed into the Louisiana State Military Budget. The indictments alleged that funds purposed for administrative expenses associated with the flood hazard mitigation program run by FEMA, were transferred to the Louisiana State Military accounts. Officials are investigating whether the funds were spent improperly once they entered the state military department.

A state employee discovered $175,000 was spent by another state employee during a DHS audit of state HMGP expenditures. Once notified of the problem, the justice department alleged that Appe and Brown created a backdated document for the DHS auditors.

Officials said Falanga was charged before a grand jury after allegedly perjuring himself during an appearance in which the state’s use of the FEMA funds were being investigated. The alleged violations of Falanga were separate from the alleged incident involving Appe and Brown, officials said.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both for each criminal count with which he is charged. The trial date for Appe and Brown are set for April 4 and the Falanga trial is set for June 6, officials said.

The Department of Homeland Security has announced the release of a new course on the National Response Plan. The Course, IS-800, The National Response Plan, an Introduction, will focus on concepts pertaining to plan operations, roles and responsibilities of those involved, and organizational and management responsibilities.

The course was created by DHS in order to help the nation to be better prepared in the event of future terrorist attacks such as 9/11. With advancement of terrorist threats and hazards, the course will assist in providing a unified approach to incident management.

The NRP specifies how state, local, tribal governments and the private sector will work with the federal government in response to Incidents of National Significance. The plan is predicated in the National Incidents Management System (NIMS). Both programs work together in order to provide prevention and response to threats and incidents nationwide. State, local, and private sector emergency management professionals can register for the course online at: http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is800.asp.

The course will introduce the NRP in order that students may:

- Describe the purpose of NRP

- Locate information within the NRP - Describe the roles and responsibilities of entities as specified in the NRP

- Identify the organizational structure used for NRP coordination

- Describe the field-level organizations and team activated under the NRP

- Identify the incident management activities addressed by the NRP

EPA Offers Reimbursement for Lost Funds

Local governments who have incurred costs responding to incidents such as tire fires, illegally dumped waste, transportation accidents or contamination from illegal drug labs may qualify to receive funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Local Government Reimbursement (LGR) Program. Funds rewarded can reach up to $25,000.

Money lost by local governments may include overtime pay for employees, renting or leasing equipment, and special technical services and laboratory costs. The LGR Program was established in 1986 under the federal Superfund law. Currently, the EPA has reimbursed over $3 million to local governments.

More information on the LGR Program including reimbursement application requests can be done at http://epa.gov/superfund/programs/er/lgr or call the EPA at 1-800-431-9209.

Texas Museum

Edinburg Fire Museum

Edinburg, Texas

The Edinburg Fire Museum first opened its doors in July of 2002 as a tribute to all Edinburg Volunteer Firefighters past and present. During its construction, no volunteer firefighters were allowed to set foot inside the building. Chairman of the Museum Committee, Richard Drewry said the creation of the museum was meant to be a surprise, that all those to whom the museum is dedicated might only set eyes on the finished product.

Located across from Central Station, the museum was leased to the fire department for a duration of 50 years for the bargain price of one dollar. Committee members held fund raisers such as barbeques and pumper races in order to begin remodeling the building.

Presently, the museum features many historical displays about the department including a pictorial newspaper, original charter and 1947 bylaws, activities department members participated in, and a pictorial history of department members.

The museum also has a special section set aside as a memorial to 9/11. The museum is open to the public and acknowledges the history and tradition that makes up the present fire department. Committee members hope to add on to the museum in the coming years by adding computer based interactive systems useful for teaching the youth of the community about fire safety.

In addition, the museum serves to inspire and motivate future participants in continuing its long time history of service to the community.

Safety Notice from SCOTT®

An important safety notice has been released by SCOTT Health & Safety. It applies to all users of SCOTT® respirators equipped with E-Z FLO® regulators including: AIRPAK® models 2.2/3.0/4.5/ Fifty™ and SWAT-PAK® Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), SCOTT Industrial SCBA, SCOTT Model SKA-PAK® egress only and egress with airline respirators and all E-Z Airline™ respirators. The notice applies to the respirators equipped with E-Z FLO regulators manufactured since 1992.

Several fire departments have reported the demand lever becoming dislodged causing a regulator malfunction that results in no air flow through the regulator during normal inhalation. Air can be supplied to the wearer by activation of the purge knob. Product owners should be aware of this potential condition.

The demand lever can become dislodged from its mountings if the regulator is struck severely against the retaining lip of the regulator body located exactly opposite of the donning switch.

Once dislodged out of its bracket, the regulator will immediately stop delivering air when the user inhales. The regulator will continue to function for a period of time if only one side of the lever is dislodged. If air is found not to be delivered to the face piece, the user should follow the emergency procedures specified in the operation maintenance instructions.

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