SCBA on the Roof?

Below are a series of photos courtesy "FirehouseGuy" from theWatchDesk.com from a daytime house fire last week in Maryland.

These photos are circulating around the Web on sites such as Firefighter Close Calls on the aspect of firefighter safety ... with the site noting "No one hurt but good pictures from the scene drawing "THINK" attention to PPE, SCBA and roof operations. While we love roof operations when needed, we are don't love un-needed exposure to the smoke -- today's smoke is some nasty crap.....we need to THINK. 1000 active Firefighters die each year to cancer."

What are your thoughts and your department's SOPs for firefighters operating on the roof of structure firefighters?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shawna Syth on January 27, 2009 at 5:03pm

yea in my opinion there is no reason to be up there but i think that yes he needs a scba on. you dont know what types of things are in the smoke and i wouldn't want to take the risk.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ken Dallinger on January 27, 2009 at 7:11pm

I not only think we should utilize SCBA's on the roof but primary FF safety should be the first priority. Excellent pictures showing obviously how NOT to use a roof ladder when venting. Am I missing something???

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mlw on January 27, 2009 at 8:20pm

1st thing is the roof doesn't look safe to begin with but i understand ventalating is important. No scba on any roof is dangerous at a structure fire when your ventalating.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by rescueortruck on January 27, 2009 at 8:42pm

I would like to just say that men and women can be down right dumb at times. I have gone on calls with departments from PG county in Maryland and to see these pics. The person should have known better, that is really all I can say.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robert Owens on January 27, 2009 at 9:01pm

First why was he on that roof.

Second if you are in smoke you need SCBA....todays smoke is TOXIC. It contains cyanide (you know the stuff they use to kill you in the gas chamber!!!!), benzene, acrolein, and other harmful gases.

Read the book in the mouth of the dragon by Deborah Wallace for case studies on toxic smoke. It may change your mind.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Zachary McCreary on January 27, 2009 at 9:22pm

As a 2 and a half year fire explorer for CA, i would definetly have to say he is in an IDLH atmosphere... there's no way he's breathing in safe air.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frank Covington on January 28, 2009 at 12:49am

I run with small volunteer department. we often have turnout gear in our personal vehicles. I can arrive on scene and don my gear but I cant do anything without an engine (no ladder, no SCBA, no hose, etc etc etc.)

I doubt the unit had a ladder and no SCBA.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frank Covington on January 28, 2009 at 12:53am

I dont see a roof ladder , or hose on the roof, and he is alone up there.

I say someone neeeds training.

I agree with disciplinary actions as well.

I work firefighters everywhere, I see and hear some crazy stuff. This needs to stop guys and gals.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Frank Covington on January 28, 2009 at 1:05am

Also in the last picture I see someone handling a hose. Lets not overlook his safety issues as well.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dennis Brown on January 28, 2009 at 9:00am

This is nuts he should be in full turnout gear and SCBA where was the officer to make sure all his men where in sop standerds plus if you look at the pic this roof was not a safe one to be on

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by alan on January 28, 2009 at 10:10am

Ok, so again, we all said "Dumbass."
Again, I make a motion to adjern.
Someone else second this.
I will email the FFN Web Chief and try to have this closed.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on January 28, 2009 at 10:56am

You realize that it was the Web Chief who posted it?
If you look around, there are several dead horses on this site.
Beating them have become a national pastime. Almost a calling in some cases.
Do a search on "women in the fire service" and see what you get?
Dead horse or everready bunny?
You decide.
Although my motion still stands. You can't make a motion until my motion is acted upon. However; you can amend my original motion.:)
TCSS.
Art