The Value of PPE in Residential Flashover as two Riverdale Firefighters (MD) Injured During House Fire.The value and use of PPE can not be underscored enough by this incident that occured in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Friday, 21 November 2008
At 1130 hrs. PSC dispatched the assignment for a house fire at 6318 57th Avenue. Both E807 and TK807 responded with crews of 4 personnel each. E813 (Riverdale Heights) arrived on the scene and reported light smoke showing on side Alpha. Upon arrival on the scene, the crew from TK807 (F/F Cory Johnston, F/F Anthony Blazek, and F/F Mark Tyrell) made entry to the house.

The following series of events (still unverified) led to conditions in the house that presented a flashover environment. The hoseline from E813 burst, a backup line was not charged due to no established water supply, and the house was not yet ventilated. Now without the protection of a hoseline, the crew was committed to the house when the room flashed.

F/F Tyrell was apparently far enough in the house to avoid any injury, F/F Johnston recieved 2nd degree burns to his right shoulder, and F/F Blazek recieved the full force of the flashover suffering second-third degree burns to his face, hands, and the majority of his torso.

F/F Blazek was transported from the scene by Medic 855 with Chief 807 driving to MedStar Trauma/Burn Center in Washington, DC. Although in serious condition, his spirits remain high. F/F Johnston was transported via Battalion Chief to MedStar Trauma/Burn Center after returning to the station.

http://www.riverdalevfd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...
Please go to the coverage by Dave Statter at STATter911where much of this information was originally viewed. http://www.wusa9.com/news/columnist/blogs/davestatter.html
http://cms.princegeorgescountymd.gov/FireEMSNews/default.aspx?itemi...

How effective is your department in adhering to full PPE use in all operations?
Have you fallen short as an officer or firefighter in correcting situaitions in which full PPE was not being used properly?