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Cold Weather Firefighting
After watching news video of the apartment complex fire in Michigan, I found myself thinking of cold weather firefighting, and the differant methods of rehab. We obviously can't pull in and set up a "warm area" for responders to sit inside to warm up. (unless you count ambulances) In cold weather where you battle temps around 0 icing occurs (frostbite) and you start losing your personnel at a faster pace. Although you can call more manpower to the scene through mutual aid (as did grand rapids) but how do you set up a mass rehab unit? (luckily in their case a business stayed open to assist in warming the victims of the fire and the firefighters)
What does your department do on days when your SCBA is frozen to your back, and the fire is still going to provide rehab?
12-22-08 We had a fire the other day during one of the colder spells we have had. It was a call for a fully involved dwelling and our Engine was directed to a fill-site. While at the fill site we encountered slippery road conditions (from the water) and general cold temperatures making it uncomfortable to operate with. We were provided coffee by one of our captains who had his POV. In a situation like this, we are away from the main scene by a descent distance and all the rehab was concentrated on scene. It's always interesting to stand your jacket up because it's frozen shell provides the stability. I'm hoping for more views on this this year to get more ideas of how you handle the cold.
What does your department do on days when your SCBA is frozen to your back, and the fire is still going to provide rehab?
12-22-08 We had a fire the other day during one of the colder spells we have had. It was a call for a fully involved dwelling and our Engine was directed to a fill-site. While at the fill site we encountered slippery road conditions (from the water) and general cold temperatures making it uncomfortable to operate with. We were provided coffee by one of our captains who had his POV. In a situation like this, we are away from the main scene by a descent distance and all the rehab was concentrated on scene. It's always interesting to stand your jacket up because it's frozen shell provides the stability. I'm hoping for more views on this this year to get more ideas of how you handle the cold.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on
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So because one person smokes, it's okay for another to suck in exhaust. Weird logic. Neither is smart, neither makes any sense, especially for someone who is exposed to things beyond their control. We have enough risks, why should we not control the ones we can?
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That's part of the new legislation here as well. Anyone who continues to smoke is basically destroying their families' chance at collecting benefits if they happen to (Heaven forbid) die of a job related cancer. Smoking doesn't complete negate your chances, but it certainly will make it tough on the family if you've been a smoker for 20 years or more. Sad.... QUIT KILLING YOURSELVES!!!! (that goes for everything that is preventable... smoking, CO, seatbelts, speeding, red light running.... I guess I could say it until I'm blue in the face, eh?)
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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I agree with the logic of "less exposure is better" As well it takes about 2 minutes to feel heat conduct through your boot to your cold foot. Hold your CO meter or Multi Rae at your chest level start your apparatus on a day when it's freezing temperatures (ahhhh scientific talk less molecular movement on colder days causes things to linger a lot more) and see what your readings are. Plain and simple if they are above ambiant CO levels (aka less than 5) (and I tried this it is more than 5) than your overexposing yourself to the toxic affects of CO. We complain about seatbelts not being worn (for good reason) why would you endanger yourself to the affects of CO to warm your foot up some. If your feet are that cold (you must have been there for some time by that point) it's time for some rehab to warm up.
As far as having the crusty Ice Layer on you, thats all well and good to say but what happens when you go back inside the house in the situation of live fire? If science and every ounce of firefighting training I have had is correct, you unthaw, and the Ice turns to water, which turns to steam. Especially in the case of Wet gloves, and hood, steam burns are prevolant. I know theres not always an option for dry gear available, but thats why we have ICS for a Unified command who isn't afraid to call for MORE HELP. A firefighters endurance is only as good as their Physical abilty limits them, and the PPE that protects them retains the integrity that it is supposed to under all conditions. Wet gear is a NO NO
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It was just a little "gasp" I had when I read that... that's all! ;) We all end up with our faces in the exhaust at one time or another... just didn't think doing it on purpose was necessary... hop in the rig and stick the toes under the heater instead... if you can sneak in there... lol! :)
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I always thought it was so ironic that I really don't like the heat... but there were no Icefighting jobs available... lol! :)
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Sure there is, you can prevent freezer burn, work for ZipLock LOL
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Permalink Reply by Bob Bennett on
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We have a school bus that was donated to us and we fixed it up to our needs and we do have a good rehab team. During a major fire fight we get our bus to the scene as quick as we can to set up a warming and rehab area for the firefighters
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The pop up decon tents ar cheap and very effective. Thy povide cover from the elements and can be heated. We have used these for dress up in Winter for Haz Mat incidents to great affect also. They inflate with a vacuum (in reverse) or with SCBA cyliners
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Lol... that can't be nearly as fun!!
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Permalink Reply by Sandy113 on
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we have a canteen unit that comes out to big jobs, they provide hot dogs, hot choclate, gatorade and other such foods and drinks, this helps warm from the inside but not much to do about frozen toes in steel toe boots!
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This is something that is fairly common here also, just doesn't provide any source of heat for the firefighters who are cold. It does provide hot beverages and also calories
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