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?

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on January 29, 2009 at 5:31pm

Ladies and gentlemen:
We no longer have a dead horse.
We have glue.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Tony P on January 29, 2009 at 5:34pm

Would this glue be considered suitable for using in the finger-joints of a truss?

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Permalink Reply by Philip Butler on January 29, 2009 at 7:00pm

If your on my fire ground and there is, was, or will be the protential for smoke you will be wearing your SCBA. No questions asked.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 29, 2009 at 7:11pm

We're past the glue stage...this is all that's left.

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Permalink Reply by Marc on January 29, 2009 at 8:47pm

see we are not using them, but we have em incase we need em

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Permalink Reply by Joey "BigShow" De Piano on January 29, 2009 at 9:02pm

Our SOPS are simple if you get on you scott up or don't bother getting off till we get home in which case you will be sent home for 30 days after 3 you go home for good

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Permalink Reply by Tom Sellmer, Sr on January 30, 2009 at 10:04am

I'm now in my 48 year. God has blessed me with good health and a good body. PLEASE TELL THESE WOULD BE SUPERMEN, THEY ARE NOT SUPERMEN. THEIR LUNGS ARE NOT MADE OF LEATHER. ??? WHERE WAS THE SAFETY OFFICER? GOD HELP THIS DEPARTMENT IF THIS FIREFIGHTER SUFFERED DEATH, BECAUSE OF HIS ACTIONS. OHSA I'll say no more.

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Permalink Reply by R Griffin on January 30, 2009 at 4:33pm

SCBA should have been on. Remember life then property

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Permalink Reply by Shelly on January 30, 2009 at 6:05pm

I agree with the fact that no one should have been on that roof. But, I can't monday morning quater back. If, for any good reason, you must go on a roof like that, or any for that matter, wear your SCBA!!!!!! If, heaven forbid, the unthinkable should happen, at least you stand a chance, as where, if you don't have your SCBA, what are your chances? No one needs to prove how tough they are by not wearing it. Doesn't matter what type of department you have. If you don't have proper SCBA, don't be up there.

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Permalink Reply by Don Vuletic on January 31, 2009 at 10:06pm

If there is smoke showing or its reported as a fire a SCBA is a must. No one is exempt to the rule and appropiate actions should be taken for anyone who disregards thier safety and creates a possible problem for other firefighters

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Permalink Reply by Max L on January 31, 2009 at 11:47pm

If there is smoke there is toxics. This in not 1970 anymore.. not 1980 or 1990 for that matter. Everything we face has changed. There are so many more things in smoke as there are more toxic causing agents in fire to burn. Plastics, synthetics, polys, sealers paints shall we go on. Like most are saying if you see smoke SCBA's are a must. Ventilation operations, car fires, dumpster fires. At some point we could be wearing them for grass fires as who knows what will be added to the woods. And the excuse its only going to be second.. it only takes a second for our world to change. “Curiosity killed the cat. Complacency kills man.” Think about that for a while. How many times have we done something we shouldnt of because ive never been hurt before hhmmmmmm. Be safe.

*on a side note. Even though we are ripping apart this group of photos and reviewing. The lessons we are learning from them show even more reason for fire group photos to be taken. Could have been a matter of not even realizing where we are doing wrong if we dont see it in this matter. Learn from everyone including ourselves.