OSHA "Burns" Another Fire Department

Here is an article on Jackson County Oregon Fire District No. 3 on how they are going to use a safer method to fight fires-PPV. See link: http://kdrv.com/news/local/121891

Now; here is the irony: after three firefighters were injured at a live burn training fire in April, some two months before the news article, they are being cited by OSHA for violations! See link: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090917/NEWS...

Hmmm. So, after they had their training that injured three firefighters WITHOUT PPV, they are now going to use PPV?

Call me crazy, but shouldn’t they get the BASICS down first before they tackle something like PPV?

I guess I’m just a sentimentalist at heart.

TCSS.
Art

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by FETC on September 27, 2009 at 9:05pm

The news station interview with the fd on how this tool is going to make interior firefighting safer is less than desirable. IMO - people who think this tool is the end all answer, tend to use it in situations in which it is not appropriate.

Just hope they train alot with the new equipment, with real fire, and understand when used inappropriately is can actually expedite a flashover.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on September 27, 2009 at 9:14pm

John,

In this case, they were training, so the "training, training, and more training" mantra, while appropriate, doesn't address the problem.

When training, we need to have a set of the directions handy, so that the first time we attempt a new tactic it isn't a trial-and-error episode with live fire. Just "training" isn't adequate, is must be appropriate training, conducted with adequate safety margins, controllable fuel volumes, and adequate water power to make short work of the fire's power.

And...if PPA is spreading the fire uncontrollably, shut down the fan and conduct a conventional attack.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Kriska on September 27, 2009 at 9:19pm

My post was not referring to Art's original post. I was addressing the mistakes made in the second video posted by FETC. View the video and you can see the mistakes that I cited.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on September 28, 2009 at 7:35pm

John,

Thanks for the clarification.

On the other hand, just "training" isn't going to fix problems for departments that have training LODDs or near misses. When someone says "Practice makes perfect." I think "Perfect practice makes perfect."

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on September 30, 2009 at 10:10am

Interesting is that "communications" is the most cited issue under contributing factors in the NIOSH reports.
Getting it right in practice would certainly be a good start.
At least, you stopped it.
I have to wonder how many would even have done that?
TCSS.
Art