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Online Hazmat WMD Training: Engine Pump Discharge Water Temperature
This is the first in a series of training that I am putting together for FFN members to look at the individual components involved with hazmat WMD response. I have no idea if this is something that will be of interest but will take a wait and see approach before exploring some other topics.
This discussion focuses on providing emergency water supplies for a hazmat WMD event. There are several options out there for controlling the water temperature for an event. This is certainly "out of the box" thinking. If you can't make the water hot from your engines pump, then where can you find hot water
in an emergency?
Engine Pump Discharge Temperature:
* I've done this in the past, but it was not necessarily done on purpose... and I know that I am not the only one who lost the pumps prime... right? But can this be done in a controlled manner? Anyone thought about this?
This is an important factor when dealing with providing personnel decontamination in cold weather. Hypothermia is a definite risk factor that can be prevented. Spraying ice cold water on people could do a lot of harm, especially when dealing with the elderly, very young or medically compromised.
To not plan ahead and thinking about how you can make water warm is not something to shine on. Just think in terms of your family having to go through an emergency decontamination outside of a shopping mall, including soap and water that makes use of ice cold water. No one should be tortured because your department did not take the time to preplan this need. So how have you prepared for this?
TCSS,
CBz
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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was thinking more along the lines of the unit being outside, directing warm air indoors...
yes, your are using diesel fuel to operate the heater, but I can't think of any situations where there has been an incident with these heaters, and this is why the trades like this. Coning off the salamander heater from intimate contact with the shelter or people is a given.
I look forward to hearing about any testing results because the tent is outdoors, with a lot of natural ventilation to handle any possible CO exposure levels being too high.
I think the risks associated with hypothermia need to be factored in. I also don't know how these units and the diesel fuel presents itself in really cold weather. Santa Barbara is not known for it's snow levels...
Still, this bears more discussion and somehow we need to come up with some ideas and answers... None of us have all the toys available for every type of incident. My intent here was to discuss options and point out that there are resources outside of the fire department that could prove useful.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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The problem with that theory is that you are often wading in the hazmat before you realize that it actually is a hazmat. Decon is a nice thing to have handy at that point.
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For starters, I'd hang an atmospheric monitor in the tent being warmed with the salamander heater. That will give you adequate warning of CO levels.
We found the same thing with a gasoline-powered PPV fan - crank it, and it fills the space with CO from the exhaust gas, even when the exhaust extention hose is used to vent the exhaust away from the PPV intake point.
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The "drip rate" is pretty slow. So what I have been know to do is cut the "nose prongs" of the cannula in half.
This is the kind of thing that is learned only from experience. Hello everyone? Is this cool or what?
Thanks for the input Ralph!
CBz
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Wouldn't it be nice if all decon could be handled as simply as this?
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Agreed, except we are not equipped for much of anything. A neighboring department has a hazmat trailer about 8 minutes away. If it's a bigger incident, the county has the big stuff.
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If you have an engine company, you have decon on scene. It might not be warm, and it might not be fancy, but it's decon.
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Every fire department in the USA has the ability to provide emergency gross decontamination without the aid and support of the hazmat team. This requires only two engines with opposing master stream TFT nozzle(s) using a full fog stream.
Note: These photos are obviously a training exercise... note the lack of appropriate PPE.
CBz
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Two-Engine "Decon Funnel" Technique
Single-Engine "Double Shower" Technique
Hand Line "Stand Off Decon" Technique
Ladder Pipe "Stand Off Decon" Technique
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I have not seen the double shower technique before even though it totally makes sense. This is a great idea and photograph.
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