Saving Firefighter Ryan

by: Lou Angeli

Flashover! Even though firefighters are beginning to understand it, this fatal phenomenon is still shrouded in a veil of mystery. Experts in the fire training arena have differing opinions and descriptions of Flashover, but they all seem to agree on one thing. It's a nasty thing!

Simply put, room and contents begin to burn at a very rapid rate during the growth stage of the blaze. Heat is radiated from burning combustibles, then reradiated by the walls and other structural elements. This "thermal feedback" causes an even greater acceleration of heat. Finally, the entire room and its contents ignite with violent and explosive force.

Our culture and its technology have served as a major contributor to the problem of flashover. Up until the 1960's, the average residence contained natural products made up of woods, cottons and other fabrics. Back then it often took a blaze from 8 to 10 minutes to grow from inception to the fully-involved stage.

But in our present day world of synthetics, plastics and hydrocarbons, the same room takes only 2 to 3 minutes to reach the peak of fire growth. This accelerated rate of burn has become a major concern for firefighting teams and the officers who command them.

Oddly enough, it was a prevention tool designed to save lives that first brought Flashover to our attention - the home smoke detector. In days gone by, fires typically went unreported until they vented from a window, sending the fastest civilian running for the Gamewell Box.

Today, because of the effectiveness of early warning systems, departments are now notified of fires much, much earlier. Companies now arrive on the scene during the growth stage, entering the structure at the worst possible time, just prior to flashover. Combine this with the standing practice of aggressive interior attack, and one can quickly understand why firefighters have become more aware, and much more concerned, of the phenomenon. The simple fact is - we're seeing it much more often.

Inside the simulator: At an elapsed time of one minute, superheated smoke begins to bank down toward the firefighters on the floor. With 45 seconds the smoke ignites in what firefighters once called a smoke explosion, but now know as Flashover.

Low Tech System with High Tech Results

In Europe, where line of duty deaths, and interior attack, are quite rare, the multi-national fire community was shocked, when in 1987, two Swedish firefighters lost their lives to a flashover incident. In response, training officers in Stockholm saw the need to create an awareness program for the brigade's firefighters. They developed a rudimentary simulator that allows attack teams to identify potentially dangerous environments during the early stages of the firefight. Their primary goal: to demonstrate to suppression teams how to escape a flashover and exit safely.

On the fire training grounds near Stockholm, I prepare to videotape the special fire training simulator designed by the Swedes. I was expecting a high-tech block structure, with thermal sensors, gas jets, and emergency sprinklers. Instead, I'm led to a series of overseas shipping containers, that have been laid out in random fashion to represent various firefighting scenarios.

According to Roland Lindquist, Director of the Raddnings Verket, (The Swedish Fire Rescue Services Agency) the system was adopted by all departments in Sweden by 1990. Instructors there further refined both classroom and hands-on curriculum, and today every Swedish firefighter is required to take this special training course. It's dubbed the Swede Survival System, and it's taken Europe, and this nation, by storm.

Foreign Technology -- American Know-How

Six thousand miles away from Stockholm, in America's heartland, Indianapolis firefighters carry on a tradition that's been passed down from generation to generation -- mounting an aggressive interior attack. Like so many departments nationwide, Indy fire administration have armed all front-line personnel with the very best in protective equipment -- A secure envelope, that guards firefighters from intense heat and vicious flames.

But some say that this very same envelope denies firefighters the use of an important God-given safety regulator – the sense of feel. In short, present day protective gear is so damned good, it's difficult to determine when to bail out.

A 3-alarm blaze in Indy's downtown section, found three firefighters deep inside the bowels of the beast. A huge structure, the Athletic Club blaze was stubborn, and difficult to ventilate. According to other interior personnel, the trio entered a smoky room in search of the seat of the fire, but within moments the room erupted in an explosion of flame, instantly snuffing out their lives.

IFD was determined to prevent similar horrible accidents from ever happening again. They imported the Swede Survival System, and since its installation, EVERY IFD firefighter and officer has received extensive flashover training -- many, more than once.

In other departments throughout the USA, training officers have adapted the system to meet the needs of America's aggressive firefighters. Their goal, to show an uncontrolled blaze in a SAFE, controlled atmosphere. And to date, nearly one hundred departments and agencies have answered the call.

Share your experiences INSIDE the Flashover Simulator by posting your comments here! Also, view the video clip "Saving Firefighter Ryan" on FlashoverTV.

Remember: Everyone Goes Home! Everyone!

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Resources:

(1) Raddnings-Verket (Swedish Fire-Rescue Services Agency)

(2) Swede Survival Systems

(3) Flashover TV

(4) Everyone Goes Home!

(5) Flashover (Wikipedia)

RIT Team Rescues 7 Delaware Firefighters

Saving Our Own

by Lou Angeli

(Wilmington, DE) – January 5, 2008 -- An early morning Delaware blaze may have turned deadly for 7 firefighters if not for mutual aid pre-planning and a superfast FAST Team. The blaze in a 2-story apartment complex in Alban Park (see map), moved quickly through the building, trapping 7 firefighters who were working on the 2nd floor.

The fire at 561 Homestead Road was reported just before 7:30am to the New Castle County Fireboard, which dispatched three volunteer departments. The building complex is in a subdivision bordering the state’s largest city, Wilmington.

Upon his arrival Chief Chuck Hayes of the Five Points Fire Company reported heavy smoke and fire conditions in the 50-year old building complex. His radio report automatically activated the response of a Rapid Intervention Team (or FAST Team) whose sole responsibility is to rescue and recover trapped or lost firefighters during working alarms. Not long after they arrived, the team was put to the ultimate test.

The RIT Team assignment was given to Engine-1 of the Wilmington Fire Department, which responded as a part of a long-standing mutual aid agreement with the county’s volunteer companies. The RIT Team stood by as firefighters from Five Points and Elsmere advanced a handline to the 2nd floor.

See photos of News Journal Coverage

Wilmington Fire Dept. RIT Team working during a 2006 High-Rise Blaze

According to a report published in the Wilmington News Journal, journalist Victor Greto writes “…the fire below them burned through the hoseline, cutting off their water supply. As the fire grew worse, the trapped firefighters issued a ‘mayday’ call, triggering a Rapid Intervention Team response from a 4-person crew outside, associated with Wilmington Engine No. 1.” (1)

With the stairway gone, the RIT Team quickly improvised creating an escape path using ground ladders to replace the steps. Engine-1’s crew located the firefighters and carefully led them to safety in a rescue operation that took approximately 5 minutes. The rescued firefighters had little or no breathing air remaining in their bottles.

Tom Mitten, a spokesperson for the Five Points Fire Company told the News Journal that the operation “Went like clockwork.”

The trapped firefighters all experienced injuries during the operation and were stabilized at the scene, then transported to the Christiana Trauma Center for further treatment.

The Alban Park blaze clearly shows the importance and effectiveness of Rapid Intervention Teams on the fireground. (2) Like the deadly Charleston Sofa Warehouse fire, disorientation was the reason for the “Mayday” calls in Alban Park. Unfortunately, Charleston firefighters had no RIT or FAST Team in position and it was just a matter of moments before 9 brave firemen were lost. (3)

“Knowing that the RIT Team is on the fireground is always a real comfort,” one firefighter noted. “But the fact that they actually went to work was a frightening experience.”

Volunteer departments in New Castle County, Delaware as well as the all-career Wilmington Fire Department are to be commended for having trained, trained and trained again in RIT Operations. Like the man said, RIT Teams are a real comfort to have around when the job goes bad. And it is quite possible that 7 Delaware firefighters owe their lives to a relatively new system that is designed to rescue the rescuers.

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Resources:

(1) Wilmington News Journal: “7 Firefighters Injured” (Victor Greto)
(2) Firefighter Assist and Search Team: Wikipedia

(3) Charleston Sofa Warehouse Fire: Wikipedia

(4) Five Points Fire Company

(5) Wilmington (DE) Fire Department (photojournal)

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What Happened in Charleston…And Why?

by Lou Angeli

Charleston, SC (August 18, 2007) -- The tragic fire that snuffed the lives of nine of Charleston’s Bravest is the worst tragedy beset the fire service since 9/11/01. Of course the immediate need following the disaster was to mourn the loss of so many great men, and console their families.

But now -- months following the incident, after reports and critiques are beginning to flow in. In a nutshell, we’re learning that the Charleston Fire Department is operating in the past.

Use of 1” Booster Lines

One of the earliest criticisms came from firefighters around the country. Video and still images showed small, snaking red hoses leading into the building. Is it possible that Charleston made the initial attack using booster lines? The answer is yes – because it’s how they’ve always done it.

These 1” diameter rubber hoses, known as booster lines, were commonplace on fire trucks here in the USA 20 years ago. In most cities they were nicknamed “trash lines” and were used to extinguish small nuisance fires. They have since been phased out in most departments because they proved extremely ineffective during the structural firefight and placed firefighters at risk.

Jamy Cote, a former Charleston firefighter, told the Charleston Post and Courier, “The (booster) is usually the first to be pulled off the truck," he said. "Big fire, small fire, it's so ingrained to pull the booster." Such safety inadequacies convinced Cote to resign from CFD

The water flow of a booster line is often debated but experts agree that 50 gallons per minute is the normal maximum. Compare that to the flow rate of an Inch and ¾ handline, which are also carried on Charleston’s engines., which is 150 gallons per minute. Nationwide, these inch and 3/4 handlines are most often used to extinguish a room and contents fire in a single-family dwelling. Potatoes compared to the job facing Charleston firefighters.

“With the amount of fire showing upon their arrival at the sofa warehouse, Charleston firefighters should have chosen to advance more powerful 2.5 inch lines,” says Battalion Chief Ron Vista of the Charlotte (NC) Fire & Rescue. Monsters yes – but at 350 gallons per minute, deuce and a half hose have 10 times the firefighting potential of a booster line.

Charleston Response SOPS

When a fire is reported, most departments have a pre-planned response that takes into consideration the type and size of the building and its occupancy. For example, if the sofa warehouse fire had taken place in Philadelphia, 4 engines, 2 aerial trucks, a heavy rescue squad and 2 Battalion Chiefs would have responded. Count 31 firefighters on scene.

But during the real-life fire in Charleston, only 2 engines and an aerial ladder were dispatched. Upon arriving at the warehouse at 7:11pm, only 11 firefighters were assembled. Their initial focus was on extinguishing a blaze in the rear loading dock area, with a secondary effort to evacuate civilians and prevent the fire from spreading to the showroom and warehouse.

The Firefight

A narrative of the incident reads, “As time progressed, smoke began to appear in the showroom, and shortly thereafter an exterior door was opened near where the (loading dock) fire was raging.” At that point the fire entered the showroom, feeding on a wealth of fuel – several tons of furniture.

Reports are that only one hoseline was in place to defend against the rapidly moving blaze. At the same time, dispatchers notified companies that they had received 9-1-1 calls from an employee who had become trapped in a closet area.

Firefighters rightfully turned their attention toward the rescue operation, and the firefight took a back seat to the most immediate task. At 7:20pm the trapped victim was freed after firefighters had breeched an outside wall.

Following the rescue, firefighters should have been ordered to evacuate the building. With no further life-safety issues, the firefight should have moved from inside the builidng to an exterior attack. However firefighters remained working in the showroom, many of whom became disoriented in the smoke.

News video shot from the front of the store clearly shows firefighters breaking windows in what would normally be an attempt to vent the interior of the building. However in this case, the tactic was mis-timed and firefighters unknowingly fed the blaze with the oxygen it needed to grow even larger. In a published timeline at 7:25pm the interior of the structure erupted into a massive flashover consuming the buildings contents as well as the firefighters inside. With the store fully engulfed in flames, rescue was impossible and by 7:30pm the structure collapsed onto the bodies of the nine Charleston firefighters.

Early Findings

In recent days, the early findings from the dozen or so federal and local investigations that are taking place confirm that Charleston is a department that has been (and continues to be) operating in the past. Here’s the short list of findings…and they’re saying it nicely.

• Establish Fire Department Safety Officer position
  
• Apply incident command procedures on all incidents (ICS – NIMS procedures)
  
• Rapidly implement personnel accountability system with passports and PAR
  
• Reinforce appropriate use of personal protective clothing and SCBA.
  
• Increase initial structure fire response to three engines and one ladder.
  
• Utilize the third engine as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)
  
• Working fire – dispatch 2nd Battalion Chief, 4th engine company and an EMS unit.
  
• Utilize the second-arriving Battalion Chief as the incident safety officer
  
• Communications changes including the use of the 10-code
  
• The use of the tactical radio channel for responses.
  
• Changes in water supply standard operating procedures with near-term transition to large diameter supply hose.
  
• Use of 1-1/2 inch hose, or larger, for interior attack as well as vehicle fires.
  
• Changes to standard nozzle configuration and flow for all handlines
  

Incredibly, the changes suggested here are not new to the fire service. In fact, they are standard procedure for even the smallest of volunteer fire departments in this country. It begs the question, “What the hell was Chief Rusty thinking?”

Some experts say that the department is so far behind current trends that only a major restructuring could possibly solve the problems in order to allow the department to operate more effectively – and safely. The panels can only make recommendations, so the ability to change, if it is to take place at all, lays solidly with the community, the good citizens of Charleston, who deserve much better fire protection.

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Resources:

(1) Firefighter Hourly Jay Lowry

(2) Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire, Wikipedia