SRS131EMTFF

We recently studied the Imperial Sugar Explosion in my Hazardous Materials class. It goes back to the idea of surface area, what burns better, a block of wood, or that same block of wood shaved into saw dust? Obviously the saw dust, now while one may not think that sugar or in this case toner dust might be flammable, anything given an LEL and heat will explode and combust. In the case of Imperial Sugar, a ball-bearing in a conveyor belt overheated and with enough sugar dust in the air it exploded and 14 people died. Safety systems that should have been in place either failed or were non-existent. Relevant OSHA standards for the Toner Explosions:
29CFR1910.22 Housekeeping
29CFR1910.307 Hazardous Locations
29CFR1910.1200 Hazard Communication
General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)
OSHA Advisory on Combustible Dust:
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/OSHAcombustibledust.pdf
Imperial CSB report below:
http://www.csb.gov/UserFiles/file/Imperial%20Sugar%20Report%20Final%20updated.pdf

We recently studied the Imperial Sugar Explosion in my Hazardous Materials class. It goes back to the idea of surface area, what burns better, a block of wood, or that same block of wood shaved into saw dust? Obviously the saw dust, now while one may not think that sugar or in this case toner dust might be flammable, anything given an LEL and heat will explode and combust. In the case of Imperial Sugar, a ball-bearing in a conveyor belt overheated and with enough sugar dust in the air it exploded and 14 people died. Safety systems that should have been in place either failed or were non-existent. Relevant OSHA standards for the Toner Explosions:
29CFR1910.22 Housekeeping
29CFR1910.307 Hazardous Locations
29CFR1910.1200 Hazard Communication
General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1)
OSHA Advisory on Combustible Dust:
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/OSHAcombustibledust.pdf
Imperial CSB report below:
http://www.csb.gov/UserFiles/file/Imperial%20Sugar%20Report%20Final%20updated.pdf

Federal Law requires all institutions of higher learning to release an annual report on violent/sexual crime on campus/the surrounding area. These reports are public information. While the blue lights you see on campus are not mandated by law, in essence, they provide a certain level of security to those men and women walking alone at night knowing everywhere they turn on campus they will be able to see at least one blue light. The cost to maintain them annually is certainly much less than the loss of revenue generate when students leave a campus because it is no longer safe.

Federal Law requires all institutions of higher learning to release an annual report on violent/sexual crime on campus/the surrounding area. These reports are public information. While the blue lights you see on campus are not mandated by law, in essence, they provide a certain level of security to those men and women walking alone at night knowing everywhere they turn on campus they will be able to see at least one blue light. The cost to maintain them annually is certainly much less than the loss of revenue generate when students leave a campus because it is no longer safe.

Training Requirements full membership:
-FF1 and/or EMT-B
-CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer
-ICS 100, 200, 700
-Preventing Disease Transmission
-8 annual hours of OSHA training
-4 department meetings
Interior Training Requirements:
-FF1 and/or EMT-B
-CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer
-ICS 100, 200, 700
-Preventing Disease Transmission
-Bailout Training
-8 Hour HMFR-Operations refresher
-Fit test
-Confined Space Awareness
Exterior:
-CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer
-ICS 100, 200, 700
-Preventing Disease Transmission
-Fire Police and/or Scene Support Ops.
Officer:
-AVET
-FF1
-Intro Fire Officer & Fire Officer 1
-HMFR-Basic Tech.
-Rope Rescue Tech. Basic
-ICS 100, 200, 300, 700, 800
-CFR or EMT-B
You mandate the the requirements by actual holding members and officers for their training and safety. Involves telling people they can not respond unless they are trained to standard.

Capt. Nechis a question. As you said above, a firefighter needs HMFRO before responding, ok I got that fine but my question is does a ride along, a junior firefighter, exterior firefighter or EMT only member in a fire department based system need that same HMFRO?

Glad justice prevailed...or better said, thank god thats over.

I agree, IAs are an extremely large draw for this site and relegating them to a hidden corner that can only be found by some form of effort does this site and the IAs themselves a disservice. I think it would be best if what was done on the .COM page was done on the .NET page. That is a column bar on the side of the .NET page with the IAs listed there would be a much better balance then making them disappear.

I am surprised that this was not posted here today but earlier today, as I am sure some of you are aware, US Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta was awarded this nations highest military commendation for bravery and valor, The Medal of Honor. He is the first living recipient of this award since the Vietnam War.
I would just like to take the time right here and right now to thank SSGT Giunta for his heroic actions on 10/25/2007.
It is said that the Medal of Honor is not won, it is earned....
Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, on October 25, 2007. While conducting a patrol as team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, Specialist Giunta and his team were navigating through harsh terrain when they were ambushed by a well-armed and well-coordinated insurgent force. While under heavy enemy fire, Specialist Giunta immediately sprinted towards cover and engaged the enemy. Seeing that his squad leader had fallen and believing that he had been injured, Specialist Giunta exposed himself to withering enemy fire and raced towards his squad leader, helped him to cover, and administered medical aid. While administering first aid, enemy fire struck Specialist Giunta’s body armor and his secondary weapon. Without regard to the ongoing fire, Specialist Giunta engaged the enemy before prepping and throwing grenades, using the explosions for cover in order to conceal his position. Attempting to reach additional wounded fellow soldiers who were separated from the squad, Specialist Giunta and his team encountered a barrage of enemy fire that forced them to the ground. The team continued forward and upon reaching the wounded soldiers, Specialist Giunta realized that another soldier was still separated from the element. Specialist Giunta then advanced forward on his own initiative. As he crested the top of a hill, he observed two insurgents carrying away an American soldier. He immediately engaged the enemy, killing one and wounding the other. Upon reaching the wounded soldier, he began to provide medical aid, as his squad caught up and provided security. Specialist Giunta’s unwavering courage, selflessness, and decisive leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon’s ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from the enemy. Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company B, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, and the United States Army.
In SSGT Giunta's own words..."And although this is so positive, I would give this back in a second to have my friends with me right now."
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/16/obama.medal.of.honor/index.html?hpt=C1

City of Utica v. DOH is going to make some great case law; however, the ability of a municipality to secure a permanent operating authority still largely depends on the REMSCO. Unfortunately, the REMSCOs and SEMSCO are still dominated by employees, managers and stockholders of commercial ambulances entities. In the event that conflicts of interest are not disclosed and a municipal CON is denied; it is appealed to the SEMSCO which comprises many members of UNYAN (United New York Ambulance Network, lobby group funded by the majority of commercial ambulance services including MLSS) making an impartial appeal very difficult.
Either way, arguments could be made for both sides. It is debatable how fair/practical it is to have a municipality essentially instantaneously declare Public Need and operate, pushing out a commercial provider who depends on those calls to sustain a larger operation. However, it certainly is not fair to have your competitors sitting on the REMSCOs and SEMSCO determine whether or not your municipality or organization should be granted a license.
With that being said there are many Fire Departments in upstate New York who have successfully obtained municipal CONs and have secured permanent operating authority (as well as seen a significant amount of profit to help offset department budgets).
With respect to the profitability of a specific municipal contract, while the specific call volume within the municipality may not yield a profit if the municipality is to run a standalone service; if a large commercial provider provides the service and adds it to their system status, the call volume may actually yield a profit for them by increasing their calls/unit.
However, many smaller municipalities are forming consolidated EMS districts/programs that are extremely successful. The call volume and resources are shared rather than duplicated and there is a level of accountability that is not commonly found when contracting with commercial EMS entities.
Just some thoughts,
M1

A lot of reading here, took me a while, being there were no pictures but I finaly finished.
Wanted to reply to a lot of the posts but it would take a lot of room to add the quotes so here are a few general thoughts and reflections.
I have read a lot of you say that there is animosity from vollies towards career guys; Sorry, but it sounds like just a simple case of jealousy that you got the job that they all dreamed about since childhood, nothing more than that. Not to mention an isolated event at your department and not like it was a group of vollies protesting on the front lawn of the white house. Me personally, I have worked with career guys at a fire before and had no issues with them and unless they just kept quiet, they had no issues with me. We worked together and got the job done.
Training...I am totally on your side when you say that training should be the same across the board, whether you volunteer or get paid. I would love to see the volunteers have to get the same training, this would make us better at what we do and be able to help people more. It would also cut back the LODD rate for volunteers, so what isnt there to like about that? But too many of us sadly will spend more energy on arguing the fact that we shouldnt have the training than they would actually taking it...sad I know but true unfortunately for us. Question for anyone; If I wanted to take the career fire academy training just to better myself would I be allowed? And how would I go about doing it? I am now a level II firefighter but think that there is still more than what I have. Just curious.
What is everyones thoughts on the County Fire District that is more prevalent down south? I only know little about it having talkied briefly to a member of one when I helped move my uncle to virginia, but it seems to work well and the coverage is better. It seems to be one large county wide combination department correct? Would this work up here? Again, just my curiosity.
Excellent posts by all, very informative and respectful.
Stay Safe.

Come again?

Hats of Incident Management (excerpt)

I know this is shown frequently but I thought this was especially comical and relevant given this discussion.

The school district in Denair, CA told a young boy he couldn't fly the American Flag on his bike

+1 for ingenuity.

Did some research...
Purchase FD: 551 Calls (No EMS)
Armonk FD: 448 Fire / 478 EMS / 926 total
Harrison FD: 771 Calls (No EMS)
Port Chester FD: 1261 Calls (No EMS)
Continental Village FD: 176 Calls (No EMS)
Pound Ridge FD: 328 Calls (No EMS)
Banksville FD: 425 Calls (No EMS)
Bedford Hills FD: 323 Calls (No EMS)
Millwood FD: 287 Calls (No EMS)
Putnam Valley VAC: 686 Calls
Putnam Valley FD: 366 Calls (No EMS)
Sleepy Hollow FD: 302 Calls (No EMS)
Mount Kisco FD: 472 Total Calls (No EMS)
Yorktown Heights FD: 611 Calls (No EMS)

What exactly was said that is so offensive to Police Fire, EMS and other emergency service personnel? As a responder who was present that day when both towers came down and who lost a lot of friends I take great care in issues evolving around 9/11. I think he picked a poor topic to include in his game but I am not offended by it.
To me this sounds like a very poor attempt at humor by this bartender. I don't think there was any intentional malice towards public safety personnel. Regardless of how many police are stationed at this new precinct they will not be able to stop another plane from crashing into the Freedom Tower. Using the tower as an airport. I believe that is what his reference to an airport is all about. As for the costs, he is right, there are going to be tremendous costs associated with this staffing level which will be borne by the taxpayers. With a family member involved with NY City budget issues I know that staffing this site will require reducing police manpower levels in every precinct in the City because they don't have the money to increase manpower by hiring large numbers of new police officers. The federal government will pay a portion of the security costs but they will never come close to the actual costs that NY City and it's taxpayers will be assuming for years to come. This knowledge in no way diminishes the need for security or the costs of protecting our Freedom and should not be construed as supporting budget issues when making security decisions.
I am all in favor of rebuilding at the sight and building even bigger to show our country's resolve against those who attacked us. They will not put us down and we will come back stronger and better. But the reality is the terrorist have the same attitude and will view this tower as their number one target. Terrorism expert around the world have deemed this site as a target and fully expect another attack. It might not be tommorrow or ten years from tommorrow but there will be another attack. Look at the resolve of the terrorist after the 1993 attack (which I was also at). They were beaten but not detered and came back 8 years later when we let our gaurd down and became complacent.
I think people need to step back and take a look at what really happened here. This was a piss poor attempt at humor. 9/11 is such a raw emotional issue for so many that it is often considered a personal attack by public safety personnel when someone mentions something other than remembrance and honor for those lost on that day. The bartender made a mistake. It is normal human behavior to become defensive when confronted like he and his boss were. To think that they don't respect the feelings of police or firefighters because they didn't immediately give an apology is some how tied to 9/11 goes a little far.
To my eleven buddies that never came home, you are with me every day.

[#10349] You do not have permission to vote in this poll.

I am not commenting on or critiquing the Asbury park fire since we do not know with certainty what actually happened yet. However...you are completely wrong regarding vertical ventilation...this should be accomplished as rapidly as possible regardless of hoseline positioning with one or two specific, rare exceptions which I will not go into here...PLEASE, do not make posts about such a critical life or death subject in such a self confident, matter of fact manner unless you know what you are talking about.....we have such limited fire duty these days and there are those who will apply what they learn on this forum on the fireground...
As far as your comments regarding horizontal ventilation, your guidelines are overly simplistic, and again, may cause more harm than good to those reading this if they decide to take it as gospel....when I have time I will post some correct information on horizontal ventilation unless (hopefully) someone beats me to it....
Please don't take this personal...I'm sure you mean well, but when such clearly incorrect information is posted about what is such a basic and important procedure on the fireground, it is essential that it be rebutted as quickly as possible and the correct information put forward...

No matter what your politics this is a tragic event. The moron who did this will without a doubt fry for this and at least we can take solace in that fact. Whatever this idiots political ideals, he just set them back to the stone age with these senseless killings.

If you read this crazed killers writing and videos that have been posted by the major media outlets you will find a very distinct political sentiment that is expressed. It rails again many things crisscrossing the political aisle and spectrum, from education to the gold standard for currency to immigration. It seems apparent that at least some part of this tragedy was politically motivated, however it continues to remain unclear against who and why. Obvious Rep. Giffords, the Federal Judge and others were shot, injured and killed; what remains to be seen is why they were selected for this senseless action. This moron is clearly crazy, you don't shoot a member of the House of Representatives and a Federal Judge because everything is alright and in order up there, but what else is going on needs to be seen and determined for any real justice, closure and explanation. Let this event be the end of the vitriol, partisan, hyperbolic rhetoric on both sides otherwise this will only be the beginning of the bloodshed to come. (Think of the assassinations of the 1960's, the race riots of the 80's and Oklahoma City Bombing in the 90's as examples of when the vitriol of partisan politics have been taken to far like in this case.)

What the difference is between volunteer and career firefighter training standards. All firefighters salaried or on-call will be trained, equipped and held to the same standards.

What the difference is between volunteer and career firefighter training standards. All firefighters salaried or on-call will be trained, equipped and held to the same standards.

No matter what your politics this is a tragic event. The moron who did this will without a doubt fry for this and at least we can take solace in that fact. Whatever this idiots political ideals, he just set them back to the stone age with these senseless killings.

I would have to agree. Sure it is stressful responding to calls but remember us FD/PD/EMS folks show up then help once the call is received then mitigate the problem. Dispatchers have to deal with all of the stress of the caller while trying to mitigate the problem at a desk 20 miles away. I know how long it feels for me to get to the scene, I can only imagine what it is like as a dispatcher doing EMD waiting for us to get on scene.