Fwd: Fw: the secret list firefighters close call

[Paul Mundy]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mark Herdman <E7...@msn.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Subject: Fw: the secret list firefighters close call
To: Barry Eck <shoot...@aol.com>, Bill Prarie <coyot...@aol.com>, Brian Kuhn <Bfkf...@aol.com>, Carl Christian <9x...@comcast.net>, chiefdriver07 <chiefd...@gmail.com>, Chris So River <ctr...@aol.com>, Chuck Pickard <cpow...@aol.com>, Dave Gumprecht <dgum...@aol.com>, eric hausemann <haus...@aol.com>, Gene_Cox <legio...@msn.com>, Hector <Hakd...@yahoo.com>, Jason McKeon <JMcKe...@aol.com>, Jim Larkin <Fullyin...@msn.com>, john kelly <saf...@aol.com>, Ken Kokoszka <nymet...@yahoo.com>, Kevin Zebro <ze...@verizon.net>, Larry MacMahon <sao...@aol.com>, Larry/Debbie Parsons <Zolto...@aol.com>, Marcinczyk <SSP...@aol.com>, MARK MADISON PARK <ALL4...@optonline.net>, Mike & Amy <mpc...@optonline.net>, Mike Kelly <E7...@aol.com>, Mike Toth <MT...@optonline.net>, nick Madison Pk <nickc...@yahoo.com>, Paul Mundy <sa.firec...@gmail.com>, Phil <engli...@aol.com>, Rich Johnson <Oem...@aol.com>, "Roger J. Kuhn" <Roger...@davidsonandhoward.com>, Rory Zach <rory...@co.middlesex.nj.us>, sean oconnor <soco...@f-ss.com>, Steve Velasquez <Svelasq...@yahoo.com>, twasher <twa...@embarqmail.com>, Tommy Hetzel <Tommyb...@optonline.net>, Tim Walczak <tws...@msn.com>

 

----- Original Message -----

From: fire...@comcast.net

To: mark herdman ; matt magaw ; MICHAEL WESOLOWSKI ; mike baird ; mike zsorey ; murphy ; billy johnson ; wayne ; brian ; foot

Sent: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 5:31 PM

Subject: the secret list firefighters close call

=UPDATE: WISCONSIN FIREFIGHTER KILLED WHEN DUMPSTER EXPLODES (PHOTOS)

It was a 33-year-old St. Anna (Wisconsin) Firefighter in Calumet County who was killed last night when that dumpster exploded at a foundry. Another firefighter who was airlifted is now reported in serious condition and 3 other Firefighters were hurt.

NOTE: We have posted photos of the scene and the dumpster on our home page.

 

=RESPONDING TO A DUMPSTER FIRE?

TREAT IS AS IF IT IS A BOMB (LOOK AT THE PHOTOS OF WHAT USED TO BE A DUMPSTER)

 

While it is certainly too early for the exact details on what happened last night, I know that most of us, when we heard about it shook with sadness as dumpster's are always the ultimate "unknown". We absolutely NEVER know what is in a dumpster and in this case, St Anna Firefighters responded, as any of our FD's would have, and were met with a horrific blast (as seen by the photos on our home page and the tragic death of a Firefighter). It easily could have been ANY of us. Easily.

 

Because dumpster fires are so common, it would be easy for any of us to approach and hit the fire with a hand line-as if nothing will go wrong. It's worked that way thousands of times with no problem.

We get comfortable.
Full PPE? No Exposed Skin? SCBA? Water? Booster? 1-3/4"? Toss some Foam? Hit it with a Deck Gun? Let it burn? Exposures? Other Hazards? Could it explode? How Do You Know? What's in there? Approach? Access? What's in that dumpster that's worth any risk to Your FF's?

But we DO get comfortable because 99% of the time nothing does go wrong.

BUT consider the fact that since we never have any idea WHAT is in any dumpster at any time-we must operate as if the WORST possible conditions exist-with the worst possible results. EXPECT something to go wrong on any run-and in this case DUMPSTER FIRES.

 

There is NOTHING to be saved at a dumpster fire-and that's probably the best way to act when we arrive. It's literally a pile of sh!t burning. Stuff no want wants. No value.

BREATHE non of that crap and attempt to position ourselves (if we even have to get close) with the LEAST possible exposure to what is burning-and what MAY go wrong.

 

HERE are some links with drills and related info for you about DUMPSTER fires:

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/drills/FCC%20Vol%203-35%20Dumpster%20Fires.pdf (Drill)

http://firefighterclosecalls.com/weeklydrills.php  (Multiple Drills)

http://www.iaff.org/et/JobAid/DrillsAndExercises/drills.htm (Drill-scenario)

http://tinyurl.com/yaetvj2  (FF Close Calls related to Dumpster Fires)

http://tinyurl.com/yess5ux (FF Near Miss Reports related to Dumpster Fires)

http://www.withthecommand.com/2003-Jan/OH-JB-dumpster.html (Article)

http://www.firehouse.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37379 (Forum)m

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PAUL R MUNDY