(fireengineering.com)

By John F. “Skip” Coleman, Technical Editor

Firefighting is a dirty job! We all would admit that. One of my earliest recollections of my father was the way he would smell when he came home from the fire station in the morning-that sweet smell of smoke on the extra set of clothes. I, too, gave that “pleasure” to my two children. They, too, know the sweet smoky smell of “working fire” perfume. That smoke also contained a lot of “stuff.” We are finding more and more about what is produced in fires-most if not all of it is not good for the human body and has cumulative effects on the body.

Some departments are taking extra measures to lessen the effect of these toxic chemicals on the body. The Toledo (OH) Fire Department provided extractors to every station. To my knowledge, there is no “mandatory” requirement for their use, but they are there.

Other departments are taking a more staunch role. A major Canadian fire department is sending a portable shower and changing area to every working fire. Members are required to carry extra uniforms, bunker gear, and underwear with them at all times. Members are required to strip and shower and don new clean clothing prior to leaving the scene. All clothing, including uniforms and undergarments, is collected and extracted prior to being given back. A bit much, you may say? If we required new firefighters to clean their gear like that Canadian department, I wonder how many days/years we would be adding to their lives?

I read that a firefighter from a large department was complaining that the city was issuing mandatory new helmets and he was upset that he could no longer wear his “sooty” well-seasoned helmet. I wonder what “stuff” other than soot had collected on that helmet? I wonder how much of that “stuff” entered his body every time he wore that helmet? I wonder how many times that helmet saw the inside of an extractor?

Roundtable question: Does your department require cleaning of bunker gear on some periodic schedule? To post your comments, go to www.fireengineering.com/roundtable.html.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Evansville (IN) firefighters found heavy fire in this abandoned building on arrival. An aggressive interior attack brought the fire under control before it spread to the exposures. (Photo by John M. Buckman III.) See more photos at http://www.fireengineering.com/photo-of-the-day.html. Send your Photo of the Day submissions to Peter Prochilo ([email protected]).

WEBCASTS

Join us for monthly Webcasts featuring the best of Fire Engineering authors and FDIC speakers. On December 13, Lieutenant Michael Cacciola, Fire Department of New York, will present “Candidate Physical Ability Test/Peer Fitness Trainer Program.” On January 17, 2013, Battalion Chief Larry Collins, Los Angeles County (CA) Fire Department, will present “Managing Rescue Operations.” Webcasts are free, but you must register!

FIRE LIFE

In her monthly Your Money column, Diana Palmieri writes in “If It Seems Too Good To Be True, Then It Is Too Good To Be True!”: “In these times of historically low mortgage rates and bargain home prices, even more care and research need to go into finding that perfect home. In the age of Photo Shop, other creative camera work, and creative vocabulary, a small cottage becomes a mansion … voila! There are some things to be aware of while searching online for a house.”

FEATURED ARTICLES

Chief Larry L. Collins, Brevard County (FL) Fire Rescue Department, writes in “Command Training Centers and Tactical Simulation Labs”: “Much has been written regarding the benefits of fireground command simulation training, but how does a department go about the task of selecting such a system? (http://bit.ly/R9TbGV)

Division Chief Ed Hadfield writes in “Physical Fitness Is Not Physical Conditioning”: “Recently on the CrossFit 4 Fire Blog talk radio show, we discussed the factors associated with tactical personnel functioning properly under extreme stress and sleep deprivation. This is an important conversation, as it has a direct correlation to the functions of the fire service athlete and how we perform on a daily basis.” (http://bit.ly/Rmcm⁶R)

Firefighter Mick Messoline, Thornton (CO) Fire Department, writes in “Polymer Fume Fever”: “The Thornton (CO) Fire Department responded to a report of a chemical odor in an apartment. They arrived to find the occupant feeling poorly, reporting that she had boiled all of the water out of a Teflon® pan, resulting in the pan’s becoming severely overheated. The following is some information on Polymer Fume Fever and the kinds of presentations you might expect to find.” (http://bit.ly/QIEElR)

Training Officer Jerry Knapp, Rockland County Fire Training Center, Pomona, New York, writes in “Suburban Firefighting: Prehab Can Prevent Rehab”: “Have we missed the boat with rehab? It seems to me that rehab is a good thing, but how valuable is it really? The medics can tell if your blood pressure is high or you are prone to a heart attack, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or other serious malady. But isn’t it a little too late by then?” (http://bit.ly/RYzAbO)