Since 2016, the month of September has experienced several fire service line-of-duty-deaths due to gas incidents. This edition of Mayday Monday will focus on recognizing the following firefighters we lost in these emergencies:
September 7, 2018: Sturgis, South Dakota. Assistant Fire Chief David Fischer was struck by parts of a propane tank that experienced a BLEVE during a building fire.
September 16, 2019: Farmington, Maine. Captain Michael Bell was killed while investigating the odor of gas in a commercial building. Six firefighters were also injured in the explosion. Here is the NIOSH report on this incident: F2019-16.
September 27, 2016: New York, New York. Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Battalion Chief Michael Fahy was killed by flying debris as a result of a natural gas explosion that occurred on the second floor of a rowhouse. He was commanding operations from the street outside the building. Here is the FDNY report on this incident (PDF).
RELATED FIREFIGHTER TRAINING
- Tactical Response to Explosive Gas Emergencies: Know Before You Go
- Tactical Procedures for Explosive Gas Alarms
- Tactical Size-Up for Explosive Gas Emergencies
- Natural Gas Emergency Strategy and Tactics
- Training for Natural Gas Emergencies
- Tactical Size-Up of Natural Gas Emergencies
Firefighters must be diligent when responding to gas incidents. So many times, these runs turn out to be just an odor, or a minor incident. This can lead to complacency and members not being ready. Chief Jerry Knapp of the Rockland County (NY) hazmat team provides us with these points to remember when operating at gas emergencies:
- Meters
- Turn them on as soon as you can so they are ready when we arrive.
- Understand the capabilities and limitations of your device.
- Use different types to get the complete picture and make safe decisions.
- Kill Box
- Limit the number of personnel entering the hot zone.
- Encounter action level readings? Retreat and wait for gas company.
- We are there for life safety
- The fire department is not there to find and fix the leak.
- Meet with the gas company before the emergency and learn their procedures.
Skill/Drill
This month’s skill/drill is to practice with your meters. Gather a copy paper box (or similar deep box), a propane torch, and your multigas meter. On a tabletop, fill the box with about 15 seconds of gas. Slowly lower the meter into the box and see the changes in the readings. Discuss the results and your procedures. How are you to react when you detect gas at an action level? Should you ventilate? This is great kitchen table training that can build to a deep discussion of gas emergency procedures and decision-making.
Tony Carroll is deputy chief of operations with the Louisa County (VA) Fire & EMS Department.
