Ottawa FF's Injured After Jump from Building

[Guest alsfirefighter]

For those of you whom might wonder into the story...12 meters equals about 40 feet. I hope all the brothers and sisters heal and make it back to the job. Just shows you yet again, that it is possible for conditions to change extremely rapid. Always stay alert.

Ottawa Firefighters Injured After Jump from Building

Updated: 02-13-2007

Six Ottawa firefighters suffered a variety of injuries yesterday after being enveloped by a five-alarm blaze.

Five crew members working in the upper floors of a housing complex were forced to jump out of nearby windows to save their lives.

Two were fortunate enough to land on second-floor awnings to break their falls, while the remaining three jumped nearly 12 metres down onto a concrete surface.

Lieut. John Chatterton, 47, the senior crew member on duty and 24-year firefighting veteran, received a broken pelvis, a broken leg and arm and burns trying to get his crew out of danger.

Also among the injured and still in hospital is Carissa Campbell, 29, a female firefighter on the job for less than five months.

She chipped her teeth and injured her back in the fall and was listed in stable condition late Monday night.

A 38-year-old male firefighter received leg and wrist injuries and minor burns. Three other firefighters also had minor injuries, including one who slipped on the icy surface surrounding the fire scene.

More than 100 firefighters responded to battle the blaze, which investigators believe started in the building's top floor before moving to an adjacent building.

The fire destroyed 13 units in two buildings owned by Ottawa Living Community Housing, leaving almost 40 people homeless.

[Bunkers 0]

and the beat goes on..

[Guest partyrock]

Why the F*@K are personal rescue devices not standard issue yet. First day should go Helmet, Jacket, Pants, Boots, Gloves, Escape Device. It is essential equipment. It can be as simple as rope and an anchor or you can choose from amongst the many devices out there. We all know they work and make a difference.

Now that I'm done ranting, any depts here in Westchester actually worried enough about its firefighters to issue them other than Mt. Vernon?

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Does this bring to mind Black Sunday but only Canada Edition

As soon as I get Interior and trained in Self-Rescue im buying myself a personal escape device.....my life is worth more to me then the 500 or so needed for a quality life saving device

[Guest alsfirefighter]

I thought the same thing. Again without full information we don't know the details. Perhaps they had one and conditions rapidily deteriorated before they could begin the process. If what we are thinking occurred...its very very sad. I agree with you 110% party. And my thing is even if survival equipment isn't issued, purchase it yourself. A rope and a biner is cheap, and it works, and is certainly better then nothing.

BVFD, you're right on bro. You can save a ton of money, the simple and effective method with a rope is highly effective and much cheaper. That is what you will learn when you take survival at the state/county level.

[JM15 386]

Does anyone know any good rope kits? since I don't know too much about them

[IzzyEng4 427]

Time and time again we have to ask why don't we make bail out kits standard. I think we as firefighters and officers should DO IT OURSELVES and make them standards. If NFPA, OSHA and all the rest of the government hoopla are going to drag their feet, time for use to make them do it. I'm getting tired of hearing these close calls and seen guys and galls getting seriously hurt.

[efd184 59]

Why the F*@K are personal rescue devices not standard issue yet.  First day should go Helmet, Jacket, Pants, Boots, Gloves, Escape Device.  It is essential equipment.  It can be as simple as rope and an anchor or you can choose from amongst the many devices out there.  We all know they work and make a difference. 

Now that I'm done ranting, any depts here in Westchester actually worried enough about its firefighters to issue them other than Mt. Vernon?

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my dept. gives them out to the newer guys who have taken survival. i heard rumors that they were going to get the senior men trained but nothing has happened yet. hopefully soon!

i am one of the guys who has one. i hope to never have to use it! i know it will work in perfect conditions becasue thats how it is when we take the class and practice the moves. so the question i have is how will it work if i have fire chasing me down and i have to GO and GO QUICKLY will i have time to set my tool or wrap a radiator? who knows! will i have to jump? maybe! i hope to god that my brothers and i never have to be put in that situation.

god bless you all

[Guest alsfirefighter]

JM, I recommend you get formal training. However most "kits" that include a bag, rope and carabiner you can buy all seperate and usually for cheaper. I've never been a big fan of bags, instead I keep the rope in a bunker pants pocket and now in my bailout system in the coat I have.

Get into a survival course pronto when you can. You'll see you don't need much.

[Guest partyrock]

ALS as usual has it right. I like FDNY's sysytem, but it really is overkill. The anchor is great, but I was perfectly content with my carabiner, a rope, and gloves. It all fit nicely in the bunker pocket and so long as I re-packed it regularly (first tour of the month) it always deployed perfectly.

[robert benz 344]

Why the F*@K are personal rescue devices not standard issue yet.  First day should go Helmet, Jacket, Pants, Boots, Gloves, Escape Device.  It is essential equipment.  It can be as simple as rope and an anchor or you can choose from amongst the many devices out there.  We all know they work and make a difference. 

Now that I'm done ranting, any depts here in Westchester actually worried enough about its firefighters to issue them other than Mt. Vernon?

←

in New Rochelle, all firefighters have been thru the survival course, probies have been issued bailout rope since 1998, and we just gave EVERY member a new bailout kit so all our members have the same system, and my hope is they never use it.