Ossining PD/VAC Carbon Monoxide Rescue Body Cam Video

[OnTheWheel 43]

[dwcfireman 656]

Dangerous act to pull off, however, we in this service risk our lives so that others may live. Kudos to those involved with this rescue. An extremely brave act against an extremely dangerous (silent) predator!

On the other side, this was extremely dumb. I don't want to criticize the actions of those on scene, but things could have gone an entirely different direction. I only say this because I advocate placing SCBA on ambulances for this very cause. If the first responder notices multiple victims down, and a fire department response isn't underway, IMO EMT/Medics should be equipped to handle the first few minutes of a CO response w/symptoms. There is no need for EMS personnel or police officers to succumb to one of our deadly predators. ((FOR THE RECORD: My opinion is not meant to hijack this thread in anyway. My opinions on this matter are my own and are only placed here to create positive discussion))

But, I will reiterate, good job to everyone on scene!

Edited May 18, 2015 by dwcfireman

[Bnechis 3,961]

Dangerous act to pull off, however, we in this service risk our lives so that others may live. Kudos to those involved with this rescue. An extremely brave act against an extremely dangerous (silent) predator!

On the other side, this was extremely dumb. I don't want to criticize the actions of those on scene, but things could have gone an entirely different direction. I only say this because I advocate placing SCBA on ambulances for this very cause. If the first responder notices multiple victims down, and a fire department response isn't underway, IMO EMT/Medics should be equipped to handle the first few minutes of a CO response w/symptoms. There is no need for EMS personnel or police officers to succumb to one of our deadly predators. ((FOR THE RECORD: My opinion is not meant to hijack this thread in anyway. My opinions on this matter are my own and are only placed here to create positive discussion))

But, I will reiterate, good job to everyone on scene!

SCBA should not be on ambulances or police cars, unless the personnel also have all of the other PPE, training and minimum staffing (2 in /2 out) as required by law.

We have enough problems training EMT's to handle EMS calls. Instead of the extra 100 hours of SCBA training, learning MCI management and many other skills would be time better spent.

The reason I say this is such a bad idea is I got to listening to a police officer ask my partner to say goodbye to his wife and children before he was intubated. He donned SCBA (no turnouts) and entered a structure fire to search for victims. His partner vented some windows and the building flashed. The officer did not survive.

The SCBA was issued for hazmat and toxic gases (including CO).

[dwcfireman 656]

SCBA should not be on ambulances or police cars, unless the personnel also have all of the other PPE, training and minimum staffing (2 in /2 out) as required by law......

I understand where you're coming from, but why do EMS personnel and police officers keep entering homes where CO is present when they don't have the proper apparatus to breathe in such an environment? Is it a failure to recognize the situation as a CO incident? Is it a lack of training? Or is the adrenaline just taking over the brain and these service people are ignoring the facts around them? I don't know what the answer is, but there is no need to put an emergency responder at an unnecessary risk.

[Bnechis 3,961]

I understand where you're coming from, but why do EMS personnel and police officers keep entering homes where CO is present when they don't have the proper apparatus to breathe in such an environment?

Great Question.

Is it a failure to recognize the situation as a CO incident? Yes, do they have detectors?

Is it a lack of training? Yes, and on the EMS side, did they learn about this after they learn to shout out: "Is the scene safe". To become an EMT you must state this constantly, but when I give a scenario, its said, but rarely does anyone know what it means.

Or is the adrenaline just taking over the brain and these service people are ignoring the facts around them?

Could Be, but which facts? Its colorless, odorless. Without a detector their is nothing to ignore (but that will kill you.

I don't know what the answer is, but there is no need to put an emergency responder at an unnecessary risk.

Giving them SCBA, without annual training, fit testing, medicals and back-up is putting everyone at risk.

Edited May 20, 2015 by Bnechis

[Dinosaur 844]

According to the article, OVAC has CO monitors and they were in alarm mode so they knew the hazard existed.

Once they opened the doors to the building, it was hopefully venting and reducing the CO present but the practice of knowingly entering IDLH environments is of great concern.

I'm glad this story has a happy ending but it could just as easily ended differently.