Be carefull out there: Cold weather op's

[TRUCK6018 50]

From "The Secret List":

Hey...

An Indiana EMT leaving his home, responding to an emergency call, slipped on

ice, hit his head and tragically died. Jeremy Rodecap, 29, was discovered dead

outside his home late Saturday or early Sunday. Middletown EMS Chief Phil

Chandler said emergency crews had been dispatched to an accident Saturday night.

Moments later, they were told to disregard the call because there were no

injuries. A few hours later, rescue workers were sent to Rodecap's house, he

said. An autopsy was to be conducted Tuesday, he said. Middletown is 15 miles

southwest of Muncie.

It's that time of year for many of us. Just this morning, we responded mutual

aid to a house fire. Once the fire was knocked down, (fire in the attic and

walls) another mutual aid crew went to the roof to cover the hole following

ventilation. Due to ice on the roof and the firefighter working away from the

roof ladder, he fell and received a minor head injury...it could have been

worse.

Take a look at our WEEKLY FIRE DRILL for Winter/Cold Weather Ops of 1-12-2004

at:

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com/weeklydrills.php

Use extreme caution when working around ice or potentially icy conditions. As we

have read above, and we know...falls can be fatal.

A few tips to remember with the cold weather includes: Making sure that tire

chains or other traction devices are available for all first-in units,...make

sure you have a "contingency plan" with the people responsible for road salt

etc,...develop (or remind everyone by training on) SOPs regarding "dry-pump" vs.

"wet-pump" operations,...carry a supply of sand or oil-dry to cover footing so

less falls happen on the scene,...during heavy snowfalls, apparatus may be

forced to operate "away" from the fire building-make sure your lines can reach

the longer stretches,...after fire knockdown, when handlines are in standby,

partially opened control valves allow water to flow to prevent freezing....but

also can cause extra ice-so make sure you have sand,....ensure that extra

turnout gear is available, especially gloves,...and most importantly-arrive

safely with all members seat belted (in any weather) and apparatus operating at

non-dumb speeds based upon conditions.

Take Care-BE CAREFUL,

BillyG

The Secret List 12-7-05

www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com

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To visit Firefighter Close Calls home page, click here:

http://www.firefighterclosecalls.com

[Guest alsfirefighter]

Don't forget that generally all the equipment you use has some form of recommendations for cold weather operation.

Check your apparatus operator's manual for what they recommend for your apparatus while operating in the cold. Often they recommend running at high idle.

If you use SCOTT SCBA's remember to stick your facepiece inside your jacket so the seals will not freeze from the moisture once you use it.

[firecapt32 282]

Again als is on top of his game-- to all of you remember the mail mans motto about rain and snow get through just be carefull. The citixens you protect deserv the best so be ther for them done do anything stupid to quots a old police show" be careful out there"

[JohnnyOV 2]

If you use SCOTT SCBA's remember to stick your facepiece inside your jacket so the seals will not freeze from the moisture once you use it.

←

how come they never tought us this in FF I...kindda vital information

[Guest alsfirefighter]

If you took one of my winter courses you were taught that.

Why didn't your department cover that or advise you of that either? It is your and their responsibility to ensure they fill in the cracks of your certified training.

Not everything can be covered in a class when it comes down to it and to be honest I don't think I can really ever recall thinking of winter operations during a warm weather class.

[ny10570 745]

face piece in the jacket is one of those tricks the older guys usually pass down. Another all too obvious one is move your bottle changing and rehab station inside an enclosed apparatus durring the winter. Every winter alarm I've been at I've seen guys trying to melt ice off a scott pack with their bare hands.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

All else fails, there is always the truck exhaust, especially of a engine pumping. Good to thaw out equipment and to dry your gloves.

[firebuff860 54]

just don't breathe too much or you will be on the ambulance as well as the vic's.

[Guest]

All else fails, there is always the truck exhaust, especially of a engine pumping. Good to thaw out equipment and to dry your gloves.

And warm the feet as well.

ALS is right about the fact that not everything is covered in the state courses, it's up to us old salts to pass on the tricks of the trade to the new member the same way they were taught to us. The mask in the coat, the use of the exhaust etc. are not always going to come up in training courses and drills but do come up as we actually use them on the scene. Take time to show the new member what to do and more importantly why you are doing it, and it becomes part of their knowledge forever.