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Coffee Break Training: Administration: Fire Department Overview, Part 1
"Of the approximately 105.5 credit points in the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS), 50 are based on the fire department evaluation. The three items that receive the largest amount of available credit are company personnel, distribution or deployment analysis, and training. People are important. The number of personnel available for response, their amount of training, and the time it takes to get the right equipment in place for fire suppression activities all largely affect the reduction of loss associated with protected risk. Engine companies: The Insurance Services Office compares the number of in-service pumpers and the equipment carried with the number of needed pumpers and the equipment identified in the FSRS. The number of needed engines depends on the basic fire flow, the size of the area served, and the method of operation. Reserve pumpers: The Insurance Services Office evaluates the number of reserve pumpers and their pump capacity; other factors include hose and equipment carried."
United States Fire Administration
2015-01-20
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Coffee Break Training: Administration: Emergency Communications Centers
"Getting word of a structure fire to emergency responders in a timely manner is essential to saving lives and reducing property loss caused by fire. This is where seconds really count, and it explains why emphasis on the communication facilities has been in the FSRS [Fire Suppression Rating Schedule] since its inception. There have been a lot of changes in technology recently. The new schedule identifies some of today's most relevant components of the receipt and dispatch of an alarm. Application of the 2012 FSRS developed by the Insurance Services Office produces a score from zero to 105.5. Of those points, 10 are available under the Emergency Communications section of the schedule. Those 10 points are broken down into three major categories: Credit for Emergency Reporting, Credit for Telecommunicators, and Credit for Dispatch Circuits. As always, if a community cannot make arrangements to provide for the receipt of alarms and dispatch of firefighters and apparatus with no delay, that community will not meet the minimum requirements of the FSRS. A vast majority of communities meet the minimum requirements for the dispatch of firefighters and apparatus with no delay."
United States Fire Administration
2015-01-13
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Coffee Break Training: Administration: Public Protection Classification, Part 2
"Have you ever wondered what components are evaluated during the Insurance Services Office's grading process of your community? Everyone in the fire service is aware of at least one component: the fire department evaluation. You may have often heard or used this statement during your conversations: "What is your fire department's Insurance Services Office PPC [Public Protection Classification] classification?" Well, the question needs to be rephrased to, 'What is your community's Insurance Services Office PPC classification?' There is a misconception in the industry that the PPC refers to the fire department's classification. Actually, it is a community's classification. Of course, the fire department plays a very important role in the evaluation."
United States Fire Administration
2015-01-06
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Coffee Break Training: Administration: Public Protection Classification, Part 1
"Have you ever wondered what components are evaluated during the Insurance Services Office's grading process of your community? Everyone in the fire service is aware of at least one component: the fire department evaluation. You may have often heard or used this statement during your conversations: 'What is your fire department's Insurance Services Office PPC [Public Protection Classification] classification?' Well, the question needs to be rephrased to, 'What is your community's Insurance Services Office PPC classification?' There is a misconception in the industry that the PPC refers to the fire department's classification. Actually, it is a community's classification. Of course, the fire department plays a very important role in the evaluation. In addition to the fire department evaluation, the grading process also evaluates the emergency communication systems (formerly Fire Alarms) and the water supply systems serving the community. The community's risk-reduction efforts are also reviewed. In December 2012, the Insurance Services Office updated the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) with changes focusing on areas that have a proven effect on fire suppression and prevention, as well as revisions that align the schedule's requirements with those of nationally accepted standards. The schedule now recognizes proactive efforts to reduce fire risk and frequency (also known as community risk reduction)."
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-30
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Coffee Break Training: Administration: The Insurance Services Office: What is the Insurance Services Office? Part 2
"In Part 1, you learned about the history of the Insurance Services Office and what it does. You also read about its Specific Commercial Property Evaluation Schedule (SCOPES) methodology to analyze hazards in commercial properties. In this part of the series, you will learn about two other components of the national programs belonging to the Insurance Services Office that help recognize strong and resilient communities."
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-23
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Coffee Break Training: Designing Adult Training (Part 3 of 3): Course Design, Goals, Objectives and Learning Outcomes
"There are many variations or explanations for the definition of goals, objectives and learning outcomes; variations result from the fact that the terms are often combined or applied interchangeably. While they may seem to be interchangeable, in education or training development they are very separate concepts applied to the design and structure of a learning experience."
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-18
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Coffee Break Training: Administration: The Insurance Services Office: What is the Insurance Services Office? Part 1
"The Insurance Services Office, a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics (http://www.verisk.com/), is a provider of statistical, actuarial, underwriting and claims data. It also provides risk management and regulatory services, with a special focus on community fire protection efforts and building code effectiveness evaluation to property/casualty insurers and other clients. The Insurance Services Office is an advisory organization, and insurers may use, not use or modify information from the Insurance Services Office as they see fit."
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-16
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Coffee Break Training: Education as an Intervention Strategy in a Youth Firesetting Intervention Program
"The majority of cases identified by a youth firesetting intervention program will be classified as 'some risk.' Curiosity or experimentation is the prime motive for firesetting as defined in the 'some risk' category. 'Definite or extreme risk' firesetting situations also require educational intervention. However, sometimes the education will follow a referral for other types of interventions, such as clinical support or juvenile justice. The goal of fire safety education in a youth firesetting intervention program is to give children and adolescents information to make the right decisions so that future firesetting incidents do not occur."
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-14
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Coffee Break Training: Means of Egress: Handrails [December 9, 2014]
"Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in stairway-related accidents. The model building and fire codes provide requirements for handrails along most stairs to give people traversing them a stable and continuous surface to grip. In all but a few cases outlined in the codes, stairways are required to have handrails on each side." This document details the requirements for handrails as stated in building and fire codes.
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-09
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Coffee Break Training: Designing Adult Training (Part 2 of 3): Course Design, Goals, Objectives and Learning Outcomes
"Determine the organizational benefits of a needs assessment. This part of the process will assist decision-makers and stakeholders in understanding the concept of a needs assessment. A needs assessment based on the alignment of critical behaviors with a clear organizational mission will account for critical occupational and performance requirements."
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-04
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Detonation or Deflagration?
"News reports of disasters often quote witnesses who said they heard some sort of explosion connected to the event. While deaths, injuries and damage resulting from explosions are devastating in every way, there are distinctions in the model fire codes among explosion types. In general, an explosion is the rapid and violent expansion of gases, which may include a shock wave, that can disrupt materials and enclosures in the vicinity. Explosions can result from chemical changes (such as rapid oxidation), physical changes (such as catastrophic failure of pressure vessels), or atomic changes (nuclear fission or fusion). The model codes differentiate between two types of explosions based on the shock wave travel speed. […] The distinction between deflagrations and detonations exists to establish the code requirements for explosion control. In general, the codes allow deflagration effects to be mitigated through explosion relief, explosion prevention systems, or barricades. Meanwhile, items that detonate must be separated by barricades that are designed to withstand the rapid release of energy in an explosion and are fully confined, partially vented or fully vented, or by another effective method of shielding from explosive materials by a natural or artificial barrier. Explosion control is a sophisticated engineering challenge that should be addressed only by qualified personnel."
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-02
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Coffee Break Training: Petroleum Crude Oil: Implementing Response Objectives
"The initial stage of an incident involving crude oil should include an analysis of appropriate site-specific response procedures and potential effects that an incident would have on nearby life, property, critical systems and the environment. Traditional firefighting strategies and tactics may not be effective in these situations. These incidents also need to be approached and managed as a hazardous materials problem to ensure that proper and appropriate technical assistance and the support of outside resources are notified and requested as soon as possible. The following factors should be considered as part of developing the initial response strategy to determine whether the incident should be handled offensively, defensively or by nonintervention: (1) Are there any life safety exposures in danger that responders must address right now, and can responders safely evacuate or protect in place? Number of people to be protected, ability of public to move, available time, resources needed, adequate facilities to shelter evacuees; (2) Can responders safely approach the incident? Location of the incident, access and terrain, number of tank car(s), extent of damage, size of spill, leak or fire involved; (3) Do responders fully understand the nature and scope of the problem? A hazard assessment and risk evaluation must be completed, and the results must be shared with technical specialists from the railroad and/or shipper; (4) If a fire is involved, do responders have immediate access to sufficient foam and water supplies that are required for effective fire control/suppression operations?"
United States Fire Administration
2014-12-01
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Containment Pallets
"Last week's Coffee Break Training explained the difference between spill control and secondary containment for liquid and solid hazardous materials. In some applications, containment pallets provide a suitable alternative to permanent construction. Containment pallets are a portable alternative to spill control and secondary containment construction. Depending upon the design and manufacturer, they can be moved by some types of powered industrial trucks. (See Coffee Break Training FP [Fire Protection]-2006-39 for important safety warnings.) Depending upon the design and manufacturer, containment pallets may hold up to 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) of solid or liquid materials. Containment pallets may be constructed of low- or high-density polyethylene. Some include a drain plug to remove spilled liquids or accumulations of rainwater. […] Chemical compatibility is important to safe storage. Polyethylene is susceptible to attack by some chemicals that may cause stress cracking, swelling, oxidation or may permeate the polyethylene. These reactions may reduce the physical strength of the containment pallet or deck, causing it to collapse and spill the hazardous material away from the containment feature. It is also important to remember that most secondary containment products are designed to hold leaked chemicals for only a short time. Secondary containment units should be inspected regularly and cleaned of spilled materials. You should check with the pallet manufacturer to determine whether the materials to be stored are compatible with the pallet. One manufacturer has a lengthy list of incompatible materials."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-25
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Coffee Break Training: Petroleum Crude Oil: Hazard Assessment and Risk Evaluation
"The hazard assessment and risk evaluation process is a critical step to identify the level of danger posed by an incident involving product(s), containers and their behavior, which is generally related to their physical and chemical properties. It is one of the foundations for the risk-based response process outlined in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 472, 'Standard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents.' Risk-based decision-making is a systematic process by which responders analyze a problem involving a hazmat incident, assess the hazards, evaluate the risks, and determine appropriate response actions based on the facts, science and circumstances of the incident. The risk-based response model looks at the threat, vulnerabilities, consequences and likelihood of occurrence when making a risk-based decision. Risks refer to the probability of suffering harm or loss; they are different at each incident and need to be evaluated by the Incident Commander. The use of the risk-based response model will lead to a safer and more effective response to a crude oil rail transportation incident. […] Evaluate the risks of personnel intervening directly in the incident. Consider the limitations of the people involved and the ability to have adequate resources available on-site (e.g., sufficient firefighting foam concentrate, water supplies, appliances, equipment, trained personnel and technical expertise) and the ability to sustain operations for extended periods of time (hours or days). If your agency is not fully prepared and capable in terms of resources, equipment and properly trained personnel to intervene, defensive or nonintervention strategies will likely be the preferred strategic option."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-24
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Coffee Break Training: Designing Adult Training (Part 1 of 3): Training Needs Assessment
"A training needs assessment is the process to determine the difference between the current situation and an intended situation, resulting in the identification of performance gaps. Assessments will aid an organization in determining solutions to resolve performance gaps and guide that organization's effort to meet its critical mission requirement through the development of a strategy to close existing gaps. While training is not the only solution that may be identified in the process, training might be appropriate when the performance issue is a 'can't do' issue, such as (1) Poor performance (resulting from a knowledge or skill deficiency); (2) Lack of basic skills (reading, writing, technology, math skills); (3) Legislation or policies requiring new knowledge or skills; (4) New technology; and (5) Higher performance standards.The assessment process is an organized method to explore the causes and reasons for the gap and methods for closing or eliminating the gap. Those methods include training development, policy changes, or organizational modification to existing procedures."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-20
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Spill Control and Secondary Containment
"One of the model fire code control strategies for a liquid or solid hazardous material is to confine the product to its original container. In the event of spills or leaks, the codes employ additional strategies to limit the likelihood that the product will spread: spill control and secondary containment. Spill control is required to prevent liquids from flowing to other parts of a room, building or area. The liquid in a container that falls to the floor and bursts should be controlled so it does not spread to other areas. Spill control for liquids is required by the model codes when rooms, buildings or areas used for liquid storage hold individual containers having a capacity of more than 55 gallons (208 liters (L)) or where the aggregate capacity of multiple vessels exceeds 1,000 gallons (3,785 L). Spill control is accomplished by the construction of: (1) Liquid-tight sloped or recessed floors to confine the product; (2) Liquid-tight floors provided with liquid-tight raised or recessed sills or dikes; (3) Sumps and collection systems; and (4) Other engineered systems approved by the code official."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-18
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Coffee Break Training: Petroleum Crude Oil: Railroad Safety Procedures
"In the event of a train derailment, emergency response personnel should always be aware of the potential for serious injury when working in and around rail cars, tracks and related equipment. The potential for injury always exists, especially if a fire or spill is involved. Regardless of the scope and magnitude of an incident, it is imperative that responders are keenly aware of the proper precautions to take to prevent injury and death. The following safe operating practices should be followed when personnel are engaged in emergency response operations at the scene of a crude oil train derailment: (1) Expect a train or rail equipment to move on any track from either direction at any time; (2) Watch for movement in both directions before crossing tracks. If the tracks are clear, walk single file at a right angle to the rails. Do not occupy the area between adjacent tracks in multiple track territory when a train is passing. If crossing between two stationary railcars, ensure that there is at least 50 feet between them; (3) Trains can approach with little or no warning. You may not be able to hear them due to atmospheric conditions, terrain, noisy work equipment, or passing trains on other tracks. Stand a minimum of 25 feet away from the tracks if possible, and face the train when rail equipment is passing through."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-17
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Cross-Connection Control in Existing Buildings
"In recent years, some water purveyors have pursued aggressive retrofit programs requiring the installation of backflow prevention devices on existing fire protection systems. Their goal is to decrease the chances that the often dirty, static water that accumulates in a fire protection system will flow backward and contaminate a potable water supply. This effort is called 'cross-connection control.' While there has been considerable debate between fire protection and water company professionals regarding the likelihood of cross-connection contamination, one thing is clear: The selection and installation of backflow prevention devices on existing sprinkler systems must be done carefully to ensure reliable fire protection system operation. Some existing fire protection systems, especially hydraulically engineered sprinkler systems, may have been designed with very precise or no safety margins in their operating pressures. This means that any deterioration of the incoming water pressure may have a deleterious effect on the sprinkler discharge pressure and water distribution pattern. By requiring the installation of some sort of backflow prevention device in an existing system that may have a narrow safety margin, the friction loss characteristics of the backflow prevention device may significantly affect fire protection system performance. Of course, the influence of the cross-connection control device must be evaluated on any new fire protection system. For example, in the backflow prevention device illustrated here, its laboratory-controlled flow test reports indicate that it may reduce water pressure from 2 to 14 pounds per square inch (0.14 to 0.96 bar) between the inlet and outlet pressures."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-11
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Coffee Break Training: Petroleum Crude Oil: Principles of Successful Incident Management
"The successful management of any incident, especially hazardous materials incidents, is based on the implementation of an Incident Management System (IMS). NIMS [National Incident Management System] is a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work together seamlessly and manage incidents involving all threats and hazards -- regardless of cause, size, location or complexity -- in order to reduce loss of life and property and harm to the environment. The purpose of NIMS is to provide a common approach for managing incidents based on a flexible but standardized set of incident management practices, with emphasis on common principles, a consistent approach to operational structures and supporting mechanisms, and an integrated approach to resource management. Although a single Incident Commander (IC) normally handles the command function, an IMS organization may be expanded into a Unified Command. The Unified Command is a structure that brings together the 'ICs' of all major organizations involved in the incident in order for them to coordinate an effective response while at the same time carrying out their own jurisdictional responsibilities. The Unified Command structure links the organizations responding to the incident and provides a forum for these entities to make consensus decisions. Members of the Unified Command work together to develop a common set of incident objectives and strategies, share information, maximize the use of available resources, and enhance the efficiency of the individual response organizations."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-10
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Coffee Break Training: Adult Learning: Challenges for Instructors of Adult Learners
"Those who teach adults experience different challenges to engage learning from those who teach children. The process of engaging adult learners is known as andragogy. When teaching adults, it's important to understand requirements for adult learners to engage in learning. The process for engaging children in learning is referred to as pedagogy. The bottom line is that adults and children learn differently. Malcolm Knowles, a pioneer in the study of adult learning, observed that adults learn best when: (1) It is clear why something is important to know or do (why); (2) There is freedom to learn in one's own way (how); (3) Learning is experiential (what); (4) The time is right to learn (when); and, (5) The learning environment is positive and encouraging (where). Understanding adult learning challenges is essential for providing successful adult training programs. Why: Adult learners want their lessons to be interesting, practical and applicable. Instructors must use meaningful and purposeful learning activities, ask stimulating questions, use appropriate and relevant multimedia tools/technology to engage students, and incorporate real-life and application-based examples, as well as interact with students and effectively manage group discussion."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-06
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Compressed Gas Cylinder Control Valve Pressure Relief Devices
"Last week's Coffee Break Training described gas valves for high- and low-pressure cylinders. Today, we look at the PRDs [pressure relief devices] installed on the valves to minimize the chance of catastrophic cylinder rupture. Requirements for PRDs are established in Compressed Gas Association S-1.1, 'Pressure Relief Device Standards-Part 1-Cylinders for Compressed Gases.' The standard represents the minimum requirements for PRDs considered appropriate and adequate for cylinders with a water capacity of 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) or less. […] When a cylinder is being filled, it is the filler's responsibility to verify that the PRD is correct for the product." This Coffee Break Training document includes a chart with pressure relief device designation and accompanying descriptions of each device.
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-04
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Coffee Break Training: Petroleum Crude Oil: Pre-Incident Planning
"Preincident [sic] planning is a key component of any successful response operation, especially in the case of a crude oil rail transportation incident. Emergency responders should determine the rail carriers of hazardous materials moving through their communities and ascertain if crude oil is one of the products being transported. This can be accomplished by contacting the individual rail carrier and requesting a list of the hazardous commodities transported through the community via the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Circular No. OT [Operating-Transportation]-55 protocol. This information is of assistance in the preparation of emergency response plans and procedures. A copy of the latest version of AAR Circular No. OT-55 and other related hazardous materials reference materials can be downloaded at http://www.boe.aar.com/boe-download.htm. Railroads have extensive emergency response functions that work in cooperation with federal, state and local governments to assist communities in the event of an incident involving crude oil or other hazardous materials. All the major railroads have teams of full-time personnel whose primary focus is hazmat safety and emergency response, as well as teams of environmental, industrial hygiene and medical professionals available at all times to provide assistance during hazmat incidents. Railroads also maintain networks of hazmat response contractors and environmental consultants, strategically located throughout their service areas, who can handle virtually any air, water, waste or public health issue. These contractors, who are on-call at all times, have multiple offices and equipment storage locations and a vast array of monitoring equipment, containment booms, industrial pumps, and other spill response tools and equipment."
United States Fire Administration
2014-11-03
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Compressed Gas Cylinder Control Valve Safety Systems
"High- or low-pressure steel and aluminum compressed gas cylinders are common objects found in a variety of occupancies: schools, health care facilities, industry, businesses, fire and ambulance stations, even residential occupancies. The cylinder may contain products that are asphyxiants, corrosive, flammable, cryogenic, inert, oxidizing, pyrophoric or toxic/poisonous gases. The cylinders are filled or emptied through main control valves such as the one illustrated today. Standard cylinder valve outlet connections have been devised by the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) to prevent mixing of incompatible gases (CGA V9, 'Standard for Compressed Gas Cylinder Valves'). Valves are designed to comply with safety system criteria as follows, depending upon the pressure rating and application. Low-pressure cylinders store their contents at less than 900 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (62 bar), while high-pressure cylinders are for products greater than 900 psig (62 bar) up to about 7,500 psig (517 bar). [..] The outlet threads that are used vary in diameter; some are internal, and some are external; some are right-handed, and some are left-handed. To minimize undesirable connections, only CGA standard combinations of valves and fittings should be used in compressed gas installations. The threads on cylinder valves, regulators and other fittings should be examined to ensure that they correspond and are undamaged before any connections are made. Connections should never be joined by force." This Coffee Break Training includes a chart with safety system designation and accompanying descriptions for each designation.
United States Fire Administration
2014-10-28
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Coffee Break Training: Petroleum Crude Oil Transportation and Response Considerations
"Throughout the world, huge quantities of crude oil and natural gas are trapped in nonpermeable shale rock. Over the past few years, technological advances -- especially in hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') and horizontal drilling -- along with higher crude oil prices have made recovery of much of this oil and gas economically feasible. United States crude oil production has risen sharply in recent years, with much of the increased output moving by rail. In 2008, U.S. Class I railroads originated 9,500 carloads of crude oil. In 2013, they originated 407,761 carloads. To date, the most important U.S. shale deposits are located in North Dakota, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wyoming and Colorado. Rail shipments of crude oil from these regions are typically made using unit trains. Unit trains of crude oil are single commodity trains that generally consist of over 100 tank cars, each carrying approximately 30,000 gallons of crude oil. Unit trains typically move from one location (e.g., shipper's production facility or transloading facility) to a single destination (e.g., petroleum refinery). Given the usual length of these trains (over a mile), derailments can cause road closures, create significant detours, and require response from more than one direction to access the scene of the incident. In the event of an incident that may involve the release of thousands of gallons of product and ignition of tank cars of crude oil in a unit train, most emergency response organizations will not have the available resources, capabilities or trained personnel to safely and effectively extinguish a fire or contain a spill of this magnitude (e.g., sufficient firefighting foam concentrate, appliances, equipment, water supplies)."
United States Fire Administration
2014-10-27
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Coffee Break Training: Writing a Syllabus
"Why write a syllabus? A well-written syllabus is the launch of a successful learning experience for all students and instructors. An effectively designed and well-written syllabus will prepare students to meet the learning objectives, clarify what they will be able to do when they have completed the course, and understand the grading plan. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary (online edition), syllabus (syl•la•bus), noun, is a list of the topics or books that will be studied in a course; it is a summary outline of a discourse, treatise, or course of study or of examination requirements. Most educators will agree that a syllabus should contain an outline, a list of topics, and many more items of information specific to the course. The primary purpose of a syllabus is to communicate specific curriculum information to the students."
United States Fire Administration
2014-10-23
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Coffee Break Training: Building Construction: Refuse, Recycling and Laundry Chute Construction
"Tall buildings provide a maintenance challenge for workers and tenants: moving trash, soiled linen, and other used or waste combustibles to where they can be discarded, cleaned or recycled. To reduce the amount of handling and increase convenience, refuse and linen chutes are often installed so that these materials can simply be dumped into a collection point. Since refuse and linen chutes often communicate among numerous floor levels, they must be constructed of adequate fire resistance to prevent a fire in the chute or collection point (called the 'termination' room) from spreading beyond the chute's physical boundaries."
United States Fire Administration
2014-10-21
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Dynamics: The A, B, C, D, and K's of Fire
"One of the first tasks that firefighters and inspectors learn is how to classify fires in accordance with the common letter designations. Knowing the correct fire type enables one to select the appropriate fire-extinguishing media to safely suppress a fire. Fires are classified into one of five categories based on the burning products. The following table explains the classes and the description of the primary contents involved in the fire."
United States Fire Administration
2014-10-14
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Coffee Break Training: Introduction, Rapport, Opening Statement, Narrative, Inquiry and Conclusion - A Screening Method for Juveniles Involved in Firesetting
"The 'Introduction, Rapport, Opening Statement, Narrative, Inquiry and Conclusion' (IRONIC) method was adopted from public information by Lt. Paul Zipper, Ph.D., of the Massachusetts State Police and is taught in the youth firesetting prevention and intervention classes at the National Fire Academy. This method is easy to remember and identifies the steps involved in conducting a screening to determine the facts of an incident. IRONIC stands for Introduction, Rapport, Opening Statement, Narrative, Inquiry and Conclusion."
United States Fire Administration
2014-10-09
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: In-Service Recalled Fire Sprinklers
"More than a dozen years ago, the fire sprinkler industry and code officials recognized a problem in the production of various fire sprinklers that were outfitted with O-ring seals. Corrosion and other contaminants could prevent the sprinklers from operating when subjected to heat. A nationwide recall program was launched to remove and replace more than 35 million faulty sprinklers. […] As seen in this photograph, the recall program did not reach all of its intended customers, and many of the recalled sprinklers remain in their original installations. Meanwhile, the voluntary recall and replacement program has ended, and lives and property continue to be at risk where these sprinklers are installed."
United States Fire Administration
2014-10-07
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Coffee Break Training: Building Construction: Roof Structure Fire Protection
"In Coffee Break Training FP-2013-31 , we described the importance of reading building and fire codes with an eye on detail; specifically, always read the footnotes to any table that is published in the book. The illustration is a perfect example, showing how a quick review of a model building code may lead to misinterpretation and misapplication. The illustration is a noncombustible, assembly type (Group A) occupancy used as an aircraft museum. It is large enough to require that the building have a minimum one-hour fire resistance rating. This would be interpreted in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 5000, 'Building Construction and Safety Code' as Type II 111 construction, and in the 'International Building Code', it would be labeled Type IIA construction."
United States Fire Administration
2014-09-23
