Advanced search Help
Searching for terms: EXACT: "United States Fire Administration" in: publisher
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Coffee Break Training: Coffee Break Training: Learning Styles: Understanding Your Learning Preference (Part 1 of 3)
"Have you ever tried to learn something simple, yet failed to understand the key idea's concepts? On the other hand, have you tried to teach and found that some students were overwhelmed or confused by the most basic elements of the lesson? If so, you have experienced conflicting learning styles. Your learning preferences and those of your instructor or students may not have been aligned. When this occurs, not only is it frustrating for everyone, but also the communication process breaks down and learning fails. Once you know your own learning preferences, you can adjust or augment the way you learn and develop other ways to learn, not just in your preferred style. In addition, by understanding learning styles, you can study and create an environment in which everyone can learn from you, not just those who use your preferred style."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-02
-
Coffee Break Training: Management Science Program: AAR: After Action Review in the Fire Service
"AAR [After Action Review] protocols are widely but not universally used in the fire service. Good officers have known instinctively for years that performance improvements occur by creating a continuous feedback loop. Most often, these improvements are associated with fireground tactics and resource needs. AAR can be a vital tool in improving performance and correcting behaviors that can lead to a firefighter line-of-duty injury or death. Stress injuries to firefighters are often underobserved, but their impact can destroy careers and affect families with tragic consequences. The earlier that (potential) stress injuries are identified, the more likely that successful outcomes will occur. In many ways, the first step in observing stress in firefighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel begins at the 'back step' or 'kitchen table talk,' where every call and response is discussed with an informal AAR. AAR supports the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives 1 (change the culture) and 13 (psychological support) to connect firefighters to the behavioral support they need."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-15
-
Coffee Break Training: Training Programs and Tips - Learning Styles: Using the Learning Styles Index for Self-Improvement (Part 2 of 3)
"Learning Objective: The student shall understand applications of learner styles for personal use. Step One: Identify your learning preferences for each learning dimension. Read the explanations of each learning preference and choose the one that best reflects your style.
Step Two: Analyze your results and identify those dimensions where you are 'out of balance,' meaning you have a very strong preference for one style and dislike the other. Step Three: For each out of balance area, use the information below to improve your skills in areas where you need development."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-09
-
Coffee Break Training: Determining Acceptable Level of Risk
"Every day we make personal decisions concerning our acceptable level of risk. We do it when we decide where to live, what type of vehicle to purchase, or whether to buy life insurance or a homeowner's policy to protect our contents. We also determine the risk we are willing to accept and able to afford when we set the deductible limits for our automobile insurance policies. The same is true of elected officials making decisions during their annual budget process when they weigh their constituents' competing demands for services versus their willingness and/or ability to pay taxes. The balance between risk and resources involves policy decisions. It involves making tough decisions about public needs and public funding. The economic reality is that most communities are either unable or unwilling to bear the cost of providing enough resources to fund every possible scenario. To do so would mean that schools, fire, police, public works and other essential services could not be adequately funded. As frustrating as it might be to a risk-reduction leader, funding is both an economic and political decision. The community is willing to accept the gap or deficiency known as the acceptable level of risk."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-23
-
Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Releasing the Fire Scene
"During the investigative process, there are several critical steps that must be completed prior to releasing the fire scene to the owner. It is the investigator's responsibility to ensure that all of these steps have been completed and documented. The following checklist can assist investigators in completing the necessary steps during the preliminary fire scene examination to avoid potential problems such as having to return to the scene to collect information or evidence that was initially overlooked."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-20
-
Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Securing or Removing Unused Underground Tanks
"When an underground flammable or combustible liquid storage tank has outlived its usefulness or is otherwise no longer needed, the model fire codes prescribe methods to secure or remove the tank to minimize the chances of leaks, fires or tank collapse. If a tank is being taken out of service temporarily, the fill line, gauge opening, vapor return and pump connection must be secured against tampering. Vent lines must remain open. It is up to the code official to determine what constitutes temporary closure. In addition to the requirement listed above, tanks not used for 90 days must have their contents removed. Tanks that are out of service for one year must be removed from the ground or abandoned in place."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-07
-
Coffee Break Training: Responder Health and Safety: Calculating Your BMI-Why?
"This is the first installment in a series of discussions focused on health and wellness. During a yearly physical, weight and physical fitness may not be topics discussed in great detail with your general practitioner. It may be suggested that you need to lose a few pounds or work out aerobically three times per week, but how do you know the healthiest range for your
weight? One method is to calculate your BMI [Body Mass Index]. The BMI is an estimate of body composition, specifically body fat. The normal BMI range is 18 to 25. A BMI below 18 is considered underweight and a BMI above 25 is considered overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese. Research has shown that keeping your body weight in the normal range reduces your risks of serious health effects like heart disease and diabetes."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-08
-
Coffee Break Training: The Other PAR, PersonAl Responsibility
"The personnel accountability report is utilized in various activities on the fire ground. The use of PAR[PersonAl Responsibility] allows the command staff to know that all personnel are accounted for and not lost or injured. It keeps everyone safe and should be part of all standard operating guidelines. Another important use of PAR for every person in the fire service is the individual's personal accountability and responsibility. Fire service personnel spend an abundance of time in all aspects of fire service operations: fire suppression, prevention and hazardous materials, to name a few. Safety should be stressed in all areas of operation, and in particular the firefighters' well-being. At all times, firefighters and fire officers must become personally responsible for their own actions and at the same time be in compliance with their personnel accountability report."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-22
-
Coffee Break Training: Learning Styles: Applying Learning Styles Index to Enhance the Learning Experience of Others (Part 3 of 3)
"When training or communicating with others, we have information and ideas that we want them to understand in order to learn effectively and efficiently. Your listeners are likely to display a wide range of learning preferences, and your challenge is to provide variety to help them understand and learn. Your learning preferences influence your preferred teaching and communication methods. For example, if you prefer visual rather than verbal learning, you may tend to provide a visual learning experience with pictures, graphs and other visual media."
United States Fire Administration
2013-05-16
-
Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Bomb Arson Tracking System
"The Bomb Arson Tracking System [BATS] is a secure, web-based intelligence database and case management tool for documenting any fire, arson or explosive-related incident. BATS was developed and is maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to help facilitate information sharing among law enforcement agencies and fire service organizations at every level of government. Participating investigative agencies can immediately share key information and intelligence concerning arson and explosives incidents with counterparts in other states or regions. The BATS database allows images of arson scenes, improvised explosive device components and bomb scenes to be shared online with law enforcement partners anywhere in the United States."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-29
-
Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Red Flags of Residential Arson
"Oftentimes, an attractive motive for arson is insurance fraud. In economic downturns, homeowners may resort to insurance fraud to receive settlements from the insurance company based on fraudulent claims due to fire losses."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-15
-
Coffee Break Training: Chemical Assisted Suicide
"Selecting topics for drill night is a common challenge for training officers. Coming up with new and exciting topics month after month can be difficult. To help prioritize training topics, break them into two categories: high frequency/low risk and low frequency/high risk. High frequency/low risk events occur on a regular basis and pose little risk to firefighter safety. Such topics include taking blood pressures, activating the fire alarm, responding to Emergency Medical Services calls, and communicating over the radio. While local regulations may require occasional refresher training on these topics, they certainly should not dominate a drill night. If you have to do training on these types of topics, comply with the regulation, but make the training as quick and painless as possible."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-22
-
Coffee Break Training: Administration: Reading Codes and Standards: Part 1
"For many new inspectors, interpreting and applying their legally adopted building or fire code can be a daunting task. The codes may seem overwhelming in their complexity, and the legal jargon in which they are written can be intimidating if one is not familiar with it. This Coffee Break Training, and several that will follow, provides some administrative tips on how to read and apply the model codes. For additional information and training on building and fire code enforcement, consider some of the fire prevention courses within the technical curriculum at the National Fire Academy (http://1.usa.gov/14XhC2i)."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-23
-
Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Transfer Piping at Bulk Tanks
"Product transfer pipe connected to bulk tanks should be installed and tested to meet the requirements of National Fire Protection Association 30, 'Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code'. The design, fabrication, assembly, test and inspection of piping systems should be suitable for the working pressures and structural stresses for which they will be used. Piping systems should be liquid tight and connected by joints that are welded, flanged, threaded or mechanically attached. The pipe in the illustration is welded and flanged."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-02
-
Coffee Break Training: Special Event Planning
"Planning the EMS [Emergency Medical Services] components of a special (planned) event should be integral to any jurisdiction's or agency's planning process. While having an ambulance on standby may be appropriate for some smaller events, and many nongovernmental agencies will set up first-aid stations to support an event, involving all components of the EMS system in the plan is critical for a smooth operation when something is outside the normal expectations."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-10
-
Coffee Break Training: Three 'Beeps' or Four 'Beeps'?
"You are presenting a public fire education program about smoke alarms. A parent asks you this excellent question about combination smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) alarms; 'How do I know when it is the smoke part of the alarm going off?' Neither National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, 'National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code' nor NFPA 720, 'Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment' have a requirement for a voice announcement when the alarms activate. However, the smoke alarm is equipped with a requirement to 'beep' three times with a short pause between each beep and then a slightly longer pause before the next three beeps. A CO alarm is equipped with a requirement to 'beep' four times with a short pause between each beep and then a slightly longer pause before the next four beeps."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-11
-
Coffee Break Training: Administration: Fire Code Permits
"Permits issued by the fire code official can be a powerful tool to regulate the storage, handling, use and transportation of hazardous materials. The model fire codes give fire officials a great deal of authority with permits. Fire code permits regulate operational hazards and some construction activities. By issuing a permit, the fire code official authorizes a hazard to exist -- such as storing liquefied gases near a building -- under controlled conditions. Usually, these controls are listed in the requirements of the various hazardous materials or hazardous operations chapters of the fire code."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-16
-
Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Ductile Iron Pipe
"There are numerous references in fire protection codes and standards to the use of ductile iron pipe. We see it used in underground water mains, fire sprinkler and standpipe systems, flammable and combustible liquid product transfer, and many other uses."
United States Fire Administration
2013-07-09
-
Coffee Break Training: Building Construction: Residential Garage Fires and Built-in Protection
"Fire services personnel respond every day to hundreds of fires involving residential occupancies, and most of these residences have either an attached or unattached garage. This training focuses on attached garages because of their imminent threat to the life safety of inhabitants, particularly when fire originates in this area. From 2009 to 2011, there were 6,600 garage fires in residential buildings resulting in 30 deaths, 400 injuries, and $457 million dollars of property loss. Ninety-three percent of these occurred in one- and two-family dwellings. While most fires occur in December and January, there is a spike of occurrence in July as well. Additionally, like most residential fires, the time of day when most garage fires occur is between 4-9 p.m. Over 45 percent of these incidents see extension of fire beyond the garage area to the building or outside of the building. The leading causes are 'electrical malfunction,' 'unintentional careless action,' and 'open flame,' in that order (U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Incident Reporting System 5.0)."
United States Fire Administration
2013-11-19
-
Coffee Break Training: What is ISO? Part 1
The learning objective of this Coffee Break Training is: "The student will be able to define the role of ISO [ Insurance Services Office, Inc.] in emergency services." From the document: "We have all been told in our fire service career that almost every fire department in the United States is graded by ISO. In reality, that is not true! ISO actually grades and rates the entire city operations to anticipate the capability of the city or town to respond to and extinguish large fires. It reviews the fire department, water department, and the dispatch or communications centers to establish this rating or grade. So, what is ISO? What gives it the right to 'grade' cities? From its website, ISO states: 'ISO is a leading source of information about property/casualty insurance risk. For a broad spectrum of commercial and personal lines of insurance, we provide statistical, actuarial, underwriting, and claims data; policy language; information about specific locations; fraud-identification tools; consulting services; and information for marketing, loss control, and premium audit. ISO is an advisory organization, and insurers may use our information, modify it, or not use it, as they see fit. ISO is a member of the Verisk Analytics Family of Companies.' Although it now just uses the acronym or letters, ISO was originally titled the Insurance Services Office. It was created in 1971 to allow insurance companies to use one site for a variety of rating and insurance services."
United States Fire Administration
2013-12-04
-
Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: The Bottom Line on Miranda Warnings
"Everyone is probably familiar with the language contained in the Miranda Warnings from watching television crime shows and movies. However, many individuals may not be aware that the Miranda Warnings are required only in situations involving custodial interrogation (questioning). Custodial interrogation is generally defined as questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his or her freedom of action in any significant way. No warnings are necessary unless the suspect is in custody, nor are any warnings needed until a law enforcement officer (i.e., police or fire investigator) initiates questioning."
United States Fire Administration
2013-11-18
-
Coffee Break Training: What is Performance Support?
The learning objective is: "The student will be able to distinguish the difference between performance support and training." From the document: "Performance support is a tool or other resource, from print to technology, that provides just the right amount of task guidance, support and productivity precisely when you need it. Examples include, but are not limited to, checklists, Electronic Performance Support Systems, databases, a reference table or even something as simple as a recipe. All performance support definitions focus on tools and resources, with the emphasis on application and the timing 'at the moment of need.' You don't use performance support to learn a task, but rather, you use it to support performing the task. Although the concept of 'tool' is important in understanding performance support, we cannot consider all tools as performance support. Professor of Educational Technology at San Diego State University, Allison Rossett, stated that 'to qualify, the object (tool) must house valued information, processes, or perspectives that target a task or need.' A computer would not be performance support, but a software application might be."
United States Fire Administration
2013-12-05
-
Coffee Break Training: The Ethical Action Test
The learning objective of this Coffee Break Training is that "the student will be able to identify eight elements of an ethical test. [....] On a regular basis during our careers, we are faced with ethical tests. These may come in small situations, like covering something for a friend, or big issues, like financial and moral decisions. Ethics continues to be a challenge for all of us, regardless of our beliefs and foundations. The challenge is often how to look at the issue in light of how others may see it as much as how we view the issue itself. In a recent book called 'Ethics 4 Everyone' by Eric Harvey and Scott Airitam, the authors pose eight hard questions that are worth considering whenever you are faced with an ethical challenge in your life."
United States Fire Administration
2013-11-21
-
Coffee Break Training: Access and Water Supplies: Fire Flow Formulas: Part 12: Insurance Services Office Needed Fire Flow: Exposure Factors
The learning objective of this Coffee Break Training is that "the student will be able to explain the 'exposure factor' variable, Xi, in the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Needed Fire Flow (NFF) formula."
United States Fire Administration
2013-11-19
-
Coffee Break Training: Characteristics of the Incident Command System: Part 5
The learning objective is: "The student will understand the Logistics Section Chief's (LSC's) responsibilities." From the document: "The LSC, a member of the General Staff, is responsible for providing facilities, services and materials in support of the incident. The LSC participates in development and implementation of the Incident Action Plan (IAP), activates and supervises assigned Branches/Units, and is responsible for the safety and welfare of Logistics Section personnel. Current information is needed to understand the current situation, predict for the probable needs of the incident, and prepare for ordering, storing and deploying supplies and equipment."
United States Fire Administration
2013-12-09
-
Coffee Break Training: Access and Water Supplies: Fire Flow Formulas: Part 13: Insurance Services Office Needed Fire Flow: Exposure Factor Values
The learning objective of this Coffee Break Training is that "the student will be able to obtain the 'exposure factor' variable, Xi, from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Needed Fire Flow (NFF) formula exposure factor table."
United States Fire Administration
2013-11-26
-
Coffee Break Training: Characteristics of the Incident Command System: Part 4
"The PSC [Planning Section Chief] is a member of the General Staff and is responsible for the collection, evaluation, dissemination and use of information about the development of the incident and the status of resources. The PSC is responsible for facilitating the planning process and ensuring the safety and welfare of all Planning Section personnel. Current information is needed to understand the current situation, predict the probable course of incident events, and prepare alternative strategies and control operations for the incident."
United States Fire Administration
2013-11-25
