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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Forward Full Testing for Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
"National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems', and NFPA 25, 'Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems', require new and existing water-based fire protection systems that are equipped with a backflow prevention device (e.g., double check or reduced pressure zone backflow device) have the ability to perform a 'forward full' flow test. The test is intended to verify that the backflow prevention device opens fully under demand conditions. It has to be performed during system acceptance and annually thereafter. In systems where the sole water supply is through a backflow preventer and/or pressure-reducing valves, the main drain test of at least one system downstream of the device must be conducted on a quarterly basis."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03-13
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Fire Department Connection Drains
"Today's photograph illustrates the old adage 'out of sight, out of mind.' This is a remote fire department connection that supplements the sprinkler system in a new building. The installing contractor claimed to have conducted a new water main flush after the initial installation, but neither the fire nor the building department witnessed it. When time came to conduct an acceptance test on the sprinkler system, the fire inspector asked to witness the underground water main flush as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. A new 12-inch (305 mm) service from the street to the hydrant on the dead end of the new main was flushed first. Then, the inspector requested that the 8-inch (203 mm) line serving the sprinkler system be flushed."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03-06
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Examining the Need for Standardization of the Initial Damage Assessment Process in Louisa County, Virginia
"A recent earthquake centered in Louisa County, Virginia, required County officials to undertake an extensive and prolonged initial damage assessment process. The problem was that the Louisa County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) did not have an established system for conducting these assessments initially caused errors in the process. The action research method was used to fulfill the purpose of this research, which was to develop a tool for Louisa County to conduct consistent and accurate initial damage assessments in the future. Literature review, a questionnaire and personal interviews were used to answer the following questions: 1) Why should localities perform initial damage assessments? 2) What tools are other localities using? 3) What elements do these tools have in common? and 4) What tools would benefit Louisa County in future damage assessment techniques? Results demonstrated why departments should perform initial damage assessments, that standardized policies, procedures and forms are used by other departments, with some elements in common, and that Louisa County would benefit from adopting such policies and procedures. Based upon the research results, a recommendation was made for Louisa to implement a standardized process for initial damage assessment, to include standardization of paperwork and data intake."
United States Fire Administration
Keim, Scott
2012-03?
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Traffic Incident Management Systems [2012]
"In 2003, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced a goal to reduce firefighter fatalities by 25 per¬cent within 5 years and 50 percent within 10 years. It also committed to doing research that would sup¬port that goal. The consistently high annual percentage of fatalities related to fire department response and roadway scene operations prompted the USFA to look at several aspects related to these collisions in an effort to improve responder safety. Firefighters who are killed in privately owned vehicles (POVs) during the course of their duties account for the largest percentage of vehicle-related deaths. These are typically volunteer firefighters who are responding to or returning from emergency calls. However, career firefighters are also occasionally killed in POVs while performing their duties."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Copper Sprinkler Pipe Joints
"Long used for domestic water service, Types K, L, and M copper are durable and reliable products for fire sprinkler systems. Copper is allowed by the major sprinkler design standards, but it is important to note the prescriptive design specifications of International Residential Code Standard P2904 are based solely on Type M. Pipe sizes generally
range from 3/4 to 2 inches (19 to 51 mm) in outside diameter, depending on system design. Copper can be used for wet-pipe, dry-pipe, or preaction systems, and can accommodate antifreeze solutions where allowed by the water purveyor. The pipe does not have to be listed for fire protection service if it meets specific American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) material and dimension standards that are outlined in the sprinkler design standards."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-28
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Carbon Monoxide Toxicity
"When the hotel guest pulled the chair back from the desk, he was startled to see what appeared to be the improper placement of a smoke alarm beneath a desk. Further investigation revealed it was a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. CO's specific gravity is 0.9657 (air = 1) so it is slightly more buoyant and mixes easily with room air, especially if the air is heated. Proper detector placement is essential to provide early notification. According to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the maximum CO exposure in an 8-hour period is 35 parts per million (ppm). When one considers exposure with a victim's age and health, the potential consequences are alarming. CO poisoning is often confused with the flu-like symptoms of headache, nausea, and dizziness, so a CO exposure is easily masked."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-21
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Coffee Break Training: EMS Mass-Casualty Support Vehicles
"The National Integration Center (NIC) has developed resource typing definitions for the Mass-Casualty Support Vehicle, as well as other emergency medical services (EMS) resources. Ordering resources that have been typed using these definitions makes the resource request and dispatch process more accurate and efficient. The currently-typed Mass-Casualty Support Vehicles are based on their equipment capability to treat patients. Mass-Casualty Support Vehicles are not patient-transport capable, but are specifically for equipment and supplies."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-15
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Aboveground Tank Locations for Motor Vehicle Fuel Dispensing
"Environmental regulations intended to protect ground water and prevent pollution provide a challenge for fire safety advocates. While it has long been recognized that underground tanks are a safer option for fire protection, if they deteriorate over time or are damaged, they can cause significant environmental harm. One solution that pairs environmental protection with convenience is the advent of what are known as 'protected' aboveground storage tanks-like the one shown today-that have been tested to withstand severe fire conditions. These tanks are a popular option for small vehicle fleet operators and other
industries where motor vehicle fueling operations are required. In order to prevent significant fire exposure in the event of a leak or spill occurring during refueling operations, all aboveground tanks (including protected tanks, fire-resistant tanks, tanks in noncombustible vaults, and nonrated tanks) must be located so that fire dangers are minimized."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-14
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Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Preparing for Trial
"Preparing for trial is a key, and often overlooked, aspect of the fire investigator's job. For you to successfully present your investigation and conclusions to the jury requires more than just being prepared. How well you compile and organize your case file affects every aspect of how the case is prosecuted. The demonstrative aids you make--or don't make--can make a big difference in how well the jury understands your testimony. Proper, professional presentation of your credentials lays the foundation of credibility for your words. Your ability to communicate your systematic approach to the fire scene is the key determining factor in whether you survive a 'Daubert' challenge. The quality of your pretrial conference with the prosecutor will determine how well-prepared you are for both direct and cross examination. And, your command of the facts, the legal process, and your own demeanor determine how well your trial testimony will go. This module provides guidance in how to complete each of these important pretrial tasks that you can use to effectively discharge your investigative duties."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-09
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Coffee Break Training: EMS Multipatient Medical Transport Vehicles
"The National Integration Center (NIC) has developed resource typing definitions for the Multipatient Medical Transport (MPMT) vehicle, as well as other emergency medical services (EMS) resources. Ordering resources that have been typed using these definitions makes the resource request and dispatch process more accurate and efficient. The currently-typed MPMT vehicles are typed based on their capability and capacity. The MPMT provides basic medical transportation services during a large-scale evacuation. The MPMT is only expected to provide basic life support (BLS) care due to personnel safety and patient access concerns."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-08
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Coffee Break Training: Storage Practices: Shelf and Rack Influences on Fire Sprinkler Systems
"The last two Coffee Break Training sessions have explained the difference between shelf and rack storage configurations with the emphasis that proper definition of the storage components is important to sprinkler system design. Today we provide an example of both how complicated the design determination process can be, as well as the different outcomes based simply on the definition of the storage component as a shelf or rack. The example is from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and includes the following criteria that go into the design determination process. Our example product is a finished wood product."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-07
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Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Proper Handling and Processing of Digital Evidence
"Coffee Break Training" is a series of short lessons within the National Fire Academy's Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum. According to the learning objective, "the student shall be able to identify the proper handling procedures for digital evidence to avoid potential damage or destruction of critical data" upon completing this block of instruction.
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-02
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Coffee Break Training: Human Trafficking
"Human trafficking is a crime and a human rights abuse involving commercial sexual exploitation of a child or the use of force, coercion, or fraud to compel someone into labor servitude or commercial sexual exploitation. Thousands of men, women, and children are trafficked in the United States every year. Many of these victims are lured from their homes with false promises of well-paying jobs; instead, they are forced into prostitution, involuntary domestic servitude, farm or factory labor, or other types of forced labor. Approximately one-third of human trafficking victims are treated by medical providers. Similar to observing patients for signs of abuse, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) responders should be aware of the signs of human trafficking."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-02
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Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010)
"These topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA's) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context. Findings [include] (1) Ninety-two percent of all civilian fatalities in residential building fires involve thermal burns and smoke inhalation. (2) Bedrooms (55 percent) are the leading location where civilian fire fatalities occur in residential buildings. (3) Fifty percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This period also accounts for 47 percent of fatal fires. (4) Thirty-six percent of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape at the time of their deaths; an additional 35 percent were sleeping. (5) 'Other unintentionally set, careless' actions and 'smoking' (each accounting for 16 percent) are the leading causes of fatal residential building fires. (6) Males accounted for 57 percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings; women accounted for 43 percent of the fatalities. (7) Approximately 44 percent of civilian fatalities in residential building fires are between the ages of 40 and 69. (8) Thirteen percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings were less than 10 years old. (9) Appliance fires produced 1,351 fatalities per 1,000 fatal fires, the largest number of fatalities per 1,000 fatal fires."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02
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Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities
"The concept of fire-adapted communities (FACs) holds that, with proper community-wide preparation, human populations and infrastructure can withstand the devastating effects of a wildland fire, reducing loss of life and property. This goal depends on strong and collaborative partnerships between agencies and the public at the State, Federal, and local levels, with each accepting responsibility for their part. This guide will frame the FAC concept and current efforts to define its scope, explain the roles that groups can adopt to improve their fire safety, and provide guidance on future steps. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) believes that by reviewing the roles and responsibilities each group can adopt now, communities will become better prepared to realize the FAC goal in the future."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2012-02
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Coffee Break Training: EMS Resource Type Definitions
"Resource typing is one of the five components of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Resource typing is the categorization and description of response resources that are commonly exchanged in disasters through mutual-aid agreements. By using standardized typing and terminology for all incidents and events, smoother interoperability will exist for multiagency/ multijurisdiction incidents and events. The National Integration Center (NIC) has developed and published over 120 resource typing definitions. Resource typing definitions can give emergency responders the information they need to make sure they request and receive the appropriate resources during an emergency or disaster. Ordering resources that have been typed using these definitions makes the resource request and dispatch process more accurate and efficient."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-01
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Coffee Break Training: Storage Practices: Storage Racks
"Last week's Coffee Break Training discussed the importance of defining storage shelves. Today, we look at 'racks.' The following table provides 'rack' definitions from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems'."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-31
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Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Cell Phones -- An Evidentiary Gold Mine for Investigators
"Cell phones are commonplace in our society and used daily by millions of people, including criminals. Most cell phones have a basic set of comparable features and capabilities. Often, cell phone records are used in court to establish people's movements. Cell phone data may answer the who, what, where, how, and when questions. First and foremost, the first nugget of gold is the phone itself. Cell phones are constantly communicating with a network, sending pings to the nearest transmission tower, which allows telephone calls to be routed correctly. Multiple antennas are tracking the phone's signal since each tower only covers a few square miles. The cell phone service provider keeps records of which towers the phone has contacted or pinged, and when. This information can prove invaluable to investigators to assist them in the successful investigation and prosecution of arson cases."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-26
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Coffee Break Training: Medical Group Versus Medical Unit
"In the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the Incident Command System (ICS) is an organizational structure that allows responders to match the complexities and demands of each incident while allowing all responders to know their roles and work together across jurisdiction and agencies' boundaries. The medical components of the ICS organization fill two key roles. One is external; the management of patients generated by responding to the incident/event. The other is internal; the management of responders requiring medical attention."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-25
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Coffee Break Training: Storage Practices: Storage Shelves
"When fire sprinkler systems are designed for storage applications, details on the eventual storage configuration are significant. Is the commodity stored on pallets, shelves, or racks? Is it banded or encapsulated? What is the commodity classification? (See Coffee Break Training 2010-6 for a description of encapsulation and 2009-33 for a description of commodities.) Despite the fact that most people use the terms 'storage racks' and 'storage
shelves' interchangeably, in fire protection there is a significant difference. Accurate definitions are important because they provide the guidance for how sprinkler protection is
provided. The descriptions affect such design details as sprinkler spacing, placement, and application densities."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-24
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Spray Booth Exhaust Ducts
"The flammable vapor:air environment that exists in a spray finishing area is highly explosive, so the model fire codes require that it be vented to a safe atmosphere. In today's illustration, a small business owner was aware of the hazardous conditions and tried to satisfy the safety concerns with an unpermitted homemade spray booth and exhaust system. The combustible construction of this assembly does not meet the requirements of the model fire codes. Ventilating and exhaust systems should be designed and installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 91, 'Standard for Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Noncombustible Particulate Solids'."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-17
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Fire-Resistive Construction Repairs
"Many residential-type occupancies employ garbage, linen, or (as pictured) laundry chutes that enable housekeeping staff to easily send rubbish or laundry materials to a terminal room where they can be processed. The model building codes typically require that these conveyances be treated as vertical shafts, and have minimum fire-resistive construction
requirements of 1 or 2 hours depending upon the height of the building in which they are
located. In today's example, the fire-resistive integrity of this 1-hour-rated shaft has been
compromised, evidently to provide access to the plumbing utilities. These openings create a serious vulnerability to the shaft's structural integrity, and perhaps the entire building, if a fire occurred in or entered the shaft and ignited the combustible framing."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-10
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Sprinkler Clearances and Storage
"The model fire codes typically require storage to be kept at least 18 inches (457 mm) beneath sprinkler deflectors so that the system can develop an adequate spray pattern when a sprinkler operates. Temporary obstructions, such as these boxes, can interfere with the discharge pattern. The discharge pattern of upright and pendent spray sprinklers assumes a parabolic shape and to ensure the distribution of water over the area that the sprinkler was designed to protect, the spray pattern should not be obstructed. Rack storage fire tests, other tests with solidpiled storage, and field experience have shown that standard spray sprinklers are effective with a minimum 18 inches clearance."
United States Fire Administration
2012-01-03
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Developing a New Policy for Drug Testing of Employees Considered 'Under Suspicion' for Palm Harbor Fire Rescue
"The problem was that Palm Harbor Fire Rescue did not have a policy within its current drug free workplace policy to address the testing of employees for prescription drugs when being done so within the 'under suspicion' clause. Furthermore there were no provisions to test for
medications that should not be taken when working in a safety sensitive position. The purpose of this research was to determine if there was a method to detect if there was prescription drugs legally dispensed that was the cause of the employee's impairment. By utilizing the action research methodology the main issue that has been discovered is related to the fact that pain medications are legally prescribed and once a medical review officer verifies the prescription with the pharmacy a drug test would be reported as negative. The drug free workplace policies that were created in the late 1980's and early 1990's focused on illegal substances such as cocaine, marijuana and heroin to name a few. Research showed the 'under suspicion' clause could not be changed without changing the overall drug screening process. The results found that by changing the whole process by utilizing a medical review officer in a more active role within the department and adopting NFPA Standard 1582's list of medication not acceptable for use in the safety sensitive position of firefighter the testing 'under suspicion' problem was addressed. Additionally the policy change would require contracting with a testing laboratory that has the capability to detect not just illegal drugs and substances but also all types of legal prescription medications. The recommendation is to negotiate with the labor union and adopt the use of a medical review officer to assist in following this standard."
United States Fire Administration
Markford, Robert J.
2012?
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Incident Command 9-11: Lessons Learned at the World Trade Center: Presentation by Pete Hayden, Deputy Assistant Chief, Fire Department, New York City
This is the transcript of the presentation by Pete Hayden, Deputy Assistant Chief, Fire Department, New York City, which was carried by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Education Network. In this presentation entitled, "Strategic Analysis of Incident Management Activities Following September the Eleventh, 2001," Pete Hayden discusses his experiences at "Ground Zero" in New York City in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
United States Fire Administration
2012?
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Incident Command 9-11: Lessons Learned at the Pentagon; Shanksville, PA and Boca Raton, FL: A Strategic Analysis of Incident Management Activities Following September 11, 2001
This is the transcript of the presentation featuring Chief John White of the Pentagon; Colonel Egon Hawrylak of the Military District of Washington; Assistant Chief Rick King and Chief Terry Shaffer of the Shanksville, Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Dept; and Battalion Chief Jack McCartt from the Boca Raton Florida Fire & Rescue. This presentation was originally carried by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Education Network. Entitled, "Part II: A Strategic Analysis of Incident Management Activities Following September the Eleventh, 2001," the participants discuss their experiences in dealing with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
United States Fire Administration
2012?
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Improving the Impact of Performance Evaluations upon Positive Behavioral Change
"Ever-increasing demands for technical capability, community responsiveness, constant evolution and employee accountability require the fire service to have a contemporary and effective employee performance evaluation (PE) process. Prior research on PEs has revealed that such processes exist, however many have limitations and nuances that must be carefully considered when adopting in an organization. The problem with our PE process is the lack of specific, meaningful and timely feedback to the employee, which hinders their job performance and career development. The purpose of this research was to identify what processes could be implemented within our PE system that would improve the quality, accuracy and timeliness of feedback. An action research method was utilized to gather input from North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) employees, and then use this information to develop and evaluate new processes to address current weaknesses in our existing PE system. Specifically, this research sought to identify the employee's and supervisor's role in the PE process, barriers to providing and receiving feedback at all levels within the organization, potential solutions to ameliorate those barriers and to identify procedures that would make feedback more meaningful, timely and accurate."
United States Fire Administration
Abbott, Stephen
2011-12?
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Coffee Break Training: Working With the Media
"Media interviews are opportunities to communicate life-saving fire safety and prevention information. Tell your community how to stay safe. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a rookie at media relations, it's always a good idea to keep these interview pointers in mind: 1. Carry the 'Fire Spokesperson's Pocket Media Guide' with you. Quickly scan it before you begin an interview. 2. Determine the one or two safety and prevention tips you want to mention in addition to the facts of the story. 3. Prior to the interview, mention to the reporter that you would like to provide a fire safety and prevention tip or direct people to additional information. 4. Look at the reporter, not into the camera, during television interviews. 5. Avoid answering the reporter's questions with only 'yes' or 'no.' Always speak in full sentences. 6. Remove sunglasses and chewing gum and turn off your phone before conducting the interview. 7. Ask for the reporter's name and contact information, and the name of the media outlet so that you can follow up with more information or suggest a feature story about fire safety and prevention. 8. Provide your name and contact information in case the reporter has questions or needs more information. 9. Emphasize the importance of including a safety and prevention message to the reporter. This may prevent the message from ending up on the cutting room floor."
United States Fire Administration
2011-12-01
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Coffee Break Training: Stress --The Silent Killer
"Signs and symptoms of stress are screaming at us, but are we listening? […] Studies show that in the emergency services, heart attack, cancer, and stroke are the most common causes of death. Can the root of these illnesses be caused by stress and is stress our number one killer?"
United States Fire Administration
2011-11-23
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Coffee Break Training: Making the Most of Teachable Moments
"Public Information Officers (PIOs) play a major role in communicating fire safety and prevention information to the public after residential fires. To make the most of these teachable moments, it is important to know what to do and say before, during, and after an interview with the news media."
United States Fire Administration
2011-11-17
