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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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Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2013
From the background: "For 37 years, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has tracked the number of firefighter fatalities and conducted an annual analysis. Through the collection of information on the causes of firefighter deaths, USFA is able to focus on specific problems and contribute to efforts aimed at finding solutions to reduce the number of firefighter fatalities in the future. This information is also used to measure the effectiveness of current programs directed toward firefighter health and safety. Several programs have been funded by USFA in response to this annual report. For example, USFA has sponsored significant work in the areas of general emergency vehicle operations safety, fire department tanker/tender operations safety, firefighter incident scene rehabilitation, and roadside incident safety. The data developed for this report are also widely used in other firefighter fatality prevention efforts. In addition to the analysis, USFA, working in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), develops a list of all on-duty firefighter fatalities and associated documentation each year." From the Introduction: "This report continues a series of annual studies by USFA of on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States. The specific objective of this study is to identify all on-duty firefighter fatalities that occurred in the U.S. and its protectorates in 2013 and to analyze the circumstances surrounding each occurrence. The study is intended to help identify approaches that could reduce the number of firefighter deaths in future years."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States Fire Administration
2014-11
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Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries Reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (2010-2012)
"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 inci-dents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context." The findings from this report are: "[1.] From 2010 to 2012, an estimated 70,450 firefighter injuries occurred annually. Of these injuries, 31,550 occurred on the fireground, and 4,150 occurred while responding to or returning from an incident. [2.] The majority of fire-related firefighter injuries (87 percent) occurred in structure fires. In addition, on average, structure fires had more injuries per fire than nonstructure fires. [3.] Injuries resulted in lost work time for 42 percent of firefighters with reported fire-related injuries. [4.] Fires resulting in firefighter injuries were more prevalent in July at 12 percent and peaked between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. [5.] Overexertion/Strain was the cause of 27 percent of reported fire-related firefighter injuries."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States Fire Administration
2014-11
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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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Civilian Fire Injuries in Residential Buildings (2010-2012)
"From 2010 to 2012, civilian fire injuries in residential buildings accounted for 78 percent of all fire injuries. This topical fire report focuses on the characteristics of these injuries as reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) from 2010 to 2012. NFIRS data is used for the analyses presented throughout this report. Civilian fire injuries by definition involve people not on active duty with a firefighting organization who are injured as a result of a fire. These injuries generally occur from activities of fire control, escaping from the dangers of fire, or sleeping. Fires resulting in injuries are those fires where one or more injuries occur. Annually, from 2010 to 2012, an estimated 13,400 civilian fire injuries resulted from an estimated 8,300 residential building fires resulting in injuries and 366,900 total residential building fires. In fact, every 39 minutes, someone is injured in a residential building fire. For the purpose of this report, the term 'residential building fires resulting in injuries' is synonymous with 'residential fires resulting in injuries,' and 'residential building fires' is synonymous with 'residential fires.' The term 'residential fires resulting in injuries' is used throughout the body of this report; the findings, tables, charts, headings and endnotes reflect the full category, 'residential building fires resulting in injuries.'"
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2014-10
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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
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Coffee Break Training: Rooftop Smoke and Heat Vents
From the document: "Automatic rooftop vents are installed in some occupancies to allow smoke and heat to escape, thereby improving visibility for firefighters, minimizing property damage, and confining a fire to a smaller area. Vents may be passive, such as the illustrated shrink-out plastic vents, or active, meaning they operate by fusible link, remote operation or manual release on the rooftop. Rooftop vents are found most often in storage occupancies and some legacy applications for buildings that have extremely large areas. Smoke and vents, however, are controversial in fire protection. For example, in buildings protected by automatic sprinklers, water discharge at the ceiling may cool the thermal plume to the level where the vents are unable to operate automatically. Conversely, if rooftop vents are installed in nonsprinklered properties, experience has shown that fire conditions are worsened by the operation of too many vents."
United States Fire Administration
2014-09-16
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Protection Series: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler System Design: Tree (Dead End), Looped or Gridded? (Part 6)
"Learning Objective: The student will be able to describe the differences among tree (dead-end), looped or gridded sprinkler system layouts. Sprinkler system designers plan their layouts to achieve both economic and hydraulic efficiency while assuring the hazard is adequately protected. They select pipe sizes for risers, mains and branch lines based on a combination of factors including such things as material size and weight, water carrying capacity, flow characteristics, and material and installation costs."
United States Fire Administration
2014-09-02
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Residential Building Fires (2010-2012)
"'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 National Fire Incident Reporting System. 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. […] As part of a series of topical reports that address fires in types of residential buildings, this report addresses the characteristics of all residential building fires, as reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). The focus is on fires reported from 2010 to 2012, the most recent data available at the time of the analysis. NFIRS data is used for the analyses throughout this report. For the purpose of this report, the term 'residential fires' is synonymous with 'residential building fires.' 'Residential fires' is used throughout the body of this report; the findings, tables, charts, headings and endnotes reflect the full category, 'residential building fires.'"
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2014-09
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Coffee Break Training: Medical Components of the Incident Command System: Medical Group Supervisor
"Learning Objective: The student will be able to understand the Medical Group Supervisor's responsibilities. [...] The Medical Group Supervisor reports to the Medical Branch Director, Operations Section Chief, or Incident Command (depending on incident complexity and organizational structure) and supervises the Triage Unit Leader, Treatment Unit Leader, Patient Transportation Unit Leader and Medical Supply Coordinator."
United States Fire Administration
2014-08-27
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler System Design: Multiple Areas of Application (Part 5)
The learning objective of this coffee break training is that "The student will be able to describe circumstances where a building or facility may have multiple areas of application."
United States Fire Administration
2014-08-26
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler System Design: Area of Application (Part 4)
The learning objective of this coffee break training is that "The student will be able to describe the area of application as it pertains to hydraulic sprinkler design."
United States Fire Administration
2014-08-19
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Coffee Break Training: Medical Components of the Incident Command System: Medical Branch Director
The learning objective of this coffee break training is that "The student will be able to understand the Medical Branch Director's responsibilities."
United States Fire Administration
2014-08-13
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler System Design: Introduction to Hydraulic Calculation (Part 3)
The learning objective of this coffee break training is that "The student will be able to explain density in fire sprinkler system design."
United States Fire Administration
2014-08-12
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler System Design: Pipe Schedule Limitations (Part 2)
The learning objective of this coffee break training is that "The student will be able to explain the limitations on where pipe schedule design sprinkler systems can be used."
United States Fire Administration
2014-08-05
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Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2010-2012)
"From 2010 to 2012, civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings accounted for 82 percent of all fire fatalities. This topical fire report focuses on the characteristics of these fatalities as reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) from 2010 to 2012. NFIRS data is used for the analyses presented throughout this report. Civilian fire fatalities by definition involve people not on active duty with a firefighting organization who die as a result of a fire. These fatalities generally occur when an individual is escaping, sleeping or unable to act during a fire. Annually, from 2010 to 2012, an estimated 2,465 civilian fire fatalities resulted from 1,700 fatal fires in residential buildings and an estimated 366,900 residential building fires. Fatal fires are those fires where one or more fatalities occur. This report focuses on the characteristics of civilian fire fatalities (e.g., gender, race and age of the victim; activity prior to death) in residential buildings as opposed to the characteristics of the fires (e.g., fire spread, factors contributing to ignition, alerting/suppression systems) from which these fatalities occurred. For the purpose of this report, the term 'residential building fires' is synonymous with 'residential fires.' The term 'residential fires' is used throughout the body of this report; the findings, tables, charts, headings and endnotes reflect the full category 'fires in residential buildings' or 'residential building fires.'"
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2014-08
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Coffee Break Training: Medical Components of the Incident Command System: Medical Branch Versus Medical Group
The learning objective of this coffee break training is that "The student will be able to understand the difference between the use of a Medical Branch and a Medical Group."
United States Fire Administration
2014-07-30
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler System Design: Pipe Schedule or Hydraulic?
The learning objective of this coffee break training is that "The student will be able to explain the difference between a pipe schedule and hydraulically designed sprinkler system."
United States Fire Administration
2014-07-29
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Coffee Break Training - Responder Health and Safety: Recognizing the Medical Condition of Uncooperative and Combative Victims
"Learning Objective: The student will understand the need to identify and respond to excited delirium syndrome (ExDS)."
United States Fire Administration
2014-07-23
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Sprinkler Riser Supports
"National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems' requires fire sprinkler systems to be securely attached to the buildings they protect. The attachment is accomplished through various pipe hangers and bracing devices that are designed and installed to enhance the sprinkler system's survival during a fire, earthquake, windstorm or other events that may threaten a building. According to NFPA 13, 'risers' are the vertical supply pipes that distribute water to the overhead pipe network of cross mains and branch lines. They must be supported by riser clamps or, if the riser has a portion that runs parallel to the floor, by hangers located on the horizontal connections within 24 inches (610 millimeters) of the centerline of the riser."
United States Fire Administration
2014-07-22
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Coffee Break Training - Emergency Medical Services: Characteristics of the Medical Components of the Incident Command System: Fireline Emergency Medical Technician
"Learning Objective: The student will be able to understand the Fireline Emergency Medical Technician's (FEMT's) responsibilities."
United States Fire Administration
2014-07-16
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Coffee Break Training - Fire Protection Series: Storage Practices: Controlled Atmosphere Storage
"Learning Objective: The student will be able to identify fire protection considerations for warehouses with controlled atmosphere (CA) storage."
United States Fire Administration
2014-07-15
