Two judges lost chambers to fire

Fire on Wednesday swept through a court building in Kumasi, leaving the chambers of two judges in complete ruins.

It totally destroyed the record books files and every document there together with exhibits, air-conditioners and furniture.

It started at about 1030 hours when the courts were sitting and the incident sent people who had packed themselves in the courts fleeing to safer grounds.

The intervention of fire-fighters prevented it from spreading to other offices to wreak more havoc.

Eyewitnesses told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the extent of damage could have been minimized, if personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), had responded swiftly.

They said it took the personnel about 40 minutes to arrive after the fire had started adding that, the story would have been different, had they made it to the place a bit earlier.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Semekor Fiadzo, the Regional Fire Officer, however, discounted the claim that their response to the emergency was slow.

He said they received the distress call at 1100 hours, quickly responded and managed to confine the fire to the two chambers, which had already been engulfed.

Preliminary investigations, he said, pointed to a faulty air conditioner as the cause of the fire.

Source: GNA

Fairfield Township Council Honors Fairfield Volunteer Firefighters

FAIRFIELD, NJ — The Fairfield Township Council honored the men who help keep the town safe 24/7, the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, at the Feb. 22 town council meeting.

Councilman Michael McGlynn read the proclamation from the town, which included the names of the firefighters being honored for their years of service to the department: 40-year volunteers Richard VanEerde and Justin Lizza; 25-years volunteers Dan Cerami and Kevin Koch; 20-year volunteer Joe Przbylinski; 15-year volunteer Brian Cusano; and five-year volunteers Matt Napolitano and Wes Mierzwa. McGlynn added that Fairfield “wouldn’t be Fairfield without these guys.”

“I can’t say enough about the volunteers of this town,” said Council President Joseph Cifelli, acknowledging the volunteers’ hard work. “This department is the backbone of this town. These are the guys who, if you have a problem, leave their families to help you.”

Township Business Administrator Joseph Catenaro made special note about the volunteer aspect of the department.

“Believe it or not, there are people in the community who do not know these gentlemen are volunteers,” said Catenaro. “They just assume a fire department is paid. What they do for the township, risking life and limb, they do without the benefit of a paycheck.”Catenaro encouraged individuals and media to learn more about the work the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department does for the town.

The Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department currently has 28 active members, who undergo at least 30 hours of training per year. The 38th Annual Pancake Breakfast to help support the department will be held this year on March 20.

Source:tapinto.net

Fire union files complaint over budget, staff cuts

Proposed budget cuts would eliminate six high-level staff positions; the union president said members are being treated unfairly.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — A fire union in Iowa has filed a complaint with the state over proposed fire department budget and staffing cuts.

The Quad City Times reported that the Davenport Fire Department's new budget would include $255,000 in cuts and the elimination of several staff positions.

The complaint was filed after the union was told a district chief, captain, two lieutenants and two engineers would be demoted this year. Four of the six members were just promoted in December.

"It was a normal, scheduled union mangement meeting," said Chief Washburn. "We had a very good discussion."Fire union president Ryan Hanghian and Fire Chief Lynn Washburn met with the city administrator and an alderman to discuss concerns over the decrease in staff.

"We're working toward a solution," Hanghian said. "It may not be the best solution. It may not be one we're OK with or we can agree with, but it might be one we can live with."

Washburn said she and other city staff are trying to come up with solutions to cut the fire department's budget. She did not elaborate on what those solutions might be.

The complaint said the city is blaming the union for the demotions and has told union representatives to stop posting signs about the dispute. Yard signs informing residents about the ongoing feud have popped up around the community.

"I didn't stand up at a mayor's press conference that we were OK with the current level of staffing," Hanghian said. "Because of that, our membership was thrown back on the table for demotions. That's not fair. We don't make department policy."

Union members have been reprimanded for posting the signs.

"Our membership has a right," Hanghian said. "This community has the right to know what they're getting for their tax dollar. We want our guys to be treated fairly. They're allowed to do certain things. Freedom of speech is allowed."

Source: firerescue1.com

Off-duty firefighter killed after running through traffic

Tonya Johnson, who was just recently married, got into an argument about directions with her husband; she left the car and was struck while attempting to cross a highway.

Firefighter-paramedic Tonya Johnson (Courtesy photo)

AKRON, Ohio — An off-duty firefighter and paramedic who was killed Monday while crossing state Route 8 during rush hour had been married just nine days earlier.

Tonya R. Johnson, 43, of Canton, died of blunt force trauma to the head when she was struck by a pickup truck at about 4 p.m., according to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office. The incident caused a 10-car chain reaction crash, though no one else was seriously injured.

Police said Johnson was traveling southbound on Route 8 with her husband, who was driving, when an argument about directions broke out between the newlyweds. Her husband told police he pulled their vehicle onto the right side of the road near East Tallmadge Avenue and she left the car without warning, crossed southbound traffic and climbed over the cement barrier. She was struck by a northbound Nissan pickup truck while attempting to cross the highway.

The incident closed lanes in both directions. Southbound lanes opened after about an hour, and northbound lanes opened at about 7 p.m.

According to the Canton Repository's website, at least two of Johnson's relatives were on their way to Akron to get her before the accident.

Regina Skinner, a cousin who lived with Johnson, said Johnson called her asking for a ride, the cantonrep.com reported Tuesday. Skinner told the Repository that the couple had been having marital problems.

Skinner said she was stuck in Route 8 traffic when Johnson’s husband called her to tell her about the accident. She also told the Repository that Johnson’s son was also trying to get to his mother in Akron when he was involved in a car accident in Canton.

The medical examiner's office released Johnson’s name on Tuesday morning after her family was notified. She had two sons and a daughter, co-workers said.

She was married on Feb. 13, according to Stark County Probate Court records.

Clerks said they completed the paperwork to finalize the marriage on Monday, the same day she died.

Canton Fire Chief Thomas Garra said in a news release that Johnson would be deeply missed.

"Our condolences and sympathy are with her family at this time," Garra said in a news release. "She was an excellent firefighter/paramedic and served the city well."

Johnson joined the department on May 18, 1998. According to the fire chief, funeral and memorial services have not been determined.

Source: firerescue1.com

Wis. fire department to cut back on sirens, lights

The new protocol aims to improve safety by reducing the amount of emergency vehicle crashes

GREENFIELD, Wis. — First responders in Wisconsin are debating the safety and efficiency of using lights and sirens when responding to emergency calls.

WISN.com reported researchers estimate about 12,000 emergency vehicles crash on their way to an emergency every year. First responders are trying to bring that number down by saving lights and sirens for critical emergencies only.

“Some people will tend to panic when they see the lights and sirens coming up behind them. Their reaction can be unpredictable,” said Lt. Zach Zimmer.

An ambulance with its lights and sirens on arrive just one minute sooner than a fire engine that drives through the flow of traffic, according to the report.

“It's almost easier and safer for us to navigate through traffic when we just kind of blend in so to speak,” said Lt. Ben Krueger.

Next week, Milwaukee County will advise all first responders to keep their lights and sirens off while transporting patients to the hospital unless the situation escalates.

Source: firerescue1.com

Fire Guts Six Stores In Wassa Akropong

Fire gutted six wooden stores at Wassa Akropong in the Amenfi East District of the Western Region on Monday afternoon, destroying property worth thousands of Ghana Cedis.

An eyewitness, Francis Adu, told the Ghana News Agency that a gentleman was welding a metal container with an electrical welding machine when sparkles from the electrical welding machine caught the mattresses stuffed in the container and spread to other wooden stores in the area.

He said the fire started around 1530 hours and it took more than an hour to extinguish the inferno with the support of some residents in the neighbourhood.

Mr. Adu, a City Guard, indicated that the stores were owned by some hairdressers and seamstresses in the area.

The eyewitness said the personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service arrived at the scene after the fire had been put out.

No casualty was recorded.

Source: peacefmonline.com

7 steps to cleaner firefighter PPE

Wearing dirty turnout gear is not a badge of honor; here's how to protect your gear and your health

  

Many firefighters still take pride in wearing heavily soiled and well-worn personal protective clothing.

Science, however, demonstrates the fallacy of such sentiment. Contaminated turnout gear will off-gas toxic, cancer-causing materials that can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Keeping clothing clean and properly maintained is not only a way to extend the life of the clothing, but also that of the firefighter. To get it clean, there are seven basic steps to follow.

1. Follow the NFPA and manufacturer's instructions
NFPA 1851 is the applicable standard for departments to follow to ensure minimum procedures for the inspection, cleaning, repair, storage and retirement of the clothing ensemble.

While NFPA has established the standard, the individual protective clothing manufacturers specify the care and maintenance procedures for their products.

Chapter 7 of NFPA 1851 specifies the necessary actions for the cleaning and drying of the ensemble components. It defines three types of cleaning: routine, advanced and specialized.

It is incumbent on officers and firefighters alike to know those specific manufacturer recommendations and to diligently follow them. The individual firefighter bears ultimate responsibility for the proper care and maintenance of their ensemble.

2. Care for your gear from the beginning
Every entry-level firefighter training program typically begins with introducing the future firefighter to their protective ensemble — how to wear it, how to inspect it and how to clean it.

Historically, we've probably spent more time on the first two topics at the expense of the third. We need to change that paradigm.

From the very beginning of their fire service career, firefighters need to develop and maintain the skills and mindset necessary to ensure that their protective clothing is clean and free of potentially harmful contaminants.

3. Do routine cleanings
Routine cleaning is required after any emergency response where soiling has occurred. It involves brushing debris from the clothing, rinsing it with water and applying spot cleaning as necessary.

If further cleaning is necessary, follow these steps to clean it at a utility sink.

• Wear protective gloves and safety glasses.
• Pre-treat heavily soiled areas or spots with a NFPA-compliant degreasing solution.
• Do not use chlorine bleach.
• Use warm water that does not exceed 105° F (40° C).
• Gently brush with a soft bristle brush.
• Rinse thoroughly — this may require draining and refilling the sink several times until the rinse water is clear.
• Air dry by hanging or placing in designated dryer; do not dry in the sun as the UV rays will degrade the outer shell's fabric.
• Inspect for cleanliness after drying.

Any gear that can't be cleaned by these methods should be taken out of service.

4. Do advanced cleaning at least once a year
This is a thorough cleaning that requires personal protective clothing to be taken out of service. Advanced cleaning procedures should be based on the original manufacturer's recommendations.

Advanced cleaning should be conducted at a minimum of every 12 months, or whenever ensemble is soiled to the extent that it cannot be cleaned through routine cleaning.

This also is necessary when there is an obvious odor or visible contamination that cannot be sufficiently removed with routine cleaning. This may include diesel fuel or soil.

5. Pre-treatment severely soiled areas
Pre-treating severely soiled areas of garment component with a specialty spotter agent for turnout gear can greatly enhance the machine laundering process.

When pre-treating, wear hands, eyes and face protection. Allow specialty spotter to soak into the fabric and stain. Gently scrubbing with a soft-bristle brush may help remove stubborn stains.

For globs of tar that have adhered to the fabric, allow the spotter to soak into the tar and fabric. Next, using a plastic or wood scrapper, gently lift tar from the fabric's surface.

6. Choose a laundry machine
Never wash clothing components in a washer that's used for things like work uniforms, bed sheets, etc. Machine washing is best done in a front loading washer/extractor to limit damage caused by top-loading machine agitators.

Washer/extractors specifically designed for laundering protective clothing not only provide more effective cleaning, they also greatly reduce the time to properly dry it because the extractor removes significantly more water from the components.

7. Do specialized cleaning or decontamination after a hazmat incident
NFPA 1851 specifies that when protective clothing has been exposed to known hazardous chemicals or bio-hazards, it should be removed from service for specialized cleaning.

Even today, this is still a nebulous concept.

In April the Fire Protection Research, a new research foundation, initiated a project to clarify contaminant removal from firefighters' personal protective equipment.

This new research effort is certainly good news.

In the meantime, fire departments should continue to rely on the recommendations from manufacturers for specific guidance on what steps to take with protective clothing that's been contaminated with a known chemical or bio-hazard material.

If firefighters and their chief officers ensure these seven steps are taken, more firefighters can be working in cleaner and safer turnout gear. And maybe the new badge of honor will be squeaky-clean bunkers.

Source: firerescue1.com