Largest wildfire in California this year remains uncontained

by ActiveAmericas - Featured NewsFeatured News

In what has become the largest fire in California this year, the McKinney wildfire has now burned 55,493 acres (22,457 hectares) of drought-stressed timber and remains at 0% containment, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported.

The fast-moving fire went which began on Friday (29 July) has already become the largest fire in the state in the year to date. The blaze has forced around 2,000 residents to flee as it destroyed homes and critical infrastructure, mostly in Siskiyou County, home to the Klamath National Forest, according to a statement from Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday, a day after the fire was declared a state of emergency.

Two bodies were found inside a burned-out car near the Oregon border, authorities said on Monday, as crews battled the blaze for a fourth day and took advantage of rainfall in the area.

Authorities have yet to confirm the extent of property losses, but the Cal Fire said in an update posted on Monday that more than 4,900 homes were threatened by flames.

With lightning forecasted over the next few days, extra resources from elsewhere in the state are being brought in to help fight the region’s fires, according to the US Forest Service.

Dräger launches BG ProAir for longer firefighting operations

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Dräger has launched the Dräger BG ProAir, a closed-circuit breathing apparatus designed to protect firefighters attending long-duration deployments such as those in tall buildings, complex structures, basements and tunnels. 

The BG ProAir’s positive pressure breathing closed circuit prevents toxic substances from entering the breathing system. As a result, both inhalation and exhalation are optimised by cooling and enriching the air with oxygen before inhaling, and CO2 being absorbed when exhaling.

An even distribution of the breathing apparatus’ weight has also been implemented to enhance comfort and ergonomics which are especially important during extended missions. 

Oxygen is supplied according to the wearer’s personal workload, allowing more than 4 hours duration at low breathing rates and the new cooling concept also makes breathing easier and more natural, allowing the firefighter to manage the incident at a lower work rate.  

It also features smart onboard electronics including a low-pressure sensor. The integrated sensor warns when there is a lack of oxygen to ensure safe breathing and provides a low pressure leak test of the breathing system. 

The BG ProAir’s housing features reflectors and a buddy light system that can alert other firefighters to their team members’ vital information, such as cylinder pressure, and operating time.  

With a high contrast, full-colour display, user data is plainly visible even in the most difficult environments such as darkness, bright sunlight or smoke. An integrated Bluetooth module provides a short range connection to work with external devices such as gas detectors as well as a PC connection to download data and perform configuration.  

The BG ProAir’s integrated data telemetry and RFID assists the user in multiple scenarios such as entry control management and absorber status tracking. In addition to time calculations such as time to whistle, Dräger have also integrated recognised features like PASS, ADSU and temperature readings. 

With a fully sealed housing, the BG ProAir has been approved to the highest standards for heat, flame, and chemical resistance. For additional safety, it also comes with an optional buddy system enabling the user to safely share oxygen with those in need during rescue situations. 

The new apparatus is designed to be easy to assemble, disassemble and clean – vital for Fire Services that are now further prioritising thorough and consistent cleaning processes to deal with contaminants.  

Liz Millward, Marketing Manager at Dräger Safety UK, commented: “Dräger’s BG ProAir is evidence of our commitment to continual improvement. It delivers new functionality that has the potential to save lives and will improve wearer comfort, especially important when attending the most challenging, longer-duration incidents.’’ 

South Fulton firefighters secure wage increase and better working conditions

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South Fulton, GA Local 3920 recently signed its first collective bargaining agreement – the second of its kind in Georgia’s history. The new contract includes significant wage increases and improvements in employment conditions for members.

“We have accomplished a great deal,” said Capt. Andrea Hall, former Local 3920 president, who negotiated the agreement alongside 12th District Vice President Walt Dix and Randy Wyse, IAFF District Field Service Representative and president of Jacksonville, FL Local 122.

International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Ed Kelly attended the signing, emphasized the day’s significance. He said: “You’ll find that when we go to the table and we use our voice, the people that benefit the most are the very people that we took an oath to protect. More often than not, the citizens we serve in municipalities and counties where they have collective bargaining agreements, where they can recruit and maintain their workforce, have a safer city.”

“As sure as we took an oath, our elected [officials] took an oath. And, we will, through this process, live up to the oaths we took to the citizens we swore to protect. We will only get better as fire fighters, as a fire department, as paramedics, as EMTS, as first responders, through the advocacy that collective bargaining provides us.”

Both Hall and Eric Patterson, current president of Local 3920, credited the collaboration among city officials. “They fought for us,” said Patterson. “If it were not for the City Council of South Fulton, we would not be here today. Hopefully, together, we’ll keep it moving [forward] and make a better 3920 than we’ve ever had. We’ll support the city, the citizens and everything about South Fulton.”

Cuts are stretching fire service’s ability to respond says FBU

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The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said that cuts are stretching the fire service’s ability to respond as the UK experiences record heat. Firefighters and control staff have been stretched to the limit, responding to wildfires and other incidents as the country faces record temperatures. 

15 fire and rescue services declared major incidents, highlighting the scale of the challenges firefighters and control have faced. Each of these services have had firefighter numbers slashed.

The FBU said Firefighters are working in extreme heat and conditions for excessive periods of time. Employers have had to ask people to give up leave to assist because of staff shortages. There have been a number of injuries to FBU members over the past two days, including hospitalisations.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “Firefighters are at the forefront of the climate emergency. The demands of the job are increasing but our resources have been under attack by government cuts for over a decade. 11,500 firefighter jobs have been slashed since 2010. 

“We have warned of the growing threat for years but our concerns have fallen on deaf ears. The brutal truth is that government ministers and Chief Fire Officers have ignored the warning signs which have been obvious for all to see. They are guilty of criminal complacency. 

“The fire and rescue service should plan for foreseeable risk. The stark reality is that frontline firefighters and local communities have been let down by a combined failure of Chief Fire Officers and politicians to face up to the scale of the challenge. It is simply untrue to say they have not been warned year after year of the risks posed by climate change.

“The same people then tell frontline firefighters to tighten their belts and accept a cut in their pay. We will not accept a paltry pay offer of 2% when the demands of the job are increasing, and the cost of food, fuel, energy and almost everything else is soaring. 

“There is a growing anger at the way firefighters have been treated for more than a decade and at the way our service is being dismantled in front of our eyes.”

Volume Control: mitigating the risk of occupational noise

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Craig Storey, Noise Measurement Expert at Cirrus Research, discusses the importance of monitoring firefighters’ noise exposure

Occupational noise exposure is a hazard associated with many professions. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, sets out clearly defined exposure limits for noise that all employers must ensure their personnel do not breach. This is key to protecting people from Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) amongst other debilitating conditions, such as tinnitus, hyperacusis, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke.

Firefighting is arguably one of the most hearing-critical occupations. The hearing health of firefighters concerns much more than just the conservation of hearing, however. Hearing is crucial in preventing injury in the firefighting environment. Smoke minimises visual cues, and high levels of background noise and stress-related distractions can affect the safety and ability of personnel.

Firefighters should have adequate hearing acuity to hear someone call for help; the low-pressure alarm from self-contained breathing apparatus that indicates that the device is running out of air; sounds associated with imminent building collapse; and to hear sounds associated with changes in a fire pattern.

The key to ensuring the safety of firefighting personnel is to understand what noise levels they are exposed to while carrying out their duties. Firefighters must have their hearing protected from the loud noises associated with their duties, while ensuring that any PPE provided does not obscure their hearing for the reasons referenced above. To get this balance right, it means monitoring personnel’s noise exposure in all work scenarios correctly and accurately and using the data to inform choices on the hearing protection they need. However, this is not an easy task when there is a huge variety among the many roles carried out by firefighters.

How to assess the risk of noise effectively and accurately

The most effective solution to assess firefighters’ noise exposure is to use a noise dosimeter that features octave band filters. A noise dosimeter, often called a personal noise exposure meter, is a small wearable device that fixes to a person’s shoulder. It is a compact and lightweight instrument that can be worn throughout the course of the wearer’s shift while gathering all the noise data required to comply with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations.

Octave band filters break the recorded noise levels down into their frequency bands, which when analysed using specialist software, can be used to select the most appropriate hearing protection specific to the noise levels recorded.

Contrary to what many people think about hearing protection, it is entirely possible to be either under or over-protected. Both come with their own set of risks. In the case of under-protection, the chance of a firefighter developing noise-related health conditions increases. Over-protection may inhibit their ability to hear important sounds related to the safe and effective discharge of their duties.

A noise dosimeter, such as the Advanced doseBadge5 from Cirrus Research, provides all the functionality required to effectively measure and monitor personal noise exposure for fire and safety professionals. With octave band filters as standard and the ability to measure all occupational noise parameters simultaneously, the Advanced doseBadge5 makes personal noise monitoring straightforward.

Cirrus Research supplies every noise dosimeter with its licence-free data download, analysis and reporting software, NoiseTools. NoiseTools features an extensive database of hearing protection that, based on the octave band data captured by the Advanced doseBadge5, provides a comprehensive list of the most suitable PPE based on the specific noise levels and frequency measured.

Where does the noise risk to firefighters come from?

Noise is a part of the causal mechanism leading to hearing injury and can cause hearing loss. Firefighters are exposed intermittently to high-intensity noise. However, firefighters can tend to accept noise exposure as inevitable.

When you look at the potential occurrence of exposure to high noise levels on a typical firefighter’s day, the risks can come from three main categories of activity. These are scheduled activities such as BA tests, compressor tests, and siren tests; training exercises on various pieces of equipment; and actual call-outs.

Typical noise levels from, for example, BA board tests within a fire engine’s cabin can often breach the Upper Action Level of 85 dB(A). Similarly, the routine testing of airbags, loud hailers and sounders also creates noise levels above the Upper Action Level. Measurements taken while testing field equipment, such as spreaders and cutters, also generate noise levels well above the Upper Action Level of 85 dB(A).

With the varied nature of firefighters’ daily work, knowing which equipment can pose a danger to them from a hearing perspective is essential. Effective and successful identification of the noise levels generated by specific pieces of equipment can then allow health and safety managers to take proactive measures to minimise the risk. For example, in a daily testing environment, it may be beneficial to ensure that firefighters wear hearing protection for specific tests.

How to reduce the risk of noise

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations aim to mitigate the risk of occupational noise through a hierarchy of control. In order of effectiveness, this emphasises the elimination of noise at its source; substituting the noise source for quieter equipment, for example; isolating people from noise; and changing the way people work. All of this should be considered ahead of reliance on PPE, such as hearing protection products, which the regulations consider a last resort. The reason for PPE being the least effective method of protection is that managing the correct use of hearing protection solutions is difficult.

The correct product needs to be worn in the correct manner for it to do its job effectively. Having a hearing protection product that is damaged in any way, or is not fitted correctly will greatly reduce its ability to adequately protect its wearer. When selecting suitable hearing protection products, consideration must also be given to their use in conjunction with other PPE that is being worn, such as headwear. In an ideal scenario, of course, the noise is completely eliminated from daily work.

Clearly, in the case of firefighters, some of these approaches are not practicable. The nature of their work is such that noise cannot be controlled to the same extent that it can in a more conventional environment such as a factory or warehouse. Even so, there are things that health and safety professionals can do to mitigate the noise levels that firefighters are exposed to.

One of the most effective things that health and safety professionals can do is source equipment that is proven to be quieter than existing tools. Many organisations operate Buy Quiet schemes that mandate purchasing tools and equipment that produce noise levels below a specific threshold. Appropriate training on the correct use of these tools can also ensure that noise levels are kept to a minimum.

Another effective means of controlling firefighters’ noise exposure is to ensure that nonessential personnel are kept at safe distances during noisy tests. Staff rotation is also a useful way to reduce personnel’s noise exposure. By sharing noisy activities among staff, you can ensure that no one person is exposed for longer than necessary. Knowing the noise levels from equipment and systems that personnel are exposed to can provide helpful information to generate procedures that ensure that they are not unduly exposed. Clearly, in an emergency situation, noise levels cannot always be controlled, but knowing typical noise levels in

This article was originally published in the August edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Southern Colorado establishes Interagency Wildland Fire Team

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In response to the increase in fire activity a group called the Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team has been established led by Superintendent Shane Coyne.

The ‘South Group’ is made up of people from Security Fire Protection District, Hanover Fire Protection District, Fountain Fire Department, Stratmoor Hills Fire Protection District, Fort Carson Fire and Emergency Services, and Southwest Highway 115 Fire Protection District.

This newly formed team will consist of highly trained, motivated, and experienced wildland firefighters from across the region.

“I am sober to the work that continues ahead but honoured and excited by this opportunity to create a new wildland fire team,” said superintendent Shane Coyne of the Southern Colorado Interagency Wildland Fire Team.

“On these red flag days were actually manning extra apparatus or combining it with apparatus that are already down here. So that when the fire call does come out, we’re on scene way quicker and we’re not trying to respond from various locations throughout the county to get here.”

Chief Robert Fisher, Fort Carson Fire and Emergency Services said the formalising the partnership will allow them to cut the number of calls they will need to make to agencies to source available emergency responders.

Coyne continued: “In the big picture we just have to realise that fire season is all year long and that we can get a big fire anytime of the year. We can’t let our guard down, there’s no time to rest really. We always have to think that even if it’s December and we think there’s snow on the ground, we think it’s cold that fire could get up and move.

“Every time we’ve had a challenge or something to work through, we’ve made it through that and it has come together actually very quickly.” He added: “This team’s journey will always be a mountain with no top but we are driven by the desire to serve others.”

Wet weather delays fire season in New South Wales

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Wet weather has slowed fire mitigation efforts in New South Wales, Australia, resulting in only 40 per cent of scheduled works being completed in the past 12 months, with authorities warning that summer fires could be on the way.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has treated 40,000 hectares through burning, grazing and clearing efforts – which will offer asset protection to 47,000 homes in the latest financial year – significantly short of its 102,600-hectare target. The previous financial year saw 176,000 hectares burnt.

However authorities have warned that the wet weather does not mean the risk of summer fires has disappeared.

NSW RFS deputy commissioner of field operations Peter McKechnie said: “While we have seen significant rainfall over most if not all of the state over the last 12 months, including significant flooding events, we have continued to see good growth in the grassland areas.”

He added: “Grass fires just start so easily, they move extremely quickly,” he said. “While all fires are influenced by wind, grass fires are whipped up quickly and the slightest gust of wind in any direction can see the grassfire change direction as well.”

It is hoped that the RFS will be able to give a better indication of the fire risk for the coming season towards the end of August.

McKechnie said people should still prepare for the possibility of fires by taking steps such as removing flammable material from around the home, cleaning gutters, trimming branches and preparing bushfire plans with family or those living on the property.

He added that while 5.5 million hectares of the state had burnt in 2019-20, these areas were regenerating and they would experience fires again.

National Collaborative PPE Framework celebrates five years of success

by Featured NewsPPEProducts

The National Collaborative PPE Framework is celebrating five years of success of delivering high-quality PPE to Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) across the UK. 

Launched in June 2017 to streamline the PPE procurement process, the scheme has since delivered protective clothing to around two thirds of FRSs across the country, equating to more than 30,000 firefighters.

Created with a view to sharing best practice and delivering efficiencies, the National Framework is managed by the National Fire Chiefs Council’s National Procurement Hub’s Lead Authority for PPE and Clothing Category at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, with PPE supplied by MSA Bristol – a global leader in the design and manufacture of PPE for firefighters.

The PPE range includes Full Structural Ensemble, a Layered Jacket, Rescue Jacket and USAR Ensemble, with selected styles combining innovative and ergonomic designs with the use of high-performance fabrics and fibres from leading suppliers such as WL Gore, PBI Performance Products and Hainsworth.   

By taking part in the scheme, FRSs have access to high quality PPE with the reassurance that it has been independently evaluated and tested.  Whilst purchase-only contracts are available, the majority have opted for managed services contracts, whereby kit is regularly cleaned, inspected, decontaminated and repaired at one of MSA Bristol’s three in-house UK Service Centres.

Fire and Rescue Services that have recently signed up to the scheme include North Yorkshire FRS, Leicestershire FRS and Oxfordshire FRS.  

Sarah Walsh, Framework Manager, commented: “The National Collaborative PPE Framework has proved a huge success, resulting in time and cost efficiencies for Fire Services around the country, whilst providing robust and comfortable PPE protection for firefighters on the ground, as well as longer-term health protection through the regular professional servicing of these garments.

“From the outset, the Framework’s Strategic Board Team has worked closely with MSA Bristol to ensure the provision of a top-quality service from sign-up, to delivery, to ongoing after-care, ensuring continuity of service despite the disruptions and challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.  The scheme is an excellent example of successful partnership, collaboration and service delivery. Both ourselves and MSA Bristol are always looking to innovations, as well as to the sector’s requirements, to ensure that any technical refreshes are looked into further for the benefits to end users. It is even more relevant now than it was in the beginning of the Framework, when more research is published on subjects like contaminants, we look at how we can incorporate the recommendations made into the Framework.”

Philip Tasker, UK and Ireland Sales Director at MSA Bristol, added: “Over the past five years, the Collaborative Framework has succeeded in significantly improving and simplifying the procurement process for UK FRSs, making it easier and more affordable for fire services to access the best quality PPE as well as essential managed services. 

“MSA Bristol has been privileged to work alongside Kent FRS to deliver these services, and we’re looking forward to continuing this relationship in the years to come.”

Further information can be found at: https://gb.msasafety.com/MSA-Bristol

Big Bear Fire department orders Pierce fire Apparatus

by Featured NewsProductsVehicles

Pierce Manufacturing Inc. has announced that the Big Bear, California Fire Department placed an order for three custom Pierce fire apparatus, including two Pierce Arrow XT 4×4 pumpers and an Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower with mid-mount configuration.

The new fire apparatus purchase is part of a fleet upgrade and replacement initiative for the Department and was coordinated through authorized Pierce dealer, South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc.

Big Bear Fire Department Captain Norman Dykesten explained: “Due to economic challenges and a consolidation nearly 15 years ago, fire apparatus replacements were on hold, making upgrade and replacement initiatives a major priority in recent years.

“As we began the bid process, we appreciated South Coast Fire Equipment’s responsiveness and efforts to introduce configurations we didn’t know existed. The value and quality construction we received from Pierce within our available resources were immense, and we are confident the new fire apparatus will be exactly what we need to continue serving our community.”

Big Bear Fire Department’s new fire apparatus will feature:

Pierce Arrow XT 4×4 Pumpers

  • Arrow XT chassis
  • 500-gallon water tank
  • 1,500 gpm pump
  • Cummins X12 engine
  • Command Zone™ Multiplex Electronics

Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower

  • Arrow XT chassis
  • Mid-mount configuration
  • 300-gallon water tank
  • 2,000 gpm pump
  • Cummins X15 605 hp engine
  • Integrated ground pads
  • 20’ setback capacity
  • 20-degree below grade operation
  • TAK-4 T-3™ Independent Suspension

The fire apparatus order is the first the Big Bear Fire Department has placed with South Coast Fire Equipment. Fleet upgrades also include the addition of a Type 3 Model 34 Wildland vehicle from Boise Mobile Equipment.

The Big Bear Fire Department operates out of four fire stations with 58 personnel and responds to over 4,500 calls per year. The service area is a unique mix of rural, mountainous, and urban neighbourhoods. The jurisdiction includes two resorts offering skiing and snowboarding in the winter, as well as mountain bike trails and golfing in the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

The population for this resort community can fluctuate from approximately 17,800 full time residents to upwards of 250,000 on any given day or holiday weekend, depending on tourist activity. This creates an ever-evolving basis of fire suppression and ambulance needs, for which the Big Bear Fire Department must always be prepared.

Captain Dykesten added: “Although San Bernardino County Fire is able to provide immediate assistance should mutual aid become necessary, one of the biggest challenges Big Bear Fire Department faces is significant additional resources are farther away. The next closest community is 25 miles from us. The commute on mountain highways makes accessibility to critical equipment particularly important for our crew.”

Tim Olley, sales representative at South Coast Fire Equipment commented: “We enjoyed having the opportunity to share all of the advanced features Pierce offers to help the Big Bear Fire Department select apparatus to best fit their needs. Our team looks forward to building our relationship and providing dedicated service support for many years to come.”

NFCC urges UK fire services to prepare for future wildfires

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NFCC lead wildfire tactical advisor David Swallow, who is also group commander for Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, has urged UK fire services to undergo wildfire training as the number of wildfire incidents in the country has already almost doubled from 247 across the whole of 2021 to 442 in England and Wales in the year to date.

In an interview with the BBC, Swallow said that the recent heatwave has caused large parts of the country to become ‘bone dry’ and that services need to recognise the risk that is now facing them. “If they don’t, then they’re naïve,” he said.

The wildfire group that Swallow leads brings together members and expertise from firefighters in predominantly rural areas which are more susceptible to wildfires including Northumberland, South Wales, the Peak District and Wiltshire.

Swallow said that every fire service in the UK should have wildfire training in order to teach forces valuable tactics from firefighters more familiar with tackling blazes on grasslands, on moors and in woods.

He said that his wildfire group had for some time been preparing for the increased risk of wildfires from climate change but that the risk was now “immediate”.

He added: “There are very urban services that think that wildfires are low down on the risk list. I understand the need to prioritise resources, but there needs to be a review.”