Problems in London, Ontario

[univmichwolv]

As a current applicant and recent hire, I'm surprised there's not been more discussion of the incident which occurred in London in May 2008. http://www.lfpress.com/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=241062&s=hottopics.

It would appear that the effects of this structure fire continue to affect a large number of that dept's FFs. I just learned about it from a friend who lives in London and has been shocked at the situation and the (lack of a) response from the City and management.

So why no disucssion on FireHall? Is it because there's a widespread acceptance that these types of 'injuries' can/dohappen? Perhaps it's something no one wants to discuss? Perhaps similar incidents occur in most depts and it's not out-of-the-ordinary?

Regardless, this is something that makes me question how badly I want the job/career. I'm aware of the more obvious risks faced everyday, but I was somewhat surprised that so many FFs have been affected in this situation EVEN WITH THEIR TURNOUT GEAR & SCBA, and that there was such a lag in the response re: testing/follow-up.

Have I not done my homework wiith respect to the dangers faced by the brothers? Surely, all of you FTers/volunteers/applicants don't just accept that you'll be injured by hazardous materials in the course of an ordinary call? What am I missing?

[Roadwarrior]

Why no discussion?

a: YOU just learned about it from a friend....how are the rest of us who don't live there supposed to know about it?

b: Many departments do have a quick testing and ongoing monitoring program for such incidents.

c: Yes, there are dangers; it's part of the job. Mitigation is part and parcel of training as with any job.

If your worried, get a job at McDonalds. Oh wait, those burgers will eventually kill you too.

[FLASHOVER05]

If your worried, get a job at McDonalds. Oh wait, those burgers will eventually kill you too.

I want to start a favourite quote thread... that's gotta be my number one!

[irsqyu]

As a current applicant and recent hire, I'm surprised there's not been more discussion of the incident which occurred in London in May 2008. http://www.lfpress.com/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=241062&s=hottopics.

It would appear that the effects of this structure fire continue to affect a large number of that dept's FFs. I just learned about it from a friend who lives in London and has been shocked at the situation and the (lack of a) response from the City and management.

So why no disucssion on FireHall? Is it because there's a widespread acceptance that these types of 'injuries' can/dohappen? Perhaps it's something no one wants to discuss? Perhaps similar incidents occur in most depts and it's not out-of-the-ordinary?

Regardless, this is something that makes me question how badly I want the job/career. I'm aware of the more obvious risks faced everyday, but I was somewhat surprised that so many FFs have been affected in this situation EVEN WITH THEIR TURNOUT GEAR & SCBA, and that there was such a lag in the response re: testing/follow-up.

Have I not done my homework wiith respect to the dangers faced by the brothers? Surely, all of you FTers/volunteers/applicants don't just accept that you'll be injured by hazardous materials in the course of an ordinary call? What am I missing?

Obviously you should have looked a little closer.
http://www.firehall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16413

[FitSsikS]

Firstly,

Firefighters love to rip the crap out of incidents that we hear about. (I did read an article about this call.) That said, if bros are hurt we tread lightly...err..lighter.;)

You are protected quite well by your scba and the rest of your PPE. However you have to stay out of the chemical cocktail to the best of your ability...no no...scratch that, your Capt has to make sure you stay out of there. That means when you are changing your bottles, drinking, eating and oh ya...no ripping off your wet gloves and grabbing a snack during rehab either. Btw, this is especially true when there nothing to gain! If memory serves me correctly there was nothing to gain at this call right?

I take my hat off to the first officer you has the balls to do the right thing and let these fires burn at a high temperature while protecting exposures, just like the experts say.*

*Reference to industrial fires with large amounts of chemicals present.

Rest easy there bud, if you don't inhale, ingest or absorb this junk your going to be AOK.

Sound rediculous or impossible?

Stay upwind whenever possible. ie when changing bottles.

This MUST be taken into account for Staging, Rehab, Base.....everything.

No eating, drinking, touching your nose, face or eyes without first properly decontaminating yourself. If your skin has not come into contact with chemicals themselves keep in mind it will when you remove your PPE.

We have to get a handle on the "I can take it." attitude as well.

Quote Bull from BackDaft, "Save your air."

[Fire97]

As a current applicant and recent hire, I'm surprised there's not been more discussion of the incident which occurred in London in May 2008. http://www.lfpress.com/perl-bin/publish.cgi?x=articles&p=241062&s=hottopics.

It would appear that the effects of this structure fire continue to affect a large number of that dept's FFs. I just learned about it from a friend who lives in London and has been shocked at the situation and the (lack of a) response from the City and management.

So why no disucssion on FireHall? Is it because there's a widespread acceptance that these types of 'injuries' can/dohappen? Perhaps it's something no one wants to discuss? Perhaps similar incidents occur in most depts and it's not out-of-the-ordinary?

Regardless, this is something that makes me question how badly I want the job/career. I'm aware of the more obvious risks faced everyday, but I was somewhat surprised that so many FFs have been affected in this situation EVEN WITH THEIR TURNOUT GEAR & SCBA, and that there was such a lag in the response re: testing/follow-up.

Have I not done my homework wiith respect to the dangers faced by the brothers? Surely, all of you FTers/volunteers/applicants don't just accept that you'll be injured by hazardous materials in the course of an ordinary call? What am I missing?

I read about this incident when it happened and after that day we never heard of it again, that's what happens in these situations. I was working a hazmat call in Vaughan where one of thier trucks pulled up to scene and everyone piled out gang busters and everyione dropped to the ground, that was two years ago and it made the paper once and never heard of again. This job has alot of danger involved but it is incompetency that gets you hurt. I've seen situations that would make your head spin but with the use of proper PPE and training you should be safe. Decon is of the utmost importance as stated earlier in this thread and it has to be performed properly aswell. If ever in doubt about safety, talk to your Capt. maybe you see something they don't. Someone did post a thread about this but no one really wants to talk about it , do we??? There are many Dept's out there that have this same thing happening to them, and people are dying because of it. Pre-planning may be where it is at, in the case of London, perhaps they would have known what kind of chemicals they were dealing with, but that said, hindsight is 20/20. It is the responsibilty of each and everyone of us to stay safe and make sure Everyone goes home.
At the end of the day, I think alot of us have excepted the fact that this job comes with great risks and not one incident is like the next, you may need to do some more research and weigh the pro's and con's.

97 out!

[JRandall]

Everyone should consider a detox regiment of some kind.

Sit in a sauna regularly to purge your body of toxins, try hot yoga, anything. The main priority is your longevity in the trade, and no matter how fit you may APPEAR to be on the outside, you may never know what is going on inside your body until it is too late.

Preventative Measures

[FitSsikS]

Everyone should consider a detox regiment of some kind.

Sit in a sauna regularly to purge your body of toxins, try hot yoga, anything. The main priority is your longevity in the trade, and no matter how fit you may APPEAR to be on the outside, you may never know what is going on inside your body until it is too late.

Preventative Measures

While we are on the subject:


Click Detox/Tom Cruise says....thread (http://www.firehall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5388)