The Mesquite City Council voted last week to continue forward in its current course to build a new fire station on Mesquite Boulevard, despite a significant increase to the construction cost projections for the project, MVProgress.com reported.

In the September 13 meeting, the council voted to use American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to make up a $5 million difference in what was originally allocated for the project, the report said.

In March, the council approved a city-owned parcel at 105 Mesquite Boulevard, just south of the public library branch, as the site for the new station. At that time, the cost projections for construction were between $6.6 and $7 million, according to the report.

The council decided then to fund the station using Redevelopment Authority (RDA) money. This would allow the city to employ a Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) technique thought to be the most economic and quality-driven method. At that time, it was thought that the use of federal ARPA would not allow CMAR projects, the report said.

But in a presentation before the council at last week’s meeting, a city official said that many things had changed since last March, according to the report.

A city official explained that the city had entered into pre-construction services with CORE Construction as the designated CMAR. CORE had run preliminary cost estimates and come back with a total of $12 million for the project, nearly double the original allotment, the report said.

For more on this story, please go to MVProgress.com.

Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow

Those of us who are old enough to remember the old “Gomer Pyle, USMC” television sitcom from the 1960s may recall Sergeant Carter yelling at Gomer, “I can’t hear you.” Well, in today’s fire service, the statement “I can’t see you” appears to be a growing problem.

The issue is the fascination with using apparatus and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) that is not visible in all lighting conditions. This column will stir up some emotions, but I hope it makes you think.

I will start with PPE. Black turnout gear is not as visible as nonblack. If we have a firefighter down/missing on the scene, do we not want him to be as visible as possible? And, it is a scientifically proven fact that black gear absorbs more heat than nonblack gear while the wearer is engaged in interior and exterior firefighting. Manufacturers spend tons of money on research to find ways to reduce heat stress, yet many of their customers insist on black gear. Moreover, with the emphasis on using clean gear, black gear hides dirt. As a profession, we need to use PPE products that show dirt and contamination so they can be cleaned. If the dirt/contamination is hidden, then we probably are using PPE that is harmful to our health. Tradition is great for museums, ceremonies, comraderies, and celebrations but not for the present-day emergency scene. Why would any department or fire chief insist on using products that are known to be more harmful to the members, especially when it comes to something as simple as color? There are no cost issues involved.

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I have another concern over the acceptable use of black on our apparatus. When I look at photos of new apparatus deliveries in this magazine and apparatus on display at trade shows, the amount of black on apparatus is increasing. Black is the least visible color in all lighting conditions—a blinding snowstorm aside. Chrome bumpers and bright shine aluminum diamond plate are being replaced with black steel or black-painted treadplate. Those beautiful shiny aluminum polished wheels or chrome wheel covers are being replaced with black wheels. From a safety point of view, the egregious use of black reflective striping along the sides of apparatus and part of the chevron striping on the rear of apparatus is concerning. This is a total disregard for the safety of both firefighters and the avoidance of other vehicles crashing into the apparatus. Insurance companies should consider a rate increase for apparatus that are designed and built with disregard for safety-related visibility features.

This past June, this column was about the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) study “Effects of Emergency Vehicle Lighting Characteristics on Driver Perception and Behavior.” One point made in the column was a quote from the study, which stated, “The presence of high-reflectivity chevron markings seemed to make it more difficult for drivers to see responders working around their vehicles at night, even when the responder wear safety vests.” I have since

A Horry County (SC) Fire Rescue firefighter helped one small alligator to the swamp on Monday, WMBFnews.com reported.

Crews from Station 3 in Bucksport noticed the little gator near a small puddle under the fire engine. One of the firefighters was able to pick up the little guy and relocate him to a safe spot in a nearby swamp, the report said.

Chief Concerns Richard Marinucci

Being from the Metropolitan Detroit area (the Motor City), the organizations I have been affiliated with have had access to newer model cars for practice and also valuable information on changes in automobiles that can affect response and performance. Not every part of the country is so fortunate.

Having these resources nearby was very helpful in practicing and improving extrication techniques and capabilities. As new challenges arose because of changes in manufacturing and materials, fire departments in this area could “work” on late model vehicles, those most likely to be involved in a wreck, vs. an older model from a junkyard.

Even with some of these resources, it is difficult to keep up. In the not-too-distant past, there were basically two ways to power automobiles— gasoline and diesel. Today, you can get these plus electric (EV), hybrid, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, and more. Each creates different challenges for extrication and other responses, like vehicle fires. In addition to the fuel variances, vehicles continue to use new materials, both metal and plastic, in their construction. The electronics on cars are very sophisticated and require responders to have some working knowledge of them. Added all together, there are no longer any simple car extrications or car fires.

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Knowing what you are facing in any type of emergency is critical to providing quality service that makes a difference to those involved in the emergency and to those responding so they can minimize their risks while doing their job. The fact that just this one aspect of the job has gotten much more complicated challenges organizations to stay current in all aspects of the job. When looking at responses involving vehicles, consider the extrication possibilities and fire hazards. And, since you will most likely be working on a roadway, creating the proper work zone is essential.

There must be a difference in approach depending on whether it’s a fire or an extrication. An extrication involves emergency medical services with a chance to positively affect the outcome. Anyone trapped in a vehicle is most likely injured. The extent of the injury determines the pace and extent

Three new fire engines have arrived to help the Casper Fire-EMS Department respond to emergencies in the community, OilCity.News reported.

Engines 2, 3 and 6 have all been inspected by Casper Fire-EMS personnel and will be placed into service this week, the department said in a press release on Monday. Ceremonies will be held for the first day of service for each engine at its respective station, and residents are welcome to attend.

A ceremony for Engine 3 will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Fire Station 3 at 2140 East 12th Street. The ceremony will include a brief wash-down of the new apparatus and a “push-in” ceremony.

Engine 2 will see its ceremony at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Fire Station 2, 3900 South Coffman. The ceremony for Engine 6 will be held Friday, Sept. 23 at Fire Station 6, 185 Valley Drive.

The “wash-down” and “push-in” ceremonies that will be held for all three engines come from fire department traditions.