By Alan M. Petrillo

Fire departments can face confined space rescue situations at any time. There are times, however, when those events are of a larger magnitude than the departments might be prepared for. That's when having firefighters properly trained in confined space work and the right kinds of equipment for the job come into play to rescue victims and secure the scene.

Scene Assessment

Kent Freeman, owner of California Health & Rescue Training, says fire department confined space teams typically should run through the tactical priorities when faced with a confined space event. They have to assess the survival profile of the victim by yelling to get a verbal response or using some type of physical stimulus, he says, as well as use monitoring equipment to assess the atmosphere viability in the space, including getting a reading at the place where the victim is located.

Ventilating the space is important, he maintains, and can be accomplished, depending on the scenario, with a standard smoke ejector like those found on many engine companies or axial and centrifugal fans with ductwork. "They might need to use either a positive or negative pressure system," Freeman observes, "or even a combination of the two."

Tom Fox, director of operations for Leader North America, says that in addition to search cameras and communications equipment used in confined space-the LeaderCAM and LeaderCOM units-Leader also makes the V-Box, an extractor-blower conversion kit that transforms a ventilation fan used in confined space work into an extractor.

Fox says a ventilation fan is positioned inside the V-Box, connects to a duct with quick fasteners, and "canalizes the flow of air for powerful ventilation of confined spaces." He notes that 1.5-horsepower electric fan can move 12,000 to 13,000 cubic feet of air through the flexible ducting. The V-Box can accommodate 16-, 18-, 20-, and 21-inch-diameter fans," he says, adding, "more and quicker air movement is an advantage."

Communication

Communications systems and respiratory protection also are "must-have equipment" in confined space rescues, Freeman points out. "Many fire departments use 800-megahertz (MHz) radios, but that range is terrible for confined space because of its lower wattage," he says. "They use a computer to match people to talk on a frequency, and often the signal can't get out. The radios have to be switched to simplex mode during a confined space event to be able to talk radio to radio."

Freeman says he's found that departments are better off carrying two sets of portable radios-an 800-MHz and a very high frequency (VHF) radio that can transmit farther in confined space situations.

"Never enter into a confined space without first discussing your communications and backup communications systems," Freeman says. "The backup can be rope signals, tapping and rapping signals or codes, or PASS alarm systems. Always work from the high end to the simpler low end. Often the simpler is good because we encumber our entrant with a lot of gear and equipment."

Technicians use a three-piece davit arm made by Capital Safety that allows for more room around the space being accessed compared with a tripod. The davit arm breaks down into sections that pack up easily in rescue or ladder trucks.

Respiratory Protection

The most expensive piece of confined space equipment, Freeman says, is the respiratory

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Wahl on Wednesday January 15, 2014. George began his service to the Skykomish community in the fire department in 1979. In 1992, George was appointed Volunteer Fire Chief for King County Fire Protection District #50, beginning his fulltime career as Chief in May of 1993, serving until 2005 when he retired. 

After moving to Skykomish George Wahl and his family have contributed in many ways to the Skykomish Valley. George operated Maloney’s General Store, built tow trucks with Josh’s, served as Town Marshal, WA State DOT aviation, and owned his own business Wahl Excavation. George was always willing to drop what he was doing to lend a helping hand. 

It is with deep regret and heavy hearts that the Washington Fire Chiefs announces the passing of Captain Don Navarre, a 23-year member of the IAFF. Capt. Navarre lost his 9-year battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on January 19th.

Looking back, a lot has changed over the last thirty years in fire and EMS officer development.  Our industry was considered a trade and a high school diploma was sufficient to get hired.  An Associate’s degree was rare and a Bachelor’s degree was unheard of, even as we promoted through the ranks into management positions.  However, as an industry, we recognized the need to move from a trade to a profession.  There were many topics, such as human resources, finance and budgeting, strategic planning, and the like, that were not covered in high school or the fire academy. 

Realizing this, leaders began to focus on encouraging our incumbents to go back to school and earn a two year technical degree.  Employers also began to give more credit to candidates with college degrees who were seeking employment as a firefighter or paramedic.  This slow evolution created a new norm where a two year degree in fire science was an edge for those competing for company officer promotions or entry level positions.  This created a ripple effect upward and soon raised the bar within the profession for senior incumbents and chief officers.  Chief officers and chief officer candidates were headed back to school to earn their four year college degrees, and fire chief hopefuls were seeking post-graduate degrees.  Today, many entry level firefighters possess graduate and post-graduate degrees, and this has also served to encourage incumbent supervisors who want to lead these new firefighters to obtain more formal education...

The Washington State Fire Chief’s Training and Safety & Officers section are proud to announce that the new Emergency Vehicle Incident Prevention (EVIP) program is approved and in motion!  After a laborious update process the new program has been approved by the State Department of Licensing and the Washington State Patrol, Fire Protection Bureau. There are some major updates to the program that will need to be communicated state-wide.

The new program now has a trainer re-certification policy that requires trainers to have a Train-the-Trainer (T-t-T) refresher course every 5 years. Those who have been trainers under previous EVIP standards will still need to receive this most current T-t-T course and use the current course materials to remain a certified EVIP trainer.  Fire service members may register through the Washington State Fire Chief’s online for any of the upcoming T-t-T courses that are scheduled across the state.  There are also two opportunities to take the course at the Training and Safety & Officer’s Conference in Yakima the first week of March 2014. As part of the T-t-T course students will receive the newest EVIP program disc and all needed materials to bring the EVIP program back to their departments for immediate implementation...