Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow

I recently read an article about the rising number of fires caused by electric bicycles and electric scooters. Granted, there has been a lot of study and research about electric car fires. However, there has not been much about the smaller electric modes of transportation.

There are a lot of shoddy batteries being manufactured overseas in use in this country. The bottom line of the article was that we should make sure that any battery being used is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed. And that is a notable example of why we need standards and why first responder personal protective equipment (PPE) is certified by an accredited independent third-party certification agency.

Unfortunately, there remains a lot of misinformation within the fire service about our standards, almost all of which are National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. The fire service paid little attention to standards until the late 1980s, when NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program, was developed. It was the first time a standard was written that prescribed what we “shall” do to improve our safety and health. Prior to that, the existing standards were product standards that had minimal requirements, such as NFPA pamphlet 19, the precursor to NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. However, NFPA 1500 got our attention. It was met with a tremendous amount of resistance and resulted in the technical committee being dissolved and a new committee appointed. It was going to put some fire departments out of business, some claimed.

• Ensure NFPA Automotive Standards Reflect Your Perspective and Interests
• NFPA Standards: A Look Inside the Process

Trying to gain a grasp of the standards-making process was quite the challenge. As with a lot of “so-called news outlets,” there were partial truths and myths that had to be debunked. A couple of these myths still need to be addressed. The first myth is that standards are written by NFPA staff. This is totally false, as NFPA staff members have a lesser voice in the process than anyone else. The standards are developed by volunteer committees whose membership is divided among nine different membership classifications, with no one group having a majority membership.

A second myth to be debunked is the one that says standards are made by the manufacturers. Again, this is totally false. Yes, manufacturers are on technical committees, but they are only one of the nine classifications. Many firefighters think that manufacturers should not have a vote. Having been actively involved as a member of three different t

Toyne—Rochester (NH) Fire Department pumper. Spartan Metro Star LFD with 10-inch raised roof cab and chassis; stainless-steel body; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon water tank; TFT XFT-NJ monitor with 18-inch extension; Onan 8-kW generator; Command Light 442-A-FS LED light tower. Dealer: Jerry McKay, Eastern Fire Apparatus, Milton, NH.

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Twelve firefighters are being sent to different locations after a fire erupted at East Point Fire Station No. 3 on North Commerce Drive late Friday night, 11alive.com reported.

The fire caused massive damage to the station, the report said. East Point authorities said no firefighters were hurt.

The fire destroyed one of the crew’s fire truck engines along with its gear, an East Point fire official said. The roof of the station collapsed in the bay area. Along with the fire truck, some firefighter gear was also damaged.

The living quarters had water damage with some smoke affecting the area.

The East Point Fire Department said the 911 center received a call from a passerby reporting the fire at 11:32 p.m., according to the report. The dispatch center checked in with crews at Fire Station No. 3 and radioed additional firefighters to the scene to help put it out. Neighboring cities’ fire departments also provided support to the station. 

East Point Fire Chief Corey Thornton released a statement, saying the fire has impacted their daily operations. However, they are redeploying the firefighters at Station No. 3 to their two other locations.

“Tragically, the fire at Fire Station #3 destroyed the Bay Area; as well as an Apparatus that was 16 years old, but still viable for service. I and the entire East Point Fire Department frontline and Administrative Team are truly grateful that no lives were lost, and that none of our Firefighters on duty at the time at Station #3 were injured,” the chief’s statement reads in part. 

Thornton added they would continue to provide support to businesses and residents in the area. They are also working to replace any equipment that was lost. 

“We are a strong Department, and we will recover,” Thornton said. 

Officials have not stated what caused the fire. The fire department is currently working on figuring out the costs of repairs and replacement of equipment.

A Semmes Fire-Rescue Department source told NBC 15 News the brakes failed on a ladder truck last Wednesday morning as a lieutenant drove it down a hill on Schillinger Road and into a curve, myNBC15.com reported.

The source says after the rear wheels locked, the truck went sideways, and it rolled, according to the report. One firefighter, who was a passenger, received minor injuries to his shoulder.

NBC 15 News has since obtained an email Captain Charles Couey wrote December 29 warning about the brakes six days before the accident, the same day he says a brand-new fire engine was delivered to the department but not put in service, the report said.

On Monday, Chief Brooks declined an interview request because he said the cause of the crash is still under investigation.