Indianapolis, IN (April 20, 2016) - Firefighter Jason Rivera, an 18-year veteran of the fire service and a member of the New Haven (CT) Fire Department, was awarded the 2016 Ray Downey Courage & Valor Award at Wednesday’s Opening Session. Robert Biolchini, chairman of the board, PennWell Corp., presented the award. Fire Department of  New York Battalion Chiefs Joe and Chuck Downey, sons of Ray Downey; Ron Siarnicki, executive director, National Fallen Firefighter Foundation; Chief Ron Kanterman, National Fire Academy Alumni Association; and Bobby Halton, Fire Engineering editor in chief / FDIC education director, also members of the Selection Committee, participated in the ceremony.

Incident Scenario
Just past midnight on March 1, 2015, Firefighter (FF) Jason Rivera responded with other units to a working fire in a 2½-story balloon-frame, wood dwelling. He was assigned to the pipe position.

The call was for a reported structure fire, approximately 500 yards from Engine 6’s quarters, which allowed for a quick response. However, Truck 4, which responds from the same station, was already out at an alarm and would be responding from a district away, delaying the first-due truck significantly. This factor also delayed placement of the second-due engine, as it had to stage on the snow-covered street until the truck arrived.     

On arrival, Engine 6 transmitted a working fire in a 2½-story balloon frame, wood dwelling with fire venting from the second-floor windows and out the front right door (duplex). The fire burned down the stairs. One of the occupants had propped open the door with a shopping cart, creating a flow path. The stairs were on fire from top to bottom. Lt. Herschel Wadley continued his size-up and ordered a 1¾-inch handline to the second floor. At this time, a report of a trapped victim was relayed as Engine 6 began a rapid deployment and an aggressive attack.

Since Truck 4 was delayed, engine companies were assigned the primary search. FF Rivera began to control the stairs and made a push under high heat and zero visibility. On the way up the stairs to the second floor, they were met with heavy hoarding conditions and a well-involved structure fire. Engine 6 began attacking fire and was making headway. At this time, the firefighter assigned to the hydrant radioed that the hydrant was frozen and an alternative water source was needed. Engine 9 quickly backed to Engine 6 and laid hose to a secondary water supply. During this time, the attack team was thinking about the life safety of the victim and knew that survival would be predicated on maximizing the 500-gallon tank on the engine while the relay was established.

FF Rivera continued to push in and extinguish heavy fire until his attack line became hung up at the coupling. Lt. Wadley asked FF Rivera to try to hold his position while he attempted to correct the hoseline issue. Having a hand tool and knowing that Engine 4’s crew was attempting to gain access to the third-floor stairs where the victim was thought to be, FF Rivera, still alone in zero visibility with high heat pushing down on him, breached the wall from the living room to the kitchen. He alternated playing the line into the hole and in front of him into the heavily involved kitchen. He managed his tank water and held his position despite the fact that his body was being burned.

His actions made the Charlie side of the structure more tenable for Engine 4 to perform the primary search. Engine 4 made the stairs in the rear to the third floor and quickly located an unresponsive male. They moved the victim to the rear yard, where they had to negotiate a fence and deep snow.

WILSONVILLE, OR—FLIR Systems, Inc. announced that it will begin distributing bundled packages of the DJI Zenmuse XT stabilized thermal camera powered by FLIR with the DJI Inspire 1 drone. FLIR will distribute two configurations of the FLIR Aerial First Responder Kit, Basic or Advanced, to bring drone-powered thermal imaging to firefighters, emergency response teams, and search and rescue (SAR) operations in ready-to-fly bundles. 

By combining the flight stability, gimbal technology, mobile app integration, and image transmission of the popular and proven DJI Inspire 1 with the industry-leading thermal imaging technology of FLIR in the Zenmuse XT, these packages are the ultimate solutions for reliable, rapidly-deployable aerial thermal imaging. The FLIR-equipped DJI drone packages offer first responders added support with the ability to see through smoke, assess the scene from an aerial perspective, and keep track of their personnel in large fire scenes. For search and rescue operators, they offer valuable observation capabilities in dangerous environments when time is critical.  

“FLIR is proud to offer these drone thermal imaging solutions from the world’s top drone manufacturer to the first responder community,” said Jeff Frank, FLIR’s Senior Vice President for Product Strategy. “We are pleased that our strategic collaboration with DJI enables us to deliver complete drone solutions that aid first responders in saving lives.  With our heritage of providing products to first responders, we’re in a perfect position to bring these technologies to those who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe.”

FLIR Aerial First Responder Kit - Basic, includes the 336x256 resolution Zenmuse XT with a 45 degree lens, while the Advanced package sports a higher, 640x480 resolution Zenmuse XT and a 45 degree lens. The Advanced package also includes a second controller so that one controller can be dedicated to aircraft control and the other used for camera control and configuration. All controllers receive live digital video downlink on the Apple iPad Mini included with each controller.

For more information, visit www.flir.com/dronepacks.

When Firefighters need protetion from thermal events, it should start in the right place: Next to their skin. TenCate Protective Fabrics and DFND partner to bring the American Firefighter the latest innovation in base-layer, flame-resistant protection.  

The FireDFND Collection includes base-layer short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, and boxer, all made from the comfortable FR fabric TenCate TechT4. This new collection is available to view at Booth 1915 during FDIC International 2016.

The FireDFND collection by DFND is designed by firefighters for firefighters. For far too long, station wear lacked a base-layer protection so whenever first responders are called to duty, there's a layer of FR protection to keep American Firefighters ready to serve. After the years of field testing and firefighter evaluation, we are confident the FireDFND Collection by DFND will be the new choice of base-layer for fire departments everywhere.

This short sleeve shirt is a performance-based shirt that is meant for a high-performance job. It is made with an inherently FR blend without any harsh fire-retardant chemical treatment applied. This means the fiber blend that makes the yarn is flame-resistant forever; protection will never wash out or wear away.

The FireDFND Collection by DFND are non-fading, non-shrinking, highly breathable and are inherently wicking for excellent moisture management. 

The FireDFND Collection will keep its shape and color better and last longer than typical cotton shirts. The FireDFND Collection is affordable while not sacrificing quality. When the life cycle of a garment is extended, the cost of replacement goes down. The FireDFND collection is available for entire commands, departments, or individual buyers. You will see significant cost savings, long wear life and an excellent value proposition.

The FireDFND Collection is being manufactured using a fabric supplied by TenCate Protective Fabrics called TechT4™ with Coolderm™ Technology. TenCate TechT4™ is an inherently FR base-layer fabric. TenCate TechT4™ is a non-contributory FR fabric, meaning that it will not melt, ignite, drip, or char. This is in accordance with the standards set forth by the Department of Homeland Security’s Dual Certified NFPA 1975/1977 Project, more commonly known as the DHS Wildland Firefighting (WLFF) PPE Garment system.

It is worth noting that the NFPA has no standard regarding base-layer garments other than the aforementioned. While TechT4™ is not certified, neither is cotton. Cotton may ignite and burn during a thermal event; TechT4™ will not.

When used as a base layer underneath FR stationwear, turnout gear or other FR gear, TechT4™ garments enhance the protection and provide an extra layer of protection, while cotton may not. Other base-layer fabrics, like many popular, moisture-wicking blends that include polyester, spandex or nylon, could melt to the skin during a thermal event, which could hurt a firefighter even more.

Like some popular athletic performance base-layer fabrics, the fiber blend of TenCate TechT4™ provides excellent moisture management. TenCate Coolderm™ Technology provides an evaporative cooling effect in warm climates and helps to regulate body temperature in cooler climates. Sweat and moisture are drawn, or wicked, away from the body and dispersed over a wide area of the fabric to ensure quicker drying times. 

In wildland firefighting scenario, this wicking action will help to increase firefighter performance by working to keep core temperatures lower. A co

Bobby Halton takes a look at Tuesday at FDIC International 2016.

FDIC 2016: Raising the Bar

Video: On the Training Grounds