Fire department availability

A tank burst when exposed to fire for 90 minutes. During this time the Fire Department had, on advice of the refinery staff, used the available water for cooling surrounding tanks to prevent the fire spreading. The relief valve, it was believed, would prevent the tank bursting. They failed to realize that the tank could burst because the metal could get too hot and lose its strength. Below the liquid level the boiling liquid kept the metal cool, but above the liquid level the metal softened and burst at a pressure below that at which the relief valve would operate. 

The above data should be useful for tlie planning to be accomplished by tlie local emergency planning committee and first responders, especially fire departments and HAZMAT teams. Both tlie hazards analysis (discussed in detail in Parts II and IV) and tlie development of emergency countermeasures should be facilitated by the availability of MSDS information. If significant new information regarding a chemical is discovered, revised material safely data sheets must be submitted. 

The iiifornialioii from Tier II and on-site inspections should help the local fire department in the development of prefire plans. Tlie information submitted by facilities midcr Sections 311 and 312 must generally be made available to tlie public by state and local govermneiits during normal working hours. 

Strength Responders were thoroughly debriefed when they returned to the CP from operations in the hot zone. Logistical support was timely in processing requests once they were established. Additional maps were available at the CP within the first hour. Railroad consists received at the CP within the first hour. Written preplans were used for searches of mill facilities GVW Fire Department walks down all Avondale facilities annually. 

Strength Internal Fire Department communications were successful. Nextel was used as backup communication for privacy of command staff conversations. Primary fire department communications occurred via E-Tower which was restricted to GVW Fire Department use. Dispatcher initiated all-call page for other county fire departments to be on standby. State of South Carolina provided additional communications capabilities through 800 MHz radio. Faxes, phones, etc. available on Haz-Mat units was a key factor in good communications. Twice a day briefings with written objectives were conducted at UCP (Unified CP) status of previously established objectives were updated at each briefing. 

Strength Recorder position for fire department implemented upon activation of the UCP. Assistant Chief/Chief was available on the scene throughout the event. 

U.S. Fire Administration NFIRS Response data submitted by local fire departments 1980-Present Includes fire and explosion incidents with no/little release, incidents resulting in property damage only, and near-misses if fire department was called Limited state participation Represents limited information available to fire department at time of response Checklist approach limits respondent choices Not designed to be a lessons-learned database... 

A system for reporting fires and alerting the plant fire brigade and the municipal fire department should be provided. This system should be as simple as possible to minimize the potential for confusion in emergencies. The preferred design is a multiplex system that alarms in the control room or some other 24-hour constantly attended location and activates visual devices, such as strobes or beacons, and audible notification devices, such as a steam whistle, air horn, or tone generator. Complete systems are available from recognized vendors. 

The type of fire alarm system should be chosen based on personnel resources available at the facility. For continuously staffed facilities, proprietary supervised systems are preferred. For facilities staffed less than continuously, remote supervised station or central station fire alarms system are usually considered. In these systems, alarms are monitored by an outside firm responsible for alerting appropriate personnel or by the local fire department. 

According to the vendor, major oil companies have been using ADP-7 for over 15 years to clean up crude oil leaks on the ground at oil fields. Several fire departments also use ADP-7 to clean up gasoline and diesel leaks at auto accident sites. This product is currently in use and is commercially available. 

First, though, you need information. You need to know about the selection process for firefighters. This chapter outlines the basic process in its many steps. Not every fire department includes all of the steps discussed. The particulars of the process in the city where you are applying are usually available from the city human resources department or the fire department itself... 

Many fire departments conduct training sessions for would-be applicants to help them get up to the required level of fitness. Some allow you to walk through the course ahead of time. If any of these opportunities are available to you, be sure to use them. 

A job announcement states, The application period for this position is from January 15 through March 1. Applications are available at the Fire Department at 600 Main Street. Application forms must be received at the department by 5 00 p.m. on the closing date of the application period. Which of the following statements describes this announcement most clearly and accurately ... 

Caution Think Never underestimate the potential of any fire and never overestimate the capacity of the available fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire. The sooner you attack the fire, the easier it is to put out Any delay means possible disaster to life and property. Also ensure that the higher authorities, other local laboratories and fire departments are immediately notified. 

The option for disposal of potentially explosive materials is to have it detonated under carefully controlled conditions. Some laboratories and industries may have personnel trained in explosive handling, and they may be able to remove and detonate the material on their site where no damage will result. Alternatively, some contract waste disposal firms have the capability to remove and dispose of explosive material. It also is possible to make arrangements with a local squad who handles explosives (or even a fire department) to collect, remove, and detonate the material under safe conditions. In all situations, the chemist should provide the disposal expert with whatever information is available on the hazards of the chemical(s). 

Outside resources can provide valuable assistance in the education and training of brigade members. Local fire departments and state fire schools are usually enthusiastic partners in such efforts. Often they are the key to securing adequate resources at a reasonable cost. In industrialized communities, mutual aid agreements may include cooperative training provisions with other chemical facilities, which provide opportunities for even more effective use of available resources. All mutual aid agreements should require cross-training in special hazards at the other facilities. 

Flood and fire protection. Many industrial plants are located along rivers or near large bodies of water, and there are risks of flood or hurricane damage. Before selecting a plant site, the regional history of natural events of this type should be examined and the consequences of such occurrences considered. Protection from losses by fire is another important factor in selecting a plant location. In case of a major fire, assistance from outside fire departments should be available. Fire hazards in the immediate area surrounding the plant site must not be overlooked. 

Communication to the nation s 33,000 fire departments of the availability of burn center resource information and triage recommendations on the ABA Web site, as well as the availability of burn center transfer stickers with specific burn center contact information for their area that are designed for placement on first-responder incident boards. 

Communication to fire departments and other first responders, hospital emergency room physicians in the nation s 7000 hospitals, and others regarding the availability of advanced burn life support (ABLS) training through both the traditional ABLS courses and the new Web-based ABLS Now course. 

Find out about special assistance that may be available in your community. Register with the office of emergency services or fire department for assistance, so needed help can be provided quickly in an emergency. 

---