HELLO FIRE EDUCATORS > WHERE IS THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAIINING FOR COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATIONS?

Hello Fire Educators, I have a question for you?

Q: Where is the  Fire Extinguisher Training for commercial motor vehicle operations, motor coach and school bus?

You are a Fire Educator and part of your educations process should include the following area specifically:

* Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations
* Motor Coach Operations
* School Bus Operations
* Mechanic/Motor Vehicle Repair Operations

I work for a commercial motor vehicle operations company that includes motor coaches and school bus. Yes, I have spoke to the higher ups and they seem to blow it off. But if the Fire Dept showed up and spoke to the higher ups telling them the value properties of having Fire Extinguisher Training & Fire Evacuation for all employees;  that the employees will understand the value of the extinguisher and fire evacuation training. They will better understand it and not panic or freak out when the fire alarm is sounded. 

Some of the issues that you might and will run into is the uncertainty of what types of chemicals that you will find. What about the set up of the shop and or equipment that might be up on repair stands and unable to be moved.....(ie..on a jack with missing tires. unsecured overhead storage.)

Here are some pictures.

As you can see by this picture that there is unsecured  overhead storage with a mobile container of oil under a wood structure with a 55 gallon drum of Anti freeze. Behind the ladders that are unsecured is a rack of batteries. Energized electrical Air Compressor right beside the oil drum. A flammable storage cabinet with a mix of flammable aerosol products, grease, battery cable protector spray, etc.

What else can you find in repair facility? Lets see....I'll post some that I have taken and what is your reaction? How does this shop/repair facility even pass a Standard Fire Inspection?

Well lets have a look at what we can find in these cabinets? Flammable Liquids, Aerosols, Bleach, Paints. Have you or do you look at this type of storage to see what you can find to be able to teach/instruct about the proper Fire Extinguisher on hand, its location and training?

Well what do we have here? Yes you can read it correctly......Drain Opener in a cabinet with an aerosol windshield de-icer, paint,  and other combustibles. Why is this not in the flammable Storage Cabinet? What is the correct Fire Extinguisher to have and what size would you suggest to have on hand and its location?

WOW! Bottle oil, Brake fluid, aerosol glass cleaner, Polishing Compounds, Air Brake Line Antifreeze.

Parts Cleaner besides a wood stair case, with flammable storage underneath and a hot pressure washer that runs on electric heating element beside it.

Uhm......whats wrong here? Yep, you are seeing it correctly. A fire extinguisher placed over a dump area that oil from motor coaches, school bus and Tractors. With flammable storage under an electrical outlet.

Storage of Antifreeze, 80/90 weight gear oil in an open top container, combustibles  other not being defined because its a mix of stuff.

Wow what do we have here.......Flammable storage not being labeled in a drum on a stand containing DIESEL FUEL, with a can of diesel fuel on top used to fill Fuel Filters prior to installing on a truck. This container is about 4 foot to one side of the electrical panel. Flammable Tire Mounting Compound on the floor too the left of the tool box.

This is sitting out in plain view.....clear as day under the window out in front of the office....Yep paint, paint thinner and thin set motor compound.......

Storage under the steps....what do I see behind the mop bucket.....is that an electric hot water heater that is within about 2 feet of water. I see a fire extinguisher. It is a 20 pound Class ABC Fire Extinguisher. Where is the MSDS. Under the First Aid Cabinet under the steps but right above the door to the restroom is a water hose supported by nails running to the pressure washer. So if it bust and water sprays the hot water heater and causes a fire you will not be able to get to the MSDS to know what you might be dealing with in a fire. Also it is chained......guess they feel it might walk off.

Here is a better look at the wood overhead storage that is above an oil drum that is right beside a air compressor that is energized. This structure is made of wood scraps. With heavy wood door panel, fiberglass, and other vehicle equipment stored up there.

So why do we allow this type of stuff to happen. Where are the fire extinguishers placed. One is above a pit that oil is dumped into a drum and then pumped out to a storage tank thru the wall outside for storage. The other is at the front of the building. So if a fire is under the steps you have to reach possible into the fire to retrieve. The other is in a bad area because if the fire starts in the oil pit you will have to get the one from the front of the building. If there was a trailer, Motor Coach, or School Bus there you would have to detour around the equipment to retrieve and use.

This is where your skill, training and expertise will allow you to be a pivotal point in possible saving the business on there Fire Insurance. As you could set up a class on Fire Extinguishers, show the importance, get the employees to attend. Have a class sign up sheet and have them submit the info to there insurance company.

Fire Extinguisher Training and Placement? Why are you not teaching them how to use a Fire Extinguisher with a live burn or a simulator? Why have you not taught the importance of building evacuation when a fire happens and where to meet? Finally, have you addressed the importance of having a hard wire and battery back up Smoke/Co Alarm installed?



The only room that had a smoke detector in the building.....yes it was chirping and someone decided to remove the detector instead of replacing the battery that might cost all of a DOLLAR. If someone was to be napping in this room and a fire broke out in the building how would they be notified of a fire? This building has NO HARD WIRE/BATTERY BACK UP SMOKE/CO ALARM SYSTEM.

So with these issues I ask you to give constructive consideration as to may be why this company is allowed to operate with the clear violations. This is your area of expertise! Use this area. If they do not want to comply then pull there occupant license, file a charge with there insurance company with pictures and even take a video. Contact your County Prosecutor for assistance in compliance with a threat to go to the Licensing and Zoning Board to pull the operations License.

We have all heard the mantra > SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY. So why do you not preach it back to the business Oweners and operators to ensure that there staff is following SAFETY.

I hope you enjoy reading my BLOG's.

Be safe,

Roy







Horriable Accident claims a Truck Drivers Life > SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY.....You must pay attention while operating any type of motor vehicle!

Accidnets; what are they and why do they happen? Have you checked your safety equipment LATELY? I will discuss Fire Extinguisher, labeling and why the current regulations are not sufficiant for commercial motor vehicle, school bus & motor coach use. A commercial motor vehicle operator was killed in a horrific accident in Putnam County, IN on Aug 18, 2011. Per the State Police they were unable to extinguish the fire using the fier extinguishers off the Trucks and Patrol Cars that were stopped because the accident and or not having the proper fire extinguisher.
Accidents > An accdident is defined as:

Ac·ci·dent

   /ˈæksɪdə

noun

1. An undesirable or unfortunate happening that occurs unintentionally and usually results in harm, injury, damage, or loss; casualty; mishap: automobile accidents.

 

2. Law . such a happening resulting in injury that is in no way the fault of the injured person for which compensation or indemnity is legally sought.

 

3. Any event that happens unexpectedly, without a deliberate plan or cause.

 

4. Chance; fortune; luck: I was there by accident.

 

5. A fortuitous circumstance, quality, or characteristic: an accident of birth.

Why do accidents happen?

What type of accident are we discussing you may ask? Any accident is the result of NOT PAYING ATTENTION, TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR ROAD CONDITIONS, DIREGARDING SAFETY REGULATIONS, DISREGARDING/REMOVING SAFE GUARDS, RUSHING TO COMPLETE A JOB. Finally an accident can happen by a result of not being about what you may/might have done. But it is attributed to failure of the machine you might be operating. Failure of a tire, failure of something that you have no control over or operations.


So how can we be more safe to prevent an accident?

Prevetion is a key to helping you stay safe. So how do you be more PRO ACTIVE to prevent an accident? Being Pro Active in safety to prevent an accident is foremost. All accidents are preventable. Ask yourself these questions?

> Did you get enough rest?
> Did you follow too closely?
> Did you do a proper pre trip inspection?
> Did you preform a proper inspection of the equipment prior to operation of the energized equipment?
> Did you remove the safe guards?
The list is endless regarding questions you can ask yourself and others how to be PRO ACTIVE regarding prevention of accidents. These are a few to name, but your safety department and or upper management will have the questions to ask.


Safety Equipment, Do you have the proper Fire Extinguisher in your vehicle?

In the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Book Section 393 of the manul

Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers must be securely mounted and readily accessible for use. Each extinguisher must have a gauge or other indicator that shows whether the extinguisher is fully charged, and a label showing its Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) rating.
The fire extinguisher(s) must meet one of the following standards:

One extinguisher with a UL rating of 5 B:C or more, or

• Two extinguishers each with a UL rating of 4 B:C or more.
• One extinguisher with a UL rating of 10 B:C, if the vehicle is transporting placardable quantities of hazardous material.

Well there is a problem that needs to addressed with this regulation. The problem is that the fire extinguisher rating is not the right class for normal combustibles such as paints, plastic, carpet, brake and brake lines. The current regulations call for the above fire extinguisher in the minimal ratings. Become familiar with your fire extinguisher and what the extinguisher will put out.

Are you familiar with the LETTERS on the Fire Extinguisher? A, B, C, D, E

What does the letters mean too you?
Fire Extinguisher Ratings

	Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish.
	Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can expect to extinguish.
	Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.
	Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

So we ask why does the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allow less standards to be applied to Commercial Motor Vehicles regarding not having the proper Fire Extinguisher be implemented in the Commercial Motor Vehicles, School Bus and Motor Coaches?

Q: Why is this being allowed?

implented for a flammible liquid. But th disregard the other flammable ordianry combustables such as carpet, clothing, paints, brake linings, hoses, etc. They forget that the common fibers in the seats/seat cushions and carpet put off Hyrdocynide /Hydrogen Chloride Gas! This can and will kill you instantly!

Q: So how do we make sure that the right fire extinguisher is equipped on all Commercial Motor Vehicles, School Bus and Motor Coaches?

A: Easy, teach, educate, train and follow up with a visiual inspection. This is where Safety Training comes into play. If you are a Fire Inspector and you have business in your response area that you inspect; it is your job to inspect these fire extinguisher as well as the ones in the business.

If you are Business Owner/Operator it is your responsibality to have your staff do daily checks as well as management do a monthly check. When your yearly check from the Fire Extinguisher Service Company does its yearly inspection these extinguisher are to be done as well.

Q: What if the vehicle is not here on the day the yearly inspection is done?

A: It is simple if it is less then 45 days from yearly service/inspection pull it off the vehicle and replace it with one that has already been done. Stagger the extinguisher so that all of them are not due service/inspection at the same time. Do half at 6 months that other half at 6 months. So this way your covered. Most service/inspections compaines will lease or have a fire extinguisher for use when yours is being serviced, or hydrostatic inspected.

I have attached a link to an article that is well worth the read. A truck driver was horriably killed in a traffice accident as the bystanders, State Police were unable to stop the fire by using the fire extinguishers in the commercial motor vehicles because current federal regualtions only state a minimum of a 5BC fire extinguisher must be equipped on the above mentioned motor vehicles.

A 5BC fire extinguisher can come in as small as 1 pound fire extinguisher. How long will that last? A quick blast and its gone!

So as a Fire Professional why are you not telling the Business Owner/Operators of Tractor Trailer Operations, School Bus and or Motor Coaches not told of the danger of not having a CLASS ABC and a Minimum of at least 10 pound in the truck, bus, motor coach? At least a 20 pound fire extinguisher on all trailers carrying Hazmat Liquids, Flammable Liquids. On a van trailers (dry/reefer) that carries HAZMAT a minimum of a 10 pound dry chemical fire extinguisher should be mounted to these trailers and accessible for rapid deployment for use in case of a fire.

The link to the news story regarding the horrific accident in Indiana (Putnam County) 18 August 2011
http://tribstar.com/news/x1770584610/Deadly-I-70-crash-snarls-traffic

We need to address this problem which is becoming an utmost problem and needs to be addressed immediately first and foremost. This can and will save future lives in case of an accident.

I hope this addressed a life safety problems in the Commercial Motor Vehicle/Motor Coach sitting including school bus. I will post another BLOG to address Fire Extinguisher Training with these industries that I have refereed too.


Safety First and Foremost,
Roy

Missouri State Fair Fire Department the only State Fair Fire Department with a 24/7 fully staffed all Volunteer Fire & EMS Department

In 1962 the Missouri State Fair Fire Department was born. Like a baby it was coddled and brought to life to be a premier and elite all Volunteer Fire and EMS Department in the USA today.

This a fully volunteer Fire and EMS Service that is staffed by dedicated Fire, Rescue and EMS Professionals. During the 11 full days of the State Fair; the work week prior to the Fair opening. Then after the fair closes these professionals do not just pack up and go home. NOPE! These professionals are still on duty for the work week after the fair closes to provide fire and first aid to the workers taking down the fair. This unique Fire and EMS Department functions with a mixture of Union and Volunteer Firefighters, Paramedics, EMT's,  who give there vacation time to staff this department.

The State Fair Fire Department comprised of the following that is donated for use to the State Fair:

> Fire Trucks can come equipped or not equipped
> Rescue Equipment, fire hose, tools, medical equipment etc
> Ambulances, basic medical supplies stocked or an empty ambulance
> Some Fire Equipment Dealers offer tools, or other equipment for use to the fair via the Manufacture.
> EMS Rapid response Carts
The Fair usually has about 4 to 5 fire trucks and even could have a ladder truck and or a tanker. There is usually 5 to 6 Ambulances there as well

Firefighters/Paramedics, EMT's:

These proud professionals dedicated there vacation time from there full time job to Protect and Serve the State Fair and that fair attendees. These men and women are from all over the State of Missouri. You may have Fireifghters/Paramedics/EMT from different fire departments that may take advantage of being on this elite group of professionals during the Fair. The fair fire department has about 75  men and or women will participate and sleep in the separate bunk houses.

The work week prior to the Opening Day of the Fair:

This work week is when fireifghters, staff member's arrive and open the Fire Station. The work week is just that. Cleaning the fire station, bunk rooms, getting the water turned on, making sure the ice machine works, inventorying the equipment donated. If a fire truck arrives unequipped then its there task to gather donated equipment and stock a fire truck. The same goes for the ambulances. While these proud professionals are working to get the equipment ready they are also on stand by for emergency responses to any and all calls on the fair grounds and mutual aid to the city of Sadelia, MO. As each day passes more and more fireifghters and equipment arrives. Once all the arriving crews have arrived got there assignments, trucks they get to pick out a bunk and make there bunk.

Fair Week:

Once the fair starts the fire department functions like a paid 24/7/365 days department. They will do building inspections, fire extinguisher inspections, hood system inspections, sporting event inspections (stands, electrical, rigging) carnival inspections. They also test fire hose, scba's, and other equipment. They run actual medical calls and transport to the local hospital or call for air evac to Columbia, MO to the University Level 1 Trauma Center or to Kansas City, MO other Level 1 & 2 Trauma Centers. They also provide fire protection service and fire extinguisher training to the workers of the tents/stands to make sure that everyone know how to handle a fire extinguisher.  They provide Fire, Rescue, EMS services to sporting events, concerts, demonstrations and at the direction of the State Fair Officials.
On Sporting events that take place you may have to watch bull riding while your friends are watching a concert like George Strait. Some may be watching a dirt track race while others are doing a demonstration at the fire station. Not everyone can work everyday so you can be rotated off the fire truck to the ambulance or ambulance to the fire truck. The only way you will be allowed to be on the ambulance is you must have a current EMT or Paramedic License. You may also have the night off and attend a concert like Wynona Judd and catch a ride to the concert in the back of the ambulance. You may be off but if a mass casualty incident arises your expected to be able to assist.

This year is the first time in the State Fair Fire Departments history that they provided mutual aid to the City of Sadelia, MO Fire Department since 1962.

Fair over and ending work week:

the fair is over you made friends, meet new people, shaked many hands received many Thank You's for your participation. Now is the time you inventory the equipment. Get the donated equipment ready to be taken or shipped back to the rightful Fire and or EMS department. Your there for the fair workers taking down the tents, stands. If there is a fire, or medical emergency your there to serve them. Once all workers are gone, the Fair buildings have been winterized it is a ghost town. Then the dreadful day comes. You wake up say your good byes to the others that have been there with you. The fair has end and the workers are gone.

The work begins on organizing the Fair Fire Dept for the next year as soon as Command gets the date. Many man hours goes into the planning, running of the department.

More information can be obtained from there facebook page.com/Missouri State Fair Fire Department, Fire Fighters Association of Missouri.

Perks for being on the Missouri State Fair Fire Department:
> 3 Free Meals a day,
> Clothing Provided to wear so everyone is dressed in the same white jump suites with the FFAM and State Fair Fire Department Logo on the back
> Free Concerts,

> Free admission to the State Fair and parking.
FFAM > Fire Fighters Association of Missouri 
http://ffam.org/
The fun and joy of meeting new friends that will last a lifetime and seeing smiles on the children's faces as you allow them to jump climb on the fire trucks.

It is believed to be the only State Fair that has a fully functional volunteer Staffed Fire Department for about 25 days a year.

I have been personally on this department many times. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on this elite group of men and women that protect the fair, fair goers, staff and event attendees.

I hope you enjoyed this, happy reading my other blog's on www.rpoteete.blogspot.com
Roy Poteete,
Retired Firefighter/EMTI,

Indianan State Fair Stage Collapse August 2011

WOW! Stage Collapse, High Winds, Thunderstorms bearing down on your location with tens of thousands in attendance waiting for a concert in an outdoor arena. Minutes prior to the incident happening you contact the National Weather Service and you are advised that HIGH WINDS in excess of 60 +/- and thunderstorms bearing down on your location! You want to continue with the concert with a stage canopy about 60 feet in the air that will act as a Kite by catching the winds and could topple on the stage causing injuries and deaths. Concert Promoter/State Fair Organizer > How are you prepared to handle this situation and did you do everything correctly to prevent this incident from happening?

If I was a personal injury lawyer this is what I would ask of the fair organizer and concert promoter.

Well the answer is NO!

NO to all the questions that you could possibly ask regarding public safety with high winds, rain, thunderstorms and possible lightening. The concert promoter stated to State Police Investigators stated that they contacted the national weather service about 15 minutes prior to the winds collapsing the stage super structure killing several and injuring other. They were told that the storm was in the are and high winds of 60 +/- mph.

Ask yourself  > If I allow this to go on with the threat of the weather and person being close to the stage and a possible death and or injuries what are my ramifications and what will my potential OSHA Fines be?

Ask yourself  > I did get the super structure inspected to make sure that it will not topple in high winds or do I need to ask to some of the super structure to removed to protect life, and property?

What lessons can be learned for this incident? In any mass casualty incident(s) there is always lessons that can be learned for them. New lessons will come from this up to and including the way the State Fair is ran regarding Outdoor Concerts/Sporting Events, mass casualty and maybe even having Fire/EMS on standby at all events so the the response time is limited to less then a minute.

I do believe that even if Fire and EMS was on the scene prior to the incident happening and staged away from the stage that some of the deaths might of been serious injuries instead of deaths.

More on this I am sure to be posted by the State Fire Marshall's Office & State Police of Indiana, and OSHA.

OSHA > will investigate any deaths of this type and they will impose a final ruling and can include a penalty/fine.