Fire Suppression
Team CommunicationsHazardous Substances
If you would like more details,
please see My 2/27/12 posting on this blog, entitled,
A. OVERVIEW
- Definition: CERT means Community Emergency Response Team.
- Purpose: To tell you about the second, exciting CERT training session, which became a fantastic, unforgettable adventure for us.
- To get right to the point, we covered, in considerable detail, the suppression of fires, the techniques for effective two-way-radio team communications, and safely dealing with hazardous substances. The first two topics also involved practical hands-on activities.
- This report will be devoted, primarily, to giving you a narrative description of the FIRE-SUPPRESSION EXERCISE -- the highlight of the evening.
B. BACKGROUND
- My first summary attempted to provide enough details to give you an idea of how things were set up and how events are structured to change us into effective CERT volunteers. There should be little doubt that I am finding this experience to be 110% worthwhile.
- Since that first-day summary tried to "place you into the classroom" with us -- and since those superb conditions are pleasingly consistent, I need not be repetitive, here -- except to gladly repeat that the forethought and careful attention to every single detail, reflects exceedingly well on Pittsburg and the quality of her people -- and on the people of our County and beyond, who are deeply involved in this great and crucial work.
C. A FEW IMPORTANT PRELIMINARIES
1. INSTRUCTOR STAFF: Under the leadership of Community Advisory Commissioner Theresa Miller, the expert instruction blended together, perfectly. Every single instructor was fantastic -- and that's no exaggeration. (I hope I haven't misspelled any names -- I'll fix this and any other errors as soon as I learn of them -- and, oh, how I hope I haven't omitted anyone)
- Marybeth Paris, Fire Prevention Specialist, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, conducted the "Fire Suppression" lecture and the delightful practical fire-fighting exercise, where each student had a turn in quickly extinguishing an actual fire, proving and enhancing the effectiveness of the lessons just taught to us
- Scott Edsel, Dow Chemical, Pittsburg, lectured on "Hazardous Materials/Substances," clearly showing us how to quickly interpret the hazard-warning placards and symbols that can be found almost anywhere, to give emergency workers the warnings they need to detect and deal with the dangerous materials that might be exposed during disasters. He also discussed the proper do's and don't's to consider when shutoff of public utilities may be indicated.
- Fred Lothrop and David Ross, Advanced CERT Trainers, taught us 2-way radio communications, distributing enough radio units to give every student a chance to familiarize and operate. They taught us how to best use these line-of-sight, short-range (1 to 1.5 mile), hand-held units to maintain effective teamwork.
2. THE CERT PARTICIPANT'S MANUAL: We received our personal copies of the CERT Manual, 2003 edition -- Developed by Human Technology, Inc. of McClean, VA, for FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute, National Fire Academy. This is a very attractive, durable, securely bound, 1-inch think, full-size publication designed to accompany the training course and provide a handy, useful future reference. It is full of excellently clear step-by-step procedures, illustrations and sound wisdom. Since these are ours to keep, we are free to personalize our copy with our own training notes during the class sessions -- and beyond.
D. NARRATIVE
C. A FEW IMPORTANT PRELIMINARIES
1. INSTRUCTOR STAFF: Under the leadership of Community Advisory Commissioner Theresa Miller, the expert instruction blended together, perfectly. Every single instructor was fantastic -- and that's no exaggeration. (I hope I haven't misspelled any names -- I'll fix this and any other errors as soon as I learn of them -- and, oh, how I hope I haven't omitted anyone)
- Marybeth Paris, Fire Prevention Specialist, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, conducted the "Fire Suppression" lecture and the delightful practical fire-fighting exercise, where each student had a turn in quickly extinguishing an actual fire, proving and enhancing the effectiveness of the lessons just taught to us
- Scott Edsel, Dow Chemical, Pittsburg, lectured on "Hazardous Materials/Substances," clearly showing us how to quickly interpret the hazard-warning placards and symbols that can be found almost anywhere, to give emergency workers the warnings they need to detect and deal with the dangerous materials that might be exposed during disasters. He also discussed the proper do's and don't's to consider when shutoff of public utilities may be indicated.
- Fred Lothrop and David Ross, Advanced CERT Trainers, taught us 2-way radio communications, distributing enough radio units to give every student a chance to familiarize and operate. They taught us how to best use these line-of-sight, short-range (1 to 1.5 mile), hand-held units to maintain effective teamwork.
2. THE CERT PARTICIPANT'S MANUAL: We received our personal copies of the CERT Manual, 2003 edition -- Developed by Human Technology, Inc. of McClean, VA, for FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute, National Fire Academy. This is a very attractive, durable, securely bound, 1-inch think, full-size publication designed to accompany the training course and provide a handy, useful future reference. It is full of excellently clear step-by-step procedures, illustrations and sound wisdom. Since these are ours to keep, we are free to personalize our copy with our own training notes during the class sessions -- and beyond.
D. NARRATIVE
THE FIRE-SUPPRESSION EXERCISE
1. Synopsis:
The entire evening's session was a very "hands-on" one. After the "fire suppression" and "hazardous materials" lectures, we received the "communications lecture and demonstration." Then, the class adjourned to the outside courtyard, to fight a small fire, such as might crop up, here or there, during a disaster (or in day-to-day life) -- and which might be quickly extinguishable, by us, before things can get any worse.
Any fire, larger than trash-can-size, CANNOT be extinguished by a portable extinguisher -- you must, sadly, let it burn -- call the fire department -- get away from it. Many have died by not following this "hard and fast" procedure.
The entire evening's session was a very "hands-on" one. After the "fire suppression" and "hazardous materials" lectures, we received the "communications lecture and demonstration." Then, the class adjourned to the outside courtyard, to fight a small fire, such as might crop up, here or there, during a disaster (or in day-to-day life) -- and which might be quickly extinguishable, by us, before things can get any worse.
Any fire, larger than trash-can-size, CANNOT be extinguished by a portable extinguisher -- you must, sadly, let it burn -- call the fire department -- get away from it. Many have died by not following this "hard and fast" procedure.
2. The Atmosphere:
And, what we found outside almost felt like a camping-out party -- except, no food was cooking! The setting was perfect for it. The gorgeous Pittsburg night sky was calm, clear, slightly cool -- with Venus and Jupiter conjoined and shining very brightly, like jewels or, perhaps eyes, gazing down upon our efforts to add another skill-set to our life-saving armories.
And, what we found outside almost felt like a camping-out party -- except, no food was cooking! The setting was perfect for it. The gorgeous Pittsburg night sky was calm, clear, slightly cool -- with Venus and Jupiter conjoined and shining very brightly, like jewels or, perhaps eyes, gazing down upon our efforts to add another skill-set to our life-saving armories.
3. The Set-up:
And, here's how our instructors made this such an adventure. They used a small County pick-up truck, motor running, to power a clever training system, called a "testing unit" ... through long battery cables.
It looked very much like a large barbecue grill ... without the legs ... galvanized gray (I think)... resting on the ground ... large holes in the front ... and a sort of grill-like top, from which bright, yellow-orange flames ... about 2 to 3 feet tall ... powered by propane... waved and danced in the breeze. A flame-generator!!
County Fire Specialist, Marybeth Paris, who oversaw the exercise (with the help of the other instructors) explained that this rig is a perfectly realistic simulator and is also economical and environment-friendly.
And, here's how our instructors made this such an adventure. They used a small County pick-up truck, motor running, to power a clever training system, called a "testing unit" ... through long battery cables.
It looked very much like a large barbecue grill ... without the legs ... galvanized gray (I think)... resting on the ground ... large holes in the front ... and a sort of grill-like top, from which bright, yellow-orange flames ... about 2 to 3 feet tall ... powered by propane... waved and danced in the breeze. A flame-generator!!
County Fire Specialist, Marybeth Paris, who oversaw the exercise (with the help of the other instructors) explained that this rig is a perfectly realistic simulator and is also economical and environment-friendly.
4. Teaming-Up:
The students all kept a respectful 20 or 30 feet from the teaching-machine -- while busily forming "buddy-pairs" ... (teams of two students, each) ... who, moving to and from the fire (always together)... would exchange the coordinating commands we learned ... so as to avoid confusion and deadly mistakes ... getting into and out of the "line of battle."
The students all kept a respectful 20 or 30 feet from the teaching-machine -- while busily forming "buddy-pairs" ... (teams of two students, each) ... who, moving to and from the fire (always together)... would exchange the coordinating commands we learned ... so as to avoid confusion and deadly mistakes ... getting into and out of the "line of battle."
5. The Fire-Fighting Procedure:
Each buddy-pair, in turn, went forward ... each member holding an extinguisher at the ready ... the "designated fire-fighter" pointing the nozzle toward the flames -- discharging the extinguisher, about 10 feet away from the fire and sweeping the spray, back and forth, aiming at the BASE OF THE FIRE, while advancing to about 7 or so feet (by which time, the fire was out) ... the buddy's hand resting on their shoulder all the while... speaking and repeating brief commands (to verify readiness to do the next thing)
Once done, the student fire-fighter backed away, keeping eyes always on the area, in case of reflash ... after saying "backing out" and waiting to hear verification from their partner ...who quickly shifted positions to face the "exit" direction, in order to guide the fire-facing partner safely away.
Then the buddy-team members switched roles so that the other could do the fighting, backed up by their buddy.
That done, the next team took their turn. I figure there must have been about 20 or more teams. And it was all so interesting, even amusing, that the time simply flew by -- and it became time to go home.
Every cycle was always accompanied by the enthusiastic applause of fellow students ... awaiting their turns at the fun.
Each buddy-pair, in turn, went forward ... each member holding an extinguisher at the ready ... the "designated fire-fighter" pointing the nozzle toward the flames -- discharging the extinguisher, about 10 feet away from the fire and sweeping the spray, back and forth, aiming at the BASE OF THE FIRE, while advancing to about 7 or so feet (by which time, the fire was out) ... the buddy's hand resting on their shoulder all the while... speaking and repeating brief commands (to verify readiness to do the next thing)
Once done, the student fire-fighter backed away, keeping eyes always on the area, in case of reflash ... after saying "backing out" and waiting to hear verification from their partner ...who quickly shifted positions to face the "exit" direction, in order to guide the fire-facing partner safely away.
Then the buddy-team members switched roles so that the other could do the fighting, backed up by their buddy.
That done, the next team took their turn. I figure there must have been about 20 or more teams. And it was all so interesting, even amusing, that the time simply flew by -- and it became time to go home.
Every cycle was always accompanied by the enthusiastic applause of fellow students ... awaiting their turns at the fun.
6. Side Benefit -- More Bonding:
During this exercise, many small and medium conversations developed -- for this was a priceless chance to get to know at least a little something more of each other, while awaiting our turns ... (rather than remain like ships, passing into the night... at risk of missing a too rare chance to grow a little closer together).
This was such a perfect opportunity to make nice -- and like everything else, it seems, nothing good is ever wasted in this remarkable CERT program.
During this exercise, many small and medium conversations developed -- for this was a priceless chance to get to know at least a little something more of each other, while awaiting our turns ... (rather than remain like ships, passing into the night... at risk of missing a too rare chance to grow a little closer together).
This was such a perfect opportunity to make nice -- and like everything else, it seems, nothing good is ever wasted in this remarkable CERT program.
Respectfully submitted,
David Nelson
David Nelson
Editor's Note:
My blog-editing application is driving me nuts! It keeps introducing spaces and other formatting nightmares which keep creeping in -- wasting much precious time. As soon as I can find time to deal with it, I'll figure a way to make my blog entries look less schizophrenic. Please be patient.
All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprise / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as its free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.
No comments:
Post a Comment