Swine Flu Update April 30, 2009 10:53 MST: Colorado Confirms Two Cases of H1N1
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has confirmed two cases of Swine Flu Influenza H1N1 in Colorado. These two cases are located in Arapahoe and Douglas counties, and while exposures are unknown, one patient is a baggage handler at DIA and the other had a history of travel to both Mexico and the San Diego areas.

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Sofa Super Store Class Update
The photograph utilized during the Sofa Super Store class on April 11, 2009 originated from the official NIOSH report on the fire.  As a result of class comments and after careful examination, it appears that the photo had in fact been doctored.  The most likely reason is to protect the department and prevent future exposure to litigation.  It is believed that the image is otherwise accurate in accordance with the time stamp shown in the report.

Photo courtesy Chief Billy Goldfeder under Wikipedia GNU

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Scott NXG7 training program released
South Metro fire is implementing new Scott SCBA's that are significantly different than those we are familiar with.  It is essential that everyone review the presentation and sign off on the training with the training officer.  (NXG7 presentation can be downloaded on the files page.)

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As if we didn't have enough problems

As many of you know, I am not a fan of certain engineered wood products (EWP's). While these building materials are quite satisfactory for building uses, when exposed to fire conditions they can be deadly. As everyone in the fire service should know, lightweight truss construction presents a unique hazard for rapid collapse when exposed to fire. This occurs in both wood and steer truss construction due to the way both materials react in a fire. In an ever increasing effort to utilize fewer natural resources, reduce costs and provide improved features for contractors, Georgia Pacific has introduced a new product to its line of EWP's. Check out the XJ-5 (photo above)  and consider what might occur if this truss were exposed to fire. 

Check out http://www.gp.com/BUILD/xj85/index.html for more information on this product. 

Additionally take an hour and complete this online course on lightweight truss construction from Underwriter Labs.

Swine Flu Resources / Update

While the World Health Organization (WHO) raised it's global threat level to 5, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated an increased level of swine flu cases to 91 as of today.  These cases span 10 states and includes the first reported U.S. death from the virus.  To keep track on this potentially emerging pandemic, the following two websites are being provided in addition to the WHO site.

CDC  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

http://www.ems.gov/

Truck Operations

Photo Courtesy Matthew Field (licensed under Wikipedia GNU)

While many departments do not have elevated aerial apparatus, it is nevertheless important to understand truck operations on the fireground, as aerial devices may eventually be needed on the scene of an incident.

Decisions made by initially responding companies can adversely impact the proper placement and usage of aerial devices.  It is essential that first responding companies, law enforcement agencies and other official vehicle be positioned to ensure that aerial devices can be properly positioned should they be called upon.  It is also critical that Incident Commanders consider the use and placement of aerial devices when performing size-up on incident scenes.

Responding ladder companies will seek to position their apparatus in a manner that provides the most effective positioning for elevated rescue, stream placements and positioning of firefighters should they need elevated access or a secondary means of egress.  Often this will be on the "A" side of the building for no other reason than limited access.

Given the choice, ladder companies will often seek a position that will allow the ladder to scrub the largest area of a building while attempting to stay out of a collapse zone.  This means that in the event that their are windows accessible to two sides of a building, the ladder truck will attempt to position to allow access to the most windows on two sides of the building.  This of course depends upon fire conditions, the location of parties trapped, adjacent exposures and wind conditions.  As an example, a ladder truck may chose to position close to the building at a corner when arriving at a multiple story apartment building with dwelling windows on all sides.  This position not only protects the truck company from potential collapse, but also allows the ladder to scrub two sides of the building.

Beyond the obvious, many firefighters and officers who are not familiar with truck company operations are also unfamiliar with other factors that effect placement of an aerial device.  While it is obvious that equipment size is an issue (Often in excess of 44'), the jacks of aerial devices cannot be placed on unstable surfaces without support, nor should they be placed over manhole covers, utility vaults or other potentially weakareas of a roadway.