Fire Hydrants in the City of Brentwood Will No Longer Have "the Blues"

*****PRESS RELEASE*****

CITY OF BRENTWOOD 

FIRE AND RESCUE

 

From:             Fire Chief Brian Goss                        

Date:              March 28, 2012

Subject:          Press Release:  City Fire Hydrant Information

FIRE HYDRANTS IN THE CITY OF BRENTWOOD WILL NO LONGER

HAVE “THE BLUES”

Did you ever see a blue reflector stuck in the middle of the street and wonder what it was doing there?  Traditionally, Brentwood firefighters have utilized these markers to aid them in locating the nearest fire hydrant when responding to an emergency.  New technology, however, has begun rendering these once-helpful items obsolete.  The City of Brentwood now utilizes GPS technology to report and document the specific location of every fire hydrant within the city limits.  This information is then used by our GIS Department to create both hard-copy map books and electronic maps which are accessible from the laptops in all fire apparatus.  This enables the responding fire officer to pinpoint the location of the nearest hydrant before the Engine ever arrives on the scene.  Besides being more efficient, this new technology is also more reliable since the blue reflective markers were frequently displaced due to repaving, wear and tear from routine traffic, and even snowplowing.

The blue hydrant markers in existence now will not be removed.  The fire & rescue department will simply cease placing any new reflectors and allow those already in place to remain.

On a related note, residents are reminded that all municipal fire hydrants within the City of Brentwood exist in the public right-of-way.  Per Municipal Code no trees, shrubs, landscaping, or other potential obstruction may be placed or exist within 36 inches of the hydrant.  While a fire hydrant may not be the most beautiful lawn ornament, it can literally be a life saver if you or your neighbors have an emergency.  Please give your firefighters a hand by making sure your hydrant is easily seen and clear of obstructions!  If you see a fire hydrant that you are concerned about for any reason, please call 615-371-0170.

Fire Chief's Briefing for March 16 through March 21, 2012

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of March 16 through March 21, 2012.

We responded to 43 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

EMS/Rescue: 24

Hazardous Condition: 4

Service Call: 3

Good Intent: 5

False Call: 7

Here is an overview of significant events from this period’s emergency activities:

Friday, March 16 at approximately 7:51 pm:

E4 was dispatched on a report of injuries from a fall. Upon arrival E4 found 1 PT seated on a couch holding an ice pack to an abraded and swollen area on their face. Crew members were able to determine from bystanders that the PT had fallen down the front stairs of the home. Manual Cervical Spine Immobilization was performed and crew members began to assess the PT and obtain vital signs. This was interrupted by an increasing level of agitation and anxiety in the PT. Crew members reassured the PT that everything would be ok and continued their assessment. EMS arrived on scene and PT care was transferred. The PT was immobilized on a long spine board and transferred to the ambulance for transport.  The PT was transported non-emergency to an area hospital.

Sunday, March 18 at approximately 1:59 pm:

E3, E2, and C3 were dispatched on a report of an inside investigation due to a possible gas leak.  Upon arriving on scene, E3 established Incident Command and began investigating the structure.  After entering the building, crew members did not notice any odor of mercaptin (the chemical added to natural gas to give it a rotten egg smell).  E2 arrived on scene and stood by at the rear of the structure.  C3 was staged in the center of the city.  E3’s engineer (driver) investigated the water heater but found no signs of a leak.  E3’s firefighter surveyed the area with a gas monitor but found no change in the air quality.  The building’s occupants were advised to contact their gas company for a more thorough investigation of a possible leak.  Command was terminated; all units were placed available and cleared the scene. 

Tuesday, March 20 at approximately 6:13 am:

E4 was dispatched on a report of an unresponsive individual. Upon arrival E4 found the PT supine in their bed. Family members reported that the PT had an extensive medical history and that they found them in this condition when the family awoke for the day. The PT was unresponsive to any stimuli but was found to have good respiration and a weak pulse. Crew members immediately began supportive care to include providing O2 therapy and further assessment of the PT. EMS arrived on scene and PT care was transferred. E4 assisted with loading the PT into the ambulance for emergency transport to an area hospital. With no further assistance needed at the scene, E4 returned to quarters.

Tuesday, March 20 at approximately 5:19 pm:

E1 was dispatched for a report of 1 PT having seizures. Upon arrival crew members found 1 PT on the ground. The PT was able to give their name, but was not coherent to what was going on. Bystanders stated that they witnessed the PT begin to seize and lowered them to the ground where the seizures continued for several minutes. Crew members began a rapid assessment of the PT as well as collecting vital signs. Nothing out of the ordinary was reported. The PT began to regain coherence, but was still uncertain as to the events preceding E1’s arrival at the scene. The PT did not wish to be transported to the hospital, but was not allowed to drive from the scene. After EMS and E1 crew members explained the risks of not seeking medical care to the PT, a family member arrived to take them home after the PT signed a refusal of care form. E1 and EMS cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Fire Chief's Briefing for March 10 through March 15, 2012

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of March 10 through March 15, 2012.

We responded to 46 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 1

EMS/Rescue: 24

Hazardous Condition: 3

Service Call: 1

Good Intent: 6

False Call: 11

Here is an overview of significant events from this period’s emergency activities:

Saturday, March 10 at approximately 11:00 pm:

E3 was dispatched on a reported vehicle fire. Upon arrival, E3’s officer reported one vehicle fully involved, flames coming from the engine compartment. E3's crew advanced a 1 ¾ inch pre-connected hose and utilized water to extinguish the fire. The owner of the vehicle stated that they were driving down the road and saw smoke and flames coming from my car so they pulled over. Once all the fire had been extinguished and all hazards had been removed from the scene, E3 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Sunday, March 11 at approximately 11:04 am:

E1 was dispatched on a report of persons trapped in an elevator. The elevator had been returning to the ground floor when it became stuck. The occupants of the elevator began to exhibit signs of panic, so the decision was made to remove them from the elevator immediately rather than wait for a responding elevator technician. Crew members utilized an elevator key to open the outer elevators doors before using the manual override for the interior door. Due to the fact that the elevator had nearly completed its journey to the lowest part of its area of travel, the occupants were able to safely step out and onto the floor. Once the occupants had been removed from the elevator, they were able to relax and required no further treatment for their symptoms. E1 secured the elevator before clearing the scene and returning to quarters.

Tuesday, March 13 at approximately 11:57 am:

As E2’s crew exited an area grocery store they noticed a strong odor of gasoline. A bystander pointed out that a vehicle in the parking lot was leaking fuel. E2 investigated and found approximately one quart of gas on the ground underneath it. A slow drip was observed, but crew members were unable to determine if was coming from the gas tank or a fuel line. Oil Dri was used to contain the spill and contact was made with the vehicle’s owner. The vehicle stopped leaking and the occupant had it towed to a shop. With no further hazards present, E2 returned to quarters.

Fire Chief's Briefing for March 4 through March 9, 2012

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of March 4 through March 9, 2012.

We responded to 41 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 2

EMS/Rescue: 20

Hazardous Condition: 4

Service Call: 2

Good Intent: 7

False Call: 6

Here is an overview of significant events from this period’s emergency activities:

Sunday, March 4 at approximately 10:31 am:

E3 was dispatched on a reported grass fire. Upon arrival, E3's crew observed an area approximately 80ft by 80ft that was burning. Franklin Fire was on the scene and had a 1 3/4 inch handline pulled and was in the process of extinguishing the fire. The majority of the fire had been knocked down prior to BF&R's arrival. E3's crew assisted them by hitting hot spots with a Pressurized Water can, then relieved them by extinguishing the remainder of the with the hose. E3's crew assisted with clean up and rolling hose before clearing the scene.

Monday, March 5 at approximately 2:27 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a report of a possible grass fire. Upon arrival, crew members found a homeowner who was burning grass and leaves in their yard. The property did not meet the criteria for a burn permit to be issued, so the homeowner was asked to extinguish the fire. Once the fire was out and it was determined to no longer be a hazard, E1 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Tuesday, March 6 at approximately 5:30 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a report of injuries sustained while participating in a sporting event. Upon arrival, E1 found 1 PT in severe pain, exhibiting signs and symptoms of shock and a lower extremity deformity. On site medical staff had already splinted the injury. E1’s crew obtained the PT’s medical history and baseline vitals before providing basic life support including establishing IV access and providing fluids. EMS arrived on scene, PT care was transferred, and EMS transported the PT to an area hospital for further treatment.

Friday, March 9 at approximately 9:02 am:

E2 was dispatched on a report of injuries from a fall. Upon arrival, E2 found 1 PT lying on the ground. A family member reported that the PT had landed on their head and possibly hyper-extended their neck. Crew members immediately took cervical spine immobilization precautions to include placing the PT on a long spine board with a cervical collar. As the PT was assessed, a full body trauma assessment revealed no other obvious injuries. EMS arrived on scene, PT care was transferred, and the PT was transported non-emergency to an area hospital for further treatment. 

Fire Chief's Briefing for February 27 through March 3, 2012

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of February 27 through March 3, 2012.

We responded to 42 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

EMS/Rescue: 27

Hazardous Condition: 2

Service Call: 4

Good Intent: 5

False Call: 4

Here is an overview of significant events from this period’s activities:

Monday, February 27 at approximately 12:24 pm:

E2, R1 and C3 were dispatched on a reported single vehicle accident with entrapment. Upon arrival, C3 established Incident Command and stated that there was Box Van style delivery truck which had struck a series of power poles. The driver was found to be unrestrained and entrapped in the vehicle. Hydraulic spreaders (the Jaws of Life) were utilized to force open the passenger side door and access the PT, who was conscious but not alert to the events around him and quite confused. The PT showed signs of trauma, and full spinal immobilization was utilized to prevent further harm. Crew members removed the PT from the vehicle via long spine board and transferred PT care to EMS. The PT was loaded into the awaiting ambulance and transported emergency traffic to an area hospital.

Click photo for larger view

Friday, March 2 at approximately 12:19 am:

E4 responded to a report of an emergency medical call. EMS arrived on scene at the same time as BFR personnel. The PT was located on the roof of a home under construction, and had been injured when the wind blew the roof trusses down, striking him. L1 was called for manpower and for assistance with PT removal. The house was in the framing stage, and there were no interior stairs. Access to the PT was initially made by ground ladder. L1 arrived on the scene, allowing the pt to be removed from the roof with its aerial platform and stokes basket. EMS transported the PT non emergency to an area hospital. E4 and L1 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Click photo for larger view

Click photo for larger view

Click photo for larger view

Friday, March 2 at approximately 2:36 pm:

E4 was dispatched on a report of a single vehicle motorcycle accident. Upon arrival, E4 found 1 PT seated on the side of the road. The PT stated that they had been riding their dirt bike on a residential street when they lost control and laid it down. Crew members performed basic life support skills, to include oxygen therapy, manual c-spine immobilization, and treatment of minor injuries. EMS arrived on scene, PT care was transferred, and the PT was transported non-emergency to an area hospital. 

Fire Chief's Briefing for February 21 through February 26, 2012

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of February 21 through February 26, 2012. 

We responded to 40 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

EMS/Rescue: 24

Hazardous Condition: 2

Service Call: 2

Good Intent: 5

False Call: 7

Here is an overview of significant events from this period’s activities:

Tuesday, February 21 at approximately 7:35 am:

E4 and R1 were dispatched to a report of a vehicle accident with injuries. Upon arrival, E4 found several vehicles involved in a chain reaction type wreck. Two of the vehicles involved were a small sedan and a large delivery truck. The sedan suffered extensive damage to both the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle’s air bags were deployed, and portions of the truck’s bumper were found by BFR personnel in the back seat of that vehicle. The driver of the sedan was treated by EMS, with assistance from a BFR paramedic, before being transported non-emergency to an area hospital. E4 cleared the scene and returned to quarters, but was later recalled to the scene to wash down debris and spilled vehicle fluids. After all hazards were mitigated, E4 returned to quarters.

Wednesday, February 22 at approximately 4:08 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a car VS pedestrian. Upon arrival E1 found 1 PT lying on the ground complaining of pain in a lower extremity. Crewmembers performed a rapid trauma assessment to check for other injuries but found none. The PT had maintained consciousness throughout the event and denied any neck or back pain. The vehicle had been traveling at a low rate of speed at the time of the impact. Crewmembers assisted EMS with splinting the PT’s injuries and loading them into the ambulance for transport to an area hospital.