Fire Chief's Briefing for March 31 through April 11, 2013

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of March 31 through April 11, 2013.

We responded to 72 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

EMS/Rescue: 44

Hazardous Condition: 4

Service Call: 4

Good Intent: 5

False Call: 15

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

Sunday, March 31 at approximately 10:08 pm:

C3, E2 and E3 were dispatched on a report of a smell of smoke in a residence. E2 arrived on scene and met with the homeowner who directed them to the area of the home where the odor was first noticed. Crew members did not detect any smoke, and after utilizing the TIC detected no signs of hidden fire. E3 was tasked with investigating the HVAC system, but no hazards were located their either. The homeowner was asked to go back inside and see if they still smelled the odor of smoke, but they did not notice any either. Before departing the scene, crew members ensured that the smoke detectors in the home were fully functional. With no hazards found, all units cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Saturday, April 6 at approximately 12:24 pm:

E4 was dispatched on a report of an unresponsive minor, possibly due to drug or alcohol overdose. Crew members arrived on scene and found the PT lying in the driveway being attended to by family members. The PT presented with an altered level of consciousness consistent with alcohol consumption. They would be briefly responsive to verbal stimuli before lapsing back into unconsciousness. The PT admitted to consuming a large quantity of alcohol over the course of the day. E4 provided supportive care until the arrival of EMS, when PT care was transferred. The PT was loaded into the ambulance for non-emergency transport to an area hospital.

Wednesday, April 10 at approximately 3:04 pm:

E4 was dispatched on a report of a strange odor in a home. Upon arrival crew members immediately detected an odor consistent with a petroleum product. The gas monitor was utilized and it was determined that there were no hazards, just an unpleasant smell. E4 utilized an electric ventilation fan to help clear the odor from the home while continuing to search for the source. The water department was requested to the scene to determine whether the issue was with the sewer system. After nearly an hour of searching, no source of the odor was found. With the smell removed from the home, E4 instructed the homeowner to call back if it returned before clearing the scene and returning to quarters.

Thursday, April 11 at approximately 8:55 pm:

E2 and R1 were dispatched on a commercial fire alarm at an assisted living facility. Upon arrival crew members were met by a staff member who reported that there had been a small fire in one of the rooms, but that it had been extinguished. Upon arriving on the fire floor, E2 found a light haze. Further investigation revealed that a resident had turned on the wrong burner of the stove, igniting a pot holder. The pot holder had been submerged in a sink full of water to extinguish it before dropping it down a trash shoot. The pot holder was recovered and removed from the trash to ensure it did not reignite. With no further hazards found, E2 ventilated the structure before clearing the scene and returning to quarters.