Fire Chief's Briefing for January 19 through January 24, 2014

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of January 19 through January 24, 2014.

We responded to 45 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

EMS/Rescue: 21

Hazardous Condition: 5

Service Call: 3

Good Intent: 4

False Call: 12

Monday, January 20 at approximately 9:59 am:

E2 was dispatched on a report of a carbon monoxide alarm at a residence.  E2 arrived on scene and made contact with the homeowner who indicated that their alarms were activated but no one was showing symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure.  All occupants were evacuated from the home.  BFR crew members used a gas monitor to investigate the inside of the house.  Elevated levels of carbon monoxide were found inside the home and the garage.  R1 was requested to respond to the scene to assist with ventilating the residence.  Fans were set up at entrances to the residence until carbon monoxide levels returned to zero.  It was determined that a previously running vehicle in the garage was the source of the elevated readings.  Once all hazards were addressed E2 and R1 returned to service and quarters.    

Tuesday, January 21 at approximately 10:19 pm:

E2 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of an unconscious/unresponsive patient.  E2 arrived on scene and located the patient who was unresponsive with inadequate breathing.  BFR personnel immediately obtained control of the patient’s airway by inserting a nasopharyngeal airway.   Crew members ventilated the patient and obtained vital signs to ensure all were within normal limits.  EMS arrived on scene and patient care was transferred.  E2 personnel assisted EMS with moving the patient to the ambulance and on scene care including IV access.  Due to the patients critical status EMS requested 1 firefighter from E2 to assist with care during transport to the hospital.  Once EMS left the scene E2 returned to service and quarters.        

The Tools We Use For Extrication

 

Vehicle Extrication is a task that the Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department is charged with occasionally performing throughout the year. Extrications can vary from simply assisting someone with opening their door to complex procedures to remove a patient from a serious car accident. Firefighters in Brentwood are trained and proficient in whatever situation they may potentially be dispatched to. Successful extrications require a myriad of tools, equipment, and people. This station life entry will show and describe some of the tools necessary to successfully, and safely, extricate patients from their vehicles.

 

 

The first thing that needs to be done for a successful extrication is vehicle stabilization. Cribbing, as shown above, is used to stabilize a vehicle. This is important in order to ensure the safety of both the patient and responders alike. An un-stabilized vehicle can shift at any time, but proper application of cribbing can prevent that.

 

 

 

The tool shown above is called a “Glass Master” and is used to remove the front windshield in a situation where the roof of the car needs to be removed.

 

 

 

This is a portable generator to power the hydraulic equipment. This can be removed from the truck and taken to any place that extrication is needed. While Rescue 1 has a built in hydraulic power plant, this unit can be used if the tools are needed further away from the truck than the pre-connected lines can reach. Additionally, E1 and E4 both carry portable units so they can begin extricating prior to the arrival of the Rescue.

 

 

A “RAM” is used to push a dashboard away from a patient. The tool extends in a straight line using hydraulic power.

 

 

Officially, this tool is known as “The Spreaders”, but you may have heard of them referred to as the “Jaws of Life”. Spreaders are used to displace (or open) doors, move dashboards and many other tasks that require moving two things further apart. This is a multi-use tool on any extrication.

 

 

If a door post, door frame, or roof removal is needed, the cutters are the tool that will be used. These are, essentially, big scissors.

 

 

This is a very brief description of how extrication is done here in Brentwood.  Without the proper tools, extrication is much more difficult. With the tools shown above, the Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department is better prepared to face a situation we may be called to.

Fire Chief's Briefing for January 13 through January 18, 2014

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of January 13 through January 18, 2014.

We responded to 58 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 4

EMS/Rescue: 36

Hazardous Condition: 1

Service Call: 3

Good Intent: 8

False Call: 6

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

Tuesday, January 14 at approximately 12:47 am:

E3 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of a patient with difficulty breathing.  While enroute to the call dispatch advised that the patient had stopped breathing.  E3 arrived on scene to find a patient not breathing and without a pulse.  Crew members immediately initiated CPR and advanced life support protocols.  An advanced airway was put in place by BFR personnel and the patient was placed on the cardiac monitor for defibrillation.  EMS arrived on scene and obtained IV access for medication administration.  ROSC (returned of spontaneous circulation) was achieved and BFR crew members assisted with preparing the patient for transport.  EMS transported the patient emergency traffic to a local hospital with one BFR crew member aboard to assist with further care. 

Wednesday, January 15 at approximately 8:23 am:

E1 was dispatched on a report of a commercial fire alarm.  The engine crew arrived on scene to find a large commercial structure with no smoke or fire visible from the outside.  All occupants had evacuated the structure and E1 established command.  An occupant of the structure advised that there had been a small electrical fire but that it was extinguished.  E1 crew members verified that the fire had been extinguished and used the thermal imaging camera to check for any possible extension.  No fire extension was found but smoke still remained in the building.  Due to the large size of the building, Command requested L1 and R1 to respond to the scene to assist with smoke evacuation.  Once the building was cleared of smoke, the occupants were allowed back inside.  With no further hazards command was terminated and all BFR units returned to service.

Wednesday, January 15 at approximately 11:27 am:

E2 was dispatched on a report of a possible vehicle fire on I-65.  E2 arrived on scene to find one vehicle with the engine compartment fully involved in fire.  BFR personnel used a 1 ¾” handline to extinguish the vehicle before utilizing a K12 saw to make access to the engine compartment to ensure complete fire extinguishment.  Once all fire was mitigated and no further hazards were present E2 returned to service. 

Thursday, January 16 at approximately 5:12 pm:

All BFR units were dispatched on a report of a structure fire.  Initial dispatch information indicated that a chimney was possibly on fire.  E2 arrived on scene to find a 2 story residential structure with no visible smoke or fire.  E2 established command and made contact with the homeowner who indicated that smoke and fire were visible from the chimney cap.  E4 arrived on scene and assisted E2 with making access to the roof for investigation.  Command cancelled all other responding units.  After further investigation it was discovered that debris near the chimney cap had ignited from radiant heat.  All debris was removed and the chimney was checked for any further hazards.  Once it was determined that there was no fire extension BFR personnel covered the chimney and informed the homeowner.  With all hazards addressed command was terminated and all BFR units returned to service.      

Station Life: What kind of schedule do Brentwood Firefighters work?

This is a question we, as Brentwood Firefighters, get asked often. People are curious how the city is covered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. There is not a moment during the year that the city is not being protected by a minimum of 16 firefighters and 7 manned apparatus.

The Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department currently has 55 on-duty firefighters, five administrative staff, and one maintenance officer. The 55 on-duty firefighters work in three shifts, A-shift, B-shift, and C-shift. The working schedule for the firefighters is 48 hours on duty, then 96 hours off duty, 48/96 for short.

The shifts begin at 7:00am and end two days later at 7:00am when the relieving shift arrives. For the entire 48 hour stretch, the firefighters work and live at the fire hall. The department transitioned from a 24/48 schedule to the 48/96 schedule two years ago. It is a popular trend in the fire service as studies have shown in improves firefighters overall job satisfaction and allows firefighters to fully recover from their shift before having to go back on duty.  The other big advantage to this schedule is the ability for firefighters to have more consecutive days at home to spend with their families and leisure activities.

Lieutenant Mike McCutcheon sitting in the officer’s quarters at Station 4

 While on duty for 48 hours firefighters have a number of responsibilities beyond responding to emergencies. The firefighters are responsible for checking off the apparatus when coming on duty, making sure that everything works properly and all the supplies are fully stocked and in their proper locations. The fire stations are cleaned, the apparatus are washed, and then training begins. The daytime hours at the fire hall are dedicated to training and sharpening skills for the highly varied tasks firefighters can be called upon to perform. Brentwood Firefighters are also expected to exercise each day that that they are on duty. This is to ensure that they are in the best condition possible to meet the physical demands of this job.

One of Station 4’s Bunk Rooms

After a long day of training and responding to emergencies, firefighters like to eat. The crews at each fire hall sit and eat dinner together each evening. The crews assign a cooking order so the firefighter cooking dinner each evening will rotate. The rest of the evening is occupied by studying, reading, watching movies, playing games, or talking. These are often the same types of things that firefighters do at home with their own families, which only make sense since firefighters live with each other for a third of their lives, making them truly become like a family.

Station 4 Day Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen

Brentwood Firefighters have a great schedule, no doubt. They are all thankful for this job and the opportunities this schedule affords them. They may have four days off at a time, but the two days they are here, they are feverishly devoted to the City and improving their craft. Brentwood Firefighters give it all they have and sometimes that can and does require sacrifice. 

Fire Chief's Briefing for January 7 through January 12, 2014

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of January 7 through January 12, 2014.

We responded to 69 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 1

EMS/Rescue: 28

Hazardous Condition: 2

Service Call: 23

Good Intent: 6

False Call: 9

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

Tuesday, January 7 and 8 throughout the day:

BFR units were dispatched on approximately 20 calls directly related to bursting water lines due to the extreme cold experienced in Middle Tennessee. Crews assisted homeowners and businesses with shutting off their water and helping to mitigate damages by removing water and debris from structures as well as by helping move undamaged property to drier locations. 

A frozen water line has burst inside a home. Fire Crews have shut off the water to the home, but what remains in the pipe is draining out. The water pressure against the door made opening it difficult, but eventually crews were able to relieve enough pressure to open the door and begin draining the water out of this home.

Tuesday, January 7 at approximately 9:57 am:

E1 was dispatched on a report of a transformer fire that was threatening to extend to a nearby parked vehicle. Upon arrival crew members found a large underground transformer which was severely damaged due to an explosion that occurred when a fuse blew. The owner of the vehicle had moved their car before it was damaged by the fire, which had self-extinguished by the time E1 arrived on scene. Once it was determined that the transformer no longer posed a threat, E1 cleared the scene to respond to a report of a nearby structure fire.

Tuesday, January 7 at approximately 10:04 am:

All BFR units were dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire. Dispatch reported smoke in the structure with evacuation underway. Crew members arrived on scene and began to investigate. Shortly after entering the structure light smoke accompanied by the smell of burnt electrical equipment was encountered. Crew members utilized the TIC during their investigation, but were not able to locate the source. The smoke and smell both dissipated, and the building was turned over to the property manager after a secondary search was performed. This incident was likely due to overheating electrical equipment, directly related to the nearby overloaded transformer that E1 was dispatched to.

Tuesday, January 7 at approximately 6:27 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a report of a commercial fire alarm. E1 arrived on scene and located an activated smoke detector in the elevator mechanical room. Further inspection revealed smoke coming from the elevator’s power unit. Crew members discontinued power to the elevators before ventilating the structure. Once the smoke was removed and it was determined that there was no fire the building was turned over to the property manager. E1 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Friday, January 10 at approximately 2:32 pm:

E11 was dispatched to the scene of a non-injury accident due to one of the vehicles beginning to smoke. Upon arrival crew members found one of the vehicles smoking from the trunk/taillight area. A small battery in this area of the vehicle was found to have been damaged in the wreck, which was causing the smoke. Once the batter was disconnected it no longer smoked. With no further hazards, E11 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Saturday, January 11 at approximately 2:49 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a report of a child locked in a vehicle. Upon arriving on scene E1 learned the child became trapped when the door key broke off in the lock. Crew members utilized E1’s lock out kit to quickly gain access to the vehicle. The child was assessed and found to be uninjured. Once arrangements were made for the mother and child to be able to leave the scene E1 returned to quarters.

Saturday, January 11 at approximately 3:41 pm:

C3, E1, L1 and R1 were dispatched on a report of a PIA involving a vehicle that had struck the column of a building. The driver was not able to exit the vehicle due to a rubble pile on one side and a parked vehicle on the other. The owner of the parked vehicle was quickly located and access to the PT was gained. The driver denied any injuries and a rapid assessment confirmed this. The affected business was closed for the remainder of the day and the area was cordoned off. The business owner was informed that the area would need to remain restricted until a building engineer could determine the extent of the damage and appropriate repairs could be effected.

Fire Chief's Briefing for January 1 through January 6, 2014

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of January 1 through January 6, 2014. 

We responded to 43 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 4

EMS/Rescue: 26

Hazardous Condition: 2

Service Call: 4

Good Intent: 3

False Call: 4

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

Thursday, January 2 at approximately 8:41 am:

All BFR units were dispatched on a report of a possible residential structure fire due to a brush fire burning next to a residence.  E4 arrived first on scene and reported a two story home with light smoke coming from a mulch bed next to the house.  Upon further investigation crew members found an area of mulch and a small tree burning.  All other responding units were cancelled and the small fire was extinguished using a water can before the area was overhauled to ensure that there was no further fire extension.   Further investigation revealed that damaged outdoor lighting caused the small fire.  Power to the outdoor lighting was terminated and the homeowner was advised to call an electrician before restoring power.  With all hazards addressed E4 returned to quarters. 

Saturday, January 4 at approximately 3:10 am:

E3 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of a patient in respiratory arrest.  Upon arriving on scene crew members found an unresponsive patient with inadequate respirations.  E3 personnel immediately began providing advanced life support to include clearing the patient’s airway and assisting the patient’s breathing with a bag valve mask.  The patient was placed on the cardiac monitor and their oxygen levels were assessed.  After assisting with ventilations the patient’s level of responsiveness and breathing significantly improved.  EMS arrived on scene and patient care was transferred.  The patient was loaded into the ambulance and transported emergency traffic to a local hospital. 

Monday, January 6 at approximately 3:12 am:

E3 was dispatched on a report of a possible vehicle fire.  Crew members arrived on scene to find a tractor trailer with no fire visible.  The driver of the vehicle indicated that his rear brakes were on fire but he was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher.  E3 investigated the area of the truck’s brakes with a thermal imaging camera and found significant heat.  BFR personnel cooled the area using a water can and instructed the driver to disconnect the truck from the trailer.  With no further hazards present E3 returned to service and quarters. 

Monday, January 6 at approximately 9:28 am:

E4 was dispatched on a report of a garbage truck possibly on fire.  Upon arriving on scene light smoke was observed coming from the trash holding area of the truck.  E4 made contact with the driver who indicated the fire was not accessible, so the driver was instructed to unload all his trash onto the pavement to allow for complete extinguishment.  BFR personnel used a 1 ¾” hand line to extinguish the fire.  Further investigation determined that improperly discarded fireplace ashes had started the fire.  Once all fire had been extinguished and all hazards addressed, E4 returned to quarters.  

Fire Chief's Briefing for December 26 through December 31, 2013

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of December 26 through December 31, 2013.

We responded to 42 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

EMS/Rescue: 29

Hazardous Condition: 1

Service Call: 2

Good Intent: 4

False Call: 6

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

Saturday, December 28 at approximately 2:32 pm:

E3 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of a possible broken ankle.  Crew members arrived on scene to find one PT with an obvious fracture.  E3 personnel stabilized the patient’s ankle while assessing the PT for further injuries.  E3 determined that circulation had not been cut off to the injured extremity and established an IV.  EMS arrived on scene and, with assistance from BFR crew members, applied a vacuum splint to stabilize the patient’s ankle.  The patient was moved to the ambulance for further on scene care before being transported to a local hospital. 

Wednesday, December 29 at approximately 8:51 pm:

E4 was dispatched on a report of a smell of gas inside a home.  Upon arrival, crew members met with the homeowner outside the structure to perform an exterior survey of the residence.  This survey revealed that the heating unit was running but not producing any heat.  BFR personnel turned off the gas supply to the unit to prevent any further leaking.  The gas monitor was utilized inside the home to check for unsafe levels of combustible gas, but it was determined that the smell was due to the HVAC system overheating and not a gas leak.  Once the gas company arrived, control of the scene was transferred to them.  With no hazards present E4 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.  

Monday, December 30 at approximately 1:54 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of injuries from a fall.  E1 arrived on scene to find the patient lying on the floor in obvious distress and complaining of leg pain.  E1’s paramedic performed a rapid trauma assessment of the patient while other crew members obtained vital signs.  It was determined that the PT had suffered a traumatic injury to their leg in the area of the knee. EMS arrived on scene and the patient’s injuries were stabilized prior to moving them to the ambulance using a scoop stretcher.  BFR personnel assisted with further on scene care including IV access and administration of pain management medication.  EMS transported the patient to a nearby hospital for further care.