Fire Chief's Briefing for October 3 through October 8, 2013

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of October 3 through October 8, 2013.

We responded to 39 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

EMS/Rescue: 28

Hazardous Condition: 1

Service Call: 3

Good Intent: 2

False Call: 5

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

Thursday, October 3 at approximately 4:22 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of injuries from a fall.  Upon arrival E1 crew members found a patient with obvious injuries.  Spinal immobilization was initiated and the patient’s wounds were dressed.  Once bleeding was controlled, E1’s paramedic performed a rapid trauma assessment to check the patient for further injuries.  EMS arrived on scene and the patient was moved to the ambulance with the assistance of BFR personnel.  The patient was transported emergency traffic to a local hospital. 

Sunday, October 6 at approximately 2:02 pm:

E1 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of injuries from a fall.  E1 arrived on scene and made contact with a citizen who indicated the patient had fallen off a horse in a remote area.  E2 was dispatched to the scene to assist with locating the patient.  With the additional personnel the patient was quickly located and care was initiated.  The patient was immobilized to prevent spinal injury and moved to the ambulance that had arrived on scene.  Personnel assisted EMS with further care and assessment.  EMS transported the patient to a local hospital and all BFR units cleared the scene. 

Tuesday, October 8 at approximately 7:26 am:

E4 was dispatched on a report of the smell of smoke in a home.  E4 arrived on scene a made contact with the homeowner who indicated that they turned on the HVAC system and then smelled smoke in the residence.  Crew members investigated the structure and found an activated smoke detector.  A thermal imaging camera was used to examine the rest of the structure and the HVAC unit.  No fire or smoke was found in the residence and the homeowner was informed the HVAC system was operating normally.  E4 cleared the scene and returned to quarters. 

Come See Us on Saturday!

Fire Chief's Briefing for Sept 27 through October 2, 2013

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of September 27 through October 2, 2013.

We responded to 40 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 1

EMS/Rescue: 24

Hazardous Condition: 4

Service Call: 5

Good Intent: 4

False Call: 2

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

Friday, September 27 at approximately 5:26 pm:

E2, E1 and C3 were dispatched on a report of a possible gas leak at a residence.  Initial dispatch information indicated that a strong smell of gas was coming from behind an appliance.  E2 arrived on scene and met with the homeowner who advised crew members that gas was leaking from a valve in the house.  E2 personnel shut off the gas supply from at meter on the outside of the house to stop the leak.  Crew members were unable to enter the residence due to dangerous levels of gas as indicated by the gas monitor.  An electric fan  was set up at the front door of the residence to ventilate the structure.  E1 and C3 arrived on scene and E1 personnel set up another electric fan in the garage.  Once the utility company arrived on scene another reading was taken using the gas monitor.  It was determined that gas inside the house had dissipated and it was safe to enter.  E2 crew members found the valve inside the house that had accidentally been opened and secured it.  Once all hazards had been addressed, control of the scene was released to the utility company and all BFR units returned to service

Monday, September 30 at approximately 7:37 pm:

E4 was dispatched on a report of a possible illegal burn at a construction site.  E4 and B1 responded to the area and could not see any visible fire from the road.  B1 traveled off road to investigate the area further.  After a search of the construction area B1 found an unattended burn pile.  BFR personnel used the water supply on B1 to extinguish the remaining fire.  Once all hazards were addressed E4 and B1 returned to service and quarters. 

Wednesday, October 2 at approximately 8:49 am:

E2 was dispatched on a medical call for a report of injuries from a fall.  E2 arrived on scene to find a patient outside their home with obvious injuries to their head.  E2 personnel immediately established spinal immobilization and controlled bleeding from the patients injuries.   Crew members assessed the patient for further injuries and prepared the patient for transport.  EMS arrived on scene and the patient care was transferred.  E2 personnel assisted EMS with securing the patient to a backboard and loading the patient into the ambulance.  EMS transported the patient emergency traffic to a local hospital and E2 cleared the scene. 

Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers

There is at least one Brentwood family that can attest to the fact that working smoke detectors can mean the difference between replacing a sofa and replacing a home. Recently Brentwood Fire and Rescue received a call for a residential fire alarm due to activation of a smoke detector. This is not an uncommon occurrence in Brentwood as firefighters are often called out to these types of calls, which are frequently false alarms.

In this case, however, the alarm activated as intended and alerted the family to a small fire in their home. An unattended candle on an end table ignited a lamp and the nearby sofa. An adult in the home heard the smoke detector and went to investigate the cause. Finding the fire still in the incipient stage, they acted quickly and appropriately by retrieving a nearby fire extinguisher and extinguishing the small fire.

One fire engine responded to the scene to assist with removing the damaged furniture from the home before setting up their specialized fans to help remove the remaining smoke from the structure. Because the homeowner made the decision to maintain working smoke detectors and keep an extinguisher on hand, they were able to keep the damage to their home relatively minor.  

Thanks to the combination of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a home owner who knew how to use them, a scorched couch, a burned pillow and a ruined lamp were the extent of a small house fire.

Brentwood Fire and Rescue would like to remind you to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and keep a fire extinguisher in your home. You may never need them, but if you ever do, you’ll be grateful to have them on hand.