Chief's Briefing for May 12 through May 17, 2013

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of May 12 through May 17, 2013.

We responded to 52 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 3

EMS/Rescue: 31

Hazardous Condition: 1

Service Call: 1

Good Intent: 8

False Call: 8

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

Monday, May 13 at approximately 10:57 pm:

E2, E3 and C3 were dispatched on an inside investigation for a report of smoke in a residence. Upon arrival E2 found a small mulch fire outside the home. Smoke from the smoldering mulch was entering an open window above the seat of the fire. After extinguishing the mulch it was determined that a light fixture had been buried when the mulch was spread. The light had heated up and ignited the mulch. Crew members verified that the fire had not spread to the structure. Once all hazards were mitigated all units returned to quarters.

Wednesday, May 15 at approximately 8:53 am:

E1 was dispatched on a report of a child locked in a vehicle. Upon arrival crew members utilized their lock out kit to safely remove the child from the vehicle without damaging the automobile. The child was checked for injuries before being turned over to their parent. E1 returned to quarters.

Wednesday, May 15 at approximately 2:28 pm:

Brentwood E3 was dispatched on an automatic aid alarm for a reported structure fire in Franklin. Franklin units arrived first on scene and reported nothing showing. E3 was staged before being released when further investigation revealed no signs of fire. E3 returned to quarters.

Wednesday, May 15 at approximately 6:17 pm:

E3 was dispatched to act as medical standby for BPD due to a barricaded subject. E3 remained on the scene until approximately 1:00 a.m. when they were released to return to quarters to rest. At 5:00 a.m. E3 returned to the scene to continue to standby. When the current shift ended at 0700 E3’s crew was relieved at the scene by the oncoming shift of firefighters. Fortunately the standoff ended peacefully without the need for action by E3.  E3 was released from the scene by BPD and returned to quarters.

Friday, May 17 at approximately 5:58 am:

All BFR units were dispatched on a reported structure fire. A passerby called 911 and reported smoke coming from their neighbor’s home. E2 arrived first on scene and reported smoke coming from a mulch bed. The home was surveyed and it was determined that there was no other hazard. E3 and R1 were requested to continue to the scene for manpower assistance but all other units were cancelled. Investigation of the area revealed that landscape lighting had been covered by the mulch, causing it to heat up and ignite. Power to the lights was terminated and the area was flushed with water. The homeowner was advised to contact the landscaping company regarding repairs to the damaged lighting. With no further hazards, command was terminated and all units were placed available.

Station Life: Morning Checkoff

“Alarm to all stations, stand by for daily radio check” might not carry the weight of “Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines”, but the statement has a similar effect at Brentwood Fire and Rescue. Every morning at 7:00 AM a Brentwood Dispatcher comes over the radio to notify all the stations that they are about to receive the tones for morning radio check. After the tones go off the dispatcher will call each unit over the radio, and every fire apparatus responds to verify that they are able to both send and receive transmissions. This is the official start to a day at Brentwood Fire and Rescue and the beginning of the morning checkoff.

 

Once radio check is complete, the day’s activities begin with an exchange between the offgoing and oncoming crews. This is known as the passdown, and covers a variety of topics including any calls from the previous shift, tools and equipment used, problems with the station or apparatus and anything else that is deemed important.

 

During this time turnout gear and personal equipment are added and removed from the fire truck as appropriate. Everyone checks their airpacks to ensure they have a full supply of air and that the pack is functioning properly. Turnout gear is checked over to make sure it is ready for the next emergency. Compartments are opened and equipment is inspected. 

  

The driver, or Engineer, of the fire apparatus will walk around the vehicle inspecting spare air bottles, tires, and the contents of each compartment. The idea here is to identify any issues that may exist before they become a problem. There is a set checklist that must be completed every day, but there are also additional checks that are performed based on the day of the week.

 

As part of the morning checkoff, each apparatus is pulled out in front of the fire station. The driver will verify that the onboard computer is working, check fuel, oil and transmission levels and test the fire engine’s pump to ensure everything will function if it is called upon in an emergency. Even though there are gauges to monitor the level of water and firefighting foam in the tanks, the driver will visually inspect these tanks as part of the process. Firefighters could be put at risk if the gauge was wrong and the engine ran out of water unexpectedly.

 

While the truck is outside, the driver will again walk around. This time they are inspecting every light on the truck to verify that it is working. If any bulbs need replacing, this is the time to take care of it. Now is also the time that the driver gets to live out every child’s dream and blow the horn and sound the siren to make sure they are in proper working order.

 

While the Engineer is ultimately responsible for ensuring the truck is ready to respond, the firefighter will pitch in and help out. This can include checking off the medical equipment. Every shift the medical equipment is inspected to make sure anything used on a previous call has been replaced. Once a month any equipment that needs calibration is tested to ensure it is working properly. Medications that are nearing their expiration dates are removed and replaced. When you need it is not the time to find out that a medication has expired or the last oxygen mask was used the day before. 

 

Every day at Brentwood Fire and Rescue may start in a similar manner, but once calls start coming in things can become anything but routine. By adhering to a set method for inspecting the apparatus and its equipment, firefighters can ensure the fire engine won’t let them down when they need it most.