Greetings to everyone, and I hope you all are having a good week. No doubt, it has been a busy one! Between train derailments, structure fires, MVA’s with entrapments, and offshore rescues in high seas, and thousands of EMS and fire calls, it’s just another week for JFRD. There is a lot going on and little time to write this, so let’s get started.
· Instructional bulletins—two are coming out addressing the Squads and Mayday’s. I would change the SOG’s but with the test forthcoming, I did not want to confuse the issue. Therefore the easiest way to update is through a bulletin and when the tests are over, we can send out updated SOG’s. The best way to learn about Maydays is listening and watching other departments as they deal with these unfortunate incidents. Here are some videos that include Baltimore, Chicago, Ashville, and Houston
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CniW4nzgW8w
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kj4JORNoJo
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_kq5EZ8XBs
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY9I33DG2Zo
o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpJjl_R-98M
· Jeff Cool—is coming to Jacksonville to speak. The dates are 4-15 and 4-16. The speech only lasts about 3 hours. Attached are the flyers and bio of the speaker. Please do your best to attend as his message is well worth it. A big thank you again to our Fire Chiefs Association for picking up the costs and to the Union for hosting the event.
· Westside Arsonist—in the 1980’s most of Station 4’s territory was set ablaze, one structure at a time. In the 90’s it seemed to shift to Riverside. Today, the Westside is having some pretty significant fires which lead back to one or more arsonists. As of today, the State FM has not made public any arrests associated with the westside fires. As you all are aware, arson fires tend to behave differently than normal fires in the sense accelerants are commonly used and multiple points of ignition change the dynamics from ordinary structure fires. I say that to say this…please don’t let your guard down on these runs. What may seem like just another fire may not be.
· New Recruits—are out and riding on the weekends. Please take the time to educate them and look out for them as we are fighting W3’s daily.
· Jammer—Tuesdays train derailment required the use of the Command Van for over 12 hours. James Morgan, otherwise known as Jammer, volunteered to come by and make sure the unit and all its systems ran right for the department. He selflessly worked and troubleshot the issues as they arose. I wanted to take a minute and publicly thank him for all he did. For those that didn’t know, he has been stopping by Station 9 to assist with training.
· Speaking of Tuesday---a call came in at 0500 hrs for a train derailment, carrying hazardous materials, under the Acosta Bridge. What started as a one alarm call quickly escalated to three alarms as it became apparent this was not just another derailment. Although the product leaking could have been way worse (ammonia, chlorine, propane, styrene, etc.) the location of the accident was an issue. Downtown in an densely populated area next to the largest print shop in the city. The best water supply came from the river and required the 50 and 70 foot boats. During one time that morning, 4 tactical channels were being utilized as a structure fire and two MVA’s with entrapments were happening at the same time as the train derailment. After pumping water for almost 8 hours, the boats returned to service. At 2100 hrs, 20 feet away from their dock, Marine 140 heard a cry for help coming from a 23 foot boat 13 miles offshore in rough seas. Not only was the boat taking on water, but a medical emergency was happening with one of the distressed crewmembers also. With seas ranging from 6 to 8 feet, Marine 140 got on scene and assisted. US Coast Guard towed the boat and their thankful crew into port. The crew of Marine 140 knew it was going to be bad when they exited the river and took a 10 foot wave over the bow of the boat. In pitch black light, they headed out for another save. I included a video from the boat.*** Once again…awesome job!
o ***the small print---the marine units are under orders to capture the conditions as they find offshore. This is not the same as helmet cams instructional bulletin. I should not have to say all that, but you know…someone will ask.
· Rapid Intervention Training—begins Monday for the Squads and Special Ops and should last one month. In a few months, they will begin delivering the same class to the rest of the department. RIT company equipment and check off lists will come out with the bulletin today. Which brings me to bailout kits.
· Bailout Kits—you can quote me on this….No fire departments’ bailout plan should include a leap of faith alone. If given the choice between burning alive or jumping out of a multi-story window or building, you should have something to give you a fighting chance. We are in the process now of identifying and moving funds to purchase bailout kits. Understand there is a process required and then purchase would go out to bid, then awards, etc. Unfortunately we are a few months out from taking delivery, but we’re getting there. Once the packs are purchased, we will be converting an old pick-up truck with a window frame in the bed to a mobile training unit. That way training can be brought to your station anytime. Thank you to Capt. Fulford for that idea and to Capt. Ennis and others who have constantly pushed for this to happen. We will be a better department because of it.
· Car 2 Able—C2A is the radio designation for Chief McCormick while he is assigned to HQ. Although still the Battalion Chief of Special Operations, he is currently assisting me with a variety of projects and issues. Please extend any courtesy if he calls on my behalf.
· Protecting You--For the last 5 years, Lt. Smith (HazMat) and I have traveled to different departments, both here in Florida and elsewhere, educating others on the dangers of overhaul; we did that on our own dime because multiple studies have shown direct correlation with overhaul exposure to cancer. I know many folks don’t like reading studies, and I don’t blame them. Attached is a capstone written by Chief Nelson, Fire 9C, which sums 20 years of studies for you. Extremely well written, it’s worth the time to read. One note to mention is the HHS study that came out in December. Basically it found even when fully protected, FF’s are taking dermal exposures around their necks. Urinalysis shows benzene and other organic compounds present in urine even when using a SCBA properly. Give yourself a fighting chance in retirement, that’s what the W4 policy is about, an attempt to protect you long term. Protecting you today is what the Squad initiative, RIT training, Mayday procedures, and bailout kits are all about. I will spend the rest of my career making sure we are the most prepared and equipped department as it relates to rapid intervention and FF safety. I would like to thank our Director / Fire Chief for lending his full support towards the W4 policy & the Squad initiative.
Time to give some thanks---
· To everyone at TSF. In case you didn’t know, we are extremely short staffed (vacancies and Art retiring) and losing Mr. Coleman for good this week. The work load always goes up at TSF, never down, and losing staffing just increases the burden on our folks. Thank you for everything you all are doing.
· To all of you, who make train derailments, structure fires, MVA’s with entrapments, and high sea rescues, just another normal day in the life of the JFRD.
Well that’s it for this short WIR. I hope everyone takes some time for yourself this weekend and I hope you get to spend it with family and friends.
Please keep our members in your thoughts and prayers as some are truly having difficult times.
As always, we thank you for what you do, why you do it, and for always showing why you are truly the Best Fire Rescue Department in the Country!
Very Respectfully,
Kurtis R. Wilson
Chief of
Operations
Jacksonville
Fire and Rescue Department