Firefighters in Casa Grande received concerning test results when nearly half of a hazmat team tested for elevated levels of arsenic during their annual heavy metal testing. None of the seven firefighters knew they had high levels of the naturally occurring chemical that can cause cancer. Six of the seven are stationed at the same …
On May 15, NFPA LiNK added 25 additional codes and standards within the organization’s vast scope of publications, including the latest edition of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. For those unfamiliar with NFPA 70E, this standard establishes requirements for safe work practices to protect personnel by reducing exposure to major electrical …
NFPA Provides Early Access to 2024 Editions of 20+ Codes and Standards Read More »
PHMSA is concerned that during the East Palestine derailment and response, on-scene emergency responders may not have had access to the AskRail app. Information through this tool allows responders to determine real-time train contents information and is crucial to understanding hazards present in a derailment and other incidents involving a train transporting hazmat. To aid …
In spite of the global supply chain issues and loss of vehicles in the Felicity Ace cargo ship fire, the sales of electric vehicles (EVs) has been on the move, hitting 6.6 million in 2021, which is more than triple their market share from two years earlier. While this might be good news for our …
Fire Safety for Electric Vehicles and Other Modern Vehicles in Parking Structures Read More »
In this short video clip, I walk you through a quick overview of my class at this year’s FDIC helping firefighters and officers understand when to wait for the hazmat team and when to take initial steps themselves. Most often, assembling a hazmat team takes time. And that’s time viable victims don’t have.
St. Louis firefighters are on the scene of a large fire at an abandoned warehouse near the Mississippi River just north of the Gateway Arch.The St. Louis Fire Department said the fire is at a warehouse near the intersection of North 1st Street and O’Fallon Street. The first call for the fire came out at …
100 firefighters battling fire at vacant warehouse in St. Louis Read More »
One day after becoming the first woman to lead New York City’s Fire Department in its 157-year history, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh joined “Mornings on 1” to lay out her vision for the FDNY. Kavanagh, who came into the FDNY in 2014 with a management background, said technological innovation, collaboration between city agencies and diversity …
FDNY Commissioner Kavanagh lays out vision for fire department Read More »
In late August, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a preliminary document, which indicated the agency wants to classify “forever chemicals” as hazardous substances. These perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are part of EPA’s overall effort to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — known as PFAS. EPA says PFOAs and PFOSs are two of the …
Will Hazmat Teams be Affected by EPA ‘Forever Chemical’ Rule Changes? Read More »
To be a student of the job means you chase unfamiliar factors tirelessly until you find a solution or answer. Seeking the answer on how to start and manage a Professional Development Program became my newfound passion in the fire service. The development and implementation of this program began as a priority for McHenry Township …
Professional Development: Tips on How to Get Your Program Started Read More »
The increase in popularity of battery-operated mobility devices, like scooters, skateboards and bicycles has meant a dramatic increase in fires in New York City caused by lithium-ion batteries with sometimes fatal consequences. Lt. John Cassidy, Haz-mat Company 1, discusses the dangers of these batteries, tactics and procedures operational units can take at these incidents. Battalion …
