“The "what should be" never did exist, but people keep trying to live up to it. There is no "what should be," there is only what is.”
Lenny Bruce (1925-1966, bio link)
Raise your hand if you are going to get struck by lightning during your next outdoor encounter with a thunderstorm. Dumb question?
Most people wouldn’t raise their hand. You could ask similar questions to an audience of any make-up about how many of them will get in a car crash today or expect to see the fire department or an ambulance at their home when they get there, to also raise their hand. Most people wouldn’t. We trust ourselves and our settings and “Accidents happen to other people.” Yes they do. We just need to know we can all be “other” people.
Those of us not in the employ of a fire department or active as a trained FD volunteer may take for granted that our rescuers will respond to our emergency with all the stuff they need to protect life, prevent any further injury to victims and minimize property damage. We cannot take this for granted.
There are far too many fire fighters entering environments where just the simplest of air testing monitors can make the life, death or worsening health difference, but they are not equipped with them, either because they can’t afford them or they missed that part of safety training.
One of the story links today announces the procurement of testing devices and appropriate instrument calibration equipment by a fire department. These testing systems were purchased to monitor the air and to help protect firefighters during the mop up of a structural fire when the CO and hydrogen cyanide levels might be higher than when the building is experiencing intense flame destruction. The bonus use for the air testing systems is that they can also begin to test all buildings on entry and be alerted to abnormal measurements of carbon monoxide that may unknowingly be complicating a rescue, as they indicate.
The procurement of this life safety instrumentation could not have occurred without the help of a private business assisting with fund raising events. This is fortunate for the fire department personnel and the community, praiseworthy for that business and a good model for fire departments needing similar support elsewhere, maybe in our own community.
A few weeks ago I was at the checkout at a grocery store. I watched as a uniformed fire fighter was going through the next line over with a couple of tubs of ice cream to take back to the station house and the rest of his colleagues. Another man, just walking by to another aisle with his shopping cart glanced over at the fire fighter and then proceeded to abandon his cart, squeeze past a few people in that line and reach out and pay the cashier for the ice cream. “Thanks for what you do.” He said. “You don’t have to do that,” responded the fireman. “It’s just ice cream. I live in this fire district. This is nothing; nothing but thanks.” And the man turned back towards his cart.
Sometimes you don’t know what you need until after you have a need for it. Sometimes you know what you need but what you need costs money. Fire departments to be effective need public support and cooperation. This requires a smarter citizen.
We must all be smarter about fire and all combustion system safety. This also requires purchasing their fund raising ticket even if you cannot attend the event or sending them a random check, whatever you can. We all owe a little more than ice cream to our local fire department, even though they may have never rescued you once and you don’t expect they ever will. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News links
Oregon OSHA urges caution following three workplace carbon monoxide incidents
(Salem) –In recent weeks, employees at three different Portland-area worksites were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide while operating gas-powered equipment. Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, is urging employers to take precautions to avoid carbon monoxide exposure, which can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, or in extreme cases, death.
Follow up details
20 Carbon monoxide/gas leaks in over 18 months at Portsmouth ...
WTKR.com By Laurie Simmons
59 Merrimac Drive was red tagged five times by the fire department, and 98 Swanson Parkway was red tagged three times--all for carbon monoxide and gas leaks coming from faulty appliances. In all, fire crews responded to 12 CO and gas ...
The following safety video’s best advice from the U.S Department of Labor, “Don’t use gas powered tools inside.”
· USDOL Carbon Monoxide in Construction/Portable Gas-Powered Equipment
Underfunded fire department gets help
Firehouse Subs Donates Life-Saving Equipment to Irmo Fire District
Patch.com
Firefighters with the Irmo Fire District now have some updated equipment to help detect carbon monoxide or other deadly gases thanks to a donation from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. On Tuesday, firefighters, local Firehouse Subs ...
Oshawa Ontario, Canada; Getting tough on the front lines of carbon monoxide safety
New penalties for Oshawa carbon monoxide detector, open air burning
durhamregion.com
OSHAWA -- There are new penalties for Oshawa homeowners and landlords who don't have carbon monoxide detectors appropriately installed, with fines ranging from $300 for a first offence to $25000 for a third conviction. The carbon monoxide detector ...
· Heart Rescue Now This link takes you to a very short video that is a practical demonstration on the proper usage of an AED. This video is tastefully done & demonstrates the step-by-step way one might be able to save a life.
· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.
· Carbon Monoxide Survivor A website made by poisoning survivors that brings a view that can only come from those that know what it is like to have been poisoned - as well as live with the long term impact.
· Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.
National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-five U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia
Google Maps to reference the locations referenced in these Internet headlines.
The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
