Inter-Canyon Rookie Firefighter Training

Becoming a firefighter in Colorado requires an individual to meet the minimum state requirements and the requirements of the individual departments.  Department requirements can be obtained from the department website or through a visit to the firehouse.  For Colorado, the state requirements for firefighters are found with the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety.

Being a firefighter is a great profession, but serving the community as a volunteer requires hundreds of hours of training before responding to the first call for assistance..  Helping people when things are at their worst is tremendously gratifying. 

 

To become volunteer firefighter, there are a number of factors involved and decisions to be made before making this major commitment of time and energy.  All Inter-Canyon volunteers must become a certified Colorado State Firefighter I, basic Wildland Firefighter, and obtain a minimum of Emergency Medical Responder or Colorado State Emergency Medical Technician certification.  If selected, ICFR will put the applicant through the rookie academy and provide the applicant with the necessary initial training.  

The Colorado Firefighter Certification Program is now required for all firefighters within the state, including volunteer firefighters.  This certification is to ensure that firefighters obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities to meet nationally recognized standards for the position.  Training for certification is established by the National Fire Protection Association Standards for Professional Qualifications. Training subjects are offered according to the level of certification being obtained, such as Fire Fighter I (basic, entry level certification), driver operator, driver operator pumper, etc. Certifications must be renewed every three years through successful completion of each job performance requirement and submission of a renewal application.

Firefighting Foam

Inter-Canyon Fire/Rescue uses various forms of foam to fight both structural and wildland fires.  The use of Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS) in the rural setting undoubtedly offer great benefits, as do regular Class 'A' foams, for their penetrating and protective qualities. It has been shown that fire attack systems providing foam/air additives can assist firefighters greatly. A vast reduction in fire 'knockdown' and suppression times are being seen and the transition to lightweight attack hose-lines, where the air content creates a line that is half the weight of a normal water line, means firefighters are finding it much easier to advance and operate.

Compressed Air Foam

As in life, these are two very different fire classes:

Class A Fuels - Wood, cloth, some plastics

Class B Fuels - Flammable liquids and gases

The two foams used to fight fires are also very different. They may come in the same looking bucket, and make the same white bubbles on the ground, but they are very different chemistries and designed for very different missions.

Making foam is a very simple task – water + soap + air.
There are numerous variations in the makeup (consistency) of the foam. Knowing which variation to use when requires good equipment, training and practice. Using the wrong consistency at the wrong time makes for very unhappy firefighters and possibly a very unhappy situation.

There are 4 levels of effectiveness in firefighting liquids/foams:
The bottom level is water. Water has a high surface to mass ratio (STMR) – inefficient heat absorption; high surface tension – no penetration; repels carbon – won’t stick to vertical surfaces.

Structural Firefighting



Next up is Foam solution = water + concentrate.  Foam solution has a reduced surface tension – improves penetration. Carbon loving – it sticks horizontal, but not vertical. Still has high SMTR. Only slight improvement in heat absorption.

Next level up is Aspirated Foam – better than solution since it is in a bubble format – the bubbles result in an increased STMR for better heat absorption. These bubbles are fragile and cannot be applied at long distance – low energy.

Top level is CAF – penetrates, sticks, ultimate heat absorption (this is what firefighting is all about), high energy, small, strong bubbles – long reach.

Firefighting with Foam

Intravenous Fluids in EMS

Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue EMTs, EMT-Intermediates and Paramedics all can initiate intravenous (IV) therapy for a number of different reasons.  Some of the most common reasons:

1.  Replenish lost fluids due to blood loss, diarhea, vomiting, and evaporative loss (sweating due to heat).
2.  The administration of medications.
3.  Cooling of the patent following successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest.

The use of intravenous (IV) therapy in administering IV fluids and medications is a routine intervention performed frequently in the out-of-hospital setting.   Common IV sites include the inside of the elbow, forearm, and the external jugular (the large vein on the side of the neck).  Typically blood is withdrawn at the time the IV is started.  These tubes of blood can then be delivered to the hospital with the patient for analysis.

The use of large volumes of IV fluids in trauma (significant blood loss) is controversial.  The Denver Metro Paramedic Protocols which guide pre-hospital care limit the volume of IV fluids to prevent complications. 

A common reason for initiating IV therapy is to use the IV as a route for medication administration.

Finally cold IV fluids may be used in patients following sucessful resuscitation after cardiac arrest.

ICFR ambulances carry IV fluid warmers (to prevent cooling of a patient receiving IV fluids) and IV fluid coolers (to chill the fluids for administration after cardiac arrest).

Firefighter Rehabilitation Critical to Safety

Fighting fire is hard work. This has been a universal truth since the inception of the fire service. No amount of tactics, resources, or technological progress will change this fact. One thing that has changed over the past 100-plus years of the modern day fire service is that firefighter rehab is absolutely necessary.  Firefighters face many hazards to health on the scene of not only large fires, but any extended incident.  In the past the firefighter simply sat on the rear bumper of the engine (near the exhaust pipe of the engine) to rest for a few minutes.  

Today firefighters are rotated through rehab for evaluation by EMS staff.  A properly implemented firefighter rehabilitation program will result in fewer accidents and injuries.  More importantly, properly rehabilitated firefighters return to duty better able to handle the workload, are better hydrated and have more productive capacity.  You may see firefighters "sitting around" during a major incident, but this period of rest and evaluation is critical to firefighter safety.

Firefighters in Rehab

CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE

Carbon monoxided is present at all fires and can pose a serious health hazard to firefighters.  ICFR firefighters wear Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) during both fire attack and mop up operations.  Firefighters may be exposed to this colorless and odorless gas on scene.   ICFR uses gas anlyzers to look for not only CO, but other hazadous gases as well.  All three ICFR ambulances are equipped with pulse co-oximeters, a new type of pulse oximeter designed to look for carbon monoxide in the blood.  Firefighters can be treated with oxygen and, if needed, trasnported to an area hospital.

Pulse Co-Oximeter

 
HYDRATION

Our bodies are made up of about two-thirds water. When someone gets dehydrated, it means the amount of water in the body has dropped below the level needed for normal body function. Under normal circumstances, we lose about two to 2.5 liters of water a day through body waste, sweat, and breathing.  Nutrition experts recommend a daily fluid intake of about 1.5 to 2.5 liters for healthy adults under normal living circumstances to prevent a liquid deficit. Small decreases don’t cause problems and go completely unnoticed in most cases.

Losing large amounts of water (in excess of 2 percent of body weight) can be a problem.  Strenuous work, particularly in protective clothing and in hot environments, can result in a loss of one to two liters of water an hour. At this rate, a firefighter may rapidly lose a significant amount of body water weight (the amount of water the body contains under normal conditions based on the size and weight of an individual). A loss of 1 to 2 percent of body water weight will compromise work performance, a loss of 2 to 3 percent will compromise mental alertness, and a loss of 3 to 5 percent can compromise the body’s ability to sustain life.

HEAT CRAMPS

The turnout gear worn by ICFR firefighters noty only protects the firefighters from external heat, but also traps heat in the firefighter and impairs the normal mechanisms of heat dispersion.  Heat cramps are the mildest form of heat/dehydration-related illness and are characterized by painful muscle spasms usually in the abdomen, hamstrings, or calves. These cramps can come on very suddenly and are excruciating. Heat cramps are caused by failure to replace the body’s lost sodium, although poor physical conditioning can also play a key role. Heat cramps can be relieved by drinking liquids or through IV therapy. Light massage and application of ice packs to the affective area may also help to relieve muscular pain during these cramps.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion is a more serious form of heat/dehydration illness. It is the result of even more severe levels of water and sodium losses through sweat. Symptoms generally include weakness and fatigue and clammy and moist skin that may appear flushed or pale. The body will continue to produce sweat at this stage, further depleting itself of electrolytes and water.

HEAT STROKE

The most serious heat/dehydration-related illness is heat stroke. This is very serious and possibly life threatening. It is brought on by a combination of the aforementioned dehydration factors as well as the body’s failure to regulate its core temperature. Sweating now stops. It is followed by mental confusion, delirium, loss of consciousness, convulsions or seizures; if left untreated, it could lead to coma or death. The core temperature of an individual experiencing heat stroke can be greater than 106°F; the patient will present with hot, dry, and mottled skin.

CALORIES
During extended incidents firefighters do require food.  ICFR has an excellent support organization, the VEES,  which responds quickly to the scene with food and fluids.  The support provided by the VEES extends beyond the time spent on scene, as firefighters return to the stations to clean and restock equipment, refill empty tenders (also known as tankers) and repair equipment.

ICFR offers wildland assessments to your neighborhoods and Home Owners Associations

ICFR offers a Neighborhood Wildfire Review to our citizens in the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District.  The Neighborhood Wildfire Review helps the residents of our district at risk from wildfire to make their homes safer. The review provides you and your neighbors with a thorough understanding of how homes ignite during wildfires, how simple actions can greatly reduce home ignitions, and how community behavior change can create Firewise homes and communities.

Experienced wildland firefighters from ICFR can meet with your neighborhood gathering or your Home Owners Association meeting to identify hazards and reduce risks in the home ignition zone before a wildfire starts. By applying new knowledge of how wildland/urban interface fires occur and by using new approaches, future wildland/urban interface fire risks may be significantly reduced. 

Firefighters in the wildland/urban interface (any area where wildland fuels threaten to ignite combustible homes and structures) must overcome severe challenges. There just aren’t enough resources to protect every home threatened by a wildfire. Everyone in the vicinity of such a fire is at risk, and the risk is greatly increased in areas that aren’t prepared.  The goal of the Neighborhood Wildfire Review is to help you and your neighbors  decrease the risks and threats of wildfires through public education, community design, land use planning, collaboration, preparedness and prevention programs.

If you are interested in the Neighborhood Wildfire Review we ask that you:

1.  Identify 20 neighbors from your area who will attend the review.

2.  Coordinate the date and time, as well as disseminating the information regarding the meeting to your neighbors or HOA.

3.  Contact the ICFPD administrative offices to coordinate a meeting time, date and location.  You can call our offices at 303-697-4413 Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The new Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Guide is now available

Preapre your family for an emergency with the newest information.  You can download a copy of the new Jefferson County Emergency Preparedness Guide from the Jefferson County website:  http://jeffco.us/jeffco/sheriff_uploads/2012_Emergency_Preparedness_Guide_complete_for_website.pdf

Or you can stop by the ICFR administrative offices at station one, 7939 South Turkey Creek Road, to pick up a copy.  Offices are open Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Jefferson County to test new Reverse 911 system on Wednesday February 6

From Jefferson County:

NEW Emergency Notification System to be tested Wed., Feb. 6th

We no longer have your phone number!
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On February 6, starting at 9 a.m., the CodeRED emergency notification system will begin making test calls.  This notification process is expected to take several hours to complete due to the large number of landlines to be called.  This system is used to help disseminate information regarding critical incidents.  In addition citizens can elect to receive notification of severe weather using the CodeRED Weather Warning system. 

 Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit www.jeffcosheriff.com to sign up. It only takes seconds, and can include SMS (text) and email address preferences. This is especially important for those addresses without a landline, as residents and businesses must register if they want to receive emergency notifications. Residents who have previously registered their phone numbers must re-register under the new notification system to ensure accuracy.   Residents wanting more information about the test notification call or with questions should call: 303-277-0211. 
 
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ICFR Community Wildfire Protection Plan

The ICFR Community Wildfire Protection Plan was developed by the Colorado State Forest Service, Jefferson County, and Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District.  The CWPP identifies the fuels, risks and resources for wildfire in ICFPD.  Take a few minutes to review the plan and the impact of wildfire in your neighborhood.


http://csfs.colostate.edu/pages/documents/InterCanyonFD_CWPP.pdf