I am pleased to annouce another free online training module brought to you by Green Maltese & EngineCO22.net .
This training will discuss important fireground considerations that are essential to your success on the fireground.
Click on Picture for Training Link:
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
What is Energy Glass?
ENERGYGLASS™ is the only Optically Clear Building Integrated Photovoltaic Window System in the World.
ENERGYGLASS™ is a patented Optically Clear Vertical Building Photovoltaic Window System that produces continuous Energy from Sunlight, Diffused, Ambient Light and Ground Reflectance and the only 100% FIELD of VISION in the world. The entire surface of the windows is clear – No grids, dots or lines! This proprietary Inorganic Nano Technology and Solar Collector does not degrade from IR like typical solar cells, do.
ENERGYGLASS™ produces 1-2 watts per sq. ft. per hour for 10-12 hours during the day and 4-5 watts at peak dependent on location. Energy generated can be inverted back to the grid, battery back up or direct to DC equipment! This means a FEED In Tariff opportunity could be available, thus generating revenue from your windows and/or reducing your building’s energy consumption.
How does it work?
EnergyGlass™ is a patented transparent glass system that collects and produces energy from any light source and can be simply integrated into building window designs to produce electricity.
The EnergyGlass™ system continually collects and creates electricity from sunlight, diffused light and artificial light.
DC electricity produced from EnergyGlass™ can be inverted and returned to the grid and / or charge batteries and / or be wired direct to DC electronics. and offers a value added solution for power independence from the main electrical.
Additional information:
http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/arts-and-culture/solar-glass-makes-its-debut.aspx
Just wanted to inform you of another hazard we are faced with in modern green construction.
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
Green Maltese main focus is on building construction however I also teach alot of search classes as well. So I am going share some of the search drills I have put together. Hope you enjoy and they are useful to you and your crews. They are only meant to be short drills to start kitchen table discussion. In order to get the best out of them please get out and do the hands-on searching application in full PPE and SCBA.
Topics covered in this drill series are:
Link to download drills in PDF file:
Fireground search drills for green maltese
Special thanks to Firefighter Close Calls.com for the Search Operations drill.
If you enjoy and are able to use these drills to deliver training at your department please give feedback.
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has partnered with Green Builder® Media, North America’s leading media company focused on sustainable living to participate in the VISION House® located in INNOVENTIONS at Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort. The innovative exhibitis set to present green living ideas in a fun and informative manner that will empower guests with the knowledge that a sustainable future is possible.
NFPA will showcase home fire sprinklers as an important addition to the home. “Through this partnership with Green Builder® Media, we hope to educate visitors on the key environmental benefits of sprinklers,” said Jim Shannon, NFPA president. According to findings of a groundbreaking study, greenhouse gases released by burning buildings can be reduced by 98 percent when automatic fire sprinklers are installed. The study, conducted for the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, also found that automatic sprinklers:
The VISION House® in INNOVENTIONS is inspired by Green Builder Media’s VISION House demonstration home series and will open Earth Day, April 22nd. Guests visiting the house will explore the major themes of green building, including whole-home automation, energy generation and efficiency, water conservation, indoor environment quality and high-performance materials and durability.
As guests tour the home, they will encounter intelligent products and advanced technologies, such as:
For more information about sustainable living and the VISION House® in INNOVENTIONS, visit www.visionhousegreen.com. For more information about home fire sprinklers, visit www.nfpa.org/sprinklers.
Original link with full story:
http://www.nfpa.org/newsReleaseDetails.asp?categoryid=488&itemId=56426&cookie%5Ftest=1
I would like to invite you to attend my class at FDIC! 
I would be honored to have you present as I reach one of my life long dreams of teaching at FDIC the Super Bowl of Firefighting.
Here a short preview:
The class will examine trends and methods in modern building construction with an emphasis on roofs, their direct relationship to vertical ventilation, structural firefighting operations, and firefighter survivability. Inherent roof construction features and hazards that directly influence truck company work will be the main focus, along with green roofs, methods, and exotic materials that are used to achieve green standards, and the potential hazards that they present to fire service personnel. Many of these materials such as recycled rubber shingles, solar panels, and green (garden) roofs are not common knowledge to most fire service personnel. ALL LEVELS
Friday 4/20/2012 @ 10:30 am – 12:15 pm
Room 109-110
Looking forward to seeing you all!
FDIC is such a wonderful conference and the only bad thing about it is that you can’t possibly go to all the classes because there is so many to choose from!!
So if you havn’t decided here is a list of a few that are my friends or I know they are awesome instructors.
The Future of Fire Training Room 120-122
President Eddie Buchanan, International Society of Fire Service Instructors
Fire Behavior Has Changed; Have Your Tactics? Room Wabash 3
Fire Protection Engineer Stephen Kerber, Underwriters Laboratories
PV Safety for Firefighters Room 116-117
Captain Matthew Paiss, San Jose (CA) Fire Department
Drills and Tips for Company Officers Room 107-108
Major Brian Arnold, Oklahoma City (OK) Fire Department
Engine Company Operations “Gallons per Second” Room 132-133
Battalion Chief Curt Isakson, Escambia County (FL) Fire Rescue
Live To Train Another Day Room 138-139
Division Chief Brian Kazmierzak, Clay (IN) Fire Territory
Tactical Leadership: The Next Step Room 123-124
Lieutenant Frank Ricci, New Haven (CT) Fire Department
Adaptive Fireground Management for Officers Room Wabash 2
Chief of Training Christopher Naum, Command Institute
Suburban Fire Tactics Room 243-245
Captain/Training Officer Jim Silvernail, Metro West (MO) Fire Protection District
Ventilation Principles and Practices Room 134-135
Lieutenant Brian Brush, West Metro (CO) Fire Rescue
Ventilating Impact Resistance Coverings Room 125-126
Firefighter Ric Jorge, Palm Beach County (FL) Fire Rescue
Construction-Based Fire Attack Room 138-139
Lieutenant Don Kaderabek, Niles (IL) Fire Department
School Bus Extrication Room 123-124
Lieutenant Paul Hasenmeier, Huron (OH) Fire Department
Tactics Using Quint Apparatus Room 240-242
Captain Nicholas Morgan, St Louis (MO) Fire Department
A Firefighter’s Worst Enemy Room 103-104
Deputy Chief Jason Hoevelmann, Sullivan (MO) Fire Protection District
Rapid Intervention Basics Room 236-237
Captain Jeff Schwering, Crestwood (MO) Fire Department
Teaching Practical Fire Dynamics Room Lucas Oil Stadium Meeting Room 1-2
Chief Edward Hartin, Central Whidbey Island (WA) Fire & Rescue
Residential Ventilation Room 236-237
Deputy Chief/Training Officer Paul Norwood, East Haven (CT) Fire Department
See you all there!
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
Picture is from http://www.housesolarenergy.net/
Portland Fire RescueFirefighters knocked down a fire in a house with solar panels — which can’t be turned off — in less than 30 minutes. The panels were installed based on a new code written for just such a situation.Firefighters knocked down a fire in a Southeast Portland home this morning, maneuvering around solar panels that pose a threat of electrocution.
The operation went smoothly, with the fire brought under control in less than 30 minutes thanks to the solar panel installation, said Paul Corah, spokesman for Portland Fire Rescue.
The panels were placed in accordance with a new Oregon building code that went into effect last year, requiring installers to leave space on the sides of panels and on the top of the roof to give firefighters room to put their ladders and cut out sections as needed to let heat escape.
Corah said the fire was the first time the new code was tested — and it worked.
If the panels had covered the roof, firefighters would not have been able to break it open: Solar panels cannot be turned off like other electrical sources. The fire would not have been able to vent and that would have made it worse, Corah said. As it was, the fire caused about $70,000 worth of damage.
Original article link:
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
I am very excited to annouce a partnership between Green Maltese and Engine Co. 22!
Christopher Huston from http://engineco22.net/ did a outstanding job taking my last basement fire post to the next level.
This FREE training program is complete with videos and audio. Please enjoy and share with every firefighter you know.
Link to free program:
http://engineco22.net/modules/basement/index.html
Be sure and check out some the other great stuff Chris is doing at Engine Co. 22.
TRAINING OPERATIONS
LEAD INSTRUCTOR & OWNER
CHRISTOPHER HUSTON
Email: huston@engineco22.net
Twitter: @engineco22
Facebook: EngineCompany 22
Phone: 269-277-4711
LinkedIn: Christopher Huston
YouTube: Channel firefighterco22
EVERYONE GOES HOME
MICHIGANLEAD ADVOCATE
CHRISTOPHER HUSTON
Web: http://everyonegoeshome.com
Twitter: @egh_program
Twitter: @michiganegh
Tumblr: http://reg5egh.tumblr.com
Quick overview of basement fire training
Full program with audio and videos:
Enjoy and please share it with others.
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
The National Volunteer Fire Council released the Guide for Going Green in the Fire Service to highlight sustainable practices and inspire departments to reduce their impact on the environment.
The Guide looks at a range of Earth-friendly steps departments can take, from simple practices such as recycling and energy conservation to complex solutions such as green construction.
NVFC Guide for Going Green in the Fire Service:
NVFC going green guide for fire departments
Link to NVFC Goin Green:
http://www.nvfc.org/resources/going-green/
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
BILL WOULD REQUIRE EMBLEMS ON BUILDINGS WITH SOLAR PANELS
Firefighters would be better protected against the dangers posed by solar panels under a bipartisan bill approved today by the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee. It is sponsored by Assembly Republican Bob Schroeder.
“New Jersey is one of the fastest-growing markets for solar energy and trails only California in terms of installations, but solar panels pose an unintended threat to firefighters,” Schroeder, R-Bergen and Passaic, said. “Safe firefighting requires knowledge and awareness of the situation. This bill will let emergency responders know at a glance when there’s a threat of electrocution because the building is actively harnessing power from the sun.”
The bill, A-266, would require buildings to clearly label with an exterior emblem whether they have a solar panel. The safety measure was recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, which noted buildings with solar power systems “can present a variety of significant hazards” in its report Fire Fighter Safety and Emergency Response for Solar Power Systems.
STATEMENT
This bill requires that an identifying emblem displaying the letters “S/P” be placed next to the main entrance of a building if solar panels are attached to the roof of that building. Current law requires identifying emblems with truss construction display the letter “F” to signify a floor with truss construction; “R” to signify a roof with truss construction; or “F/R” to signify both a floor and roof with truss construction. This bill requires an additional emblem with the letters “S/P” to signify “solar panels” be placed to the left of the main entrance of any structure that has solar panels affixed to its roof.
In addition, this bill requires that all existing and newly constructed buildings that have solar panels be equipped with an external shut-off switch. The purpose of this bill is to protect the safety of firefighters who respond to an emergency call at a home that has solar panels.
Excellent training from UL:
http://content.learnshare.com/courses/73/352901/player.html
More Green Maltese info on solar:
http://greenmaltese.com/2011/09/indianapolis-international-airport-solar-farm/
http://greenmaltese.com/2011/09/firehouse-podcast-on-some-green-issues/
http://greenmaltese.com/2011/08/solar-power-in-the-wabash-valley-area/
http://greenmaltese.com/2011/05/going-on-a-field-trip/
FYI
Green Maltese also offers a custom course available on labeling of buildings.
Labeling Buildings for the Fire Service:
Presentation Summary
In today’s society, everything from coffee cups to toys come with some kind of warning label to alert people of potential danger. The question becomes: ”Why doesn’t the fire service use labeling to warn firefighters, and alter our members’ reactions when we engage in one of the world’s most dangerous situations of structural firefighting?”
This course will be thought provoking session on how we can do simple things such as labeling of buildings to prevent a firefighter LODD. It will also exam the successful labeling ordinance from Greencastle, Indiana, as well as addresses several states’ truss labeling laws. These ideas and examples will be reinforced by case studies and NIOSH LODD reports.
Program Overview and Pedagogical Approach
Participants will gain an understanding of inherent construction features and hazards that directly influence effective risk management and decisive strategic and tactical considerations with a focus on key construction features which will influence strategic, tactical and task level operations by fire dynamics and fire behavior. This program examines crucial construction elements and correlates building construction performance toward combat structural fire suppression operations.
The presentation will examine the need to label buildings based on potential risk associated with different construction materials used, which influence the building’s structural stability. It will also leave the student with knowledge of current states’ and local labeling ordinances that are designed to warn the firefighter of potential hazards.
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
Since ancient times, people have used thick walls of adobe or stone to trap the sun’s heat
during the day and release it slowly and evenly at night to heat their buildings. Today’s
low-energy(green) buildings often improve on this ancient technique by incorporating a thermal
storage and delivery system called a Trombe wall. Named after French inventor Felix
Trombe in the late 1950s, the Trombe wall continues to serve as an effective feature of
passive solar design.
A Trombe wall has masonry or concrete on the inside that is painted black on the exterior face, an air space, and glass on the exterior of the home. The completed walls look like windows with black shades. Photos: Joe McGovern, Living Designs Group
Trombe Wall Design and Construction:
A typical unvented Trombe wall consists of a 4- to 16-in (10- to 41-cm)-thick, southfacing masonry wall with a dark, heat-absorbing material on the exterior surface and faced with a single or double layer of glass. The glass is placed from ¾ to 2 in. (2 to 5 cm) from the masonry wall to create a small airspace. Heat from sunlight passing through the glass is absorbed by the dark surface, stored in the wall, and conducted slowly inward through the masonry. High transmission glass maximizes solar gains to the masonry wall. As an architectural detail, patterned glass can limit the exterior visibility of the dark concrete wall without sacrificing transmissivity.
Do It Yourself Trombe Wall:
Just another feature in green construction that may look normal. However these windows could not be used for ventilation or access for RIT.
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
I am very excited to post about my recent visit to observe a day of test burns that are a part of the Vertical Ventilation study being conducted by UL.
I want to first say a special thanks to Steve Kerber, Christopher Hasbrook,Bob Backstrom and Chief Peter Van Dorpe for allowing me to experience so many wonderful things they do to make the fire service safer.
This post is only to share my experience with you. It is not meant to be a report because it was only one day of many tests that UL are conducting to produce the report on Impact of Vertical Ventilation for the fire service.
United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program funded Underwriters Laboratories to conduct these test to examine fire service ventilation practices as well as the impact of changes in modern house geometries.
There has been a steady change in the residential fire environment over the past several decades. These changes include larger homes, more open floor plans and volumes and increased synthetic fuel loads. This series of experiments examine this change in fire behavior and the impact on firefighter ventilation tactics.
Test 1: on 2/7/2012
Was conducted in single story legacy ranch home. The fire was started in a coffee pot and then got into cabinets and was allowed to flashover. The door was then opened and after few minutes water was applied from straight stream at the door for 10 seconds and with fog nozzle. The purpose of water application was to see if a post flashover fire could be pushed out of kitchen down hallway. NO Fire was pushed in this test however there has been 7 test before and still one more to go. All the data will have to be analyzed before this can be confirmed.
Other things tested was 5 different smoke detectors, visibility on exit lights in smoke and they also examined activation time versus time needed to evacuate determined by temperature, gas concentration and smoke obscuration.
Test 2 on 2/7/2012
Two story modern home with open concept design. This fire was started in a trash can in upstairs bedroom and allowed to grow (it did not flashover due to the lack of oxygen) then the bedroom window was taken and it transitioned to flashover and later the front door was opened. The open door allowed for a flow up through the foyer to the bedroom window which intensified the fire and allowed it to burn at the door to the room and the window of the room, resulting in a higher heat release. The vertical ventilation hatch was opened and this seemed to localize the fire but UL will have to examine the data and videos before they can conclude anything. This test was a good example of multiple types of ventilation being coordinated and the hose stream application from the outside quickly knocked the fire.
My videos:
Note my videos are amateur and shot on just a 35 mm camera so excuse my shaking hand LOL
Bob Backstrom teaching NIPSTA recruits
Test 2 videos
My pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/media/set/?set=a.2678019589373.2115100.1222742202&type=1
Once again this post is only about my experience on 2/7/2012 which is only part of the study that is being conducted. So I am looking forward to Steve Kerber and his group to releasing the full report.
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
I would first like to say that the use of the following article is not meant to be an armchair quarterback or to be critical of the department involved. However I do feel it can be a learning opportunity for us, to at least review some basics of having a search plan.
Article:
A man died in a blaze after four firefighters failed to spot him during two searches of a burning building, an inquest heard today. Danny Holt, 33, collapsed in his lounge after a chip pan caught fire – but the emergency services failed to spot him. Both groups of firefighters assumed the other had searched the room in Eccles, Greater Manchester.
Searching with a plan:
The most important ingredient of a successful search is the search plan. An organized and coordinated search plan will help reduce some of the risk and increase your chances of giving you and the victims you are searching for the greatest chance of survival.
.The first step of a successful plan will begin with a good search size-up. This should actually begin upon receipt of receiving the alarm. The following are few factors that should be considered.
Once you have considered these factors and any other information that was available upon arrival. You can start to put your plan into action.
Where do you begin your search?
Searching for life should begin upon entry such as behind doors or under windows in VES. A lot of text books will say start closest to the fire however this is not always possible and I feel that you should target area of high probability of victims, such as areas close to front door since they exit that area most of the time it become habit or close to windows. As mentioned above, the time of day will be a big part of where the victim will probably be in the building.
Once you have chosen the place to begin searching. You must start orientating yourself to that room.
¨ Identify your location in the structure based on contents (furniture, beds, fixtures, type of flooring material, etc.)
¨ Leave a hand light at the door as a beacon to the exit
¨ Where the door is hinged? Interior doors opening out indicate closets or small spaces (or basements)
¡ Probe into a space with a tool before entering to determine size of the space
¨ Outside walls= windows = escape routes!
Primary Search:
Is a systematic, fast-moving search of the building and should target areas of high victim probably but not stop there. This search is not complete until every area has been covered rapidly. This search should be done with at least two people. Firefighters should be very aware of their situation and use one of the following methods of orientation while conducting this rapid search while the fire is not under control.
Secondary Search:
The secondary search should be much more thorough and conducted slower as to leave nothing unturned or unchecked. This search should be conducted by a different crew than the one that conducted the primary search so you have a fresh body and set of eyes that will not overlook anything. Beware that by this stage, the fire should have either been extinguished or destroyed much of the area and victims may be covered by fallen debris. Once this search has been completed throughout the entire building above and below then the structure is actually all clear.
Also keep your guard up and beware that many toxic gases still exist in the secondary and overhaul stages. SCBA should be worn until the atmosphere can be deemed safe from CO and HCN.
Note: This video is not from the article mentioned above.
In light of the recent event mentioned in the article above let’s refresh on some of these basics and get off the couch to do some search and rescue training with your crews so you are not the next headline!
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and West Virginia University’s National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) launched a training program specializing in teaching first responders how to treat crashes involving hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and other advanced-powertrain vehicles. NAFTC has also launched in iPhone app – and will do the same for Android smartphone users – that responders may use to quickly reference facts and instructions while in action.
Electric drive vehicles are as safe as conventional vehicles, but they are different.
The initiative is part of the DOE’s Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Education Program and breaks out training categories by four vehicle types: hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles. The NAFTC also offers a durable flipbook reference manual for emergency responders and educational videos, in addition to the smartphone apps. NAFTC will offer online training courses starting this year.
“Because more consumers are choosing electric drive vehicles, first responders must understand the differences between these and conventional, gasoline-powered vehicles, NAFTC Executive Director Al Ebron said in a statement. “Electric drive vehicles are as safe as conventional vehicles, but they are different.”
The program reflects the expectation that alt-fuel vehicle purchases will continue to rise as gas prices stay high and automakers improve battery technology and shrink the price premium between alt-fuel and conventional vehicles.
Link to app:
http://afvsafetytraining.com/qrg.html
Link to original article:
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
Green Building Codes 101: Navigating the Standards, Codes, and Rating Systems.
This webinar addresses many of the questions about the relationships between green standards, codes, and rating systems. This webinar was developed collaboratively by ICC, USGBC, ASHRAE and AIA.
Link:
http://media.iccsafe.org/IGCC/GreenBuildingCodes101-flash/Green%20Building%20Codes%20101/player.html
Stay Safe
Lt. John Shafer
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