SAFETY SQUAD BLOG

Have a fire alarm system? Okay good, now call 911.

Many people make assumptions about how they will, or should respond in a fire. One assumption is that if you have a built-in fire alarm system in your home, you don't have to call 911. This is not true.

If you have an automatic alarm system (and it's working), the system/service will notify the fire department that a detector in the home is activated. This will generate, in most jurisdictions, an automatic alarm response which is usually 1-2 vehicles (compared to 4+). Most automatic alarm calls are false alarms (for a number of reasons).  Usually, fire departments will respond with the same speed as a 911 "Report of Fire", but mentally many firefighters' first thought when they hear automatic alarm is "it's probably a false alarm".  As a result, the firefighters while responding quickly, often are not as mentally prepared to battle as they would be for 911 "Report of Fire". This is definitely true for me too.

I know that making assumptions about automatic alarms has killed many firefighters, but my experience also tells me that false alarms are extremely common.

Safety Squad suggests calling 911 always... either after you've escaped danger or if you're trapped.  First, You will at least double the number of firefighters responding (because 911 knows it's bonafide). Second, the firefighters responding to a "Report of Fire" assume it IS a fire and not a false alarm. Third, if you are trapped, you can communicate to 911 where you are, how many people are in the home and any information that may help firefighters find you.

When we know that people are trapped, the level of alarm escalates, our determination rises and given a place to look, we will walk through walls to find you.

Car Seat Saves Child in Fire: Part #1

Last week, 5 people died in a raging fire in Brooklyn, NY.  It's hard to see the positive, until we look at the lessons learned.  We will expand on this post in coming days, but wanted to focus on one aspect of the rescue.

A two-month old infant was dropped out of a 3rd floor window to the ground below and lived. In a frenzy the infant was placed in a car seat before being dropped. While the baby sustained injuries, it will survive.

In later posts, we'll discuss Smoke Detectors, Escape Ladders and the 411 on dialing 911, but first we're going to talk about that car seat.  As firefighters, we know that regardless of economic, cultural or geographical factors, parents and their children become trapped in their homes just like this family.

Lesson #1: You CAN use a car seat to lower children to safety.  Even in the most prepared household... one with fire ladders on all floors, few parents ever consider how they'll get their children (especially 2 and under) down their ladders. Climbing down escape ladders is not easy. By using an infant carrier or toddler seat w/rope attached, parents can safely lower a child to safety before they climb down the escape ladder.

Now, the car seat is not intended for this, but if you secure a baby "correctly" (more on this later) in the 5-point harness and secure the rope securely (before the fire), your family may be in a safer position.

At fires, I carry rope in my fire coat. I know that in some fires I won't have time to tie off before I jump, but having it gives me options. The same is true with a car seat and rope. Finally, this should not be your first method of escape for parents with infants/children. If you can escape another way, do that. This post will be evolving, so let us know your questions.

Fire Safety: Another human dies looking for a dog in a house fire

When we talk with clients about fire safety in the home, we often end up talking about the family pet. In many cases, we are speaking with expectant parents who's first "child" was a dog. We are huge dog lovers, so we get it, they are a huge part of the family.

But, let's be clear.  You are a bigger part of your family, so don't go looking for a dog or cat or whatever in a fire.

In a house fire, you're pet has a better chance of living than you do!  They are fast and low... you are not. They don't need as much oxygen and they recover quickly in many cases. If the intensity of a fire has you flee from your home, don't go back in. It's usually not the fire that gets you, its the smoke.

Let the fire department do its job, when you run back into a fire and go down, firefighters now have to risk more to save you.  If your pet is the only victim, we'll do CPR or give oxygen.

Last night in Cicero, IL, another man tried to save his dog. He died, the dog got out. Sad for sure, but totally avoidable. This is certainly not a judgment. Every circumstance is different, but very often they end the same way.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.