Scene_Safety.page

Scene Safety

For all of the more experienced FireFighters, this will seem rather basic or along the lines of Probie.. How many of you actually watch or see what is going on around you on scene?? how many times have you seen the newbie firefighter running up to the scene, or running on scene to get something?? have you ever asked or told the rookie to slow down and walk??

I myself have seen it time and again on scene.. I always tell the rookie and also the more experienced firefighter to slow down and walk.. many of you who arent familiar with the fire service are going to be asking why...

The following are reasons why you dont run up to the scene:

1) you have tunnel vision most of the time.
2) with tunnel vission you can not see the dangers of,
a) downed live wires.
b)vapor clouds and wind direction.
c) spilled chemicals that you are running in,
     1) Gasoline
     2) Diesel Fuel
     3) Oil
     4) Hazardous Materials.
d) cracked or splintering power poles.

The following are reasons why you dont run on the scene:

1) you risk injury to yourself,
    A) you could trip and fall,
       1) on one of the sharp tools needed for,
         a) extrication.
         b) entry.
2) you risk,
     A) sprainning or tearing muscles,
     B) breaking a bone or bones.
3) you can run into someone with a,
     A) pike pole,
     B) ladder.
     C) other fire ground tools.

Slow down.. the emergency scene isnt going nowhere.. by running, you put yourself at risk as well as others..
For the more experienced firefighters, and officers, if you see someone running, slow them down or stop them from running.. Remind them..
It saves you from explaining to your officer or chief what happened and how it happened. It also prevents the Chief or Senior Officer from having to do alot of paper work..

There are extreme or rare instances that will require you to run, and i do mean run for your life.. those are collapsing structures, power polls falling, the rubber neckers(people in vehicles who arent paying attn to their driving) and are about to run you over, or run into one of the emergency vehicles.. Yes, the rubber neckers are a very big danger to us on scene.. at one time or another in the Fire, Rescue Service,, you will see someone run into an emergency vehicle or practically run you over because they are watching what is going on right in the thick of things.. so watch out for yourself and your fellow team mates..