FIRE ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENTS
6
VOLUNTEERS CORNER 8
Rural fire protection
TRAINING NOTEBOOK 10
Planning training programs
DISPATCHES 16
Combustion toxicity amendment Arson data program implemented Tax exemptions maintained Death benefit coverage extended
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 12
EQUIPMENT DIGEST 52
APPARATUS DELIVERIES 55
COURSES/COMING EVENTS 56
MANUFACTURERS’ LITERATURE 57 CLASSIFIEDS 58
READER SERVICE CARD 59
Second-class postage paid at Tulsa, OK 74120.
FEATURES
FIRE REPORTS
FIGHT OR FLIGHT 18
A propane emergency and fire at the Red Tag Propane Plant in Colorado Springs, CO, led to a BLEVE and caused much damage. A fire captain’s early decision to pursue an aggressive attack proved to be effective in handling the incident. BY LESTER WILLIAMS AND FRANK A. CARTER II
TRAINING
LPG TRAINING 24
Propane, which is stored at subzero temperatures under pressure, can cause a lot of problems if the container or its systems fail. That’s why a New York State training seminar addressed the problems of LPG handling, prefire planning, fire dynamics, and tactics.
BY JAMES CROWLEY
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
WOODEN STRUCTURES HIGH IN THE SKY 26
During construction of concrete buildings, there is a potential for a massive firefighter tragedy. Make sure your fire personnel are aware of their vulnerability in a concrete building when wooden construction framing catches fire. BY FRANCIS L. BRANNIGAN
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
PORTLAND FIRE BUREAU DISASTER DRILL 32
When a disaster occurs, the responding organizations must have a definite plan of action. The Portland, OR, Fire Bureau created two scenarios in its community to prepare for a real disaster, should one strike.
BY DAVID A. NORRIS
TESTING A CITY-WIDE DISASTER PLAN 38
Responsible agencies in every city must work together to form a comprehensive disaster plan. It took the city of Monterey, CA, nearly three years to develop a disaster plan that links city departments and outside agencies in an effort to effectively manage any emergency.
BY MIKE VENTIMIGLIA
EQUIPMENT INNOVATIONS
PHONE LINE INGENUITY 42
An adequate communications link between your station and your dispatcher is essential. Using ingenuity and basic telephone equipment, the Oxford, OH, Fire Department installed two telephone lines to effectively solve its communication problems. BY RICHARD A. KEEBLER
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
ACRYLONITRILE 45
Acrylonitrile is a flammable, corrosive liquid. Because it’s very toxic, you must exercise extreme caution when handling an incident involving this material. BY FRANK L. FIRE
