FIRE ENGINEERING
May 1987
Volume 140 No. 5
DEPARTMENTS
EDITORIAL 6
Shelved humanity
VOLUNTEERS CORNER 8
Residence fires
TRAINING NOTEBOOK 10
Vertical foam insulation
DISPATCHES 14
Ground ladder test
Peter Pirsch finds new owners
Praises for Portland’s ECHO
Safe inns are in demand
Emmitsburg and Capitol Hill
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 13
EQUIPMENT DIGEST 64
COURSES/COMING EVENTS 72
APPARATUS DELIVERIES 77
MANUFACTURERS’ LITERATURE 79 CLASSIFIEDS 81
READER SERVICE CARD 83
FEATURES
FIREGROUND COMMAND
COMMAND PRESENCE 16
Eight take-charge actions reflect the attitudes that will help you become a more effective—and respected—fireground commander.
BY VINCENT DUNN
RESCUE
COLLAPSE ON ADELPHI STREET 23
The immediate aftermath of a building collapse is usually a time of confusion and pandemonium. A recent New York City building collapse called for firefighters to quickly discern the information at hand and come up with a successful and safe rescue plan. BY RAY DOWNEY
SAFETY
SAFE CELEBRATIONS 33
It’s the fire department’s job to prevent fireworks-related mishaps within its district. To do that, you must know about the classifications, regulations, local powers, and procedures involved, BY RONALD E. KANTERMAN
APPARATUS SAFETY FROM FRONT TO BACK 45
Apprentice firefighters are rarely introduced to emergency driving procedures until their first day on the job. The best way to get firefighters to the scene safely is to train for emergency driving. BY KEVIN G. KROGER
DEFENSIVE RIDING 47
Two apparatus accidents involving firefighters riding on the tailboard demonstrated the need for a new standard safety procedure.
BY LOUIS R. SCLAFANI, JR.
VISUAL AID 61
Poor eyesight can keep you from firefighting or handicap you if you do get the job. A nonsurgical procedure—called orthokeratology—combats nearsightedness. BY GLORIA STURZENACKER
HEALTH
HEPATITIS-B: PREVENTIVE MEDICINE 41
When you come to the aid of an injured person, you may be in danger of contracting the hepatitis-B virus. Vaccination is the only protection, and the San Jose (Calif.) Fire Department is making sure that protection is available to its members. BY TOM RICHARDSON
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
CALCIUM CARBIDE 52
Calcium carbide itself poses only one real hazard—it’s water-reactive. But when the reaction does take place, it generates highly unstable, explosive acetylene gas. BY FRANK L FIRE