Response: We have been using PPV since late 1990. Negative-pressure smoke ejectors are still carried on rigs but are used only when it would be

Lieutenant Bob Oliphant

Kalamazoo (MI) Department of Public Safety

Response: We have been using PPV since late 1990. Negative-pressure smoke ejectors are still carried on rigs but are used only when it would be impractical to use PPV.

PPV was not universally accepted at first; some senior officers opposed it when it was introduced. They were concerned about intensifying the fire and pushing fire into uninvolved parts of the structure. The resistance diminished the more PPV was used. It was easier to employ and gave faster results than other ventilation methods. The majority of our fires involve single-family dwellings and large houses that have been converted into apartments. Most of these fires are room-and-contents with smoke and heat through the rest of the dwelling. PPV seems to work well for these applications.

Because first-arriving personnel handle search and rescue and advance hoselines, PPV generally occurs after lines are operating inside. By using PPV in this sequence, there have been no reported problems.

Paul Dansbach and Glenn Corbett

Buildings That Front on Two Streets

Paul Dansbach and Glenn Corbett consider buildings that front on two streets, share basements, or might otherwise challenge firefighters.

Fire Burns Through PA Aerospace Supplier

A large fire broke out Monday night at SPS Technologies, an aerospace supplier in Abington Township.