COLLAPSE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: TACTICS AND PROCEDURES PART 15: AIR BAG OPERATIONS

COLLAPSE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS: TACTICS AND PROCEDURES PART 15: AIR BAG OPERATIONS

One of the only times it may become necessary to lift collapse debris is when it is necessary to extricate a victim trapped or pinned by the debris. Lifting and removing loose debris to reach a victim usually is not a problem, although it may be time-consuming. The problems arise when a victim is pinned by debris or larger structural elements that are supporting large areas of debris or other structural elements.In this situation, the decision must be made whether to remove debris by hand or us
THE KOBE EARTHQUAKE: LESSONS FOR THE UNITED STATES

THE KOBE EARTHQUAKE: LESSONS FOR THE UNITED STATES

January 17 is a date I will always remember. On that date in 1994, I experienced and responded to the damage caused by the Northridge…
PARTICIPATION IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

PARTICIPATION IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

The organizational function of human resource management is more important today than ever. Participatory management needs to become more than a 1990s buzzword and must…
Sexual harassment by any other name…

Sexual harassment by any other name…

I have been a long-time subscriber to Fire Engineering and consider it to be the top publication in the field of fire protection. I have…
PREPLANNING BUILDING HAZARDS

PREPLANNING BUILDING HAZARDS

Editor`s note: For further reference, consult Building Construction for the Fire Service, Third Edition. Page numbers are included after each caption for your convenience.
PERSONNEL POSITIONS AND HOSE STRETCHES

PERSONNEL POSITIONS AND HOSE STRETCHES

The handline has been stretched to the front door and is ready to move in. The officer of the ladder company has returned to the…
Supply hose catch-up: another viewpoint

Supply hose catch-up: another viewpoint

The criteria for selection of LDH size given by C. Bruce Edwards in "Don`t Play Supply Hose Catch-Up" (February 1995) seems to minimize some relevant…