Near Miss: Turnout Coat Ignites
This week's Near Miss Report involves live burn training:
I was a rookie firefighter at the time of the event. My class was participating in a live burn exercise at an acquired structure. Two instructors were going to demonstrate the effectiveness of a 2 1/2 gallon water extinguisher. A dilapidated, small outbuilding had been set on fire for the demonstration. The instructors approached the fire, spraying water from the extinguisher. They kept moving toward the fire spraying the fire, but not making much headway. About 5-10 feet from the fire, the turnout coat of the instructor working the extinguisher began smoking, then ignited. The instructors retreated quickly with the lead instructor whose coat caught fire quickly shucking the coat. No injuries were sustained.
The report mentions that the turnout coat of the instructor was heavily impregnated with smoke particles from previous live burns. I would guess that the coat was probably very dirty too. This really shows how important it is to keep your gear clean.
How clean do you keep your gear?
Do you remember the last time you washed it?
How clean is the gear of your fellow firefighters?
How does the state of your fellow firefighters gear impact you?
Posted January 19, 2006 10:17 AM · Link
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