Class B firefighting requires all personal protective equipment (including SCBA) the same as structural firefighting. Wind may quickly turn flames, heat and byproducts of combustion towards firefighters. Even during spills, in which foam is applied as a preventative measure, ignition may occur posing serious danger to life & health. Firefighters should anticipate the possibility of rescue situations or rapidly changing conditions that would create a risk.
Improperly worn PPE does not protect you. An SCBA with no mask on is just heavy weight to carry around.
When using or handling Class A or B foams, limit exposure to skin or clothing and wear eye protection when there is a potential for splashing. Foam products will cause some form of eye and skin irritation to varying degrees.
Our products have been chosen because they are "Environmentally friendly" but they were not intended to bathe in.... read the warning labels.
Swannanoa Firefighters attending training sessions or incidents in other jurisdictions are required to wear full PPE (Including SCBA) during flammable liquid live fire evolutions and should evaluate fire potential during basic fire extinguisher training. (potential for wind shifts, fire size etc.)
An SVFD member shall not participate in a task where another fire service person or an instructor is asking them to perform at a lower safety standard than what is accepted during SVFD activities.
If you have a "gut feeling" that a task is at a lower safety standard, you may call an SVFD Chief officer for clarification based on conditions at a school.
Peer pressure can be a powerful enemy during these situations. If you have evaluated conditions and applied a risk/benefit analysis which results in a personal opinion of "no go",….. There are likely others in the peer group wishing someone would speak up for common sense and safety.
