11-21-2008, 10:43 AM
As I said in a Previous post last November, a New Regulation for Firefighter Safety was signed into Law in New York, on November 7, 2007; "The Firefighter Emergency Escape" Law.
As I have been told numerous times by many posters, the State of North Dakota Firefighters are not regulated by OSHA in your endeavors on the fire ground, so this is merely a "Heads Up" Posting for Future Reference.
In a nutshell; A Legal Eagles in Albany, NY , passed a Law Stating that all New York State FD's must prove "An Emergency Escape System, to allow Interior FF's to escape from untenable conditions, through openings, not normally used as Exits" . To add examples of this "FDNY Black Sunday, Ottawa, British Columbia, Minneapolis Minnesota, Baltimore, Maryland", where in all cases FF's were required to exit buildings through windows. With that said,OSHA has comedown to us with intepretations of this law; which I will share with you. Once again this is Information.
For Structures above 2 stories but less than 3 stories, the "Interior Firefighter" shall be provided: a UL/NFPA 1983 rated Anchor Device (example: Crosby Hook), and 35' of 7.5 - 9.0 mm, Static Kermantle rope. The FD shall be required to have documentation on the use and a written plan documenting the intended method for use of this equipment for escape from a structure.
For all Structures above 3 stories; the "Interior Firefighter" shall be provided an Anchor Device, 50' of rope, a descending device, to not allow for freefall from a structure when placed in use, and an Integrated Harness system within your Turnout Gear; and the required documentation above including; "The plan for rescue of a Firefighter who escapes from a distance over the length of the 50' rope; ie an aerial ladder, extension ladder,break a window and bring them in, etc." This is found in NFPA 1500, section 8.5.2.2
For all those that were at the ND Fire School; I had such a System with me, during the Hands On Portions of the Fire School. I have been Certified to Teach and have taught over 1000 FF's; the Body Belay System, the Head First Ladder Slide, and the Hang and Drop for over 8 years. These are being allowed to be taught and used under this regulation. In all cases with this law; documented training will be required annually for compliance to this law.
This post was merely again informational, and does not dictate that you are or will be required to do this. I just want you to see what is going on out around you, so that if this does come to "Your Doorstep" , that you will not be Blindsided. We had an Informational Seminar on this law last night, and there was discussion that 20 states are looking at this Law with "Eyes Wide Open", to see how it is accepted, how it works, and if it does save FF's Lives.
Thank you for viewing this Post...
As I have been told numerous times by many posters, the State of North Dakota Firefighters are not regulated by OSHA in your endeavors on the fire ground, so this is merely a "Heads Up" Posting for Future Reference.
In a nutshell; A Legal Eagles in Albany, NY , passed a Law Stating that all New York State FD's must prove "An Emergency Escape System, to allow Interior FF's to escape from untenable conditions, through openings, not normally used as Exits" . To add examples of this "FDNY Black Sunday, Ottawa, British Columbia, Minneapolis Minnesota, Baltimore, Maryland", where in all cases FF's were required to exit buildings through windows. With that said,OSHA has comedown to us with intepretations of this law; which I will share with you. Once again this is Information.
For Structures above 2 stories but less than 3 stories, the "Interior Firefighter" shall be provided: a UL/NFPA 1983 rated Anchor Device (example: Crosby Hook), and 35' of 7.5 - 9.0 mm, Static Kermantle rope. The FD shall be required to have documentation on the use and a written plan documenting the intended method for use of this equipment for escape from a structure.
For all Structures above 3 stories; the "Interior Firefighter" shall be provided an Anchor Device, 50' of rope, a descending device, to not allow for freefall from a structure when placed in use, and an Integrated Harness system within your Turnout Gear; and the required documentation above including; "The plan for rescue of a Firefighter who escapes from a distance over the length of the 50' rope; ie an aerial ladder, extension ladder,break a window and bring them in, etc." This is found in NFPA 1500, section 8.5.2.2
For all those that were at the ND Fire School; I had such a System with me, during the Hands On Portions of the Fire School. I have been Certified to Teach and have taught over 1000 FF's; the Body Belay System, the Head First Ladder Slide, and the Hang and Drop for over 8 years. These are being allowed to be taught and used under this regulation. In all cases with this law; documented training will be required annually for compliance to this law.
This post was merely again informational, and does not dictate that you are or will be required to do this. I just want you to see what is going on out around you, so that if this does come to "Your Doorstep" , that you will not be Blindsided. We had an Informational Seminar on this law last night, and there was discussion that 20 states are looking at this Law with "Eyes Wide Open", to see how it is accepted, how it works, and if it does save FF's Lives.
Thank you for viewing this Post...