By Jennifer Miller

Asbestos isn’t a new problem for firefighters, yet it’s one that they often overlook. Indeed, firefighters have been facing the dangers of asbestos inhalation for decades.

Manufacturers of building products used asbestos freely through the first three-quarters of the 20th century, largely due to its low cost, quick availability, and impressive fire- and heat-resistance. But asbestos — when touched by fire or damaged in any way — releases dangerous, sharp fibers that become airborne and can be readily inhaled. The result of this may be the development of one of the world’s deadliest cancers — mesothelioma. Unfortunately, firefighters are among those at high risk for the disease, even more than 30 years after the government issued strict asbestos guidelines.

Many firefighters have responded at one time or another to a fire at an old house, manufacturing plant or other structure that surely contains asbestos, which was commonly used in insulation, shingles, floor and ceiling tiles and a host of other products. And while exposure is going to be much less than if one encountered the toxic material each day while on the job, experts have continually repeated the mantra: “There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.”

Furthermore, asbestos is a hidden danger because no one is present at the fire to explain exactly where the asbestos is located and how to avoid it. That means firefighters literally go blindly into an asbestos-laden building, never quite sure where the mineral will materialize. It can be present when a building collapses or when a firefighter punches a hole in a wall. It can be found in crumbled concrete or in blistered plaster or paint.

So how can one be sure that firefighters heading into a blaze are prepared to handle the dangers of asbestos?

Actually, those that head directly into the burning building are probably at lowest risk for asbestos inhalation because they wear SCBA when encountering a blaze. Nevertheless, firefighters should be educated as to the most common uses of asbestos and where it is most often found inside a structure.

But what about those who stand outside and fight the blaze? Shouldn’t they be offered equal protection from asbestos inhalation? Perhaps it’s time to demand that those firefighters also don the gear that will prevent their exposure to airborne particles. Asbestos can certainly make its way to those individuals who are outside as well as inside, putting them at harms way each time they take a breath. Wearing a SCBA with a proper filter will eliminate this concern.

Perhaps at highest risk for exposure are those who remain at the site of the fire until the last tiny ember has been extinguished or those who investigate after a fire. Testing of rubble and other asbestos-containing debris after a blaze often shows high levels of the hazardous mineral left behind and that should be of immediate concern. Consider, for example, the aftermath of Sept. 11, terrorist attacks. First responders were quick to develop asbestos-related diseases and one paramedic even died of mesothelioma — a disease that normally remains latent for 20 to 40 years — within five years.

While one hopes never to encounter debris on such a grand scale ever again, even the remains of a smaller fire can — like the remains of 9/11 — be filled with toxic asbestos that’s left smoldering even after the flames are gone. Simply put, chiefs must be certain that those involved with overhaul or investigation wear SCBAs, especially if the presence of asbestos has been confirmed. Air monitoring should be a part of the plan as well in order to protect post-fire personnel from inhalation.

Furthermore, firefighters should be made to adhere to strict hygiene habits when involved with asbestos-containing fires or debris. SCBAs should be cleaned thoroughly and any protective clothing worn when asbestos is present should not be brought into common areas unless clean. Secondary exposure to asbestos is a very real threat and no firefighter would want colleagues or family to be exposed to its deadly fibers. Firefighters should hose off or have a place to shower to wash fibers from their body and hair before encountering others who are unprotected. Decontamination is best achieved at the scene of the fire.

More and more stories of firefighters being exposed to asbestos during training have surfaced. All structures that are to be used for training should be thoroughly inspected by fire officials before any exercises are conducted at the site. A simple inspection can avoid a potentially deadly problem and any asbestos found in the structure should be removed before firefighters are permitted to practice at that particular location.

An estimated 80% of all buildings constructed before 1978 contain asbestos in some form or another, including perhaps, the fire station. Firefighters may be working in a building that’s laden with asbestos. Search the Internet for stories about asbestos in fire stations and you’ll undoubtedly find many. While most chiefs understand the dangers of asbestos, many are unaware that the dangerous mineral may be right under their nose. Stories of damaged ceilings leaking asbestos or flaking pipe insulation are commonplace. Fire stations, just like schools and other public buildings, should have an effective asbestos management plan in place and have regular inspections. Any damaged materials should be removed or encapsulated by an asbestos-abatement professional, not a member of the fire department.

Jennifer Miller is an awareness and outreach coordinator for Mesothelioma.com. Through public-outreach efforts and the distribution of informational materials, Mesothelioma.com aims to increase awareness of asbestos exposure and the associated health risks, including the development of mesothelioma cancer.

All fire departments respond to natural-gas line cuts, leaks and ruptures throughout the year. In most cases, workers hit the lines, even though the lines previously have been located and marked by the local service companies. Usually, the incident is caused by

1. A car runs that into a gas meter;
   


2. Construction work, usually a backhoe or other earth-mover, that clips a line in an open ditch; or,
   


3. A boring machine (boring under concrete or asphalt) that hits a line.
   

Because such a large percentage of natural gas delivered in the United States is composed of methane with a vapor density of 0.55 (some texts round up to 0.6), the worst of the hazard dissipates into the atmosphere. The hazard zone around the leaking natural-gas line is relatively small, and the real danger of the situation is small as long as we keep ignition sources out of the area of vapor that is within its flammable limits. It’s a little different if a boring machine cuts a line underground but the known conflict, or gas line, has not been opened. This is called potholing, or localized hole drilling. If everyone operator using a boring machine consistently potholed the line conflicts, it would seldom be a big deal.

On May 16 in McKinney, a company boring to install new gas distribution lines drilled through a 3-inch natural-gas line because they had not potholed the conflict. The facts of this case eventually will be fought out in the courts, but I am writing this now because of the imminent hazard that is created when boring operations occur without potholing conflicts.

The line was ruptured at about 4:30 p.m. Work was stopped and the subcontractor and the gas utility company were notified. The fire department, however, was not called. We are told that the industry standard of natural-gas utility companies does not include reporting the leak to the fire department. At about 5:39 p.m., the 911 dispatch center received reports of houses exploding and burning. This was our first notification of the problem. Even though numerous people in the area smelled the gas leaking, no one called us.

We clearly need to do a better job is public education.

Two houses exploded at nearly the same time and were collapsed and fully involved when we arrived at 5:43 p.m. Three people were inside of the two houses and were severely burned. At 5:46 p.m., while fire crews were deploying master streams, the house right next to the gas leak exploded.

Fortunately the firefighters weren’t injured by the flying glass or collapsing structure. The captain of the crew deploying lines told me that it got their attention. The third house was a duplex built as a slab-on-grade, while the two houses to the west of this structure were

had pier-and-beam foundations.

Natural gas leaking under ground with no open pit to allow the methane to escape will find the path of least resistance to relieve the pressure. In this case an abandoned sewer line is the suspected conduit.

It’s important to understand the notification policies of local gas utility companies for an ongoing gas leak. We will certainly respond to many more reported gas leaks because our local gas utility now will report all gas line cuts and leaks to the 911 center. But this gives us the opportunity to take appropriate actions to protect residents. In most cases, we simply stand by until the repair crew arrives if we arrive first — and it seems to me that we should arrive first.

Occasionally we decide to move exposed people out of a danger zone, which we determine using the meters carried by our engine and truck companies. Our choice is to stay on the side of safety and not expose people to real or perceived risk.

Understand that the methyl mercaptan used an the odorant in most natural gas has a vapor density of 1.7. The second most common component of natural gas by volume is normally ethane, which has a vapor density just slightly greater than air at 68°F. It’s hot in Texas this time of year, so even the ethane dissipates rapidly when leaking from a line cut in an open pit.

My message to the media continues to be that everyone who smells leaking natural gas should call 911 immediately and not assume someone else has. The outcome of this recent incident would have been different had we been called early. Logically, as I’ve told our residents in McKinney, we have a response time of about six minutes after an emergency is reported to 911. If we’re not showing up in about that time, we probably haven’t been called. Don’t assume someone else has called to report an emergency.

Every fire department with railroad tracks within its jurisdiction or mutual aid response area needs to be fully aware of what hazards are being transported on those tracks. According to rail authorities, there are even more reasons to be prepared if a fire department has a rail yard with tank cars and tanker trucks within its territory.

Railroad tank cars frequently carry hazardous materials that are categorized as toxic by inhalation, or TIH. These chemicals, including chlorine and anhydrous ammonia could have disastrous affects on first responders and surrounding communities if leaked or spilled by accident or terrorist attack.

The Dow Chemical Co. and Union Pacific Railroad are working together to improve community awareness and preparedness along chemical transportation routes. Initially, Dow implemented the Responsible Care Community Awareness and Emergency Response program for communities where it has manufacturing plants. Subsequently, Dow teamed with the Union Pacific Railroad to sponsor Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response, or TRANSCAER, Training Tours. The tours offer emergency responders free, hands-on training about railroad hazards and safety protocols.

This is the third year that TRANSCAER has offered the one-day sessions along its key transportation routes. The tour began in April in Alexandria, La., and ended the first week of May west of Chicago.

According to Mike Stephenson, emergency services and security leader for Dow’s New Jersey properties, the TRANSCAER team stopped in 10 communities along the route and trained more than 560 community emergency responders.

“It‘s part of our continuing commitment to reach out to the first responders and get them well prepared for better response and safety of the community,” he said.

The training tour is made up of 10 rail cars, each with a specific purpose. Two railcars are set up as classrooms, while several others offer hands-on equipment training, hazmat training and advanced interactive emergency response drills.

When the TRANSCAER train arrives in a rail yard, local participants are separated into five different modules. The basic tank car module demonstrates how emergency responders can identify and resolve slow leaks with ordinary tools. An empty chlorine tank car is available for closer inspection. A third module focuses on how to respond to TIH events and flammable gases. The fourth module puts attendees on a flat car fitted with several samples of protective housings found atop tank cars. Instructors demonstrate how to deal with common water and air leaks. The fifth module deals with tanker-truck emergencies that can be found in rail yards.

Stephenson said that each of the instructors on this train also is an emergency responder who is on call 24/7 in the event of a railroad incident. “These instructors are the same faces that firefighters are going to see responding to their call,” he said.

Several other railroads offer similar training, check out TRANSCAER for other training opportunities.

Chicago Fire Department’s retired chief of special operations, John Eversole, died Sunday evening at the age of 62. Nationally and internationally referred to as the “Chief of Hazmat,” Eversole was a visionary who fought endlessly for better, safer conditions for firefighters. Everyone looked up to John, and not just because he was taller than most.

Eversole’s health had deteriorated, and he decided to go into a hospice program. On Sunday, John called a few close friends to come and visit.

When Chicago Hazmat Coordinator Chief Dan O’Donnell arrived, he expected the worst, but in fact John was sitting up and even asked for a drink. Water? Pop? No, John wanted a Southern Comfort and Coke. “We talked, and after the second drink, John said he’d had a good life and we said goodbye,” said O’Donnell. Later that evening, the ventilator was shut off and John passed away a few hours later. John did it his way.

Eversole selected his own pallbearers: O’Donnell, Deputy Commissioner Gene Ryan and Deputy District Chief Paul Martin, all from the Chicago Fire Department; longtime friend and colleague Rick Emery, retired from Vernon Hills Fire Department; Asst. Chief Mike Bovyn, Bolingbrook Fire Department; and Cook County Sheriff Mike Brady. He chose retired Chief Clyde Marriotti as the honorary chief pallbearer.

Eversole’s longtime friend Greg Noll, a senior partner in Hildebrand Noll Assoc. consulting firm for emergency planning and hazmat/WMD manager for the Pennsylvania Task Force-1 urban search and rescue unit, will give the eulogy. Asst. Chief Tim Butters, Fairfax (Va.) Fire & Rescue, also will do a reading at today’s funeral.

At his wake yesterday, John’s wife, Sue, comforted friends with a warm smile and spoke of the many good times and warm memories.

Chief Mary Beth Michos of Prince William County (Va.) Fire & Rescue, one of the founders of the Hazmat Conference in Montgomery County, Md., talked about Eversole’s early support for hazmat. She also recalled that whenever Eversole would teach, she would gently tease his references to firemen by saying, “You’d make me a happy woman if you would just once say ‘firefighter,’” she laughed. “And he would!”

Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Ray Orozco Jr., said, “John was my first lieutenant. I was a kid on Truck 36 in the old house. John took the time to instill in me how important education and training is in the fire service. Those are two things that stuck with me.”

Orozco called John a visionary and ahead of his time: “Back in the early days all the emphasis was on fighting structure fires. What we have today came from John — mitigating fires.”

Displayed inside John’s casket was a tiny card he had kept on his desk: “Nobody knows what I do until I don’t do it.” Sorry, John, but according to Orozco, the fire service knows what you did.

“When the bell goes off, firefighters are a lot safer because of John,” said Orozco. “He made sure it was safer. He got the industry to have standards and didn’t hesitate to tell the legislators what firefighters needed.”

The family has requested that memorials in Eversole’s name be sent to the attention of Tony Martin at the Fireman’s Annuity and Benefits Fund of Chicago, 20 S. Clark St. #1400, Chicago IL 60603.

The pictures continue to come in of the tornado that hit Greensburg, Kan., a week ago Friday night. One satellite photo shows neat rows of houses and the next shows the houses reduced to matchsticks after an F-5 tornado touched ground, covering a path 22 miles long and 1.7 miles wide.

Greensburg is the county seat of Kiowa County and was incorporated in 1886. The town‘s claim to fame was the world‘s largest hand-dug well and a museum that housed a 1,000-pound Pallasite meteorite, the largest ever discovered. Unfortunately, Greensburg now will be known for a devastating tornado.

“Everything is gone,” said Greensburg Fire Department Chief Jay Koehn. Koehn is currently operating out of his truck because like the rest of the citizens, he‘s lost his home. “We‘re a combination department. People have donated engines and we‘ve had offers of trucks from far away as south Florida, but I don‘t have firemen in town.”

Greensburg has turned over emergency operations to the Kansas State Association of Fire Chiefs. “As of yesterday the state has asked the Kansas State Chiefs for three five-day deployments of a battalion chief, a safety officer and five firefighters; five straight days of 24-hour shifts,” said Jeff Hudson, vice president of the association and chief of Shawnee Fire Department. “Two of the three are already filled. As of yesterday the incident commander asked us to get the word out to the fire service that the department is in need of equipment.”

The chiefs‘ association agreed that each of its seven districts would serve as equipment collection areas, and the city of Shawnee has a reserve apparatus that Hudson hopes to give to Greensburg, pending City Council approval on Monday. “I see Kansas as providing the department with immediate help, but this is more long term and rebuilding this department after we leave,” he said.

FEMA has been providing assistance, as have USAR teams, and Hudson has heard good things about FEMA‘s response. “The governor and attorney general were there immediately,” he said. “FEMA was there with people to help by early Sunday morning.”

Hudson said that for right now the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and Heart-to-Heart are providing tremendous help in the Greensburg area, and donations in the name of the Greensburg Fire Department would be helpful. Information on other donation locations will be posted on the Mutual Aid blog as it becomes available.

“It‘s even worse than the pictures if you‘re here,” said Cody Sherer, chief of the Mullinville Fire Department, also in Kiowa County. “All the fire department‘s equipment is gone — SCBAs, hand tools and gear. Anything in a fire station is gone.”

Everything in a fire station maybe gone, but the brotherhood of the American fire service is still very much alive.