prbelle,
I too appreciate the dedication from the tireless efforts of the firefighters of the Union Fire Protection District. They are, have been and will always be professionals that care for the community and the surrounding areas tirelessly. They are certainly being led by a group of professionals with years of experience. I do not work or live in the area but know many that do.
While your information is correct and accurate from OSHA, the fire service uses standards and preferred operating methods to make the fireground more efficient and operations effective. The point you make regarding the firefighter on the right would be accurate if he were a firefighter getting ready to go in the building for suppression efforts. He actually is an engineer which is responsible for placing hose lines and in this case a "master stream" (right below his right hand) for suppression efforts. His responsibilities for exterior operations at this point in a fire such as this do not require what you are suggesting in your comment. It would slow his actions and in some cases put him in more danger with a cumbersome tank that isn’t needed. If it were needed then the Safety Officer or Incident Commander would actually inform all staff on the scene that SCBA’s are needed.
From the OSHA website it states that "Worker safety for private companies in the state of Missouri is regulated by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Missouri does not operate an approved state OSHA program for public employees at the state or local government (e.g.: municipal) level". Most Missouri Fire Service agencies including Union FPD I believe adhere to NFPA standards which provide very clear direction for the actions on a fire.
Take care and keep up the good work!
Mike
6 months ago
