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The wildfire season is off to a fortuitously slow start; wildfires have burned an estimated 175,000 acres this year in the U.S., the lowest number to date in a decade, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Experts have attributed this low figure to unusually cool weather patterns in the southeastern U.S., where the season's fires tend to form first.
Other areas of the country might not be as fortunate. A recent article in USA Todaypredicts that the West could get walloped, as "significant fire potential" is expected in nine states. "We've had above average temperatures and below-average precipitation in the West, a combination that doesn't bode well for a good season," Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told the newspaper. California could be in particular trouble, since the state has already experienced a substantial increase in fire activity when compared to the average acreage burned for this time of year.
Molly Mowery, NFPA's program manager for Fire Adapted Communities and International Outreach, tells USA Today that taking preventative measures now could safeguard homes from ruin. NFPA's Firewise Communities Program offers an array of principles that can reduce the risk of wildfire damage.
The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower,is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, with 4.5 million square feet (418,063 square meters) of floor space. Roughly 25,000 people pass through the building daily. That’s why building management teams up with the Chicago Fire Department to conduct an annual drill to test and fine-tune emergency-response procedures. NFPA Journalasked Michael Schroeder, director of business continuity and life safety for the company that manages the building, and Anthony VanBuskirk, a retired fire department deputy district chief, to recount their experiences with a recent drill. To see what it takes to make it happen, read the pair's article "Drill Team" in the latest issue of NFPA Journal.
Each week, we have fun with fire safety trivia on Sparky the Fire Dog's Facebook page. We ask a trivia question early in the morning, take guesses all day long, and then post the correct answer by the end of the day - every Tuesday.
Here's how you can participate! Head over to Sparky's Facebook page and leave your guess to the following trivia question. Then be sure to check back later today to find out if you were right! (Hint: all of the correct answers can be found on our website as well!) Have fun and good luck!
On average, how many highway vehicle fires are reported each hour?
Since I started working with the fire service in 1986, I have heard one refrain over and over: “They talked about that in America Burning.” On May 4, 1974, the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control transmitted their findings to President Richard Nixon. In my article in ths month's NFPA Journal, I looked at the changes resulting from just a few of the 90 recommendations. The Commissioners felt that fire protection was primarily a local responsibility, but that local fire departments needed a federal agency that could represent their interests and help ensure that they received the latest and best information on how to do their work more safely and effectively. Their recommendations led to the formation of the US Fire Administration (USFA), and within USFA, the National Fire Academy (NFA). You can read reflections about the America Burning Anniversary posted by USFA Administrator Chief Ernest Mitchell.
What has it meant to the fire service to have the USFA and NFA? What do you think the Commissioners would recommend for these bodies today? Let’s take advantage of the web tools the Commission did not have to start a national conversation. NFPA is making some companion videos to start the ball rolling. Listen to David Lucht, the first Deputy Administrator of the USFA, describe the early years at USFA.
This is the first of a series of posts related to America Burning. Check back for more on this topic.
NFPA's Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program is honoring 34 official Firewise communities from 17 states as they each celebrate a 10-year anniversary of continued participation and successes in reducing wildfire risks. The communities were nationally recognized in 2004, and were among the earliest adopters of the Firewise Communities/USA process.
The following communities are celebrating their 10-year anniversaries of active participation as Firewise Communities/USA sites:
Forest Highlands, Arizona
Summerhaven, Arizona
Cherry Hill, Arkansas
Hartman, Arkansas
Hunt, Arkansas
Inspiration Point, Arkansas
Norphlet, Arkansas
Strickler, ArkansasWindcliff, Colorado
Cypress Knoll, Florida
Pioneer Plantation, Florida
RiverCamps on Crooked Creek, Florida
Randall Creek Farms, Georgia
Kohala By The Sea, Hawaii
Johnny Creek Subdivision, Idaho
Hardwick Township, New Jersey
Fall River Estates, Oregon
Hickory Run Land & Homeowners Association, Pennsylvania
Each community will receive a special award item in honor of their long-term commitment to community wildfire safety.
NFPA’s announcement comes at the start of the 2013 wildfire season, which experts predict will continue to be challenging for firefighters and citizens throughout the country. More information about the Firewise Communities/USA Recognition Program, our Firewise Challenge of 2013 to reach 1,000 communities, and a complete list of official Firewise Communities/USA sites can be found on the Firewise website.
The Fire Protection Research Foundation has released a report on a study of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The Foundation and its affiliated Property Insurance Research Group (PIRG) requested a study of the flammability of Li-ion batteries in bulk storage to inform the development of sprinkler protection criteria.
Video: Kathleen Almand, executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation provides an overview of the project.
The study was conducted in collaboration with commercial and industrial insurer FM Global and contained two test series conducted at their research facility. The first evaluated the free burn fire growth patterns of three types of common Li-ion batteries stored in cardboard cartons with an external ignition scenario. The second evaluated the performance of sprinklers in protecting analogous commodities. Videos from three fire tests, which were part of the research, can be viewed on YouTube.
It was learned through this project that cartoned Li-ion batteries burn similarly when compared to other cartoned commodities in the early stages of fire growth. This is valuable information in understanding how to protect this commodity in storage facilities. Precluding battery involvement in the fire prior to sprinkler actuation makes us optimistic that water-based suppression systems, similar to those that are typically recommended for a variety of storage scenarios, is a viable option for Li-ion battery storage.
The Chemical Safety Board (CSB), the federal agency charged with investigating industrial accidents, recently released a video underscoring the damage from the ammonium nitrate fertilizer explosion in West, Texas, that killed 14 people and injured about 200 others. Narrated by a CSB investigator, the video illustrates the destruction of schools, residences, a nursing home, playgrounds, and other locations.
"The community damage we saw in West was the worst of any chemical accident in the CSB's history," says CSB Managing Director Daniel Horowitz in the video.
Watch the chilling video on CSB's Facebook page, and review NFPA's relevant resources:
NFPA 400, Hazardous Material Code This
document applies to the storage, use, and handling of hazardous
materials in all occupancies and facilities, including ammonium nitrate
solids and liquids. Access this document online for free.
NFPA 472, Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction Incidents This
document identifies the minimum levels of competence required by
responders to emergencies involving hazardous materials/weapons of mass
destruction. Access this document online for free.
NFPA 1620, Pre-Incident Planning This
document provides criteria for evaluating the protection, construction,
and operational features of specific occupancies to develop a
pre-incident plan that should be used by responding personnel to manage
fires and other emergencies in such occupancies using the available
resources. Access this document online for free.
Doris Kearns Goodwin, world-renowned historian and author of the best-selling book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, will be giving the keynote address at the NFPA Conference & Expo on Monday, June 10. Team of Rivals was re-released to coincide with Steven Spielberg's new film Lincoln, based in part on the book. Following the general session, there will be a book signing in the exhibit hall at booth #695 near the grand prize drawing area. Stop by to meet Doris and bring one of her books to have it signed. Since many of you are reading e-books these days we will also have complimentary photographs of Doris available for her to autograph.
On Sunday, June 9th you can spend a full day at Chicago's Quinn Fire Academy! This is truly an experience that you will remember if you aren't a trained firefighter.
I participated in similar training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy where you receive instruction, put on the HEAVY gear, and participate in actual evolutions. We did search and rescue in darkened buildings, used the breathing apparatus, used different extinguishers, pulled hoses up flights of stairs, went up in the ladders and more! At the end of the day I was tired, exhilarated and had a new appreciation for the fire service!
In Chicago, you'll learn how NFPA Standards are utilized in the design of personal protective equipment, self contained breathing apparatus, fire apparatus, and fire service training. After being briefed on how the Standard applies, you will receive basic safety instructions, don the equipment and participate in several firefighting evolutions, including:
exterior fire attack
advancing a hose line up a staircase
search and rescue
fire apparatus overview and use of fire extinguishers for flammable liquid fires
This is your opportunity to experience what firefighters face and how NFPA Standards make a dangerous job safer. Past participants have included: fire protection engineers, architects, plan reviewers, building/code enforcement officials, facility owners/managers, fire protection systems designers, life safety consultants/special experts, and project managers.
Class size is strictly limited due to hands-on instruction. The day’s activities comprise 6 firefighting skill evolutions and observing live fire demonstrations. You'll be offered firefighter protective clothing, consisting of fire coat and pants, boots, helmet, protective hood and gloves and it is recommended you wear comfortable work clothing such as jeans and work shirt. You'll be allowed to participate in the evolutions to your level of comfort and safety and can observe any evolution at any time, as opposed to direct participation. This is a rain or shine event. Departure from McCormick Place at 8:15 am and return at 3:45 pm. Get more registration info.
Inherent in this event is a level of risk and physical exertion. Participants will be required to be properly attired in work clothing, wear firefighter protective gear as offered by the Chicago Fire Department, and sign a waiver holding NFPA harmless from any loss, cost, damage or injury. NFPA may deny participation in appropriate circumstances.
There are still a handful of slots open for Sunday, June 9th. Firefighter for a Day: NFPA Standards at Work. Experience it with NFPA Technical Staff and City of Chicago Fire Department Staff at Chicago's Quinn Fire Academy!
Five women were tragically killed Saturday evening in a limousine fire that happened on a bridge above the San Francisco Bay, according to news reports. The limo passengers were a bride-to-be and her friends out for a bachelorette party to celebrate an upcoming wedding. We have had many people reach out to us today for information on automobile fires. Does this incident leave you wondering about how often automobile fires happen and how many people die because of them?
NFPA’s Fire Analysis
& Research Division tracks vehicle fire statistics and estimates that on
average, 17 automobile fires were reported per hour and these fires
killed an average of four people every week in 2006-2010. During the same period, U.S. fire departments
responded to an estimated average of 152,300 automobile fires per year in
2006-2010. These fires caused an average of 209 civilian deaths, 764 civilian injuries,
and $536 million in direct property damage. The top causal factor in automobile
fires was “mechanical failure or malfunction” at 45 percent and leading the
list for automobile fire deaths was “collision or overturn” at 60 percent.
Do you know what steps you can take to prevent a car fire
or what to do if your car is on fire?
Visit www.nfpa.org/vehicles to check
out our tip sheet and find out.
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