From the category archives:

On-line courses

Ul Lightweight Wood Truss Training

November 2, 2008

in On-line courses,Safety,Training

Last year, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) received a fire grant from the DHS to do a research study on lightweight construction.  UL conducted a series of tests, and just this month posted the results of their study titled “Structural Stability of Engineered Lumber in Fire Conditions” on their UL University website.

This is a great online course, free of charge, and available to all.  This course is essential for firefighters and an absolute must for all ICs or company officers across Michigan. It is only 52 minutes long, but it is absolutely worth it.  It is a great hands on course that shows the actual firefighting challenges in these lightweight construction infernos.

UL did six tests and had two firefighter mannequins (dummies) in full gear with Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) on these test floor and roof assemblies. Watch the videos and see if you can predict when the dummies will fall through.

It is also interesting to see the difference in the [click to continue…]

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Responding to Ethanol Incidents

September 25, 2008

in Haz Mat,On-line courses

Its 5am and a 10,000 gallon tanker of ethanol is off loading at the local gas station.  Suddenly a spark due to friction ignites the transfer hose creating a leak on the ground which is now on fire and impinging on the remaining 9,000 gallons.  What do you do?  Will your foam work?  Do you have enough Foam?

The United States Fire Administration and the International Fire Chief’s have developed course materials that can be utilized in your own community to educate first responders on the dangers associated with E85 fuel.

Ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels are in use in growing quantities in the United States, and volumes have become substantial. Consumers in the United States use more than 140 billion gallons of gasoline per year. Today, there are more than 8 billion gallons of fuel ethanol produced in the United States.

The addition of ethanol to gasoline presents some unique [click to continue…]

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New Incident Command, NFA Courses On-Line

August 13, 2008

The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) announced today four Incident Command System (ICS) Simulation Series courses are now available through NFA Online. The ICS Simulation Series courses are designed to provide challenges to the newly appointed, inexperienced fire officer as well as the experienced senior fire officer. Each course addresses a different [...]

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