Dräger Equipment for Fire Department Special Operations Team
—Each Fire Department — depending on the size — can consider any specially trained group as a Special Operations Teams. Depending on location and jurisdictional norms, groups that are considered Special Ops will vary significantly. Some jurisdictions consider EMS just another part of the Fire Department and all Firefighters receive basic emergency medical training. For others, the EMS team is distinct and separate.
Larger Fire Departments may have extraordinarily specialized training like swift-water rescue, active-shooter response, confined-space rescue, structural collapse search and rescue, and many, many others.
One of the most important aspects to any Special Ops Teams is communication. If a team is on SCBA for their rescue, one of the most valuable tools may be the Dräger FPS-COM 7000 with its Team Talk capability.
Independent of a tactical or department radio, a Special Ops Team may select one of seven channels where up to 10 team members can use hands-free, voice-activated communication of the FPS-COM 7000.
Field use of the FPS-COM 7000 has found that small teams with good radio discipline can use the Team Talk feature most effectively.
Communications Vital to Special Operations
Special Operations Teams of all types are highly trained to execute under some of the most extreme conditions. When every moment counts, a team can communicate with one another using the Team Talk capabilities of the Dräger FPS-COM 7000.
Specialty Equipment for Fire Department HazMat Teams
When a HazMat team is needed, Dräger offers several solutions. The FPS-COM 7000 with Team Talk for hands-free communication and the X-am 8000 detector of up to seven gases along with oxygen both might be the first tools.
For more comprehensive detection of toxic gases, Dräger Tubes would be the standard. Dräger offers the HazMat Simultest Kit. Specially developed and calibrated five-tube sets are used to detect gases and vapors commonly encountered during a structural fire.
Each test takes one minute or less to conclude, therefore the complete testing time to identify and measure 15 chemicals or chemical families is less than five minutes. The HazMat Simultest Kit has easy-to-read, full color laminated instruction cards that summarize the simple sampling procedure and provide a quick reference for interpretation of color changes in the tube sets.
The Simultaneous Test Sets are sets of five specially matched Dräger Tubes designed to be the fastest, simplest and most comprehensive means of hazardous material identification. The HazMat Simultest Kit includes three simultaneous test sets for measuring 15 different organic and inorganic chemicals and/or chemical families. With each set requiring less than one-minute analysis time, the entire process takes less than five minutes to complete.
The Kit also includes an Air Current Kit to determine relative air speed and direction and has room for supplemental short-term detector tubes to better define concentrations and limits of affected areas for the now identified substance. Sets I and II are particularly designed for gases generated as the result of a structural fire with Set III covering organic vapors.
Dräger also offers the Civil Defense Simultest Kit that detects chemical warfare agents, which may be useful to larger Fire Departments that support U.S. Homeland Security.
The Simultest Sets found in the HazMat Simultest and CDS Kits can be combined in special "hybrid" kits that exhibit maximum gas detection capabilities. Any of the Kits that use Simultest Sets can also utilize the X-act® 5000, an intrinsically safe automatic sampling pump for additional sampling utility.
The Right Kit for Rapid Intervention Teams
Along with the FPS-COM 7000, a RIT requires emergency air supply available from the Dräger RIT LifeGuard II.
The LifeGuard II is fast and easy to deploy. An intuitive, single pull handle opens quickly, providing quick access to all components that a Rapid Intervention Team needs to function and get air to the fallen. The high pressure trans-fill hose is attached to the interior of the lid, making it easy to find and quick to deploy. The medium pressure lung demand valve (LDV) is already connected to a full facemask, which has its own compartment. Interior color-coded lines make for easier identification in poorly lit conditions.
The Dräger LifeGuard II RIT bag is lightweight, portable, and has a flame-resistant bag. To protect the cylinder and pneumatics from damage, the bag has a reinforced bottom that is made of tough vinyl coated polyester.
This rugged design allows the bag to be easily dragged over all types of abrasive surfaces.
Innovations incorporated into the Dräger LifeGuard II RIT bag include a slimmer profile and two handles at the top and bottom of the bag for speedy deployment from the truck. A 3-foot airline hose enables fast attachment to a downed firefighter or victim. The multi-tone reflective strips clearly designate the working side of the bag even in low-lighting conditions.
Essential equipment for Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians
The EMS team is most often stepping into many environments, sometimes without a fire. Confronting these unknowns means the EMS team might not sense a danger that could be lurking. Among these are carbon monoxide, especially during the autumn months when a home furnace is first turned on.
Many Fire Departments have introduced a single-gas detector like the Dräger Pac 6000 CO attached to every medical kit.
Among the great features of the Pac 6000 CO is attaching and largely forgetting it for its two years of continuous use. After two years, throw it away and attach a new one. The Pac 6000 is affordable and provides the protection and detection needed.
Every EMS team may consider arriving at every scene with a box or two of the disposable face masks, like the Dräger X-plore 1700.
The right tools for Urban Search and Rescue teams
Urban search and rescue (USAR) requirements are plentiful, depending on the scenario confronting the Fire Department.
Considering the timely nature of some rescues, thermal imaging may be helpful in locating victims.
The Dräger UCF® FireVista contains both a thermal-imaging and normal camera for several capabilities, including operating modes to aid in searching for people. There’s even a thermal scan mode that assists in finding people outdoors.
Confined space technical rescues may also need gas detection.
The Dräger X-am 8000 multi-gas detector includes a telescoping probe to check the confined-space environment.
Let us help you find the perfect solution to suit your needs.
High-rise and tunnel rescues need longer air supply
When conducting high-rise or tunnel rescues, even the largest cylinder may not have enough air for using an SCBA. In those circumstances, consider the ProAir by Dräger. This backpack unit recirculates air and scrubs out the carbon dioxide, providing four hours of breathable air to get the rescue done. Air is even cooled so the firefighter can concentrate on the rescue.
When overhaul begins, protect firefighters from fire ground dangers
By some definitions, overhaul begins after the attack phase of Firefighting ends. Other Fire Departments may consider overhaul begins after a fire is completely out.
Fire Command needs to use a multi-gas detector to confirm that the air is free of toxic or explosive gases and thermal imaging that verifies no major hot spots remain that could flare back, then the scene may no longer be considered IDLH, the overhaul scene could be designated as a Warm Zone.
Fire Command may choose to switch to a mask-and-filter combination for protection from the soot, ashes, and particulates in the overhaul area. The area should be constantly monitored for toxic gases and potential flare ups.
Professional-level dive equipment to allow rescuers to focus on the job
Dräger offers some of the most robust diving equipment available. The Dräger PSS Dive integrates pockets for weights and works with one or two cylinders. Easy to configure and extraordinarily flexible, the advanced equipment technology ensures that only minimal maintenance is required. The full-face Panorama Nova mask includes a five-point head harness that provides an outstanding seal and can be connected securely, easily, and quickly.
Fire marshals and investigators should protect themselves on the fire ground
Once a fire is out, the investigation process begins. Whether called Fire Marshals or Investigators, these specially trained Firefighters are on scene sometimes for hours, sifting through the ashes and soot that remains.
Investigators should constantly wear gas detection to assure that toxic fumes do not build up again and pose a risk.
The primary danger would come from the particulates reintroduced to the air as the Investigator performs the examination of the scene. Since it’s a longer term — longer than the 30, 45, or 60 minutes in an SCBA tank — an Investigator may consider a PAPR to protect against inhaling the cancer-causing particulates on the Fire Ground.
Additionally, documenting the scene is a long process. The Dräger UCF® FireVista thermal imaging camera also takes normal images and video that can include sound recording.
All About Special Operations Equipment from Dräger
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