Hot Topics - Firefighting Tactics

Alternative Drive Systems Situational Awareness Special Structures Victim Rescue Communication Bushfires Contact us

Special tasks require special tactics

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From a changing urban landscape with more complex structures, communication and victim rescue under harsh conditions, to growing diversification, to wildfires: Firefighters face very different and more and more challenges. Learn more about the proper tactics to overcome them.

Ensuring First Responder Safety in Alternative Drive Vehicle Incidents: Gas Detection Tips

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In an era of technical progress and environmental awareness, alternative drive systems for vehicles have become much more important. However, in addition to their advantages, incidents involving these vehicles also bring with them special safety aspects.

One important component lies in gas detection - an accurate process of identifying and measuring potentially hazardous gases in such scenarios.

As traditional internal combustion engines give way to electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles, understanding gas detection capabilities is critical to ensuring effective emergency response and protecting both the environment and the public well-being.

Gas detection considerations

This exploration delves into the crucial gas detection considerations associated with potential incidents involving alternative propulsion system vehicles.

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Dräger UCF® FireCore

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Situational Awareness

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During a call, you don’t have the time to evaluate all the variables correctly. If you’re fighting at the helm, the more data you have, the better your decisions and results can be. Technology can increase your situational awareness and help you to stay safe and save lives.

Special Structures

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The challenges of a changing urban fireground

Urban development has increasingly changed the scope and construction of today’s megacities. More complex, modern structures are being built to cope with the demands of population migration, natural and economic growth, among other factors.

Meet the demands of a changing fireground

SCBA

Visit the PSS 7000 product page

LDBA

Visit the PSS BG-4 Plus product page

Coordinating communication

Connectivity is key in every safe and successful rescue mission. How do you deploy it accordingly in incident locations that are bigger and more complex?

Did you know

Longer missions require longer breathable air. Find out how much air you will need and which solution can provide it in just a few simple steps.

Average speed of firefighter under breathing protection

The worse sight gets, the less distance a firefighter can cover, a severe problem – particularly in special structures. Find out the average speed for approach and return under breathing protection and different visibility.

Maximum distance of escape route under different breathing protection

You must consider the visibility and the distance a firefighter has to cover for approach and return at an incident. You can use 1/3 of the breathing air for getting in, so that you have minimum 2 x as much breathing air for getting out.

Find the right solution for your unique situation

Dräger offers a variety of solutions for short and long missions. Which solution you use will always depend on the unique incident at hand. The more you know, the easier it will be to make the right decision.

The solution: breathing easier and longer

Breathing protection equipment must constantly evolve to meet the demands of various structure situations. Compare fitting solutions for these unique challenges and learn more about other decisive factors in special structures.

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Victim Rescue

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Efficient rescue and escape solutions

Past fire catastrophes, where people were affected, have shown that one of the main causes of serious injury or death is not the fire itself, but rather the emerging smoke. We are committed to the health and safety of both firefighters and fire victims. Find out more about the dangers of smoke, and how to prepare yourself and the person you are trying to rescue so you can both escape a house fire safely.

Find out more about smoke dangers and the fitting protection

In North Kensington, a district of West London, a fire broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block. It caused 72 deaths, including those of two victims that died later in hospital. One major reason for this – despite firefighters reaching high up floors – was that residents were unable to exit their flats because of toxic fumes. Branislav Lukic, a survivor of the Grenfell fire: ”It was very difficult to survive in those conditions, another breath and it could be the last one."

The ambient air filled with smoke often contains still enough oxygen for breathing. But safe breathing is impossible because of the toxic smoke. The various toxic compounds present in smoke are carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, formaldehyde and acrylonitriles. This highly toxic mixture is further fed by modern construction materials and furnishings that contain synthetic materials. Once set on fire, they discharge highly dangerous substances that poison the ambient air. When residents are trying to find their way out, they can inhale this toxic mixture. Carbon monoxide is well known for being deadly – even in small amounts. When PVC is burning, the hydrogen cyanide that is discharged can have highly negative effects on cellular respiration as well.

The symptoms of smoke poisoning depend on the gases that were inhaled by the victim. Clear disorders may not always appear immediately. The following symptoms are considered to be signs of smoke poisoning: headache, sickness, throat irritation, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, confusion, shortness of breath, blue skin coloration, restlessness, palpitations, seizures and unconsciousness. Some gases can also cause a burning sensation and pain in the airways. If the poisoning is very severe, respiratory arrest and circulatory collapse with fatal consequences may also occur.

Before entering the incident fire services should have appropriate equipment ready when the search for victims begins. In some countries like Germany or the Netherlands emergency escape devices are often carried by the firefighters. The awareness for proper protection rises slowly but steadily in others. One consequence of the Grenfell fire was the acquisition of fire escape hoods by the London Fire Brigade. They filter the smoke out of the ambient air, allowing those being rescued to breathe safely.

Advantages of Compressed Air Rescue Solutions

Compressed Air Rescue Solutions, like the Dräger Rescue Hood, connect to the SCBA of the firefighter and supply the victim with breathable air. The air is independent from the ambient air and delivers a constant oxygen level. However, it must be taken into consideration that such a device uses the breathing air from the firefighter’s SCBA, in turn reducing the operational time. The rescue hood also requires a continuous physical connection between the firefighter and the person being rescued, because of the hose between the hood and the SCBA.

Dräger PSS® Rescue Hood

Fire fighters face some of the harshest conditions this world has to offer, and are expected to save others from these environments; the Dräger PSS® Rescue Hood is designed to help the professional save lives.

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A further option for a Compressed Air Rescue Solution is the Dräger Rescue Pack System RPS 3500. The unit supplies breathing air from a separate compressed air source which is not physically linked with the firefighter’s SCBA. This offers the advantage that it does not use the air reservoir of the firefighter’s SCBA and doesn’t restrict his freedom of movement. The Dräger RPS 3500 can be equipped with a Dräger full face mask or the Dräger PSS Rescue Hood.

Dräger RPS 3500

The Dräger RPS 3500 Rescue Pack System is designed for use by rapid intervention teams, allowing fire fighters to supply air to trapped colleagues or members of the public in hazardous atmospheres.

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Communication

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Overcome Communication Challenges

Set your missions up for success by understanding how clear and concise communication between you and your team makes an immediate impact.

Hands-free Communication – When You Need It the Most

Communication is important for any team, but for firefighters and first responders it can be life-saving. The Team Talk function of the Dräger FPS®-COM 7000 lets up to 10 team members in full PPE to clearly and easily communicate – which means better teamwork and improved safety.

Voice-activated keeps both hands free. Digital noise reduction technology automatically suppresses background noise, including breathing noises. For wireless connection to the incident commander, just press a button to operate a radio that can be connected via a cable or Bluetooth.

The FPS-COM 7000 is compatible with more than 350 tactical radios, so it’s a good fit for virtually all fire departments. C7 configuration software lets you adjust settings to do such things as automatically relay incoming calls to teammates. You can mount the unit to the FPS 7000 facemask without any tools, and the smart battery life reduces maintenance and costs.

Dräger FPS-COM 7000

The Dräger FPS-COM 7000 provides hands-free communication for all wearers of respiratory protection devices during a mission. Excellent voice quality is achieved by removing interfering noises.

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One Solution for Multiple Applications

From the fireground to hazmat scenarios, chaotic moments and hurdles may inhibit message clarity. Equip teams with adaptable solutions, like the FPS-COM, for reliable and safe communications.

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For missions under the harshest conditions

Firefighters have tested the FPS-COM 7000 and report on their experience with the communication unit.

Deliver realistic training through technology

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is performing a hot fire training with Dräger´s new communication unit, the FPS-COM 7000. The device allows firefighters to clearly communicate with each other during an incident wirelessly. Check out how it can support you in an incident and what firefighters think about it.

5 reasons to consider the FPS-COM

Learn more about how our communication devices can support firefighters on the mission - when exchanging information with fellow firefighters or distributing orders from the fire chief to all fire fighters.

Bushfires

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During a bushfire, the combustion of natural forest fuels and foreign materials can release toxic gases and particulate matter. The toxic air pollutants within bushfire smoke can pose potential health risks to people exposed to bushfire, including firefighters and general public. Using suitable respiratory protection can help to avoid irritation or damage to respiratory organs.

Our solutions for Bushfires

X-plore 3500 Bushfire Kit

X-plore 5500 Bushfire Kit

Helmets

Dräger X-plore® 5500

DrägerX-plore® Bayonet Combination Filter

Dräger X-plore® 3500

Dräger X-plore® 1900

Dräger HPS® SafeGuard

Dräger HPS® 3500

Dräger UCF® FireCore

Dräger Pac® 6500

Dräger PSS® AirBoss

Related Topics

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Fire Services Safety Solutions

Our firefighter gear brings you usability, connectivity, safety and serviceability – so you always know you are prepared and protected on every call.

Health and safety

During their job, firefighters risk contact with carcinogenic substances. You can lower the cancer risk while following some simple rules.

Innovation

Despite your skills and experience, you can’t be aware of any risk during a call without technical support. Learn to use it to your advantage.

Get in touch with Dräger

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Draeger Australia Pty. Ltd.

8 Acacia Place
Notting Hill
Victoria 3168

Draeger New Zealand Ltd.

Unit 4
24 Bishop Dunn Place
East Tamaki
Auckland 2013