Bushfire Firefighting
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
An MDM PUBLICATION IssueIssue 4343 –– SeptemberSeptember 20122012 www.mdmpublishing.com ASIA PACIFIC FIRE MAGAZINE REPORTING TO THE ASIA PACIFIC FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE SERVICE INDUSTRY Introducing SERV models by Gradall Strategic Emergency Response Vehicles let fi refi ghters reach out, break through roofs and walls and drown dangerous fi res with water or foam, all with remote controls that can reduce the chance for injury. The SERV FA 50 can reach the roof of a fi ve-story building or through windows, and lift 2.8 metric tons. Telescoping 15.2 meters, the boom and stainless steel piercing head can smash through wood, concrete and other materials to access dangerous fi res in a fraction of the time required using conventional methods. See Gradall SERV in action For more information and details: www.www.gradallservgradallserv.com.com [email protected] 001-1-330-339-2211 September 2012 Issue 43 Contents An MDM PUBLICATION IssueIssue 4343 –– SeptemberSeptember 20122012 05 From the Editor www.mdmpublishing.com ASIA PACIFIC FIRE MAGAZINE 07 NFPA Foreword 08-18 News & Profiles 21-25 Supporting the Team for a Safe Rescue 27-29 Combating Heat Stress on the Frontline 27-29 65-67 REPORTING TO THE ASIA PACIFIC FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE SERVICE INDUSTRY 31-34 Opening Up The G-Force fixed, selectable and the Debate on Fire automatic, highly customizable global Detection Protocols nozzles, combine over 40 years of Task Force Tips experience into true next generation firefighting tools 37-39 Independent Evaluation of Fluorine Publishers Free Foams (F3) Mark Seton & David Staddon 41-43 Selecting Group Editor Graham Collins Hoses and Nozzles [email protected] 45-51 Building Editorial Contributors Bushfire Resilience: Graham Collins, Bob Grieve, Tom Hainsworth, Paul Pope, Mitch Hubert, Protecting Vulnerable Chang Jho, Eduard K. Kleiner, Mike 31-34 Communities 73-75 Willson, Leroy Coffman, Andy Ibbetson, Lauren Girdler, Leanne 53-56 Evaluating and Danby, Allan Jowsey, Urs Baeumle, Bob Cechet Implementing PPV APF is published quarterly by: 59-62 Firefighting & MDM Publishing Ltd Rescue Communication The Abbey Manor Business Centre, The Abbey, Preston Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2EN, United Kingdom 65-67 Are you ready Tel: +44 (0) 1935 426 428 for BS EN54-23? Fax: +44 (0) 1935 426 926 Email: [email protected] Website: www.mdmpublishing.com 69-71 Malaysian USAR Operation at ©All rights reserved Collapsed Multi-storey Building Subscriptions: For your free subscription, please register at 45-51 77-79 www.mdmpublishing.com 73-75 Structural Fire Engineering & ISSN – 1476-1386 Optimisation of Fire Protection DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in ASIA PACIFIC FIRE MAGAZINE are not 77-79 Are “Ex necessarily those of MDM Publishing Ltd. The magazine and publishers are in no Certifications” to be way responsible or legally liable for any trusted? errors or anomalies made within the editorial by our authors. All articles are protected by copyright and written 81-86 Toolbox Talk permission must be sought from the publishers for reprinting or any form of Distributor & duplication of any of the magazines 88-95 content. Any queries should be addressed Representative Office in writing to the publishers. Listing Reprints of articles are available on request. Prices on application to the Publishers. 53-56 96 Advertisers’ Index 81-86 Page design by Dorchester Typesetting Group Ltd Printed in the UK Follow Asia Pacific Fire on ASIA PACIFIC FIRE 3 WE FOCUS ON COMFORT. SO YOU CAN FOCUS ON WORK. LIGHTWEIGHT FIREFIGHTING SCBA. The Scott Safety ACSfx is significantly lighter than any other carrying system in its class. Offering the wearer comfort, flexibility and the highest standardss of performance. The ACS range is machinem washable for easy decontamination. Scott Safety’s ACSfx is specifically designed for the Professional Firefighter. Approved to EN137:2006 and certified to AS/NZS 1716:2012. TO LEARN MORE VISIT: SCOTTSAFETY.COM (ANZ) OR CALL +61 2 8718 2191 LET’S WORK. FIREF | OIL & GAS | INDUSTRIAL Copyright © 2012 Scott Safety. All Rights Reserved. FROM THE EDITOR The Season is Upon Us Bushfires, wildfires or forest fires are by no means new and while changing global weather patterns undoubtedly have a part to play, archaeologists and geologists have discovered evidence to show that the world has been plagued By Graham Collins by them throughout its history. hat being said, there was a time in more “The above average forecast is due to the abun- recent history – and not too long ago – when dant grass growth from the high amount of rain Tthey seemed to be more or less confined to a from two strong La Niña events seen in the past few unfortunate countries and regions. They did two years across the country’s eastern seaboard occur in other parts of the world now and again, and South Australia. Fuel moisture content within but were usually seen as very occasional if alarm- forests is still high, but this rainfall has continued ing events. Those days seem to have been well to provide widespread vegetation growth in the and truly confined to the history books. grasslands, which remain a threat.” Today, these fires are cropping up with ever Such a scenario was the focus of attention of more frequent regularity in just about every corner many of the delegates from across the world to of the globe. According to the National Oceanic the recent annual AFAC (Australasian Fire & Emer- and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic gency Service Authorities Council) and Bushfire Data Centre, in July the USA experienced 9,869 CRC conference in Perth. The conference (which is wildfires that destroyed 2,014,395 acres. In the reviewed in more detail one page 13 of this edi- year to date 37,576 fires in the USA devastated tion of Asia Pacific Fire) showcased the work that 4,088,349 acres. In the past month alone, signifi- scientists and firefighters are undertaking to more cant wildfires have broken out across the Asia accurately predict where these fires will occur, how Pacific region in Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, to most effectively monitor and track them and, of Indonesia, Vietnam and Pakistan. course, how best to defeat them. Many wildfires though are unmonitored and Understandably, the often frightening scale and undocumented so the full record of wildfires environmental impact of a bushfire or wildfire and around the globe is a long way short of complete. the consequential human tragedies tend to grab However, the World Health Organisation’s inter - the news headlines. However, it must never be for- national disaster database estimates that 2,000 gotten that those involved in front-line bushfire people have been killed and US$49 billion lost in and wildfire firefighting activities – both profes- 339 major fires worldwide since 1970, making sional firefighters and the many volunteer fire- them among the world’s costliest disasters. The fighters involved – face an assortment of serious United Nations Office for the Coordination of health related risks. This is why in this and recent Humanitarian Affairs is on record as stating that editions of Asia Pacific Fire, and in our sister publi- weather conditions, wind and terrain conditions all cation International Fire Fighter, editorial attention contribute to fire risk but, alarmingly, humans has focused on a broad spectrum of firefighter started most of the past decade’s wildfires. health and safety issues. For instance, in this Right now parts of Australia, for example, are edition of the magazine we are addressing the bracing themselves for what the experts are pre- serious challenge of heat stress on firefighters, while dicting will be a high risk bushfire season. Bushfire the current edition of International Fire Fighter CRC (Cooperative Research Centre) has identified magazine carried a research article on protecting large areas of southern Australia, from the east to firefighters’ respiratory systems. These, and similar west coast, as having above average fire potential subjects, are topics to which we will undoubtedly this summer. Its latest seasonal outlook concludes: be returning in coming editions. APF www.mdmpublishing.com ASIA PACIFIC FIRE 5 AIRMAXX BREATHING APPARATUS BECAUSE EVERY LIFE HAS A PURPOSE... The ergonomically designed and optimally balanced AirMaXX backplate is adjustable to fit all body sizes. This works in conjunction with the premium S-swing shoulder pads and swivelling hip belt to distribute weight evenly while increasing freedom of movement. Stress and fatigue are reduced as you perform your job without restrictions. The AirMaXX stays with you even when you are turned upside down. The alpha SingleLine pneumatic system integrates warning signal, second connection and gauge in an easily accessible manifold at your shoulder. The optional alpha Personal Network offers further electronic and telemetric monitoring and communication capability. If you are using your SCBA frequently, for long periods at a time or require absolute concentration in your work, the AirMaXX is the system of choice. MSA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND MSA (Aust.) Pty. Limited The Gate, Unit E, 373 Neilson Street 137 Gilba Road, GIRRAWEEN NSW 2145 Onehunga, Auckland, NZ PH: 1300 728 672 PH: 0800 441 335 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.msa.net.au Web: www.msa.net.au MSA AUSTRALIA - PERTH OFFICE MSA (Aust.) Pty. Limited 4 Iron Road, MALAGA WA 6090 PH: (08) 9247 8900 Email: [email protected] Web: www.msa.net.au NFPA FOREWORD Social Media & International Outreach No one was more surprised than I was when, a few years ago, I agreed to test an iPad for NFPA’s Information Services Division and actually ended up liking it. ike millions of others around the world who so nimble, they are ideal for addressing the on-going spend a lot of time on the road, I rely on worldwide fire problem and for quickly sharing L applications that can organise work communi- both successes and areas for improvement.