Author Archive for Christopher J. Naum, SFPE
LAFD LODD: Hollywood Hills Mansion Investigating Building Standards
Hollywood Hills Mansion Investigating Building Standards As the funeral services commence today for 38-year veteran LAFD firefighter Glenn L. Allen who was killed in the line of duty as a result of being trapped beneath rubble when the roof and ceiling collapsed during a blaze at a Hollywood Hills mansion on Feb. 17, the 12,000-square-foot […]
ENGINE COMPANY STANDPIPE OPERATIONS:PRESSURE-REGULATING DEVICES
ENGINE COMPANY STANDPIPE OPERATIONS:PRESSURE-REGULATING DEVICES FireEngineering.com Feb 1, 2005 BY DAVID M. McGRAIL For most in the American fire service, pressure-regulating devices and specifically pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) were virtually unknown prior to 1991. It was only after the tragic One Meridian Plaza high-rise fire, which occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 23, 1991, that PRVs […]
Residential Home from LAFD’s LODD died is now a crime scene
The LAPD made it clear yesterday that arson has been ruled out in the fire last week that killed Firefighter Glenn Allen. But the circumstances surrounding the death of the 61-year-old Los Angeles firefighter’s death are still a part of an investigation that involves homicide detectives. The home is considered a crime scene with police on the […]
RIT Team Rescues Two Pa. Firefighters Trapped in Blaze
RIT Team Rescues Two (PA) Firefighters Trapped in Blaze Five rowhomes in Girardville were destroyed by the fire sparked by Duraflame logs in a wood burner. Two firefighters had to be rescued after they became trapped while battling a fire in Girardville Wednesday night, according to The Republican Herald. Five rowhomes on Main Street were destroyed […]
One Meridian Plaza High Rise Fire: Twenty Years Ago
Fire Operations One Meridian Plaza On what began as an uneventful Saturday night twenty years ago, a fire on the 22nd floor of the 38-story Meridian Bank Building, also known as One Meridian Plaza, was reported to the Philadelphia Fire Department on February 23, 1991 at approximately 2040 hours and went on to burned for […]
Multiple Alarm Operations with Wind Driven Fire
The five alarm fire that ran through a seven story multiple occupancy (MO) apartment building in the Flatbush Section in the Borough of Brooklyn (NYC) this weekend considerably challenged operating companies of the FDNY as the fire was fueled and spread in rapid success due to significant wind conditions compounded by news reports that a […]
FDNY: Five Alarm Wind-Whipped Fire Destroys Apartment Building in Brooklyn
FDNY: Five Alarm Wind-Whipped Fire Destroys Apartment Building in Brooklyn Twenty FDNY Firefighters Injured New York Daily News AN UNCONTROLLABLE FIRE RIPPED THROUGH a 7-story apartment building in Brooklyn, New York, Saturday night that kept more than 200 firefighters busy for over eight hours in their efforts to knock the blaze down. The call was dispatched […]
The Station Nightclub February 20, 2003 Revisted
A fire occurred on the night of February 20, 2003, at The Station Nightclub located in West Warwick, Rhode Island. A band that was performing that night, during its performance, used pyrotechnics that ignited foam insulation lining the walls and part of the ceiling of the platform being used as a stage. Based on a […]
National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System; Untapped Resource
Have you heard about the National Firefighter Near-Miss Reporting System (NMRS)? Have you used the NMRS Reports, or submitted a near miss event? Did you know there is a wealth of resources available on the NMRS web site or that there is a Report of the week that is published weekly? If not, this is […]
Maintaining Situational Awareness
Maintaining focused situational awareness during all phases of fireground operation is mission critical for operational integrity and firefigher safety. Don’t forget value added task assignments and ensuring you always maintain effective and appropriate collapse zones.
Gypsum Board Ceiling Systems and Firefigher Safety
The recent events in Los Angeles and the line of duty death of veteran LAFD Firefighter Glenn Allen who died Friday from injuries he sustained when a ceiling collapsed on him in a house fire late Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills again gives us pause to reflect on the demands and hazards present at […]
Loudoun County (VA) Fire and Rescue House Fire
Residential House Fire in Broadlands community of Loudoun County, Virginia Loudoun fire and rescue units were on the scene of a fire in Broadlands on Thornblade Circle on the afternoon of February 18, 2011. Dispatchers received the call at 4:17 p.m. and responding units arrived to a working fire. “They reported heavy fire,” said Craig Simpson, […]
Los Angeles firefighter dies of injuries
Los Angeles firefighter dies of injuries Glenn Allen, a veteran of more than 36 years with the LAFD, was to have retired in less than two years. ( Associated Press / February 18, 2011 ) Glenn Allen died Friday of injuries suffered Wednesday in a Hollywood Hills blaze. When rescuers found him beneath debris, he was […]
NIST Wind Driven Fire Simulation Video
NIST Wind Driven Fire Simulation Video Wind Driven Fires Smoke and heat spreading through the corridors and the stairs of a building during a fire can limit building occupants’ ability to escape and can limit fire fighters’ ability to rescue them. Changes in the building’s ventilation or presence of an external wind can increase the […]
Commercial 2-11 Fire Chicago (IL)
Commercial 2-11 Fire Chicago (IL) Chicago 2-11 fire at 1896 Milwaukee, 1 story commercial…1 snorkel and 1 tower used. 2-11 alarm on Wednesday at 1896 Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Video is by Steve Redick. Click here to see Steve’s Chicago Fire Department photos and to buy his books. From the Chicago Tribune: The alarm was […]
