Look West …

FossilMedic reviews a new textbook:

THE SEATTLE GUYS ARE SHARING THE LESSONS

Last week I lamented the lack of changes in the NFPA 1021 standard. I asked “Have we learned nothing since 1997?” I can point to four dedicated brothers that have learned a lot and have spent the time to share it with us.

Mike Gagliano, Casey Phillips, Phillip Jose and Steve Bernocco have been teaching the “Rule of Air Management” at fire training sessions for almost a decade, starting in response to two fellow Seattle firefighters running out of air while operating in burning buildings. Using best practices from underwater divers, analyzing NIOSH reports and engaging subject matter experts, the Seattle Guys developed ROAM – Rule of Air Management and the concept of the Point of NO Return. They set up a website: http://www.manageyourair.com/ to share their results, and promote a training business.

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For the last couple of years they have been teaching ROAM at national conferences and been involved with the NFPA 1404 Standard for Fire Service Respiratory Protection Training committee on the 2006 version of the standard.

This year their considerable work became a book: Air Management for the Fire Service. Fire Engineering (2008) ISBN 987-1-59370-129-1 (retail about $70). http://www.pennwellbooks.com/airmaforfise.html

After reading the book this weekend, I have to agree with Editor-in-Chief Bobby Halton, this is a landmark book. This praise is due to the quality of information and the way the book is structured.

This book made same impact on me as Chief Dunn’s Collapse of Burning Buildings did when I was a company officer. http://firegeezer.com/2008/04/29/inside-a-burning-structure/ This may be the first fire fighting text for the 21st Century.

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