OC Firefighters News | May 2021 | View as Webpage
May 5, 2021
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In an effort to keep you up to date on the latest local, statewide, and federal fire issues, OC Firefighters send out monthly news clippings. This newsletter will help inform you about very important fire-related matters.

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CPF and IAFF Leaders Dialogue with Our Members
At our April General Membership meeting we were joined by a number of leaders from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the California Professional Firefighters (CPF), including CPF President Brian Rice, CPF 1st District Vice President Darrell "Doc" Roberts, and newly elected IAFF 10th District Vice President Steve Gillman. They joined our Local 3631 Executive Board and members for a discussion regarding the vast resources that are provided by the IAFF and the CPF. There was also a focused discussion regarding the pending recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom. Both the CPF and the IAFF have been instrumental in supporting legislation at the state and federal levels that address the priorities of our firefighters and Local 3631 and we look forward to continuing our work with them in the months to come.
OC Firefighters Attend SF Firefighters Station Stewards Event
On March 27th, Local 3631 Director Buddy Lee Brown traveled to San Francisco to attend San Francisco Firefighters Local 798’s annual Station Stewards luncheon. Local 798’s Station Stewards program is recognized throughout the IAFF as the model program and it is our hope to learn best practices as we embark on establishing our own program later this year. Special thanks to Local 798 President Shon Buford, Director Adam Wood, and the rest of their Executive Board for allowing Local 3631 to participate in this special event.
OC Firefighters Knock Down Blaze at Stanton Automotive Shop
One person was killed Friday in a two-alarm blaze that damaged an automotive repair shop in Stanton. The fire was reported about 11:30 a.m. in the 11800 block of Beach Boulevard, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg Barta.
12 cars damaged in Tustin carport fire
A blaze tore through a Tustin carport early Monday, April 19, and was under investigation after a dozen cars were damaged, authorities said. Shortly after 2:30 a.m. firefighters were called about the fire on Tustin East Drive and El Camino Real, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
Video courtesy of OnScene.TV
Irvine aerospace firm’s building damaged in 2-alarm fire
Dozens of firefighters battled a two-alarm blaze at an aerospace engineering and manufacturing company in Irvine on Saturday night. When they arrived at the building at 1641 Reynolds Ave. shortly after 9:05 p.m., heavy smoke was coming through the roof, Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Capt. Greg Barta told OC Hawk, a video news service.
OC Register
Video courtesy of LA.OC.tv
Santa Ana house fire deemed accidental, man in surveillance footage not involved
Fire investigators deemed a garage fire at a family’s Santa Ana home late Wednesday, April 28 an accident, but have not determined its exact cause after analyzing burn patterns, interviewing neighbors and reviewing camera footage showing someone running from the property just as the flames started.
Photo courtesy of ONSCENE.TV
OC Firefighters Knock Down Blaze at Santa Ana Recycling Center
Orange County Fire Authority firefighters knocked down a fire at a recycling plant in Santa Ana Sunday that threatened to spread to a building on the property. The blaze at the recycling location in the 3200 block of Westminster Avenue was reported at 12:40 p.m., the OCFA reported. The department dispatched 55 firefighters to the scene and extinguished the flames by 2:25 p.m.
Mother and Two Children Rescued from Cliff in Dana Point
Orange County first responders rescued a mother and her two children stuck half way up a cliff in Dana Point on Wednesday, April 28. Officials with the county’s fire authority and sheriff’s department were on scene at Cove Road and Scene Drive, atop the Dana Point Headlands. Orange County Fire Authority deployed its helicopter and technical rescue truck to assist.
Photo by Lillian Boyd
Orange County Carls Jr. Gets Flame Broiled In Grease Fire
It isn't every day a fast food restaurant catches fire, and Orange County Fire Authority quickly extinguished the blaze Friday morning. The fire was reported about 2 a.m. in the 8300 block of La Palma Avenue, according to an Orange County Fire Authority spokesperson.
Freeway Collision Involving Big Rig Truck
OC Firefighters responded to a traffic accident on the 5 freeway with our partners at @lacountyfd and entered into a unified command due to the material transported in the 18-wheeler. Acid spilled out onto the roadway and our Hazardous Materials Team worked to mitigate the situation.
11-Year-Old Boy, Teenage Sisters Honored By OC Fire Authority For Their Acts Of Heroism
The Orange County Fire Authority honored three young people – including an 11-year-old boy — for their recent acts of heroism. Letters of commendation were presented to 11-year-old Travis Navarro of Buena Park, and sisters 17-year-old Stephanie Roa and 15-year-old Ashley Roa at Fire Station #61 in Buena Park Thursday.
OC Firefighters Save Kittens
OC Firefighters were on a medical aid call when the homeowners stated they heard kittens in their attic. After a little investigation, Firefighters found two cute little kittens that were in good condition.
Trench Rescue Training
Urban Search and Rescue Team known as the USAR Team conducted trench rescue training at the Rancho Santa Margarita Water District site. Your OC Firefighters practiced stabilization of the trench walls and victim removal. A trench is a hole in the ground that is deeper than it is wide, creating a high potential for cave in or collapse and in return suffocating the victim or rescue team.
OCFA Inventory Management System & NFPA 1851
Submitted by Jeff Hughes, OC Firefighters Local 3631 Wellness Agent
 
The OCFA Inventory Management System in use by the Service Center tracks everything on the turnout (PPE) for the duration of its service life, but it takes personal responsibility to ensure that your safety equipment is clean, safe, and effective. When a set of turnouts is sent to the Service Center for any reason, including cleaning, repairs and alterations, the activity is tracked on the Inventory Management System. The Service Center tracks everything done in-house as well as any items sent out to an Independent Service Provider (ISP). The Service Center Manager states that “the OCFA Turnout cleaning program is very much in alignment with NFPA 1851 in the selection, care, and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment.”
 
NFPA 1851 (2020 Edition) Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Firefighting:
 
Turnout PPE and Postfire Preliminary Exposure Reduction (PER)
  • Turnouts exposed to the products of combustion must be first decontaminated with a “preliminary exposure reduction” (PER or post fire decon)
  • PER should be conducted while the user remains on supplied air (SCBA)
  • Rinsed and scrubbed with a mild detergent, then rinsed again
 
Turnout PPE Cleaning and Inspections
  • Advanced Cleaning shall be done at least twice each year
  • Annual Inspection of PPE shall be done
  • Cleaning of gloves should NOT be overlooked
- Best practice is to personally clean or swap your gloves for clean ones after every use!
- Best practice is to personally clean or swap your hood for a clean one after every use!
 
The goal of reducing your exposures to hazardous products of combustion takes your commitment to the effort. PER should be done after every fire exposure (vehicle fire, vegetation fire, or structure fire) and your turnout PPE should be washed at least 2X per year. It takes your commitment to your safety to ensure that your gear is safe and clean!
 
One thing that we have learned in the last year with COVID is to leave the contamination at the scene and to thoroughly decontaminate all exposed surfaces of equipment used on the scene of a potential exposure. Science has proven that fire exposures can lead to firefighters being diagnosed with cancer, so leave the contamination at the scene! The best practice is to continue the Service Support unit on “routine” fire incidents to allow for equipment exchanges and supplied SCBA bottles. The Service Support unit operator receives a four hour call back whether they make it to the scene or remain committed to the scene for four hours!

THIS MESSAGE WAS CREATED BY JIMMY BLACKMAN & ASSOCIATES.
For more information about Blackman & Associates, visit www.jimmyblackman.com