SAFER Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2020
SAFER Board Attendees: President Quinn, Past President Gurrola , Weise, Sczcepanek, Weisenberg, Seely, Snider, Rabe
Murrieta Fire & Rescue Training Center
0935 Meeting called to order – President Quinn welcomed SAFER and opened the meeting, Thanks to Murrieta Fire – Rescue Department for hosting the January 2020 Meeting of SAFER and for use of the facility and LN Curtis Fire Equipment Company (Ed Shabaro) for hosting the morning hospitality.
President Quinn Introduced Chief Kean who welcomed SAFER and related his appreciation for the group. He led the flag salute. Chief Kean related the agencies history, multiple missions (Fire, Rescue and Environmental Units) the Murrieta Fire & Rescue Department supports.
NFPA – Dick Weise – Captain LACoFD – New Wildland SCAM Standard is being developed (for NFPA 1977). Committee is looking to establish criteria for selection, care and maintenance of the wildland ensemble components. Related sizing for female personnel has been insufficient or unavailable. Discussion on the importance of contributing to the NFPA committee(s).
CalOSHA – Scott Hudson Hemet FD (Retired) – Related utility industry is interested in PPE for persons assigned to cut utility service as violence from effected residents / customers has been increasing. Reminder: Agency 300 logs are due for 2019.
Discussion on CalOSHA investigations and recent accidents.
Vender Liaison –
Apparatus – Nothing to report
Safety and Training: February 5th and 6th at Hoskins, Forestry & Fire Wardens
Technology – See Website, Facebook, twitter, linkedin
Treasurer - $xxxxxx in Savings, $xxxxxx in checking, new year so please pay membership dues. (Actual financial data redacted for account security)
Program: “Fire Department Response to Natural Gas Emergencies ”
Presented by Captain Eric Ackerman – Training Captain
(951) 461-6159
EAckerman@MurrietaCA.gov
Murrieta Fire and Rescue Department
*************************Program PowerPoint shown at time of delivery**********************
Notes from PP are below:
What is natural gas?
• Natural gas is a combination of many different compounds with the largest component being methane (CH4).
• Millions of years ago, plants and animals built up think layers on the earths surface and ocean floor. Over time these layers were buried by silt, sand, and rock and pressure and heat changed the plant and animal remains. Some changed to coal, some to oil (petroleum), and some to natural gas.
Processing natural gas
• Natural gas is withdrawn from the earth as “wet natural gas” as it contains methane, ethane, propane, butanes, pentanes, and water vapor. Other nonhydrocarbons may also be present including sulfur, helium, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide.
• “Wet natural gas” is transported to processing plants where nonhydrocarbons and water vapor are removed. Once this is completed, the propane, butanes, and pentanes are removed. Most of the ethane is also removed, however, some remains with the methane in natural gas.
• The methane gas that results from the process is called dry, consumer-grade, or pipeline quality natural gas. The other separated hydrocarbons (ethane, butane, propane, and pentane) are called NGPL (natural gas plant liquids).
• Odorants are added to natural gas so that leaks in natural gas pipelines can be detected.
• Dry natural gas is sent through pipelines to underground storage fields or to distribution companies and then to consumers.
• The majority of the natural gas consumed in the United States is produced in the United States.
• Some natural gas is imported from Canada and Mexico in pipelines.
• A small amount of natural gas is also imported as liquefied natural gas.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov.
Consumption data
Residential natural gas leaks:
• Natural gas leaks at residences are typically identified from a resident noticing a gas smell in the residence or from direct knowledge of a break in a line.
• Interior gas leaks may be the result of improperly installed gas appliances, improper use of appliances (stove), etc.
• Exterior gas leaks may be related to an improperly installed barbeque or gas firepit or they may be the result of a damage to a distribution line.
• Some examples of ways that natural gas lines may be damaged resulting in leaks are:
1. Line struck while digging or driving a stake
2. Vehicle into a structure
3. Earthquake
4. Damaged gas meter
5. Considerations when responding to natural gas leaks
6. Reported leak details
7. Wind direction
8. Approach direction
9. Time of day
10. Nearby target hazards
Considerations when investigating a natural gas leak:
• Is the leak inside the structure or outside of the structure?
• Are there residents/workers in the structure?
• Are there residents/workers in the yard?
• Are there any potential ignition sources?
• Is the leak before or after the gas meter?
• If the leak is related to an appliance, is the leak before or after the valve?
Tools at our disposal:
• 4-gas monitor
• ERG
• WISER
• Mutual aid resources:
• Gas company
• Police department
• Mutual aid fire/ems agencies
4-gas monitor:
• MFR utilizes the Drager X-AM 2500 or 3500 4-gas monitor.
• Detects oxygen level, CO level, H2S level, and Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) percentage.
• LEL is utilized in natural gas leaks.
• Sensor detects combustible gases including methane and propane and measures their concentration in air to determine percentage of LEL.
• First alarm sounds at 20%
• Second alarm sounds at 40%
• Understanding explosive limits
• Just as fire has the fire triangle, explosions have the (similar) explosion triangle. In order for an explosion to occur, three elements are necessary: an oxidizer (air), fuel (gas or dust), and energy (an ignition source).
• In addition to the presence of the three items listed above, an explosion requires the mixture of fuel and the oxidizer within a certain range in order for an explosion to occur.
• Below this range is considered too lean to explode.
• Above this range is considered too rich to explode
• Understanding explosive limits (cont.)
• The lowest point of this limit before it would be too lean is called the lower explosive limit (LEL).
• The highest point of this limit before it would be too rich is called the upper explosive limit (UEL).
Using the ERG on natural gas emergencies:
• Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is a publication by the transportation departments of all North American countries (US DOT, Transport Canada, and Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Mexico))
• Updated regularly. Next update is due out in Spring 2020.
• Using the ERG on natural gas emergencies (cont.)
• ERG is designed to be easy to use providing color coded sections for quick reference:
• White pages- General information including quick references for placards/markings, railcars, and containers.
• Yellow pages- Numerically ascending reference of ID numbers identifying substance name and guide page.
• Blue pages- Substance names in alphabetical order identifying ID number and guide page.
• Orange pages- Numerically ascending guide number identifying hazards and mitigation efforts for different categories of hazards.
• Green pages- 3 tables with more specific information for certain chemicals
• Utilize the blue pages to identify the guide page number. Either “natural gas” or “methane” can be used as reference as they both lead to guide page 115.
• Reference guide page 115.
• Fire/Explosion is identified as the primary hazard related to the chemicals covered by guide 115.
• Immediate precautionary measure involves isolation of 330 feet in all directions.
• If it is determined to be a larger spill, isolation downwind of ½ mile is advised
• Turnouts with SCBA are recommended when responders are working around the leak even though turnouts will only provide limited protection.
• Eliminate all ignition sources. Use only intrinsically safe ventilation equipment.
• If possible, stop leak at a valve but only if it can be accomplished without excessive risk.
• A fog pattern can be utilized to divert vapor cloud drift.
• Prevent diversion of vapors into a confined area (such as sewers, structures, HVAC ducting, etc.)
• Keep area isolated until leak stops.
• If the flammable gas ignites, focus firefighting efforts on exposures, not the location of the leaking gas, until the gas leak can be stopped.
• If the flammable gas fire is from a tank, utilize unmanned hose streams and focus on cooling the container in order to help prevent a BLEVE.
Using WISER on natural gas emergencies:
• WISER- Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders
• WISER is an app and a web application published by the US National Library of Medicine to provide additional tools for responders to chemical emergencies.
• Can be accessed online at wiser.nlm.nih.gov
• Application can be downloaded on both iOS and android devices.
• Using WISER on natural gas emergencies (cont.)
• WISER consolidates information from various references for easy use including:
• National Library of Medicine’s Hazardous Substances Database (HSDB)
• Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM)
• Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM)
• ERG
• WMD Response Guidebook
• Using your device, open the application and select “Search Known Substances”
• Search for the substance utilizing either the substance name or the ID number.
• Find information on the substance from this page.
• In order to determine isolation distances click on either the plot button at the bottom of the page or “Protective Distance” and the “Map” button on the next screen.
• Fill out the information on the next screen in order to populate the map overlay.
• Utilize the map overlay to determine isolation distance.
• Smaller circle around the address is the initial isolation distance (330 feet in this case).
• Larger cone is the ½ mile downwind isolation distance recommended for large spills.
Outside aid:
• Gas company- Contact the gas company early in the incident and maintain isolation until the gas company confirms that the leak has been fully mitigated. Remain on scene with the gas company throughout their operation in order to ensure incident isolation and public safety.
• Law enforcement- Request law enforcement for assistance with evacuations and traffic control.
• Outside fire agencies- Request as needed based on specific incident and manpower needs.
Southern California Gas Company - Area Manager – Phillip Heiner presented a PowerPoint developed by the Gas Company to train first responder personnel on Natural Gas Resource development and distribution facilities. His presentation included information / guidance for managing emergency response to natural gas emergencies and discussion on how the company responds to various levels of system as well as methods of agency notification.
Roundtable:
Louie Garcia - Velocity Fire Equipment: Related the Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus Electric Pumper / Hybrid Fire Engine being shown to fire service agencies. It will at FIREHOUSE WORLD in Las Vegas next month.
Mike Weisenberg - Ventura County Fire – Taken delivery of 2 heli-pods, looked at the Hybrid Fire Engine, discussion on the Cab to Cab (Firescope) concept being developed.
Scott Quirarte - Ventura County Fire – Discussion on “close calls” with on-scene violence, hazardous environments with law enforcment. Scott discussed how their delivering training curriculum and requisite reporting methods. CANCER, VIOLENCE, SUICIDE are agency safety priories. Driscol University is a resource for information on First Responder Workplace Violence.
Casey Jones SFS Fire Rescue- Discussion on new apparatus and migration to electric rescue tools / systems.
Dick Weise – LACoFD - Discussed the agencies loosing 500 personnel in next few years. Discussed new tax initiative on ballot (6 cents per square foot of improved property). Discussed recent ear burns (LACoFD doesn’t have ear flaps on helmets).
Scott Hudson – Hemet Fire (Retired) – Lots of turn over as personnel move to other agencies, had a loss of life of 4 from a Christmas Tree Fire. Related experience with violence in his career.
Shane Miller – CalFire – Riverside – Related some improvements at Ben Clark Training Center, Fire Hawk is being painted, discussed recent violence from citizens. CalFire has a video covering Gross Decon techniques available. Related they’re going to “Single Layer” pants (from Prison Industries – has noted poor quality)
Kelly Sisson - Capstone Infra Structure Protection – Related they’ve had a busy 2019 with service deployments throughout they’re customer base.
Jordan Evans – Citrus Squeeze – Related she’d like to get access to the CalFire Decon Video.
Bill – SoCal Gas – Presenter on today’s topic: FD Response to Natural Gas Emergencies
Jim Evans – Solutions Safety – Related OSHA contacted re: support of Unions, FD’s to lobby for funding for 2146 with state legislature.
Billy Gabriel – Fillmore Fire Dept. -
Matt Roland - Ventura County Fire
Keith Gurrola – Fillmore Fire Dept - Looking for information / R&D on electric rescue tools, Clean Cab Concept standards, and a pathway to build a new community fire station. Golf Tournament May 30th, 2020 – looking for sponsors.
• Attendees recommended the NFPA Station Design Conference.
Tracy Line Gear – Introduced a new wildland boot that is very comfortable. Asked if anyone has a topic / issue they’d like to have schedule at a future meeting.
Steve Hanks – Scott Safety – Related the new “Buddy Breather” connection standard (2018) that is now in effect. They have the new 2018 standard SCBA available. Related the webbing is removable for decon / cleaning.
Russ Snider – OCFA – Related recent experiences and agency clean cab program. Related a crew used a pressure washer to clean SCBA’s which damaged the units. D
Jerrimy – MES – Related they’re providing “Active – Shooter” kits through a vender / Manufacture
Eric Higgins – Best Way Laundry Solutions – Related they’re committed to clean
Tom Harvick – H3 Equipment Co – Back in fire equipment sales in Southern California.
Jeff – AllStar
Brian Jenson – Derotic Emergency Equipment – Discussed new $550 FLIR TIC
Scott Estrada – Fire Etc – Is stocking many PPE ensembles for the new single layer gear for agencies.
Mike McBride – FoxFire Lighting – Has DRONES with , Mapping capabilities, Area lighting, personal lighting devices. Will have a booth at FH World next month.
Ed Shabaro – LN Curtis Fire Equipment – Related they have “Active – Shooter” equipment, PPE
Michele Harris - LN Curtis Fire Equipment – Related Laguna Beach is hosting a benefit next week
Jake Sherman – Hero Wipes - Discussion on decontamination products they are representing, has fire POC and ems clean wipes
Tom – 5Alarm Fire – Represents Artic air compressor systems of every size / any needs
David Molinatti – Industrial Scientific – Observation: Many personnel need gas detection training.
Brian – H3 -
Eric Ackerman – Murrieta Fire & Rescue – Is growing with new PM patrols which will bring more personnel.
✓ February SAFER Meeting will be hosted by Newport Beach Fire Dept – Topic: CalOSHA Investigations
SAFER email : SAFER.Members@gmail.com, twitter, facebook etc.
Meeting adjourned: 1200
Murrieta SIGN-IN List Attendees
Ackerman Eric Murrieta Fire & Rescue Dept eackerman@murrietaca.gov
(951) 4616159
Aoki Tom 5 Alarm Fire taoki@5alarm.com
(714) 3812746
Elias Shoshana Capstone Fire Selias@capstonefire.com
(530) 5209857 Evans Jim Solutions Safety jime@solutionssafety.com Evans Jordan Solutions Safety Jordane@solutionssafety.com
Gabriel Billy Fillmore FD BillyG@fillmoreca.gov
(805) 7975558
Garcia Louie Western States Fire Equipment lgarcia@vvgtruck.com
(213) 2725680 Gurrola Keith Fillmore FD KeithG@ci.fillmore.ca.us Gurrola Matthew Ventura County FD matthew.gurrola@ventura.org
Hanks Steve SCOTT Safety SAHanks@mmm.com
(851) 2267420
Harvick Tom H3 Safety Marketing Tom3@H3associates.com
(858) 7747224
Heiner Phillip So. Cal Gas Co. - Area Manager pheiner@socalgas.com
(909) 3353977
Higgins Eric Bestway Laundry Solutions sales@bestwayls.com
(951) 5327700 Hudson Scott Hemet FD (Ret.)
Jenson Brian Derotic Emergency Equipment bjenson@deroticllc.com
(844) 4337684
Jones Casey Santa Fe Springs Fire & Rescue Dept caseyjones@santafesprings.org
(949) 9390084
McBride Mike FoxFury Lighting mike@foxfury.com
(760) 5411920
Molinatti David Industrial Science dmolinatti@indsci.com
(714) 4031915 Quinn Scott LAFD scott.quinn@lacity.org
Quirarte Scott Ventura County FD scott.quirarte@ventura.org
(805) 5046736
Rabe Tracy LineGear Fire & Rescue Equip tracy@linegear.com
(800) 4667574
Seely Chuck Downey FD (Ret.) firebiz@att.net
(562) 8243225
Shabro Ed LN Curtis & Sons eshabro@LNCURTIS.com
(760) 2501180
Sherman Jake Hero Wipes jsherman@myherowipes.com
(818) 7467444
Sisson Kelly Capstone Fire Ksisson@capstonefire.com
(619) 7425573
Snider Russ OCFA russsnider@ocfa.org
(714) 3084338 Szczepanek Robert Ventura Co. FD robert.szczepanek@ventura.org
Walters Jeremy Municipal Emergency Services jeremy.walters@mesfire.com
(714) 3138461 Weise Richard LACoFD rweiselacofd@yahoo.com
Weisenberg Mike VCFD Michael.weisenberg@ventura.org
(805) 9904326