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Santa Barbara County Hazmat Responds to White Powder

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Firefighters Conduct a Level B Entry.

Tuesday morning, the Santa Maria, California Fire Department responded to the American Automobile Association office in Santa Maria, after an employee reported finding a white powdery substance inside the envelope.

After arriving on scene, fire officials evacuated the office and called the Santa Barbara County Hazardous Materials Response team, which arrived around 1 p.m.

By 3:30 p.m., they were able to determine that the substance was not hazardous.  What exactly the substance is, or where it came from, has yet to be determined

Not Your Average Pool Rescue

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The Times Tribune.com Reports:

SCRANTON, PA – City firefighters had to cut apart a pool table Wednesday night to rescue a young boy who twisted his arm shoulder-deep in a hole to reach the cue ball.

The boy, who is 8 or 9 years old, was stuck for a half-hour in the table at the Comfort Suites hotel, Acting Lt. John Judge said.

Firefighters used saws, chisels and hammers to pry apart the table. It was a surgical rescue, Lt. Judge said. And though it was his first time saving someone from billiards, it was familiar territory for veteran firefighter Mike Grimes, which gave the Rescue 1 crew a ready game plan.

Body lotion from the hotel was used to finally slip the boy’s arm free. He was unharmed.

Base Jumper Spends the Night Hanging from Cliff. Gets Rescued then Arrested

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Photo by King5 TV

KING 5 News and Associated Press Report:

MOUNT BARING, Wash. — Authorities say a BASE jumper who spent the night hanging from parachute straps on Mount Baring was rescued Tuesday and flown to Granite Falls where he was arrested for an unrelated case in Skagit County. Sheriff’s Deputy Will Reichardt says 44-year-old Eldon Burrier of Lynnwood was booked into jail on a district court warrant accusing him of reckless endangerment in May at a Washington state park. Burrier was released because of overcrowding at the jail in Mount Vernon. (more…)

Suspicious Odor Evacuates Florida Value Place Motel

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Photo by Bruce Graner / bgraner@pnj.com

About 100 residents of the Value Place Motel in Escambia, Florida were evacuated into the streets while police, fire, and hazmat responders searched the hotel for the source of a suspicious stank.  Responders feared the fumes may be from a meth lab in one of  the hotel rooms.  In the end, responders did not find the source of the mystery odor, and allowed the patrons to return to their rooms.

Crews Conduct a Level A Entry for a Chlorine Leak at a Virginia Water Treatment Plant

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Waynesboro, VA public works crews reported a leak in a one-ton container of chlorine at the water treatment plant. The employees were able to shut  the valve off as they evacuated the building.  There were no reports of injuries.

Waynesboro fire department responded and dressed out responders in level A PPE.

NBC29.com reports ”Their actions in cutting the valve off, the only thing remaining to leak out in the system was what residual chlorine pressurized,” explained Kenny Hyden with the Waynesboro Fire Department. “By the time our crews were assembled in fully encapsulated suits and made entry into the building, there was no active chlorine leak at that point.”

Editorial: US&R and Water Rescue by Mick Mayers

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Responders prepare to mark a house during Hurricane Katrina SAR Operations. Photo by USCG Petty Officer Robert M. Reed

Guest Editorial by Mick Mayers: I have long been a proponent of adding water response capability to the US&R bag o’ tricks, but the extent of capability must be objectively assessed by team leaders before launching into this mission wholesale. (more…)

Multi-Agency Rescue Effort Frees Man from Trench in Pennsylvania

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A group of 5 men set out to help install a french drain at a Pennsylvania home, when one of them became trapped in the trench they dug.  A wall of dirt gave way trapping the man to his chest in the 6 foot deep by 4 foot wide trench.  Numerous fire, EMS, and police agencies from across Allegancy county worked together to fee the man.

Photo from baldwinems.com

Photo by baldwinems.com

According to the PittsburgChannel.com: Alvin Henderson, assistant chief for Allegheny County Emergency Services, said crush syndrome was a concern because it can set in almost immediately as the weight of the dirt cuts off circulation to the legs and lower extremities.

Click Here to See the News Video

More Incident photos are posted on Badlwin EMS’s homepage

LA Building Explosion Likely due to illegal gas line hook up

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AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

Two men were killed when a Los Angeulus industrial building exploded and collapsed.  One man was thrown into the street as a result of the blast, the second was electrocuted when he contacted a down power line attempting to move his truck.

LAFD PIO Erik Scott reports the LAFD’s response to the 100×100 commercial building included: 16 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 11 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 bull dozers

The Urban Search and Rescue Team, was then able to eliminate hazards and shore up beams, allowing a safer environment to perform a detailed and thorough search. K9 units were utilized to locate anyone possibly trapped under the rubble, however there were no hits and no additional victims were found.

US Coast Guard Helo Hoists 17 year old boy off Oregon cliff

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ASTORIA, Ore. – A 17 year-old boy is hoisted into an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter after falling from a 200-foot cliff at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Lewis and Clark State Park, Wash., Sunday, July 25, 2010. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria, Ore. responded to the scene, hoisted the boy and transported him to Columbia Memorial Hospital.

U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Josh Hollingshead.

FDNY and NYPD team to complete a water rescue Hat Trick in the east river

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Photo by Robert Miller - New York Post

When a intoxicated man jumped from  a pier into the East River, his friend jumped in an attempt to rescue him.  Next a good samaritan dove in, trying to lend a hand.  Soon the trio were all in trouble. An NYPD detective was the first to arrive, and jump into the water.  The NY Post Reports “Detective Andy Bershad, said he untied his shoe laces, emptied his pockets en route to the call”.   Bershad held the victims head above water until FDNY arrived,

When Engine Co. 53 and Ladder 43 arrived, several firefighters leaped into the river.  They were able to pull all the victims from the water.

The NY Post interviewed a Battalion Chief as the scene was wrapping up: “Right now it looks like everyone is going to survive. Two of them weren’t in the greatest shape,” said FDNY Battalion Chief Jim Gintey. “I don’t want to speculate on what could have been – but it was a good thing that they got them when they did.”

Worker Pulled from Peanut Silo by FD and Virginia Beach Tech Rescue

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Photo by Ron Spears III

The Suffolk News Herald Reports:

A 46-year-old employee of Birdsong Peanut Co. was pulled to safety Thursday morning from a peanut storage silo into which he had fallen more than 90 minutes earlier.

The man, whom officials have not yet identified, was uninjured and refused medical transport or treatment after firefighters pulled him out of the silo. In fact, he climbed down the ladder from the top of the silo without assistance.

It was a happy ending to a tense morning at Birdsong’s Factory Street property, where firefighters had at one point even considered dismantling the 50-foot silo where the man was slowly sinking further into the pile of peanuts inside.

“It was a long process,” Battalion Chief F.T. “Ted” Adams said. “We looked at every angle possible.”

Click Here to Read the Full Story.

Update: Mystery odor that brought out Hazmat and 85th CST caused by Lint

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Firefighters, hazmat teams, and the Utah National Guard 85th WMD Civil Support Team were called in when a family noticed a “metallic burning smell” in their home.  No one was ill, but a recent visit by an exterminator had responders taking no chances. You can read the original post about the incident here.

Once pesticide and other common causes were ruled out, responders continued to work through the night to determine the cause of the odor. The Davis County Clipper reports that responders were able to determine that the odor was caused by “a bit of dryer lint blocking an air inlet on the water heater”.

Read more: Davis County Clipper – Lint not WMD cause of Syracuse family’s evacuation

Parking Garages Collapses in NJ, 1 Person Initially Thought to be Trapped

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New Jersey’s robust US&R System was called into action when a 3 level under ground parking garage in Hackensack, NJ suffered a pancake collapse.  The collapse may have been triggered when a  glass atrium attached to an adjacent highrise fell on the garage.  No word on what may have caused glass atrium to come down.

NBC New York reports:

“A dangerous search-and-rescue operation took a turn for the better this morning when officials said they do not believe anyone is trapped inside a three-story parking garage that collapsed in New Jersey on Friday.

Deputy Fire Chief Steve Kalman told reporters Saturday morning that rescuers dug through debris to reach the cars feared to contain occupants, but no one was inside.

Previously, officials feared at least one person was trapped in the rubble and deployed rescuers and dogs to try to reach the victim. Using a remote camera and a robot, rescuers had earlier reported seeing a person in a car on the first level down. Kalman didn’t immediately explain the discrepancy.

Officials say the search for potential victims isn’t officially over, but crews are scaling back their efforts. None of the residents who live in the adjacent building have been reported missing.”

Truck Rolls and Leaks Hydrogen Peroxide.

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A semi truck rolled over on the freeway in Romulus, Michigan.  The truck was carrying an assortment of chemicals, including several totes of hydrogen peroxide; at least one of which leaked. The Western Wayne County Hazmat Team responded to the incident.

If your team uses the HazMatIQ System for size up and rapid research, click more to review how to size up Hydrogen Peroxide using the HazMatIQ System.  (more…)

“METALLIC BURNING SMELL” BRINGS HAZMAT AND CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM

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Photo from Standard.net

A major hazmat response rolled into a Syracuse, Utah neighborhood after a family reported a “metallic burning smell” in their home, along with a propane/natural gas alarm sounding.  No one in the home was reported as being sick.  The fire department activated the Davis County Hazardous Materials Response Plan, which brought teams from Syracuse, Layton, South Davis Metro, Sunset, Hill Air Force Base and the Utah National Guard 85th Civil Support Team.

A pesticide had recently been applied outside to the home.  Responders say they have ruled out the pesticide as a likely cause.  The response raised fears that it could be a repeat of the Layton, UT incident, that killed two young children.

Investigation Underway to Determine if Death is related to refridgerant leak

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Photo by David Bundy

At the same time the Montgomery, Alabama Fire Department received a report of refridgerant leak at a mall, Montgomery police received a report of a dead body at the same location.  The fire department hazmat team was able to stop the leak of R22 refridgerant. 

The 22 year old man who was found dead inside the mall, near the ice skating rink, was reporteded to be performing janitorial work.  MPD is trying to determine if the events are related.

Montgomery PD

Houston Fire Rescues Windows Washers from 45th Floor

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KIAH-TV Houston Reports:

At about 11 a.m., the Houston Fire Department was called to the Wells Fargo Bank Plaza tower at 1000 Louisiana Street where three window washers were reported trapped on a dangling scaffold.

The workers were on the 45th floor of the 71-story building, officials said.

Rescue crews dropped rope about 450 feet down from the roof for the window washers to tie into their harnesses, then one rescue worker was lowered into the scaffold to help the three window washers get into a broken-out window.

Glass fell to the ground along McKinney Street, but no passers-by were reported injured from the debris.

The rescue mission took about 2 1/2 hours. None of the workers sustained any major injuries, officials said.

Ammonia Leak at Frozen Food Plant Quickly Brought Under Control

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Chemical Explosion/Flash Fire Injures 3 Workers in Minneapolis

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Workers were replacing the cap on an external tank, at Inerplastics when a flash fire occured, injuring 3 workers, one critically. The tank, which contained an acid-based product, was a quarter full and did not release any product.  KARE11.com has the full story.

Man Drinks Potassium Cyanide, 8 Responders Treated for Potential Exposure

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TheDenverChannel.com

The Denver Post reports:

Nine people, including eight emergency responders, were rushed to the hospital Thursday morning after they were exposed to potassium cyanide.

A man made a cryptic, vague 911 call just before 9 a.m. saying he had cyanide in a glass of water. He did not give his identity, his location, nor his intention with the cyanide, said Aurora fire Capt. Allen Robnett. (more…)

Life Flight Called in on Ohio Trench Rescue, but Cancelled When Victim refuses treatment

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Avon Lake, Ohio Fire Department received a 911 reporting a man trapped in a trench, buried up to his torso.  When they arrived, they found a Roto-Rooter employee in the trench, with only his head and arm visible.  Nearby Westlake Trench Rescue Team, the Lorain County Technical Rescue Team, and Metro Life Flight were called in for mutual aid.   (more…)

Technical Rescue Team’s First Call: Structural Collapse with Entrapment

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File Photo of the Teams open house in Feb 2009

The Washtenaw County, MI  Technical Rescue Team handled their first incident this week, when a tornado tore threw Dundee, Michigan.  The 17 member Tech Rescue Team responded as part of major mutual aid response to Monroe County.  The team was called in when local firefighters where alerted to women trapped in her collapsed home.   The TRT worked for several hours, shoring and tunneling, to free the women and her dog.  AnnArbor.com has more.

Military Mustard Agent Suspected in Fisherman’s Mystery Illness

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CBSNews.com Reports:

Did World War I-era mustard gas make the crew of a New Bedford clamming boat sick?  That’s what investigators are trying to find out.

The crew of the E.S.S. Pursuit picked up at least 10 old military canisters as they were dragging the ocean floor clamming just south of Long Island Sunday.  New Bedford fisherman Kevin O’Sullivan and another crew member handled one of the canisters as they threw them back into the ocean.

It broke open and exposed a fisherman named Costa, causing blistering on his arm and leg”He experienced immediate pain,” said O’Sullivan, who also had shortness of breath. (more…)

Passerby Killed in Kansas City, MO Building Collapse

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Photo by Mike Ransdell, The Star

One person is dead after a two-story building partially collapsed in Kansas City, MO.  Fire Department officials believe the victim was walking near the warehouse-like building when it suddenly fell, spewing cinder blocks and lumber into the street.

Kansas City FD’s heavy rescue team, including Rescue 1, Rescue 9, Rescue 31 and Rescue 75 responded, along with a search dog from Olathe, Kansas FD. (more…)

2 Workers Burned by Sulfuric Acid in Arizona

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Two employees at a Buckeye chemical plant were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning after they were burned by sulfuric acid, officials said.

The men were taken to the burn unit at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix in stable condition, Buckeye Fire Chief Bob Costello said. They had “at least second-degree burns” on their heads and faces.

AZCentral has the full story.