Archives for April 2018

Alpha Team Response for Active Shooter

After attending multiple active shooter trainings across the country, I determined that Fire & EMS must be much more aggressive in mitigating active shooter incidents. No longer can we wait for law enforcement to “clear” the scene before entering. Approximately 50% of the victims of an active shooter situation die because they bleed to death. In many cases a simple tourniquet could have saved the life.

The concept that we have developed, is to train with local law Fire & EMS training for active shooters enforcement. This allows all concerned parties to take a team approach to an active shooter. The first law enforcement officer (LEO) who arrives on scene, will push toward the shooter and actively engage in eliminating any further threat.

As the LEO engages the shooter, EMS units will enter behind them to start treating patients. It is important that the shooting victim receive emergency care as soon as possible. This is raw, tactical medicine. EMS units are trained to enter the hot zone, unarmed in full tactical gear. This is a high risk mission, but if done as they are trained, can save lives that would otherwise be lost.

As EMS come across a victim, they will provide such treatment as, seal chest wounds, control bleeding and provide an airway. Once treated the victim is left where they are found as EMS moves on to the next victim. If a patient is found to have non-survivable injuries they will be passed over to go to the next patient. However, if a police officer is injured at anytime our mission will change. The police officer will be treated and immediately removed to the triage area.

Each medic carries enough supplies to provide care for up to five patients. Equipment includes tourniquets, Israeli trauma dressings and chest seals. In addition the medic will wear a Level 3A bulletproof vest and helmet. A thigh pack and the vest that holds equipment, prevents the medic from needing to carry an equipment bag. This allows the care giver the ability to move faster and to be more stealth.

Once the shooter has been eliminated, treated victims will be removed to a triage area to further assess their treatment needs and evaluate the appropriate transport modality.

We have trained frequently with our local law enforcement and the system works. The LEO can quickly stop the shooter and victims get quick treatment. We can no longer stand idle outside while law enforcement clears the structure of any additional threats. Aggressive, well thought out plans need to be developed that encourages a team approach to the active shooter incident.

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.

Deuteronomy 20:1

Why Gun Laws Are Not The Answer!

By Tim Holman Leave a Comment

The attack on the 2nd amendment is far from over. You should understand that your right to defend yourself is in jeopardy as well as the constitution. What is it about the second amendment that some people don’t understand? What is so bad about law abiding citizens wanting to protect themselves ? Are we supposed to be just like sheep and allow evil to have its way?

2nd amendment and responsibility Some say, police will protect us. Well, I’m a big supporter of our law enforcement however, they cannot be everywhere at the same time. They respond as quickly as possible, but unfortunately, all too often, they arrive after the crime has occurred.

Law abiding citizens with a gun can ward off crimes, in many incidents, never needing to fire a shot. The presence of the gun has stopped crimes, period!

Many people want to point to Australia gun control as a successful example. However, let’s look a little deeper at this success. In 1996 Australia’s gun buy back and turn in program netted nearly one million guns being destroyed. But after that private gun ownership once again steadily increased and now exceeds what it was before the buyback. In 1997 gun ownership in Australia grew from 2.5 million to 5.8 million guns. Can you really call this success?

European countries such as Belgium, France and the Netherlands have even stricter gun control laws than Australia, but their mass shooting rates are at least as high as those in the United States. During the past eight years the per capita casualty rate from shootings in the European Union was actually 27 percent higher than the U.S. rate.

According to the London Times the city of London, who has restricted all guns, now experience a murder rate higher than New York City for the first time in history. They also have seen a 40% increase in knife attacks. In addition, the frequency of ax attacks have increased.

Repealing the 2nd amendment will not stop evil people from doing bad. More gun laws and restrictions are not going to stop those who want to do harm from having their way. A bad guy with a gun can only be stopped by a good guy with a gun. Don’t believe it? Go ask ask a police officer why he carries a gun.

And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

Luke 18:3

Is Your Home Safe?

By Tim Holman Leave a Comment

Nearly 20,000 people die each year from injuries received at home. The unfortunate fact is that most of these deaths could have been prevented. This checklist can help you inspect your home for hazards. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive checklist. But it can help make your home a safer place to live.

Smoke Detectors: Smoke Detectors should be installed on every floor of your home. CO detectors should be placed near your sleeping area. Make sure you test them on regular basis. Tip: Replace the batteries every daylight-savings time change.

Home safety checklist

Avoid Extension Cords: Do not overload extension cords. Do not use extension cords in place of additional electrical outlets. Never place extension cords under carpet. Walking on extension cords can cause them to wear through exposing bare wires. They also can be a trip hazard.

Child Proof: Bookshelves and other furniture should be firmly secured with wall brackets to prevent tipping. Inspect your home and ask “What if?” to make everything safer for children. Check for loose paint on walls that may peel off and be ingested by small children.

Outlet Covers: Place covers on all electrical outlet to prevent electrical shock in small children.

Ground Electrical System: Make sure your home electrical system is grounded. All major appliances should be grounded as well.

Escape Plan: Develop an escape plan for your home and practice it at regular time intervals.

Fire Extinguishers: Place Fire Extinguishers in the kitchen area and garage. You may want to place a few in a other areas such as, up stairs and in the basement.

Escape Ladders: Consider an escape ladder for upstairs rooms. Place child stickers on windows where children are sleeping. This gives the fire department key information in locating individuals in case of fire.

Electrical Safe: Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use and store them out of reach of children.

Hot Water: Set your water heater below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid potential burns and to save energy.

Medications: Take medications and medical supplies out of your purse, pockets and drawers, and put them in a cabinet with a child safety lock.

Water: Consider turning water facets to washer off when on vacation. This will avoid damage if a washer hose broke.

Throw Rugs: Keep throw rugs tact down to prevent tripping.

Grab Handles: Install grab handles in showers and bath tubes.

Expiration Dates: Check expiration dates on refrigerated items on a regular basis.

Charging: Charge computers, cell phones and other items when you are present.

Furnace: Do not store items within 3 feet of your furnace or hot water heater. Change your furnace filter on a regular time schedule to prevent the blower motor from overheating.

Lock Doors: Keep your doors locked even when you are home. Don’t open the door to strangers.

Guns: If you have children, keep your gun on your person or in a gun safe. Enroll your children in a youth gun safety class.

CO Poisoning: Never leave your car running in the garage, even if the garage door is open. CO can still enter your home and create a hazard.

Fireplace: Have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.

Toxic Material: Make sure all cleaning agents and other toxic material are out of reach of small children.

Stairs: Make sure handrails are secure. Check carpet on stairs to reduce trip hazards. Repair any loose boards on stairs.

Smoke Detectors Do Save Lives!

By Tim Holman Leave a Comment

Have working smoke detectors The tones scream through the engine house indicating we have a fire alarm. The dispatcher announces, “Mobile home fire. 1432 Park Place. Report of a mobile home fire, caller states heavy smoke and flames coming from residence. Occupant is believed to still be inside. Time out, 1756.”

As our crews arrive at the scene we find a mobile home fully involved in flames and smoke. We lay several attack lines and enter the structure. We advance about five feet in the door and find a 54 year old woman lying on the floor. She was unconscious and aggressive resuscitation effort’s failed.

The victim lived alone, and according to family members she worked night shift. It appears that she was asleep when the fire started. She was apparently awaken by something and attempted to exit the residence. If she would have had just another minute of notice she may have been able to reach the door.

This case is one of many that occur each year, where a working smoke detector would have saved a life. There were a total of three detectors in her home but the batteries had been removed.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides the following statistics:

In 2009-2013, smoke alarms sounded in more than half (53%) of. the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.

Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

No smoke alarms were present in more than one-third (38%) of the home fire deaths.

One of every five (21%) of the home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present but did not sound.

In reported home fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, almost half (46%) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries.

Nuisance alarms were the leading reason for disconnected smoke alarms.

There are two types of smoke detectors.

Ionization smoke alarms are generally more responsive to flaming fires. This type smoke alarm has a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm.

Photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering (called “smoldering fires”). This type alarm aims a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm.

As you can see both alarms have their advantages. Many experts recommend a dual sensor alarm. In other words an alarm that combines both the ionization and the photoelectric sensors.

Where to install smoke detectors?

Smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom and the hallway outside the bedrooms. In the basement the alarm should positioned on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs that lead to the next level.

When placing a smoke alarm in the kitchen it is recommended to locate the alarm at least 10 feet from the stove or other cooking appliances.

Smoke alarms should be installed on ceilings or high on walls about 10 to 12 inches from the ceiling.

By following these simple rules, you can make your home safe and assure you have ample time to vacate the residence. Remember, fires in homes today burn much faster than fires in homes 40 years ago. Forty years ago you would have approximately 15 minutes to vacate a home after the fire was detected. Unfortunately, today you may only have 3 to 4 minutes to escape. The reason is the contents of a home today burn much hotter and spread much faster. Smoke detectors do save lives.

Change your clock and change your smoke alarm batteries.

Parking Lot Terror

By Tim Holman Leave a Comment

Parking lot terrorism can be avoided It was dark as the young lady walked to her car after picking up a few items at the grocery. She had three grocery bags in her left hand and her cell phone up to her ear in the right hand. Her awareness was at an extremely low level. She was unaware of the van parked next to her car. As she was opening her car door, the sliding side door of the van opened. Two men jumped out grabbed her and threw her in the van as they quickly drove away. What happens next could be a number of possibilities.

Safety starts when you pull into a parking lot. Scan the lot to make there is nothing unusual that attracts your attention. Look for individuals standing in close proximity to your vehicle. What are they doing? Why are they hanging around your car? If your gut tells you, this looks like trouble, turn around. Go back in the store and find an employee or security guard to escort you to your car.

At night always try to park near a well lit area away from other vehicles. When walking to the store entrance, don’t walk too close to the other parked cars. You never know when someone will be hiding between cars to attack you. Give yourself plenty of room to escape.

Never park next to a van. As you can see from the incident described above, an abduction can be performed quickly and effortlessly. If, when returning to your car, you notice a van parked next to you, turn around and go back inside the store. Try to find someone to walk you to your car. If that is not possible try entering your vehicle from the opposite side from where the van is parked.

Another threat to be aware of is an attacker hiding under the car. In the past there have been incidents where the perpetrator is hiding under the car. When the driver walks up they use a knife or razor blade to slice the Achilles’ tendon, causing the victim to be incapacitated. To prevent this, walk up to your car at angle that you can see most of the space under the vehicle.

When you are walking to your car, always have your keys out so you can unlock you door and enter quickly. Searching in your purse for car keys makes you a vulnerable target for those wishing to do harm.

Even if you are faithful at always locking your car doors, make sure you check the back seat before entering. An individual dressed in dark clothing can hide on the floor and may be overlooked. Don’t take chances. Being cautious is always the best avenue to take. Don’t be paranoid just make sure you are aware.