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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	August, 2005	Return to newsletter index

The changing fireground

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Several recent changes to fireground procedures have been implemented to provide a safer working environment for firefighters. The Maine Bureau of Labor, the agency in charge of worker safety in the state of Maine holds fireground officers responsible for the safety of personnel under their command. The standards for firefighter safety require that firefighters be trained for all duties that they may be asked to perform. Firefighters not only respond to fires and rescue calls but they are also dispatched for several types of emergencies that now require specialized training that include: trench collapses, low angle rescues, hazardous material incidents, and rapid intervention to rescue trapped firefighters.

Many years ago firefighters were not held to the same safety standards as industry because it was impossible to control the work environment for firefighters. Due to the number of firefighter deaths and injuries that occur stricter standards are enforced.

One of the most controversial standards the respiratory standard or 2-in 2-out requires a complement of 4 firefighters on scene before an interior fire attack can begin. This standard states that 2 firefighters [2-out] will be available to rescue the 2 interior firefighter [2-in] should the need arise. What this means is that any fire beyond the incipient stage which would require the firefighters to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus requires 4 men on scene before an attempt can be made to enter the building and extinguish the fire. This standard does not apply when there is a life hazard in the building.

The Saco Fire Department has automatic mutual aid with Biddeford, Old Orchard, Scarborough, Goodwin's Mills, and Buxton Fire Departments. Whenever a structure fire occurs in Saco the closest mutual aid department is automatically dispatched to ensure that enough personnel will be available to begin an interior attack without delay. We also respond automatically when dispatched to provide this same service.

The fire department has trained all department personnel to the operations level in hazardous materials, operations level in low angle rescue, firefighter self rescue, and have scheduled specialized training for rapid intervention and trench rescue. Engine 9 a multiuse forestry/utility truck carries all the specialized equipment that is required. This engine recently replaced the 1968 forestry unit. The department continues to improve training and equipment so all firefighter can work safely.