Limited mobility and alarms and sprinklers.

[bookwormde]

Limited mobility and alarms and sprinklers.

I was trying to decide if should post this since I try to be “upbeat” in my posts.

If you have limited mobility, then your residence should at the very least have a very room high quality fire alarm system with a detector in every space. Even better spend the 10K to get residential sprinklers installed.

It has been a rough weekend, first fighting off a bug, and did not get to sleep until after 1pm Sunday morning. Before 4am we got an alarm for a house fire with subjects trapped. Even though I was not feeling the best as an assistant chief and safety officer I made the response. It was an assist to an out of state neighboring fire company, but the house is actually closer to our station. Lots of things went right, the transfer between dispatch centers was less than a minutes delay, we had a (sleeping) crew in station so our first engine was out quickly. I drove the second piece out (a pumper tanker since it is in a non hydrant area). The neighboring chief was first on the scene with heavy fire showing and our engine was first in. It was apparent that the interior of the house was not “likely to be survivable”. After are review of the safety concerns the crew from our first engine and the home companies first engine made and aggressive fire suppression attack and as part of this found the victim less than 10 feet from the front door in front of her wheel chair. She was removed from the structure quickly but she had already expired. In the end none of our personnel had serious injuries and we only had some limited heat damage to one airpack and some hose. Of course even when you do everything possible as well as possible and we loose someone it takes an emotional toll on all involved.

I guess in the end I am just hopeful that at least one person with limited mobility will increase their safety by adding or upgrading their alarm system of adding sprinkler. If not for yourself for the firefighters who will risk their lives to do everything reasonable (and sometimes things that are not) in an effort to save you.

Feeling better know, but the emotional stuff lingers.

bookwormde

 

[Tiggerish]

Thank you and the other fire fighters who responded so quickly. It can be a little discouraging when you do everything right and still don't get the outcome you want.

I want to second your reminder about the need for fire exit strageties. I have MS which makes for some interesting mobility challlenges. My bedroom is in the lower level but it is a walk out basement with a patio door so I have a same floor exit. However, there is always the concern about what I would do if there was a fire between me and the dsignated exit. The solution is very simple, refitting one of the bedroom windows with aspecifically designed egress window with easy opening features. Modest cost for peace of mind.

 

[mechurchlady]

Big hugs for you bookworm and that is so sad. I hope a bunch of people go to their disabled and elderly neighbors and family and make sure that in case there is fire that the person can get out safely. Such a sad story but one that needs to be repeated over and over and over again so that maybe one life will be saved because of that story.

hugs
Laurie

 

[Earstou]

Thanks you for the reminder. So sorry for the situation.

Unfortunately, many disabled are unable to afford such a system. They often have a low income and are struggling to met daily needs. Habitat for Humanity builds houses for the needy, is there any organization that helps the disabled add safety systems to their homes?