Lodi Fire Department - Flashover Training - 07/14/06

Joseph Baldino

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Greg Telep

Assistant Chief F1

Anthony Maiolo

Assistant Chief F2

Louis Avola

Assistant Chief F3

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Lodi, NJ 07644
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Flashover Training - 07/14/06 - 07/28/06

On July 14, 21, and 28, the Lodi Fire Department conducted Flashover Training for each of its four companies at the Bergen County Fire Academy. 12 members from each company were able to participate in an exercise aimed at understanding the behavior of fire during flashover conditions.

Each year, more than 100 firefighters are killed in the line of duty, many as a result of flashover during primary search and rescue operations.

The Lodi Ambulance Fire-Rehab Unit was nice enough to assist in the training, providing rehabilitation to the firefighters after exposure to the extreme conditions inside the flashover container.

The Lodi Fire Department would like to extend it's thanks and appreciation for the assistance.

Flashover occurs when heat generated by a fire can no longer be absorbed by ceilings, walls, and room contents. Heat begins to radiate back toward the room, raising the temperature of unburned gases, room contents, walls and flooring. At approximately 1100 degrees the entire room ignites creating an inferno.

Seen here, Firefighters wear protective clothing to protect themselves. However, a flashover creates such extreme temperatures that turn-out gear cannot provide adequate protection.

The protective gear is designed to provide protection during flashover simulation, including a face mask and protective hood seen donned in this picture.

Face masks will often sustain heat glazing from the high temperatures present in the flashover container.

A firefighter trapped in a flashover has only 2 seconds to escape the harsh conditions before being overcome.

This represents only 5 feet of movement once the flashover occurs.

Training is essential to understand the signs to look for during possible flashover conditions. The Bergen County Training Facility was used to create actual flashover conditions.

To the right is a picture of the structure referred to as a flashover container. The raised portion on the left contains fuel in the form of paper, wood and particle board walls.

There are two vents that can be opened or closed to control the rate of burn. Firefighters are lined up on the right and left side of the container with two instructors in the center with a handline with a fog nozzle. They are approximately 3 feet below the floor level where flashover will occur.

Nevertheless, they will experience temperatures in excess of 500 degrees during the exercise.

Prior to the actual flashover, "fingers" of flame can be seen snaking through the smoke near the ceiling, a clear indication that flashover is about to occur.

From the outside, an observer will note that smoke is beginning to swirl back into the structure. As oxygen is sucked in to fuel the fire, smoke vortices are created.

Congratulations to the new Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and Officers of the Lodi Fire Department

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July 16, 2008 - Relief Meeting

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