By Sarah Gooding
Pittsburg Morning Sun – October 11, 2013
Firefighter Eric Van Becelaere cuts a hole in the roof while being backed up by Firefighter Brian Blythe during a public demonstration training exercise of roof ventilation techniques Thursday evening at Meadowbrook Mall. SARAH GOODING/THE MORNING SUN
After sawing through the roof, firefighters Eric Van Becelaere and Brian Blythe work to chop a hole through the roof of a training prop to ventilate a fire. SARAH GOODING/THE MORNING SUN
Two firefighters scaled a roof and quickly created an opening for the smoke and toxic fumes to pour out Thursday evening as the Pittsburg Fire Department showed the public another aspect of their jobs and training.
The department built a prop with a roof that can adjust to different pitches that is used for training, and firefighters Eric Van Becelaere and Brian Blythe demonstrating how they would open a hole in the roof in the event of a real fire.
“This part of it is for practice for roof ventilation,” said fire chief Mike Simons.
He said the temperature inside a structure can quickly increase to 1,400 or 1,500 degrees during a fire and the toxic smoke also creates hazards.
“Ventilation is a tool we use to evacuate that, to get rid of heat and smoke,” Simons said. “It will raise that smoke level to where you are able to do a faster search and rescue.”
The prop also offered a window unit on the back side so firefighters can practice getting in and out of windows during a procedure known as rapid search and rescue, in which they search specific rooms via window entry rather than trying to make their way through the entire structure.
“It teaches us how to do that safely,” Simons said, adding that the prop will be used throughout the year. “This is not a one-time prop. We will store this and do rotations throughout the year.”
After ventilating the fire, Van Becelaere and Blythe talked with families and children who came to watch and learn.
They first emphasized that even though they were wearing 75 pounds of gear, including masks, that they were still the same guys and not something to be scared of.
“If we come in to help you, you can’t run away from us. We’re here to help you,” Van Becelaere said.
He also talked about the suit the firefighters wear and said it deteriorates each time it is introduced to fire and must be replaced every five years.
“Our plan is with the sales tax that just passed – than you – to get 11 new suits a year,” Van Becelaere said.
Guests also asked how best to be found in the event of a fire.
“If you’re on a second story and the door is hot, go to the window,” Van Becelaere said.
“The main thing is to find a safe spot and we will get to you,” Blythe added.
The two said it is good to try to open windows periodically to make sure they aren’t painted shut or too sticky to open in an emergency.
They also addressed a question from earlier in the week – reminding the audience of the correct way to put out a grease fire.
“The best way to put out a grease fire – if it’s a small grease fire – is to put a lid on it,” Van Becelaere said, adding that kitchen fire extinguishers can be an appropriate solution for a larger grease fire, but never water.
Firefighters also recommended checking smoke detectors and changing batteries when the time changes occur.
Anyone who missed the activities throughout the week has one more opportunity to see the demonstrations, which will all take place again Saturday in the Meadowbrook Mall parking lot.
“Saturday, everything will be out here,” said lieutenant Dennis Rhuems. “Hopefully it won’t rain. Come out and have a good time.”
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