Carbon Monoxide Response

The Johnson City Fire Department responded to a Carbon Monoxide detector activation at 711 N. Mountain View Circle on January 14, 2009 at approximately 11:51 am. Upon arrival the fire fighters deployed a Multi-gas detector unit called an M-40. The M-40 detects the presence of Carbon Monoxide and other gases. Upon entering the residence, the M-40 detector indicated a rapid increase in Carbon Monoxide levels as high as 400 parts per million. The EPA allows only 9 parts per million during a eight hour period. This level is extremely dangerous.

 

 The presence of such a high level of Carbon Monoxide prompted the fire fighters to wear breathing apparatus to limit exposure to the gas. For the safety of the fire fighters working in such a hazardous environment, additional Fire Department Units and Atmos Gas were called to the scene. Fire fighters began to survey the residence, starting with likely Carbon Monoxide sources, such as gas appliances (stoves, dryers, heaters). During the survey in the basement near a Radon Evacuation Unit, Carbon Monoxide levels reached higher than 1000 parts per million. This is a extremely high level of Carbon Monoxide. Depending on the levels and duration of exposure of Carbon Monoxide, symptoms may include headache, dizziness, heart palpitations, weakness, confusion, nausea, and even convulsions, eventual unconsciousness and death. 

 

A Radon Evacuation unit was installed in the basement with the outside exhaust vent improperly located next to the gas furnace vent. The location of both exhaust vents, being so close to each other, allowed the Radon unit vent to draw the Carbon Monoxide from the gas furnace vent and circulate it throughout the home. The Radon Unit was removed from the home by a HVAC contractor. The home was ventilated using large fans and by opening windows and doors.

 

All gas appliances venting to the outside should vent away from each other to prevent wind and natural air currents from pushing the Carbon Monoxide back into your home.

 

Sgt. Mark Beasley

Johnson City Fire Department

423-975-2840

 

 

 

House Fire January 10, 2009

Units from the Johnson City Fire Department responded to a house fire at 191 Degrasse Drive on Saturday evening, January 10, 2009 at approximately 8:12pm.

The first engine on the scene advised that there was heavy fire coming through the roof upon their arrival.

Six fire engines and approximately 35 firefighters were on the scene for several hours extinguishing the blaze.

One firefighter was treated for injuries while fighting the fire in the 18,000 square foot residence.

No one was home at the time of the blaze.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is being investigated by the Johnson City Fire Marshal’s office.

The Importance of Smoke Detectors

Media Advisory

January 7, 2009

 

Contact:

USFA Press Office: 301-447-1853

Washington DC Fire Press Office: 202-345-6371

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

FIRE SERVICE LEADERSHIP TO ISSUE A NATIONAL CALL FOR WORKING SMOKE ALARMS TO PROTECT ALL RESIDENTS

 

Washington, D.C.-  Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, Baltimore Fire Chief James Clack and Washington, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin will join United States Fire Administrator (USFA) Greg Cade to ask all residents of this nation to install, maintain and test their smoke alarms today.  This national effort is a result of one of the deadliest holiday seasons in recent memory and several significant fires in the first days of 2009.  Since Thanksgiving 2008, there have been more than 158 fatal fires in the United States resulting in over 200 fire fatalities.  You are invited to join USFA Administrator Cade and these metropolitan fire chiefs.

 

News Conference and Media Availability:

 

When:             Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 4pm.

 

Where:            Washington D.C. Fire Station #3

                        439 New Jersey Ave., NW

Washington, D.C.

                       

“The 2008 holiday season and the start of 2009 may be recorded as one of the deadliest for residential fires in recent memory of the fire service,” said Cade. “Not only has there been a significant number of preventable fires, but the occurrences of multiple fatalities resulting from these fires are simply unacceptable within our nation. There should be a smoke alarm protecting every person in this nation today, particularly as we sleep.”

 

o        On Christmas Eve, four died in a house fire in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.  All of the victims were children and officials cannot be certain whether smoke alarms worked.

 

o        Four adults and three children died in a southwest Philadelphia home the day after Christmas when gasoline was used to fuel a kerosene heater. There were no working smoke alarms in the home.

 

o        In Baltimore, two people died in a fire above a grocery store.  A young couple died in the blaze and investigators found no working smoke alarms in the building.

 

 

- MORE -

 

 

o        In Washington, D.C. on New Year's Day, six individuals died in a house fire on Jackson Street, Northeast.  While the cause was listed as accidental/electrical, officials are not sure smoke alarms worked properly.

 

o        Yesterday, eight people died in a residential fire in Oswego County, New York.  The cause is still under investigation.

 

o       Yesterday, three people, including two teenage girls, died after an early morning house fire in Ringling, Oklahoma.  Officials say the fire started early Monday morning while at least two of the victims were still in bed. For the two teenage girls who lived inside the house, this was supposed to be their first day back to school after winter break. Officials say once flames broke out at 4 a.m., the girls, along with another relative, never made it out of the home.

 

In the event of a fire, a properly installed and maintained smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. Smoke alarms are a very important means of preventing home fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal so you and your family can escape. They are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family, and your home. You can prevent tragedies simply by testing and maintaining your smoke alarms and practicing a fire escape plan. All smoke alarms in your house should be tested once a month and their batteries replaced annually or as indicated by the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

For additional information regarding smoke alarms, visit http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/

 

For additional information regarding the United States Fire Administration, visit http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa

 

The USFA reminds everyone to have a comprehensive fire protection plan that includes smoke alarms, residential sprinklers and practicing a home fire escape plan

 

###

 

 

Mark J. Finucane

Assistant Chief

Johnson City Fire Department

505 East Main Street

Johnson City, TN 37601

423-975-2844 (Office)

423-975-2846 (Fax)

mfinucane@johnsoncitytn.org

firebank@comcast.net

 

 

Johnson Inn Hotel Fire

NEWS RELEASE

 

Immediate Release

 

##############

 

The Johnson City Fire Department responded to a hotel fire at the Johnson Inn at 2700 W. Market Street at 7:47 p.m. on January 2nd.

 

The first arriving units found fire and smoke visible from the hotel. One room was heavily involved upon arrival. An aggressive attack was made on the fire. It was confined to one extended-stay room and the common attic. A second room was damaged during the extinguishment operations. The room of origin was unoccupied at time of the fire.

 

Power was shut off by the Johnson City Power Board to approximately 20 rooms. This forced several guests to be displaced. It was unclear how long it would take to get the guests back in a room.

 

One occupant was treated at the scene and transported by Washington County / Johnson City EMS. The patient suffered smoke inhalation. The occupant was removed from a room adjacent to the room of origin.

 

Four Engines, one ladder truck, the manpower unit, the shift-supervisor, the Operations Chief, two fire marshals, and Rehab Unit responded. There were approximately 20 Fire Department personnel on the scene.

 

Lt. Barry Richardson advised, "The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and has been referred to the Fire Marshal's Division for follow-up and cause determination." Damages have been estimated in excess of $20,000.00. The fire was brought under control within ten minutes. Units remained on the scene for approximately 3-hours overhauling and checking for extension.

 

Please contact Lt. Stanley Daniels (423)483-5828 or Lt. Barry Richardson (423)483-5823 for more information.

 

##############

 

Lt./EMTP Jason Powell

Johnson City, TN Fire Dept.

B-Shift - "North Battalion"

Station 5

205 Broyles Dr.

Johnson City, TN 37601

Station: (423) 283-5804

Cell: (423) 483-5819

Fax: (423) 283-5885

jpowell@johnsoncitytn.org

www.johnsoncitytn.org/Fire

 

I 26 W Incident

On December 29^th, 2008 at 21:03, the Johnson City Fire Department responded two Fire engines and a Shift Commander vehicle to a Motor Vehicle Incident on I-26. At approximately 9 pm an Averett Express freight truck struck a low hanging fiber optic cable crossing I-26 W, near exit 15. The windshield of the truck was damaged and the driver was transported to the JCMCH for minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.  East and West bound traffic was stopped for several minutes.  Authorities stated that repair cost for the fiber optic cable would be in the thousands of dollars.

 

Lt. Robert C. Johnson

Johnson City Fire Department

Fire Station Five

205 Broyles Drive

Johnson City, TN 37601

423.283.5804

423.676.6599

rjohnson@johnsoncitytn.org

FireDept@johnsoncitytn.org

www.johnsoncitytn.org

Apartment Fire

   On December 22 at 449 a.m., the Johnson City Fire Dept. responded to an apartment fire at 707 Carter Sells road. Three engines, a ladder truck, and a manpower truck answered the alarm that was called in by occupants in the apartment building complaining of smoke. The fire was found in a first floor apartment and was contained to the bedroom. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire stemmed from clothes being against a wall heater. The Johnson City Fire Dept. would like to stress to the public that most electric wall heaters and portable electric heaters work on a thermostat that do not actually have an "OFF" position. Never assume they cannot come on unless they have been unplugged or the power has been cut off to them.

 

Lt. Tommy Verran

Johnson City Fire Dept.

Fire Station Four

800 W. Main Street

Johnson City , Tn.37604

423-975-2850 {w}

423-791-4386 {C}

W. Market Wal-Mart Fire

On December 20, 2008, at 22:22:06, seven Johnson City Fire Department apparatus were dispatched to a structure fire at the Wal-Mart located at 2915 West Market St. A fire was discovered in the dressing room area in the center of the store. The structure was evacuated and the fire was partially extinguished by Wal-Mart staff, using a dry chemical extinguisher, prior to Fire Department arrival. Smoke removal, overhaul and salvage were performed by the Fire Department. The cause of the fire is under investigation by Fire Marshal Mike Freeman. Wal-Mart management estimated the dollar loss from damage to be approximately $70,000.00.

 

Fire Department Incident Command: Captain Steve Weaver,  sweaver@johnsoncitytn.org, 423-975-2840

Fire Investigation: Johnson City Assistant Fire Marshal: Mike Freeman. mfreeman@johnsoncitytn.org, 434-5833

 

Originally posted: December 20, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lt. Robert C. Johnson

Johnson City Fire Department

Fire Station Five

205 Broyles Drive

Johnson City, TN 37601

423.283.5804

423.676.6599

rjohnson@johnsoncitytn.org

FireDept@johnsoncitytn.org

www.johnsoncitytn.org