Fire Chief's Briefing for July 19 through July 24, 2011

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of July 19 through July 24, 2011.

We responded to 48 emergency calls for service.

These can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 2

EMS/Rescue: 31

Hazardous Condition: 1

Service Call: 5

Good Intent: 2

False Call: 7

Here is an overview of significant events from this period's emergency activities:


Tuesday, July 19 at approximately 6:08 pm

All Brentwood Fire and Rescue units were dispatched for a report of a residential structure fire. The caller reported that the columns on the front of their home were on fire. E2 and R1 were the first units to arrive on scene and reported that there were no visible flames or signs of smoke. After establishing command, they met with the homeowner, who stated that the fire had been extinguished with a bucket of water. All other responding units were cancelled by command. Investigation by E2’s crew found that it appeared the fire was started by discarded smoking materials. With no further hazards found, E2 and R1 went available.

Thursday, July 21 at approximately 1:30 pm

E3 was dispatched on a report of two children locked in a non-running vehicle at an area gas station.  Upon arrival, crew members found a non-running vehicle with two children locked inside.  E3 used their lockout kit to unlock the vehicle’s door.  The children were reunited with their mother and had no signs of heat related illness.  E3 marked available and left the scene.

Thursday, July 21 at approximately 6:03 pm

All Brentwood Fire and Rescue units responded on a reported residential structure fire. Upon arrival E4 established Incident Command. Personnel were met by the residents who stated that there had been a small fire in a pan on the stove. Personnel entered the structure and found a light haze of smoke and that the fire had been contained to the pan on the stove and had self extinguished. All other units were cancelled. Command was terminated. E-4 remained on the scene to ventilate the residence. Once ventilation was complete E-4 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Friday, July 22 at approximately 4:18 pm

E1 was dispatched on a report of an unresponsive person. Upon arrival the PT was determined to be apneic and pulseless, and bystanders had already begun CPR. E1 took over CPR and assisted EMS with both further interventions and packaging the PT for transport to an area hospital. One Fire Fighter/Paramedic and one Engineer/EMT-IV rode in with EMS to assist with further PT care while en-route to the hospital.

Saturday, July 23 at approximately 1:46 pm

E2 was dispatched to the bike trail for a report of one PT with a possible broken leg from a bicycle accident. Upon arrival in the area, a local homeowner transported E2’s crew and equipment to the PT. E2 requested Squad 3 (Station 3’s pickup truck) to be used for PT transport. E2’s crew assessed the pt and provided treatment. Squad 3 arrived and transported the EMS crew and its equipment to the PT. The PT was loaded into the bed of Squad 3 and transported to the EMS unit. EMS transported non-emergency to an area hospital.

Saturday, July 23 at approximately 22:35 pm

E3 was dispatched to a report of a one vehicle accident. Upon arrival, E3 found 1 PT still in the vehicle. The vehicle had suffered heavy damage, and the driver was unrestrained. The PT was apneic and pulseless. EMS arrived on scene, and PT care was transferred. E3 assisted with further care before clearing the scene.

Fire Chief's Briefing for July 13 through July 18, 2011

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of July 13 through July 18, 2011.

We responded to 53 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 2

EMS/Rescue: 30

Hazardous Condition: 1

Service Call: 5

Good Intent: 3

False Call: 12

Here are some highlights from this period’s emergency activities:

Friday, July 15 at approximately 3:51 pm:

E3 was dispatched on a report of a child locked in a vehicle.  Upon arrival, E3’s crew found one child sitting in a locked vehicle.  The mother stated that the child had been in the vehicle for approximately five minutes.  E3 used their lock out kit to open the car door without damage. The uninjured child was removed from the car and given to its mother. 

Monday, July 18 at approximately 8:59 am:

All fire units were dispatched on a report of a Commercial Structure Fire.  E3 was the first due unit, and upon arrival on scene, found a four story hotel with smoke showing from a dryer vent on the back of the building. E3 established Command and began investigating to find the source of the smoke.  Command was met by the maintenance manager, who stated that the towels in the dryer had caught fire.  He also stated that he had used a 5 lb. Dry Chemical Extinguisher on the dryer.  Upon investigating, Command determined that the fire was out.  All responding units were staged at their present location.  E3’s Firefighter pulled the towels out of the dryer and moved them outdoors due to the fact that they were still smoldering.  Franklin Fire Department, who had responded per the automatic aid agreement between Brentwood and Franklin, extinguished the still smoldering towels outside. E3 crewmembers assisted with ventilation of the 1st floor East Wing of the hotel to remove any remaining smoke.  Franklin Fire was released from the scene.   E3 checked all of the rooms on the 1st Floor of the East Wing for signs of smoke.  Once the East Wing was cleared, crewmembers were able to reset the fire alarm system. Two employees from the business were treated by EMS for smoke exposure and transported to an area hospital due to their efforts to extinguish the fire.

Monday, July 18 at approximately 11:53 am:

E2 was dispatched to a report of 1 PT possibly suffering from heat stroke. Upon arrival, E2 found 1 PT seated in a chair under a tree unresponsive and not breathing. CPR was initiated and defibrillation was performed. Once EMS arrived on scene, PT care was transferred and the PT was loaded into the ambulance for emergency transport to an area hospital with one Firefighter/Paramedic on board to assist with continued care.

Monday, July 18 at approximately 5:52 pm:

E3 was dispatched on a report of an individual who had fallen and hit their head.  Upon arrival, E3 found the PT seated in a chair exhibiting signs of an altered level of consciousness as well as head trauma and pain in the area of their spine. Upon EMS arrival, patient care was transferred and a detailed patient report was given. E3 assisted EMS with packaging the PT for transport and loading them into the ambulance.  EMS transported non-emergency to an area hospital. 

Monday, July 18 at approximately 7:52 pm

E3 was dispatched on a Fire Department Assist for a report of a strange odor inside a residence.  E3 responded non-emergency to this call.  E3 investigated with an air monitor and found no hazards.  E3 advised the homeowner to call back if the odor persisted or if they began to feel sick.  No further call was received.

Fire Chief's Briefing for July 7 through July 12, 2011

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of July 7 through July 12, 2011.

We responded to 59 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 2

EMS/Rescue: 31

Hazardous Condition: 2

Service Call: 5

Good Intent: 5

False Call: 13

Severe Weather: 1

Here are some highlights from this period’s emergency activities:

Thursday, July 7 at approximately 2:31 pm

E3 was dispatched to a report of a dumpster fire. Upon arrival, E3's crew observed light smoke coming from the dumpster. Crew members opened the lid and found a small quantity of oil and a few rags on fire. A pressurized water can was utilized to extinguish all fire. There were no further hazards. E3 went available.

Thursday, July 7 at approximately 2:58 pm

After experiencing abnormally heavy rains, E3 responded to a potential swift water rescue. Upon arrival, E3 found high water in the parking lot of a commercial building on Moores Lane but there were no people trapped or in need of rescue. However, several cars were submerged in the parking lot and water had infiltrated the building to a level of nearly 4 feet.  E3 advised bystanders and workers to evacuate the building and move to higher ground. Middle Tennessee Electric was contacted to cut power to the building which sustained significant water damage.  The neighboring CSX railway also sustained damage when water washed out the supporting railroad bed making the rail line impassable.  CSX was notified and all train traffic was stopped until repairs could be made.  No other hazards were found and E3 went available.  It is believed that as much as 5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour to initiate the flooding event.

Thursday, July 7 at approximately 4:00 pm

E2 was dispatched by C3 to assess flooding in the area of Lipscomb Drive and Lavada Pl.  E2 arrived in the area to find water up to the edge of the roadway. Crew members observed several houses with possible water damage due to flooding, but no life hazards were present. E2 reported its findings and went available.

Friday, July 8 at approximately 10:04 am

E1 was dispatched for a child locked in vehicle.  E1 arrived on scene and found that the child was not in distress.  E1 used their lock out kit to open the vehicle. The child was unharmed.

Friday, July 8 at approximately 2:50 pm

E2 was dispatched to a report of a traumatic work-related injury. Upon arrival E2 found a worker seated on the tailgate of a pickup truck, bleeding severely from a puncture wound in their arm sustained while performing work on a home. E2’s crew applied a trauma dressing and used direct pressure to help control the bleeding, as well as initiating an IV to help boost the PT’s blood pressure. The PT was in critical condition due to loss of blood. PT care was transferred to EMS upon their arrival, and the PT was transported emergency traffic to an area hospital.

Friday, July 8 at approximately 3:32 pm

E3 was dispatched to a report of 1 PT with injuries due to a fall. Upon arrival, E3 found 1 PT exhibiting signs of a head injury. PT care was transferred to EMS upon their arrival, and the PT was transported emergency traffic to an area hospital.

Monday, July 11 at approximately 11:56 am

Engine 4 was dispatched to a report of a child locked in a vehicle. Due to the location, Rescue 1 responded, cancelling E4. R1 crew members used their lockout kit to open the vehicle without damage. The child was unharmed.

Monday, July 11 at approximately 6:20 pm

E3 was dispatched on a check for an elderly PT sitting beside a mailbox.  E3 responded emergency traffic due to the nature of the dispatch information and the current heat index and temperature.  Upon arrival, E3 found the PT mowing their yard with a push mower.  The resident had no complaints, and stated that they were sitting down at the power line pole pulling weeds at the time of dispatch. The PT reported that they had been drinking water all day and that they mow their yard every 10 days. The PT was advised of the dangers of working in the heat, and crew members described the symptoms of heat related illness to the PT and asked that if they began to develop any of these signs or symptoms to please call 911. E3 continued to express their concern for the PT mowing the yard with a push mower given the heat index. The PT was also advised of the dangers of push mowing the steep hillside near the roadway. The PT promptly showed E3 the cleats on the golf shoes being worn for that exact purpose.  E3 returned to service with no further incident.

Fire Chief's Briefing for June 28 through July 6, 2011

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of June 28 through July 6, 2011

We responded to 69 emergency calls for service.

These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 2

EMS/Rescue: 39

Hazardous Condition: 5

Service Call: 4

Good Intent: 7

False Call: 12

Here are some highlights from this period’s emergency activities:

Tuesday, June 28 at approximately 7:51 pm

E4 was dispatched to a report of a decorative light pole that had been struck. E4 arrived on scene to find the light pole laid over in a yard. Contact was made with the home owner who was concerned that the wires might be live. E4's crew disconnected the hot wires and secured them with wire nuts. As there were no remaining hazards present, E4 prepared to clear the scene. Apparently a garbage truck had backed into the light post earlier in the day.

Friday, July 1 at approximately 11:32 am

E1 was dispatched for a reported diabetic emergency. Upon arrival, E1 was informed that bystanders had given the PT lemonade which had temporarily raised their blood glucose level. E1 further assisted the PT by providing oral glucose, then waited while the PT ingested two sandwiches before being transported to an area hospital by EMS.

Friday, July 1 at approximately 8:32 pm

E4 was dispatched to a report of a car crashing into a house. Upon arrival, E4 found a mini-van against the side of a house. The van was unoccupied upon our arrival. Crew members checked the scene to find only minor damage to the structure, all utilities intact, and no leaks or hazards posed by the vehicle.

Approximately 45 minutes later, one occupant of the vehicle returned to the scene complaining of minor injuries. EMS was requested to the scene and took over care of the PT from E4 before transporting them non-emergency to an area hospital.

The driver of the vehicle was found approximately 40 minutes later lying down in the woods behind the house. He was found jointly by PD and E4 through use of a TIC. The subject did not have any injuries and was not treated by E4 or EMS. No other hazards were found after the tow company moved the vehicle away from the structure.

Saturday, July 2 at approximately 6:37 pm

E4 was in quarters when a PT walked up to the station complaining of chest pain. E4 began PT assessment and treatment in accordance with our chest pain protocols. Upon EMS arrival, patient care was transferred and a report was given. EMS transported the patient non-emergency to an area hospital.

Sunday, July 3 at approximately 2:38 pm

E1 responded to a reported vehicle fire. Upon arrival E1 found a vehicle on the shoulder of the road fully involved with fire. Crew members deployed a 1 ¾” foam line and began to extinguish the fire, which had already spread to the interior of the vehicle. E1 extinguished the fire and then began salvage and overhaul procedures. Once all operations were complete and the hazards had been mitigated, E1 cleared the scene and returned to quarters.

Tuesday, July 5 at approximately 12:05 pm

E2 was dispatched to a report of an unresponsive PT. CPR was in progress upon E2’s arrival and was taken over by E2 crewmembers. E3 was requested for additional manpower due to difficulty in moving the PT to the EMS unit. PT care was transferred to EMS who transported the PT emergency traffic to an area hospital with one Firefighter/Paramedic on board to assist with continued care.