Flames are only the most obvious danger facing firefighters every day, but toxic building materials are also a risk.
Moncton Fire Department Platoon Chief Rob Brine says part of fire extinguishing involves tearing down ceilings and walls to ensure the fire is out.
“So when we pull the ceilings down, it basically lands on us, so when the firefighters come out, we have to decontaminate them,” says Brine. “We have smaller hoses on our firetrucks to spray the guys down to get all the particles off them.”
He says that’s done right on scene and then “they all have a spare set of gear, so they’ll take the gear that was worn there and have it decontaminated in special washing machines to get it clean again.”
He says Friday’s fire at a paint store in Moncton on Millennium Boulevard is a good example of potential hazards.
“We talked to the owner, and he confirmed that all the paints that were in there were water based paints, there were no other kinds in the store,” says Brine. “So it was a little less hazardous, we didn’t have to worrry about anything being toxic.”
Brine adds in general newer construction materials are safer than old ones, but in a fire or other emergency they don’t have the luxury of waiting to see what is in the walls and ceilings.
(Photo Credit: Brian McDonald)
