FIREFIGHTER SAFETY: TURNOUT COAT/DRD INFORMATION

Friday, February 8, 2008 TURNOUT COAT DRD INFORMATION:

At a training session this week, a Firefighter in upstate NY was performing a wall breach maneuver when his DRD (Drag Rescue Device) got caught on a sheet rock nail. As he worked his way through the wall maneuver, the device deployed fully as you can see in these pictures. Due to the way it deployed and the tension created on his upper body from the strap under his arms, movement was limited and he was unable to reach the strap to free himself. Even by attempting to go back through the wall he was unable to get the strap free due to the fact that the head of the nail had worked its way into the weaving of the strap material.

Chiefs, Officers and Firefighters should inspect the bunker gear and determine how well (or if) your DRD is fully secure from accidental deployment. Additionally, contact your bunker gear mfg for additional questions, direction and information to help insure that your DRD won\'t catch or if any options are offered to fully secure the DRD, so the chance of it "catching" is eliminated. See our home page for additional information.