Training Gives Bristol Fire Company Members the Experience Needed to React Swiftly, Adeptly

Provided by Bristol Fire Company:

Bristol Fire Company (Station 51) believes you can never be too prepared for an emergency, which is why its members are constantly training and reviewing best practices. Recently, the company participated in a training session held at Dow Chemical’s Rohm & Haas Bristol plant that was focused on equipment training and chemical detection.

Held by the plant’s fire company, the March 27 training provided an overview on the new Sirius Multigas Detector, which was donated to Bristol Borough by Dow Chemical. The meter has the ability to detect various chemicals, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas), flammable gases and volatile organic compounds, at lower concentrations than meters currently used by the borough’s fire companies. The training will help Station 51 members best utilize the state-of-the-art device when responding to emergency calls.

Bristol Fire Company Chief Herb Slack explained that volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many volatile organic compounds are consistently higher indoors — up to 10 times — than outdoors, and can emitted by an assortment of products, such as paints, lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides and much more.

“The meter will allow firefighters to better identify hazardous levels of certain chemicals when responding to calls for gas leaks, fumes and odors, and to ensure the safety of our residents,” Slack added.

The Bristol Fire Company is located at 198 Wood St. in Bristol. Station 51 is always seeking community members who are interested in joining the all-volunteer department. If you are interested in joining or would like more information about the department’s services, call 215-785-1975 or visit www.bristol51.com.

For community members who need a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector, Station 51 will install one free of charge. To have a volunteer install one at your home, call the company.