FY2013 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2013 | Page 28

Newsletter Title

Page 28

TIFMAS became a reality for the AFD
The establishment of a Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual
Aid System (TIFMAS) team tells the state that we
will be ready to assist in the event of a catastrophic
wild land fire events like those in 2011. Our
requirements for participation have been met and
our team is ready to make a difference.

Cyanokits Prove to be Life Saving
The Medical Operations Section is a leader in life saving treatment for
smoke inhalation victims. Med Ops Captain Steve Hendrix initiated a plan
to use Cyanokits to increase survival rates among smoke inhalation
victims. All structure fires produce deadly cyanide (CN) and carbon
monoxide (CO) gases due to the combustion of ordinary building and
household items. Combined, these deprive the body of
oxygen causing rapid death by asphyxiation. Even small
fires have shown to rapidly produce deadly levels of CO
and CN. Until recently, treatment for exposure to these
“toxic twins” was available in Europe, but not in the
United States. This year the Arlington Fire Department
began carrying CyanoKits, the life saving medication for
victims of smoke inhalation. In the short time we have
carried this life saving medication, the lives of three
STEVE HENDRIX
civilian fire victims have been saved.

Gas Well Response Team Implemented
The Department has trained approximately 50 fire
fighters and 12 fire inspectors in gas well specific safety
and response. This training took place at a state-of-theart fire training facility in Richmond, Texas (in the
Houston area) by a leading Texas oil and gas well
control and emergency response company.
This training is used almost daily during our preplanning
efforts, site compliance inspections, and during our
emergency responses to unintentional gas releases
(washouts), odor investigations, and other 911 calls for
service at or near gas well sites.

DUTY

/

HONOR

Working Together to Make Arlington Better.

/

COMPASSION
28

/

EXCELLENCE