By Ann DeMatteo
The New Haven Register
HAMDEN, Conn. — With the scientific study of a new firefighters’ breathing tool about to be released, those affiliated with the device thanked the Hamden Fire Department for the role it played in testing the Last Chance Rescue Filter.
Fire Department leaders received accolades Thursday from one of the doctors who researched the efficacy of the Last Chance Rescue Filter, the New Haven firefighter who holds the patent and the New Haven fire lieutenant who worked with Hamden to organize the “controlled burn” that tested it.
About 100 firefighters and other professionals from across the country came to Hamden Sept. 27, 2007, to test the filter. A burn exercise took place in the old Dadio homestead at 466 Putnam Ave. after the town acquired the property. The physical effects on firefighters of battling a blaze were measured.
Also measured on that day was carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen cyanide levels in firefighters before and after they wore the filter. It is designed as a firefighter’s last resort that protects them in an IDLH atmosphere and could save a life in an out of air emergency.
The Last Chance Rescue Filter is now on the market. Firefighters in Norwalk and North Madison have them. New Haven fire Lt. Frank Ricci said that the manufacturer, Essex P.B.&R. of St. Louis, Mo., is committed to working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and the National Fire Protection Agency to develop a standard for the lifesaving technology.
“The technology is ahead of the standards,” Ricci said.
The 2007 burn helped to independently validate the filter by putting it in the hands of firefighters.
New Haven Firefighter Eric George, who holds the patent for the device, said that many fire departments have applied for grants to purchase the filters. “Hopefully, it saves a life some day,” said George.
Ricci presented a plaque to Hamden Fire Chief David Berardesca, thanking the Fire Department for its dedication to firefighter safety, training and research. Ricci was there representing Fire Engineering Magazine. The award was given by Fire Engineering Books and Video and Yale School of Medicine.
While Hamden may be a small department, it “set a big example for the country” by hosting firefighters from places like Los Angeles, New York and Dallas. “There have been nothing but accolades on how Hamden responded,” Ricci said.
Berardesca said that it was an “easy decision” to host the burn after Ricci approached him. “Firefighters realized how important the study was. We learned so much during that training,” Berardesca said.
Also credited Thursday were four firefighters who had a role in preparing the property for the burn exercise and keeping it safe while the burn was ongoing: Fire Marshal Brian Badamo, Capt. Sam DeBurra, Training Officer William Fitzmaurice and Lt. Gary Merwede, union president.
Also on hand Thursday was Dr. Carin M. Van Gelder from the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine. Van Gelder, who studies heat physiology and smoke and inhalational injuries, said live fire research is important in an effort to improve firefighting safety. The paper her department wrote has been submitted to an emergency medicine journal and reports that the Last Chance Rescue Filter, about the size of a Coke can, is safe. It attaches to a firefighter’s mask. One unit costs less than $200.
For more information on the Last Chance Rescue Filter, visit lastchancefilter.com.
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