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BOOK 65 F,Au,� X47 <br />FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT - LANDFILL PERSONNEL <br />The Board reviewed memo from the Utilities staff, as follows: <br />TO: <br />THRU: <br />FROM: <br />SUBJECT: <br />BACKGROUND <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONE S DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 1986 <br />TERRANCE G. PINTO <br />DIRECTOR OF UTILITY,SER#i. S <br />RONALD R. BROOKS I ✓ <br />ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SPECIALIST <br />FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT <br />LANDFILL PERSONNEL <br />On occasion, a fire will erupt within waste material at the <br />County Landfill. Once a fire has started, it will be fed by methane <br />gas that is generated by the decomposing waste and vented to the <br />surface of the landfill site. . As a result, the fire cannot be <br />extinguished with water, thereby rendering the efforts of the Fire <br />Department with their present equipment ineffective. <br />The only way to extinguish a landfill fire is to cover it with <br />soil as soon as possible and cut off the source of oxygen. This <br />procedure requires that the landfill- equipment operators penetrate <br />the..smoking fire zone and cover the material with soil. <br />Any fire that develops at the landfill requires immediate action <br />to prevent spreading and -to eliminate the danger to employees. <br />However, the employees presently do not have breathing apparatus <br />available at the landfill site to protect themselves from smoke <br />inhalation, thereby reducing their ability to provide a timely <br />response to fires. Smoke inhalation is a dangerous situation in any <br />circumstances; however, in a landfill fire it could be extremely <br />dangerous as there is no telling what type of material could be <br />burning. <br />CONCLUSION <br />To provide for immediate fire response by the employees with <br />reduced danger from smoke inhalation, it is necessary to have <br />self-contained breathing apparatus available at the landfill site. <br />At least two apparatuses should be available at the site for <br />immediate use. The Fire Department can provide additional backup <br />units if needed. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board authorize the purchase of a <br />minimum of two self-contained breathing apparatuses for use by thet_ <br />landfill personnel. The apparatuses will be similar to equipmen <br />used by the Fire Department and will cost approximately $1,100.00 <br />each. <br />in 112 <br />