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Medic1248 t1_j1vrbvb wrote

Reply to comment by SuperDizz in Everybody talks about having a CO2 detector but never what to do if the alarm goes off. by kymilovechelle

I don’t know if this changes in other countries or anything, but call 911 (emergency services) not your gas company.

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destrovel17 t1_j1wgtsc wrote

As an emergency first responder for the gas company I don’t believe there is ever a time that the fire department doesn’t call us out when someone calls them for CO. On the contrary, I am called out many times directly with people not calling 911. 95% of the time the fire department isn’t needed for the situation. If I need them to vent out the building with their gigantic fans, then I’ll call. CO detectors generally start alarming at around 35PPM CO. If the homeowner calls us immediately all I need to do is open a few windows to get a draft going and in 20 minutes the house is below 5PPM. I’d rather not tie up emergency services when they might be needed elsewhere. Just my take.

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Medic1248 t1_j1xni7v wrote

I’m sure you’re experienced and trained in the proper procedures and probably given the correct equipment to detect the build up of the gas and you’re trained to get out before you panic from symptoms. But that’s just risk mitigation. There’s still a chance. We had one gas company investigator die in the last like 30 years where I work. Way before me. The standard has ever since been that at the very minimum is the fire department being made aware of the response by the gas company. Even then maybe the Chief or the Squad will drive by with a detector quick and see if anything’s needed and then either call for more man power if needed or return to station and let the home owner wait for the company.

The guy died because he opened a door that he didn’t realize was a dumb waiter (that’s what they’re called, right?) to the 1st floor and he was on the 3rd. The chute was full of gas but the 3rd floor room wasn’t and things equalized and he went unconscious before he could make it back out. Had the fire department been just there outside and someone with an SCBA could’ve gotten it on him and then out? That would’ve been a near miss. Instead it was a change in protocol.

Remember, the fire department can go in service from the scene at any time once it’s deemed good. It’s one of their most common calls and they train to make it as safe as humanly possible so even if all they do is sit outside in the truck while you go in to shut off a line before going back to station, isn’t it nice to have help there already?

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