WEAR ALL YOUR GEAR. NO EXPOSED SKIN. NO EXCUSES. Date of Alarm: Hazelton, PA. Firefighter Escapes Flashover during search for victims …two children killed Original Power Point slides by Dennis Kroh, photos by Tim Mumie and program shared by and posted on:

The following information has been provided to FireFighterCloseCalls.com by FF Joel Mumie Hazelton, PA. Ladder 1 FF Mumie was caught in the flashover while searching for the trapped victims.

FROM FF JOEL MUMIE: The fire was a 1/2 block from my house. I went out my front door and heard terrible screaming…I knew we had a bad one. I drove down the block and radioed county fire dispatch of a working fire with entrapment, fire showing side "D" geared up and awaited for E-2 to arrive…. when it did I grabbed the 16ft roof ladder threw it to side "A" and found a mother in the window, grabbed her and pulled her out and she said her kids were in their room and begged me to get them. As my partner moved her down the side of the roof to a safe area, and I entered the room, I searched in about 5-6 feet, found the crib but no child, attempted to continue searching when in seconds the conditions became unbearable. I made my way back to the window and as I exited, the 2nd floor flashed. I thought for sure I was burned but lucked out, I had all my PPE in place, it did it's job and I am still here to talk about it. I can't stress enough the importance of wearing ALL of your gear with NO EXPOSED SKIN… and wearing it properly. Please use this for training and stress the importance to other members of you departments or future fire students. Sad to say that we could not reach the 2 boys in time, but I was able to get the mother out who is 6 months pregnant with another child and is expected to make it.

entering to search for the children after removing the mother

2nd floor as it flashed and if you look close under the window venting fire on the left you can see the outline of FF Mumie as he exited……

His PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Additional Incident Information It has been reported that the fire started with an unattended pot of oil on the stove. It has been reported that the fire started with an unattended pot of oil on the stove. There was 1 working smoke detector. There was 1 working smoke detector. Bunker Gear was Morning Pride Mfg. Bunker Gear was Morning Pride Mfg. SCBA was Scott 4.5 AP 50 SCBA was Scott 4.5 AP 50 Helmet was a Cairns Leather. Helmet was a Cairns Leather.

Learn more about FLASHOVER It is the most dangerous time of a fire!! When the room bursts into flame, flashover has occurred. The scientific definition of flashover states it is caused by the radiation feedback of heat. Heat from the growing fire is absorbed into the upper walls and contents of the room, heating up the combustible gases and furnishings to their auto-ignition temperature. This build up of heat in the room triggers flashover. Flashover signals several major changes in a fire and is the end of an effective search and rescue in a room; It means the death of any person trapped in the burning room - either civilians or firefighters. It signals the end of using or considering a portable extinguisher to extinguish the fire; an attack hose-line is required after flashover occurs. It signals the end of the growth stage and that the fire is in the second stage of combustion - the fully developed stage. Finally, flashover signals the change from a contents to a structure fire. This is the beginning of the collapse danger. It is the most dangerous time of a fire!! When the room bursts into flame, flashover has occurred. The scientific definition of flashover states it is caused by the radiation feedback of heat. Heat from the growing fire is absorbed into the upper walls and contents of the room, heating up the combustible gases and furnishings to their auto-ignition temperature. This build up of heat in the room triggers flashover. Flashover signals several major changes in a fire and is the end of an effective search and rescue in a room; It means the death of any person trapped in the burning room - either civilians or firefighters. It signals the end of using or considering a portable extinguisher to extinguish the fire; an attack hose-line is required after flashover occurs. It signals the end of the growth stage and that the fire is in the second stage of combustion - the fully developed stage. Finally, flashover signals the change from a contents to a structure fire. This is the beginning of the collapse danger. For more information on FLASHOVER, go to: For more information on FLASHOVER, go to:

A Special Thank You to Firefighter Mumie and all the FF’s involved at this fire from FireFighterCloseCalls.com for sharing his story* and pictures so we can reinforce the importance of PPE. WEAR ALLYOUR PPE… NO EXCUSES! *entire story will be featured in an upcoming issue of Firehouse Magazine, Close Calls column.