Portland Fire Responded to propane leak caused by snow plow

Portland Maine – The Portland Fire Department responded to 141 Preble St after a plow truck operator called 911 indicating he hit a propane tank located at that address with his plow.  The tank had been knocked off the pedestal and broke off the purge valve allowing liquid propane to pour out of the tank.

Fire Department hazardous material technicians responded and immediately installed a plug, significantly slowing the leak.  Portland Deputy Chief Scott Thomes indicated “initially 141 Preble St was evacuated, but once our hazardous materials technician plugged the leak, and confirmed the gas had dissipated, we allowed the occupants to return inside and get out of the cold."
 
Suburban Propane used a heavy lifting boom truck to position the tank so only a small amount of propane gas vented out and safely dissipated in fresh air.  Fire crews and hazardous material specialists remained on scene monitoring gas levels in the area while the propane company prepared the tank for transport. The tank was then moved to Suburban Propane’s facility on Thompsons Point in Portland to continue the process of  pumping the liquid propane off and recovering as much of the fuel as possible.

No injuries were reported and fire department personnel left the scene at approximately 12:45 PM.

Mayor and City Council Recognize Life Saving Efforts of Firefighters Taking Care of One of Their Own.

Veteran Fire Lieutenant Steve Henderson, who suffered sudden cardiac arrest at work, will be at the presentation of the proclamation.

Portland Maine – On Monday September 9th, 2013, Mayor Michael Brennan and the Portland City council will recognize 15 Fire department responders and dispatchers for their quick action and teamwork in the resuscitation of Steve Henderson, a decorated fire lieutenant with over 26 years of service with the Portland Fire Department.

Henderson was found without a heartbeat and not breathing slumped over a computer keyboard by David Crowley, a fire fighter/EMT-Intermediate on the morning of July 20th.  Henderson was completing required end of shift documentation when he suffered sudden cardiac arrest.  Crowley called 911 and performed CPR until other members, including Paramedics of the Portland fire department arrived.

“This was a team effort, too often this type of event ends with a sad outcome, and I am delighted to say that Steve is home with his family and friends because we were trained, present and prepared.”  Chief LaMoria indicates that the department has placed a great deal of emphasis on cardiac care and cardiac arrest resuscitation.  “The department has made sure that our crews are trained, prepared and ready to do what needs to be done to ensure the best possible outcome.”

The Portland Fire Department has been recognized in several local and national media outlets for tripling the cardiac arrest survival to discharge from the hospital rates.  “New protocols, Training and equipment have made a measurable difference in our response to cardiac arrest victims and Steve’s recovery is the latest and very gratifying example of this hard work”

Chief LaMoria indicates that plans are being made to launch a new initiative to train the public in CPR.    “The most important piece of a successful outcome is public involvement. Seconds make a difference, which is why it is so critical that the public understand and are comfortable with administering CPR. The department will begin planning to offer CPR training to the public. I hope that through this effort, today’s story about Steve will become common place.”

Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) revised its training program to emphasize compressions only CPR, with the hope that the public will be more likely to take action when they find someone without a heartbeat.  AHA research indicates that compressions only CPR is just as effective as the traditional method of chest compressions with rescue breathing.  Nearly 383,000 people experience sudden cardiac arrest every year.  Eighty-eight percent of them occur at home.  As the AHA says, “The life you save with CPR is most likely to be someone you love.”

Where:    Portland City Hall

               Council Chambers

When:   September 9th 2013

Time:     Approximately 7:00 PM