Fire/Smoke
The first step at a fire scene is to calm the fears of those
affected. Next, we test the smoke to see which of the following
types of fire took place.
Wet Smoke - Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky,
smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke - Fast burning at high temperatures.
Protein - Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes.
Extreme pungent odor.
Fuel Oil Soot - Furnace puff backs cause fuel oil soot.
Other Types - Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher
residue are other types.
Water
River Flooding: These floods typically
occur with the melting of winter snow coupled with heavy
spring rainfall, resulting in overfilled river basins. Heavy
rainfalls from tropical storm systems may also produce river
flooding.
Coastal Flooding: These floods are the result of ocean waters
being driven inland, most commonly by tropical storms, or
less commonly as a result of tidal waves driven by earthquakes.
Urban Flooding: These increasingly common floods are the
result of urban/suburban sprawl, where developed land areas
lose their ability to absorb rainfall. Development may increase
runoff up to six times over what would occur naturally in
its absence.
Flash Flooding: These floods commonly result from rainfall
of exceptional intensity and duration, and may occur within
minutes or a few hours of such rainfall. Other causes may
be the failure of dams or levees, or the releases of ice
jams.
Flood Damage -
A complete documentation of flood damage would include both
direct and indirect costs associated with flooding. Direct
costs are closely connected to a flood event and the resulting
physical damage. In addition to immediate losses and repair
costs they include short-term costs stemming directly from
the flood event, such as flood fighting, temporary housing,
and administrative assistance. By contrast, indirect costs
are incurred in an extended time period following a flood.
They include loss of business and personal income (including
permanent loss of employment), reduction in property values,
increased insurance costs, loss of tax revenue, psychological
trauma, and disturbance to ecosystems. They tend to be
more difficult to account for than direct costs. Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) -
FEMA is an independent
agency of the federal government, reporting to the President.
FEMA's mission has been to reduce loss of life and property
and protect our nation's critical infrastructure from all
types of hazards through a comprehensive, risk-based, emergency
management program of mitigation, preparedness, response
and recovery.
Flood Insurance (NFIP) -
NFIP makes Federally-backed
flood insurance available in communities that agree to
adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce
future flood damage. The NFIP is self-supporting for the
average historical loss year, which means that operating
expenses and flood insurance claims are not paid for by
the taxpayer, but through premiums collected for flood
insurance policies.
Mold
Mold: parasitic, microscopic fungi (like
Penicillin) with spores that float in the air like pollen.
Mold is a common trigger for allergies and can be found
in damp areas, such as the basement or bathroom, as well
as in the outdoor environment in grass, leaf piles, hay,
mulch or under mushrooms.
Toxic Black Mold:
It has usually been associated with the mold Stachybotrys
chartarum, a type of greenish-black mold
commonly associated with heavy water damage. Known health
effects are similar to other common molds. It has been
inconclusively associated with more severe health effects
in some people. While there are only a few molds that are
truly black, many can appear black. Not all mold that appears
to be black is Stachybotrys.
Allergenic Mold: Mold
spores that are normally not dangerous to humans in low
amounts, but they
cause allergic or asthmatic symptoms. Generally, these
types of mold can be relatively easy and safely cleaned
and removed. Note that even dead mold spores or mold particles
can trigger allergy symptoms or allergic reactions.
Mycotoxic Mold: Mold spores that contain toxins in the cell
wall. These types of mold can cause serious
health problems in humans and animals. These molds range
from short-term irritation to immunosuppression, to cancer
and even death. If toxic molds are identified, it is suggested
that you seek advice from an Industrial Hygienist or other
mold professional for guidance. The average homeowner should
NOT attempt the abatement of these types of mold.
Pathogenic Mold: A mold that causes infections. Pathogenic molds can cause
serious
health effects in persons
with suppressed immune systems, those taking chemotherapy,
and those with HIV/AIDS, or autoimmunity disorders. If
any pathogenic molds are identified, it is suggested that
you seek advice from an Industrial Hygienist or other mold
professional. The average homeowner should NOT attempt
the abatement of this type of molds.
Mildew: A
common name for mold or fungi; often used in reference
to fungal growth on bathroom tiles
and fixtures.
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