It Only Takes Once…

*Disclaimer: This is a fictional story inspired by real-life events and dangers faced everyday by firefighters and first responders. While the events and characters are completely hypothetical, this scenario reflects the critical importance of proper equipment maintenance, including gas detector calibrations.

The call came in just after 2 a.m. for a family unconscious in their home, possible carbon monoxide poisoning, right on the town line. Lieutenant barely had time to sip his coffee before he and his crew were in the engine, racing through the empty streets.

Dispatch gave them the basics: a neighbor had called it in after finding the family unresponsive. No sign of fire, no smell of gas.

As they pulled up, the house looked undisturbed, porch light still on. But the Lieutenant knew better. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless. It’s a silent killer.

“Mask up,” he ordered, pulling his multi-gas detector from his gear. He pressed the power button. Nothing. He frowned, tried again. The screen flickered, then went dark.

His fellow firefighter noticed. “Dead battery?”

The Lieutenant checked. No, the battery was fine. Then his eyes landed on the calibration sticker. Expired. His gut twisted. Hadn’t they been meaning to check these last week?

Just then, a second engine from their neighboring town pulled in to assist.

Lieutenant briefed them on the situation. Thankfully, the second engine had a freshly calibrated gas detector device. Within seconds of turning it on, the screen flashed red: HIGH CO LEVEL FATAL EXPOSURE.

“Get them out! Now!” The Lieutenant shouted.

They rushed in, lifting the unconscious family members one by one, hauling them onto the front lawn. Paramedics swarmed in, administering oxygen. A kid, maybe six or seven, gasped awake first, coughing, confused.

The lieutenant exhaled sharply. A few more minutes, and this would’ve been a body recovery, not a rescue.

He looked down at his non-functioning detector. A simple calibration and he wouldn’t have been caught unprepared.

Tomorrow morning, before anything, all of their non-compliant gas detectors were being shipped out for calibration. Thankfully, with Apollo Safety’s 24/48-hour turnaround promise, he knows he’ll get back compliant and calibrated gas detectors in no time.