Passive CO Meters- A Success Story

Recently, a passive CO monitor activation alerted responders of high levels of CO in a Takoma Park home. First Battalion units from Silver Spring and Takoma Park were alerted for a medical call. These units arrived and began assessing a patient exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Simultaneously, they noticed another occupant of the home exhibiting signs of difficulty breathing. And then the passive CO monitor went into alert. 

Recognizing this as a true CO emergency, both occupants were rapidly removed from the residence, transferred to waiting EMS units, and transported to local Hospitals. Fire/rescue personnel not involved in patient care transitioned into search mode and donned their protective gear and Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). A rapid, but thorough survey known as a “primary search” was initiated to ensure of no additional occupants. No additional occupants were found. Personnel monitored the atmosphere with multi-gas meters while searching, and found CO readings well over 700 Parts Per Million (PPM). Over a finite period of time, this level of CO can prove fatal. 

While conducting a more thorough and methodical survey of the home known as a “secondary search,” personnel found the source of CO in the basement- a malfunctioning furnace. This appliance was secured by isolating power and gas from the home. 

No MCFRS personnel were injured on this incident, and both occupants were expected to make a full recovery.

Prior to the addition of passive CO meters, there were several incidents where advanced care was delayed and fire/rescue personnel were unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels of CO. With the addition of these little red CO sentinels, such incidents are a thing of the past.