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Posted: Oct 5, 2022

Seattle firefighters investigating intentionally set fires in Pioneer Square, Chinatown-International District

The Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department are warning of an uptick in intentionally set fires in Seattle's Pioneer Square and Chinatown-International District neighborhoods. Seattle fire said seven fires were set on Oct. 2. They said most of the fires occurred during the hours of 2 a.
- PUB DATE: 10/5/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle
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Posted: Oct 5, 2022

Vantage Fire rages, grows to 26k acres burned

Officials have released an update on the Vantage Highway Fire which is now 35% contained. The size is still sitting at 26,490 acres, which is the size of the scene perimeter. The burn scar is estimated to be 17,000 acres. There's still no cause for the blaze, and things do seem to be improving. Friday, crews will be working on the north and west flanks, to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby windfarm.
- PUB DATE: 10/5/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle
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Posted: Oct 4, 2022

WI Freemasons Donate Over 300 Fire Suppression Tools to Departments Across the State

MEQUON, WI (October 04, 2022): Fire Suppression Solutions is honored to announce the Freemasons of Wisconsin ongoing commitment to donate Fire Suppression Tools to Police and Fire Departments throughout Wisconsin.

These tools help first responders by slowing the progression of a fire, helping them gain valuable and often critical minutes and seconds, saving lives and property.

“Fire Suppression Solutions is honored to work with the Freemasons of Wisconsin. Through this partnership, the Freemasons have generously donated more than 300 units, and counting, to first responders in our communities” said Mark Mock, President and COO of Fire Suppression Solutions.  “The Fire Suppression Tool will not only save lives and property, but it will also create a safer environment for the men and women who are sent into these dangerous situations.  The FST will start suppressing a fire, while quickly reducing the temperature inside the room.  It does this without removing the oxygen, making the environment safer if a victim is trapped inside.”

“For nearly 200 years, the Freemasons of Wisconsin have taken considerable pride in the positive impact we have had in our local communities.  Throughout the state, we consistently strive to make our communities safer and better and our partnership with Fire Suppression Solutions allows us to continue to have that amazing impact. By getting these units into the hands of local police and fire departments, there is no doubt that we will be saving property and lives.” Said Paul T. Tourville, Grand Master of Wisconsin Freemasonry. 

“The Slinger Police Department really appreciates the donation of the Fire Suppression Tool units from the Freemasons.  Having these units readily available to officers will help keep our community safer which helps enhance our goals as first responders” said Slinger Police Chief Dean Schmidt.

“It is a great honor to be one of the many recipients of a donation from the Freemasons of Wisconsin.” said West Allis Deputy Chief of Police Robert Fletcher.

For more information about the Fire Suppression Tool (FST), please contact Fire Suppression Solutions at info@firess.us or at (262) 777-8700.

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Posted: Oct 4, 2022

Milford (OH) Community Fire Department Lights Up the Sky

By Bill Adkins

Support 271 is on an International 4400 chassis.

On March 2, 2012, Clermont County (OH) was rocked with a deadly F3 tornado. Many local departments responded to assist with search and rescue efforts. Among those departments were members of the Milford (OH) Community Fire Department, which covers 3.5 square miles, with a population of 6,800, and close to 100,000 in neighboring mutual aid population.

With the tornado starting around 4:46 p.m. it was clear that rescue crews would be working for many hours and mostly in the dark. Most fire departments have generators and portable lighting, however, not nearly enough power and lighting to sustain such an operation. One would think of just the need for lighting but not realize the need for charging stations, self-sustaining portable lights, and generators large enough to power stationary command units. 

At the time, no one in the area had a vehicle that could single-handedly handle this workload. This inspired the late John Cooper, a retired Milford Community Fire Chief, to have his truck committee create an apparatus to assist in such events. Milford Community Fire Department applied and was awarded the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant. This made the inspiration a reality for the region.

Support 271

Support 271  Read more
Posted: Oct 4, 2022

Burp Drafting, An Alternative Primer-Less Priming Method

By Andy Soccodato

Achieving a reliable prime quickly and efficiently is paramount to the success of any rural water operation. This is usually accomplished using the onboard mechanical or pneumatic positive displacement priming pump.

These priming pumps, which are required by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, are very effective at establishing a prime from a static source. However, instances may occur where the primer pump fails to operate on a fire scene. These instances can create a very stressful situation for the unprepared pump operator.

Burp drafting” is an alternative drafting technique that can be used in scenarios where the primer fails to operate. This method can also be used instead of the onboard priming system for a rapid establishment of a draft. We will discuss the operating principles behind this alternative drafting method, steps for performing this technique, and key operational considerations. This method will give the rural pump operator an “ace in the hole” during those challenging drafting scenarios (photo 1).

 Burp drafting is a fast and effective way to prime side, front, and rear intakes. (Photos by author.)

“Burp Drafting” Operating Principles

The name “burp drafting” is used to describe the means in which this technique achieves a prime without the use of a primer. Using this technique, the pump operator is simply “burping” the air within the hard suction hose and intake plumbing out through a discharge outlet. For this technique to work, three critical components must be present and occur:

  1. There must be water in the booster tank.
  2. There must be an intake valve present on the intake being primed.
  3. Water must be circulated through the pump from the booster tank.

The major concept behind this process is the recirculation of water from the booster tank. The laws of physics state that we cannot create or destroy matter. This means that when water traveling through the tank-to-pump line is discharged from the pump through the tank fill line, something has to replace the water that was discharged. When the operator is recirculating water, more water from the booster tank comes to replace the water that was discharged from the pump. Since we know this process occurs every time the pump is engaged, the tank-to-pump valve is opened, and the tank fill valve is opened, we can conclude that an area of negative pressure is present at the eye of the pump’s impeller when water is being discharged.

If the impeller is spun faster while recirculating water, it will increa

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