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- 592
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Posted: Aug 3, 2017
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Alan M. Petrillo |
The merger of five township departments in a seven-year period into the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department (IFD) meant the department was operating with different brands of extrication equipment on its light and heavy rescue units.
In 2015, the department decided to streamline its hydraulic rescue tools into a single brand for consistency with regard to training, emergency incident use, maintenance, and repair.
IFD Rescue Response
Currently, the IFD has 44 fire stations, with five heavy extrication task forces and eight light extrication task forces. The light extrication task forces comprise an engine and an aerial ladder, with the ladder carrying a Holmatro hydraulic pump, 5240CL spreader, and 5050 cutter. The light teams are trained to the operations level based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1006, Standard for Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications, and NFPA 1670, Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.
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| 1 The Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department evaluated hydraulic extrication tools from five manufacturers over a three-day period. (Photos courtesy of the Indianapolis Fire Department.) |
Each heavy extrication task force has a rescue truck with extrication equipment including two Holmatro hydraulic pumps, a 5240 spreader, 5260 spreader, 5050 cutter, 5050i cutter, 5111 battery-powered combi tool, small pedal cutter, hand pump to operate tools without power units, three different size telescoping rams, V-strut stabilization struts, reciprocating saws, air chisels, saws, various air tools, and hand tools. The heavy teams are trained at the technician level based on NFPA 1006 and 1670. Three of the heavy task forces respond with an engine and an aerial ladder, while two respond with only an aerial ladder.
Kevin C. Jones, special operations chief for Indianapolis, says, “On a typical extrication dispatch, both light and heavy extrication task forces are dispatched, with the heavy unit remaining on the run until the patient is extricated, or they are put to work based on the incident.”
Evaluation Process
To determine which brand of hydraulic tools to equip its task forces with, Indianapolis selected five hydraulic tool vendors to participate in a series of tests and evaluations. The department got the cooperation of Copart Salvage Auto Auctions, Pic-A-Part, and Cook Towing to get 26 vehicles donated for the department’s testing and evaluation exercise. A large part of the Copart property was set aside, and each of the hydraulic rescue tool manufacturers set up shop. Jones says the department took eight key personnel from each of three shifts to test and evaluate each of the rescue tools, giving the IFD input from 24 individuals. “They represented all ranks within the department,” Jones says, “and participated in the three-day process, looking for fit, form, and function of the various tools.”
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- 153
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Posted: Aug 3, 2017
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Robert Tutterow |
For the most part hose dryers, drying racks, and washing went away with the demise of cotton jacket hose. However, there could be a renaissance of this practice in the North American fire service. The major focus for decontamination has been on personal protective equipment (PPE). But, what about the other contaminated equipment? Is there anything nastier than an interior fire attack hose? What happens to that hose after use? I suspect that in most departments it might get rinsed off before it is placed back on the truck. This is only a practice that has been in place for the past 40 or so years. Prior to that, with cotton jacket hose, the hose had to be dried - either in a hose dryer or hung from a hose tower - and received some washing before it was dried. For younger readers, cotton hose could not be stored on the apparatus wet because it would rot.
It appears it is time to reconsider washing and drying hose but for a different reason. That reason is to decontaminate the hose from the carcinogens that attach and embed in the jacket. Contaminated hose is not just contaminated when it is removed from the fire scene; it continues to off-gas for several hours - if not days. Washing fire hose is critical.
It is interesting to note that the German fire service has always washed each section of hose after each use. And, they test each section of hose after each use. I am not advocating testing hose after each use. German hose is much thinner and not nearly as robust as hose in the North American fire service.
Current Equipment
How do the Germans and other European fire brigades wash hose? It is a lot more than a rinsing at the scene, though that is a good initial practice. They use machines with stiff bristle brushes to wash their hose. In the United States, Circul-Air Corporation has been making a hose washing machine - the Roto Jet Hose Washer - for decades. Of course, Circul-Air is known for its hose drying cabinets, which some departments now use to dry PPE. More recently, Groves Ready Rack also introduced a hose washer, and it also offers a PPE drying cabinet. Perhaps your department has one and uses it. If so, your department is the health-conscious exception.
At FDIC International 2017, the Barth company introduced its MONDIALE hose washing machine. It is a German-made machine that also can perform hose testing. The unit is available with a soak tank and uses high-pressure nozzles as well as bristle brushes to clean the hose. The unit can accommodate two sections of hose at a time if the diameter is three inches or less. For anything larger, just one section at a time can be cleaned.
With washing comes the need for drying. Hose drying cabinets are an option with Circul-Air. Other companies, such as Groves Ready Rack, have drying cabinets. However, they also have portable hose towers. No, these are not 30 or 60 feet high. They are racks, on casters if desired, to flake hose from hanging rods to allow for plenty of ventilation.
If hose washing becomes the normal practice in North America, how will it evolve? What are the ramifications? Obviously, there will need to be clean and dry hose stored in the station to replenish hose that is being decontaminated and drying. Will the concept of hot zones in fire stations become accepted practice? If so, then cleaning and drying fire hose should occur in the hot zone.
Regardless of tradition and the strain on budgets, there is no mistake that good basic hygiene suggests we should wash all hose w
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- 232
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Aug 3, 2017
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Robert Tutterow |
For the most part hose dryers, drying racks, and washing went away with the demise of cotton jacket hose. However, there could be a renaissance of this practice in the North American fire service. The major focus for decontamination has been on personal protective equipment (PPE). But, what about the other contaminated equipment? Is there anything nastier than an interior fire attack hose? What happens to that hose after use? I suspect that in most departments it might get rinsed off before it is placed back on the truck. This is only a practice that has been in place for the past 40 or so years. Prior to that, with cotton jacket hose, the hose had to be dried - either in a hose dryer or hung from a hose tower - and received some washing before it was dried. For younger readers, cotton hose could not be stored on the apparatus wet because it would rot.
It appears it is time to reconsider washing and drying hose but for a different reason. That reason is to decontaminate the hose from the carcinogens that attach and embed in the jacket. Contaminated hose is not just contaminated when it is removed from the fire scene; it continues to off-gas for several hours - if not days. Washing fire hose is critical.
It is interesting to note that the German fire service has always washed each section of hose after each use. And, they test each section of hose after each use. I am not advocating testing hose after each use. German hose is much thinner and not nearly as robust as hose in the North American fire service.
Current Equipment
How do the Germans and other European fire brigades wash hose? It is a lot more than a rinsing at the scene, though that is a good initial practice. They use machines with stiff bristle brushes to wash their hose. In the United States, Circul-Air Corporation has been making a hose washing machine - the Roto Jet Hose Washer - for decades. Of course, Circul-Air is known for its hose drying cabinets, which some departments now use to dry PPE. More recently, Groves Ready Rack also introduced a hose washer, and it also offers a PPE drying cabinet. Perhaps your department has one and uses it. If so, your department is the health-conscious exception.
At FDIC International 2017, the Barth company introduced its MONDIALE hose washing machine. It is a German-made machine that also can perform hose testing. The unit is available with a soak tank and uses high-pressure nozzles as well as bristle brushes to clean the hose. The unit can accommodate two sections of hose at a time if the diameter is three inches or less. For anything larger, just one section at a time can be cleaned.
With washing comes the need for drying. Hose drying cabinets are an option with Circul-Air. Other companies, such as Groves Ready Rack, have drying cabinets. However, they also have portable hose towers. No, these are not 30 or 60 feet high. They are racks, on casters if desired, to flake hose from hanging rods to allow for plenty of ventilation.
If hose washing becomes the normal practice in North America, how will it evolve? What are the ramifications? Obviously, there will need to be clean and dry hose stored in the station to replenish hose that is being decontaminated and drying. Will the concept of hot zones in fire stations become accepted practice? If so, then cleaning and drying fire hose should occur in the hot zone.
Regardless of tradition and the strain on budgets, there is no mistake that good basic hygiene suggests we should wash all hose w
Read more
- 176
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Aug 3, 2017
|
|
Robert Tutterow |
For the most part hose dryers, drying racks, and washing went away with the demise of cotton jacket hose. However, there could be a renaissance of this practice in the North American fire service. The major focus for decontamination has been on personal protective equipment (PPE). But, what about the other contaminated equipment? Is there anything nastier than an interior fire attack hose? What happens to that hose after use? I suspect that in most departments it might get rinsed off before it is placed back on the truck. This is only a practice that has been in place for the past 40 or so years. Prior to that, with cotton jacket hose, the hose had to be dried - either in a hose dryer or hung from a hose tower - and received some washing before it was dried. For younger readers, cotton hose could not be stored on the apparatus wet because it would rot.
It appears it is time to reconsider washing and drying hose but for a different reason. That reason is to decontaminate the hose from the carcinogens that attach and embed in the jacket. Contaminated hose is not just contaminated when it is removed from the fire scene; it continues to off-gas for several hours - if not days. Washing fire hose is critical.
It is interesting to note that the German fire service has always washed each section of hose after each use. And, they test each section of hose after each use. I am not advocating testing hose after each use. German hose is much thinner and not nearly as robust as hose in the North American fire service.
Current Equipment
How do the Germans and other European fire brigades wash hose? It is a lot more than a rinsing at the scene, though that is a good initial practice. They use machines with stiff bristle brushes to wash their hose. In the United States, Circul-Air Corporation has been making a hose washing machine - the Roto Jet Hose Washer - for decades. Of course, Circul-Air is known for its hose drying cabinets, which some departments now use to dry PPE. More recently, Groves Ready Rack also introduced a hose washer, and it also offers a PPE drying cabinet. Perhaps your department has one and uses it. If so, your department is the health-conscious exception.
At FDIC International 2017, the Barth company introduced its MONDIALE hose washing machine. It is a German-made machine that also can perform hose testing. The unit is available with a soak tank and uses high-pressure nozzles as well as bristle brushes to clean the hose. The unit can accommodate two sections of hose at a time if the diameter is three inches or less. For anything larger, just one section at a time can be cleaned.
With washing comes the need for drying. Hose drying cabinets are an option with Circul-Air. Other companies, such as Groves Ready Rack, have drying cabinets. However, they also have portable hose towers. No, these are not 30 or 60 feet high. They are racks, on casters if desired, to flake hose from hanging rods to allow for plenty of ventilation.
If hose washing becomes the normal practice in North America, how will it evolve? What are the ramifications? Obviously, there will need to be clean and dry hose stored in the station to replenish hose that is being decontaminated and drying. Will the concept of hot zones in fire stations become accepted practice? If so, then cleaning and drying fire hose should occur in the hot zone.
Regardless of tradition and the strain on budgets, there is no mistake that good basic hygiene suggests we should wash all hose w
Read more
- 134
- Article rating: No rating
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