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Posted: Aug 1, 2018

Are All Rescue Incidents Created Equal

Richard Marinucci

In the not-too-distant past, many organizations called themselves “fire departments.” But, a trend emerged where the word “rescue” was added to provide emphasis to the most important aspect of the work.

Richard Marinucci

This also helped in identifying the expanded role of “fire departments” to other emergency services including emergency medical services (EMS) and technical rescue. One might say it was a shift in branding to help promote all the services provided and remind the general public of the ever-increasing responsibilities added to the job description. Whatever the logic or reasoning for the change, the importance of rescue cannot be understated. As such, the need for proper training, policy, and application is a constant.

One could debate the various approaches to rescues and the differing viewpoints with respect to rescue profiling. By this, I mean that when a building is on fire, firefighters spring into action, almost acting on autopilot. But, if someone is caught in an unknown hazardous materials cloud, I would bet most firefighters would take a second look and slow down their approach.

We could look at a variety of calls: If a hot wire was on someone’s car or in close proximity, a similar approach would be taken. Regarding rescues from injury accidents, assessments with respect to survivability of wrecks come into play, and an evaluation of the hazards faced by the firefighters will affect strategy. For special rescue responses, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and applicable standards dictate which approach to take.

Different Rescue, Different Approach

“So what?” you might ask. The real question is, “Why do we take a different approach to various rescues?” The answer may be a combination of things. One aspect could be our history with each type of rescue and our culture. We have been conditioned to work quickly in fire situations. Since the days of Ben Franklin, firefighters have been portrayed as racing into fires to search and rescue victims. Pop culture movies like “Backdraft” reinforce this image. Another reason could be our familiarity with these events and our training. From basic training to field training, we are conditioned to respond as quickly as possible to fires starting from the time of notification. In most organizations, the turnout time for a hazmat incident is slower than for a structure fire. Another consideration is that we have the proper protective equipment for the event and have enough “safety” to skip some steps if a rescue is even remotely possible.

In cases where the typical fire department is sent to a chemical spill, the same approach probably is not taken. The crews, depending on their training and available safety equipment, would take a much more methodical approach and would slow down. This could be because these incidents are not as frequent, and the same comfort level does not exist. More than likely, the crews would identify that the incident involves a chemical, probably unknown, and would request a specially trained team. If a human life was in the danger zone, there would still be a slower approach.

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Posted: Aug 1, 2018

Nozzle Reaction Helps Determine Nozzle Selection

By BRIAN BRUSH

“Arguments for and against the use of various nozzle designs often become nullified on the fire ground as crews find they cannot safely operate lines which exhibit high nozzle reaction forces.”—Captain David P. Fornell

NOZZLE OPERATING PRESSURE

The smooth bore nozzle may be viewed by some as “dated,” but if you take a little deeper look at history, you can see some very sound reasoning in the smooth bore nozzle. The operating pressure of the smooth bore is a range from 40 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi), with 50 psi as optimal. This was important to our forefathers in the fire service, as early pump systems were primarily lower pressure and could see significant fluctuations with more than one line being supported simultaneously. The solid stream and long tip provided accurate delivery of the fire stream at a great distance for firefighters with limited personal protective equipment.

As technology advanced, our pumps were able to provide higher and more consistent pressures. Lloyd Layman and various others brought the fog nozzle into the American fire service, vendors started to develop automatic nozzles, and before we knew it there was a shift from a 50-psi fire service to 100 psi.

Over the past 15 to 20 years, an increasing number of firefighters and departments are beginning to question what has been gained by doubling our nozzle operating pressures. In many cases, it is being discovered that, for the most part, the only true gain has been nozzle reaction, which simply equates to more work on the nozzle firefighter.

There have been several studies done over the past 20 years into nozzle reaction and how it affects hoseline operations. The goal of these studies has been to identify how much nozzle reaction firefighters can comfortably handle while still being able to effectively advance and manage a hoseline. A study by Paul Grimwood outlined three working limits: one firefighter [60 pound-force (lbf)], two firefighters (75 lbf), and three firefighters (95 lbf). I have been fortunate enough to work with firefighters across the country on hoseline operations, and I can tell you that with good technique, practice, improved fitness, and continued work, firefighters can easily operate lines with nozzle reaction forces beyond the above working limits. However, these working limits are very accurate for the majority of firefighters and the median level of training.

Nozzle reaction is the resultant lbf of pushback from the combined volume and pressure leaving the nozzle. The only way to alter nozzle reaction is to alter the volume [gallons per minute (gpm)] or the pressure (psi). Many people have used a variety of methods to demonstrate nozzle reaction like fish scales and rope, but the actual force is calculated using the nozzle reaction charts. As a rough rule of thumb, the lbf of nozzle reaction for a 100-psi nozzle is half of the gpm.

On the nozzle reaction charts, you can see the amount of nozzle reaction associated with four very common 1¾-inch nozzles. You can also see the side-by-side comparison of a 150-gpm-at-50-psi fog nozzle with a 100-psi automatic fog nozzle. Flowing the same gpm, there is a nozzle reaction difference of 21 pounds at 100 psi; at 150 gpm, the nozzle reaction of 76 pounds is at the working limit of two firefighters. Here is where you need to question if your department sees this as necessary or unnecessary pressure.

With good practices and techniques, firefighters can work beyond the outlined nozzle rea

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Posted: Aug 1, 2018

Sutphen Pumper Delivered to Ridgeway Fire Company

The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, located in Manchester Township, New Jersey, is just like about any other volunteer fire department in the state.

It was in the market for a new pumper and started planning for the purchase approximately five years ago, according to Chief Mike Trimachi. “We had a 1989 Sutphen that we wanted to replace,” Trimachi says. “Our department tries to base our apparatus replacement needs on a 20- to 25-year replacement program. Sometimes it’s not easy based on funding.”

This time around, the department applied for and was awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant. This grant essentially paid for the entire vehicle. Because of this, the department could pick whatever manufacturer it wanted.

Department Responsibilities

The response area has three independent fire companies and two EMS stations in the 90-square-mile district. The population is around 47,000, and there are approximately 40 members in the fire company. The department operates with a tanker, a brush truck, a heavy rescue, and a 77-foot quint. It handles around 475 alarms per year and, just like most communities, the response area includes senior apartments, condos, six schools, and strip shopping centers.

“We needed to upgrade to an engine with more compartment space, a larger pump and tank, as well as a generator so we could handle just about anything in our response area,” Trimachi says. “I took it on myself to work on the specs for the new pumper. We basically looked at deliveries in our area and gained some insight into what was out there as far as pumper design was concerned. A member of one of our neighboring fire companies sold Sutphen. One night, he came over with a demo and we were sold.”

The department was able to incorporate some of the ideas personnel had looking at different manufacturers. Sutphen was receptive to all the ideas and worked along with the local dealer, Blaze Emergency Equipment, to accomplish the department’s mission in designing a functional piece of fire apparatus for our district.

Vehicle Specs

“We wanted a 2,000-gpm pump, a 1,000-gallon tank, a low hosebed, and larger compartments to hold all of our equipment,” Trimachi says. “Also on our minds was the ability to have seven attack lines operated off the pumper and a stainless-steel body and cab. All these wishes were accomplished thanks to Sutphen’s engineering department and the dealer.”

The Ridgeway Fire Department’s heavy-duty Sutphen pumper with a side-mount/top-mount pump panel.
The officer’s side showing LDH intake and discharges as well as large compartments.

1 The Ridgeway Fire Department’s heavy-duty Sutphen pumper with a side-mount/top-mount pump panel. (Photos by the Ridgeway Fire Department.) 2 Read more

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Posted: Aug 1, 2018

Hydrant Valves and Dump Valves

BY ALAN M. PETRILLO

Hydrant valves and tanker (tender) dump valves have been around for a long time, but manufacturers continue to refine and redesign the equipment and fine tune it for ease of use, delivery of the maximum amount of water, and safety for the users.

HYDRANT AND HYDRANT ASSIST VALVES

Philip Gerace, vice president of marketing for Task Force Tips (TFT), points out that TFT makes a range of hydrant assistant and shutoff valves, including the Hydrant Master in a four-inch Storz by four-inch Storz configuration, a lightweight, low-friction-loss hydrant valve that can be used in many water supply operations. Water pressure from opening the hydrant automatically turns on the valve’s electronics, which allow the valve to be opened and closed under radio control. Gerace says the valve weighs 31 pounds and consumes extremely low power. The Hydrant Master uses a handheld controller with pressure display and positive feedback of valve position at a range in excess of 1,200 feet. “The Hydrant Master maximizes crew efficiency by allowing the hydrant firefighter to move to the scene after preparing the hydrant and gives the apparatus operator the ability to open and close the hydrant supply remotely,” Gerace says.

The Oasis Hydrant Assist Valve made by TFT is designed to improve flow delivery from poorly performing hydrants or long supply hose operations by boosting pressure and increasing flow, Gerace notes. He says it can be used as a hydrant booster, a gated wye, and an inline pump in long relay operations. He adds that TFT’s stainless steel half-ball design not only allows for an open waterway but also helps cut the friction loss to 15 pounds per square inch (psi) at 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm).

Task Force Tips also makes the LDH Water Thief for large-diameter hose (LDH), a rugged unit with two valved discharge ports, each with a 2½-inch waterway and folding quarter-turn valve handles. Gerace notes that the LDH Water Thief, when connected to a charged hoseline, allows a firefighter to tap into the line without shutting down the water flow, especially useful in wildland fire situations. TFT’s Hydrant Under Monitor (HUM) is a low-friction-loss valve designed to supply a monitor and is configurable with either two LDH ports or one LDH port and one 2½-inch gated wye outlet. The HUM often is installed in industrial facilities for firefighting efforts.

Lou Thomas, product specialist for Kochek Company, says Kochek makes the Hydrassist Valve that can be used when hitting a hydrant and also inline on a long hoselay where a pumper can come in and hook to the valve to boost pressure in the line without shutting down the water flow. “A lot of fire departments like it, especially in areas where there is low hydrant pressure,” Thomas points out. “It allows the department to hook an engine into the valve to boost pressure without interrupting water flow operations.”

1 This Task Force Tips Hydrant Assist Valve is designed to improve flow from a hydrant or to boost pressure and increase flow on long supply hose operations. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Task Force Tips.)
2 The Hydrant Master made by Task Force Tips is a low-friction-loss hydrant valve that can be opened and closed using radio control </div> <a class=Read more
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Posted: Aug 1, 2018

Fighting Fires in Present Day Vehicles

Carl j. Haddon

Over the years, we’ve learned, or certainly should have learned, how new vehicle construction has changed and how many of our tried and true old-school methods, tactics, and tools for vehicle extrication are now considered antiquated and downright dangerous for patients and rescuers alike.

Carl j. Haddon

Likewise, we’ve learned how residential building construction has changed (as well as how furniture construction and room content materials have changed) and, as a result, we have had to severely alter how we think about some of the decisions we make concerning fire attack. This has also affected some of the firefighting equipment, personal protective gear, and apparatus that we use as well as our game plan.

What about new vehicle fires? We understand that new vehicles are made differently, and they are made with lots of high-strength steel that makes extrication more of a challenge. Are you aware of and educated about what the combustibles found in new vehicles consist of? Do you know if today’s new vehicle fires are Class A, B, C, or D? And, most importantly, do you know what tools, equipment, personal protective equipment, apparatus, and firefighting agents you should use (and those you should not use) to fight these fires?

I recently asked a “salty” colleague of mine, who readily proclaimed to me that “all vehicle fires are Class A fires.” Are they really Class A? If so, conventional wisdom tells us that the use of water, dry chemical powders, and firefighting foam should extinguish them, right? But, today’s new vehicles are filled with magnesium, titanium, aluminum, and lithium ion batteries that are highly combustible. Do you still want to throw water at them with these Class D components?

1 The result of a fire involving a new high-strength aluminum body truck. (Photos by author.)
2 Thermal runaway causes a lithium ion car battery to erupt, resembling a cross between a jet engine and a volcano.
3 Electric and hybrid car fires pose many new hazards to firefighters.

1 The result of a fire involving a new high-strength aluminum body truck. (Photos by author.) 2 Thermal runaway causes a lithium ion car battery to erupt, resembling a cross between a jet engine and a volcano. 3 Electric and hybrid car fires pose many new hazards to firefighters.

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