Search
Menu
News

WFC News

Posted: Jul 1, 2018

Engine Preplanning: The Key to Operators’ Success

By ED COLLET


Whether the person who drives the engine and operates the pump is called an engineer, operator, or chauffer, he has one of the most important jobs on the fireground.

He must get to the scene while keeping the crew and public safe. At the scene, water must quickly be delivered from the tank to the hoselines prior to a water supply being secured. Various hoselines on the engine will provide options for the water flow to match the size of the fire. The operator will be able to get the correct flow to each line by using the labels and charts with operating pressures determined after testing. All this is done while keeping an eye on the scene, watching gauges, and listening to the engine to help ensure scene safety. That is a lot to do—especially in the early morning hours after being awakened from a sound sleep. Preplanning the engine is a key element in the operator successfully completing all the required tasks on the fireground.

1 A pump rating plaque. (Photos by author.)

1 A pump rating plaque. (Photos by author.)

Getting There

Getting to the fire safely is one of the most important duties of an operator. Doing this effectively involves knowing the physical aspects of the engine (pumper). The engine must be taken to a scale and weighed with a full tank of water, all its equipment, and a full crew complement. This provides the true weight of the vehicle, not just the design estimations of the gross vehicle weight. There are many things knowing the weight does for the operator. Routes may change based on bridge weight restrictions in the response area. Height is another limiting factor in planning response routes. Low underpasses in the response district will require alternate routes. Clearance from overhead wires is a consideration when ladders and towers are positioned but needs to be considered by engine operators as well. Some streets may not be wide enough for some engines during certain times of the week. How will the width of the engine impact response and access to the scenes during these conditions? With ladders being stored in racks over the hosebed, it is critical for the operator to know how much room is needed to drop the ladder rack. The ladders will not be useful if there is a car in the way of the ladder rack or it deploys over a deep ditch. The physical characteristics of the engine impact how the operator approaches driving the vehicle and how it is positioned at the emergency scene. This is the reason knowing the physical characteristics is an important part of the engine preplan.

2 An example of a mechanical throttle.

2 An example of a mechanical throttle.

Pump Capacity

The operator must know the capacity of the engine’s pump. A plaque is located on the pump panel indicating the results of the pump performance test when the engine was originally certified by the

Read more
  • 610
  • 0
  • Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 1, 2018

Using the Camera to Avoid Rekindles

CARL NIX
Carl Nix

News stories about structural fires make great TV coverage for the media. I’m sure you can quickly think of a recent news story that involved a fire of some type. Maybe it was a structural fire, car fire, or chemical fire.

Fires are newsworthy, and we in the fire service know that at any time we might be standing in front of a reporter answering questions about a fire we are battling. Recently, I saw a news story involving a structure fire at a local restaurant. The firefighting crew had left the scene thinking the fire was out, only to be called back when the fire reignited.

I’m sure we can all relate to this scenario, and it serves as a great opportunity to discuss the unseen dangers that hide within structures when the fire appears to be out. Keep in mind that fire is deceptive, which is why it’s so difficult to fight. A smoldering fire doesn’t always give firefighters clues to where the fire is hiding within the structure. The obvious visible signs that many firefighters look for when evaluating concealed fires include blistering paint and smoke emitting from a wall. Crackling sounds from combustion coming from the structure are another clue that a fire is hiding somewhere.

One of the most challenging fire conditions to control is the one we don’t see. The most critical tool in your arsenal during situations like this is your thermal imaging camera (TIC). A TIC helps you locate hidden fires. Firefighters need to be using this tool in every situation where hidden fires may exist. I recommend using your TIC to scan from a distance of at least 10 to 15 feet away, so you have a broad perspective of any hidden heat conditions that may cause a fire to reignite. Begin by using your TIC to scan the structure’s interior wall and ceiling surfaces for signs of abnormal heat. What do I mean by abnormal? To distinguish abnormal from normal, firefighters need to consider what an ordinary heat source could be and how it may be impacting thermal signatures. For instance, a fuse box or appliance on the other side of a wall, active heat ducts inside the wall, or outside sunlight affecting the area and warming it can impact what the TIC image shows.

1 Firefighters need to be mindful that environmental conditions can affect their TIC readings. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)

1 Firefighters need to be mindful that environmental conditions can affect their TIC readings. (Photo courtesy of Bullard.)

Firefighters should always look for anomalies in the thermal signature of surfaces that cannot be explained by ordinary heat sources that might be creating such a thermal anomaly. Keep in mind, just because your TIC shows you a hot spot doesn’t always mean there’s a hidden fire. Opening up a wall before further investigation could result in unnecessary damage to the structure. Always investigate thoroughly and rely on your firefighters’ experience and knowledge before drawing any conclusions. Your TIC is there to help guide you and should never replace your firefigh

Read more
  • 233
  • 0
  • Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 1, 2018

Padernales Fire Department Invests in Lake Assault Boats “V” Hull Fireboat

By SCOTT ANDERSON


Lake Travis, located on the Colorado River in central Texas, is a sprawling reservoir that serves as a primary water source for the city of Austin, Texas.

The lake is well known for its wide range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, and SCUBA diving. “Because of its tremendous popularity, Lake Travis is also, unfortunately, one of the more deadly lakes in Texas,” explains Lieutenant Kyle Swarts of the Pedernales (TX) Fire Department. Portions of Lake Travis are included in the northern boundary of the department’s 55-square-mile protection area. All told, the department covers more than 200 miles of shoreline. “We were an all-volunteer department until 2003, when the first paid staff was hired,” Swarts said. Because of its proximity to Lake Travis, the department has always needed a fireboat in its apparatus fleet. “Our previous craft was left over from the volunteer department’s days, and it was retrofitted to give us a minimal level of capabilities. It finally got to the point where it couldn’t meet our requirements.”

1 The Pedernales (TX) Fire Department purchased a 28-foot fireboat featuring a modified “V” hull, a 63-inch hydraulically operated bow door, a davit crane, a fully enclosed pilothouse, and a full array of advanced electronics. [Photos courtesy of the Pedernales (TX) Fire Department.]

1 The Pedernales (TX) Fire Department purchased a 28-foot fireboat featuring a modified “V” hull, a 63-inch hydraulically operated bow door, a davit crane, a fully enclosed pilothouse, and a full array of advanced electronics. [Photos courtesy of the Pedernales (TX) Fire Department.]

The Pedernales Fire Department learned about Lake Assault Boats, a custom manufacturer located on the western edge of Lake Superior in Wisconsin. A neighboring department, Lake Travis Fire Rescue, had purchased a similar boat from the manufacturer a few years earlier. After a thorough evaluation process, Pedernales purchased a 28-foot fireboat featuring a modified “V” hull, a 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) fire pump, a 63-inch hydraulically operated bow door, a davit crane, a fully enclosed pilothouse, and a full array of advanced electronics. The craft is designed to respond to a wide range of emergencies, including structural fires, on-the-water rescues, and wildland fires.

Structural Fires: A Case Study

In January 2018, the Pedernales Fire Department was called out to a fully involved structure fire involving a two-story, 5,000-square-foot home under construction just a few weeks away from completion. “We initially had two water tenders at the scene and a third from a mutual-aid department all feeding into a quint aerial,” recalled Swarts. “Most of our district doesn’t have fire hydrants, so we’re very dependent on tenders.” Firefighters quickly realized that they would not be able to keep up with the quint’s water demands. (The turnaround time to get one of the tenders to a hydrant was about 25 minutes.)

2 The fireboat features a 1,500-gallon-per-minute fire pump.
Read more
  • 611
  • 0
  • Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 1, 2018

Black Fire Apparatus

ROBERT TUTTEROW
Robert Tutterow

It’s time for me to get something off my chest. What’s with the fascination of “blacking” our fire trucks? In recent years, I’ve seen this trend slowly emerge. I fully understand there is a fascination with all black in personal vehicles, especially pickup trucks, SUVs, and sports cars. They may look cool and “manly.” But, fire trucks?

Community Involvement

The North American love for chrome and polished aluminum diamond treadplate is one example of what has set our apparatus apart from European-style apparatus—and in a good way, as far as I’m concerned. A bright, clean, shining fire truck is an iconic symbol of community and country pride that has survived for more than a century. Yet, this new fascination with black is more puzzling because the matte black being used doesn’t even shine.

I was recently at a regional conference with an outdoor display of about a dozen fire apparatus. One of the pumpers was trimmed in matte black with no sign of chrome or anything shining. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I thought this pumper looked awful compared to those around it. I paused and thought, I’m glad I don’t live in that community. Maybe the community is onboard with this, but I doubt it had any input. There is an interesting parallel here with fire stations—i.e., the exterior of the fire station (its appearance) belongs to the community. The interior layout and appearance belong to the fire department and the firefighters. A similar argument could be made that the appearance of a fire apparatus should be something the community will embrace.

Safety

So much for the cosmetics. What about safety? Black is the least visible color, unless you live at the north or south pole. Being conspicuous as emergency responders with conspicuous apparatus is a safety issue.

Particularly disturbing about this is the black reflective striping found on apparatus. I was on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, technical committee when reflective striping became a requirement. There was a lot of discussion about the issue. Some thought it should be left up to each department. Two fundamental principles prevailed: It was determined that visibility is an issue during night, day, dawn, and dusk. Black striping is visible at night when lights are reflecting back into the driver’s eyes. However, it is not visible during the day. A compelling image that drove the revision to the 1901 standard for color was a photo of an emergency scene on a sea of concrete taken from an overhead bridge about a quarter-mile away. It was a bright sunny day, and the only conspicuous items on the highway were the yellow/red chevrons on the rear of the pumper.

Second, there a mandatory requirement for consistent signage across the country, including temporary road or lane closures. The technical committee agreed that the conspicuity of a fire apparatus should have some consistency. Think about this: How would it be if each community could decide the size, shape, and colors of a stop sign?

There is a reason for the colors of the chevrons. The lime yellow has been determined all over the world as the most conspicuous color in all lighting conditions. Your

Read more
  • 204
  • 0
  • Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 1, 2018

Fire Station Design Advice

By ALAN M. PETRILLO


Fire departments often have a number of specific requirements they want incorporated into a new fire station, depending on its location in their district, the type of neighborhood it is expected to protect, and the number of personnel and apparatus needed to staff it, among others.

Many departments are turning to architects around the country for advice on incorporating both functional and design elements into a new station.

Planning Before Meeting

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects, says fire departments should consider a number of factors before even engaging an architect to design a new station. “We recommend that departments find an architect with a lot of public safety experience,” Newell says. “They should look for a designer who specializes in fire departments because if the station isn’t done right, they will have to live with any mistakes for 50 years or more. We also recommend they check with end users who have engaged that architect for their feedback.”

1 Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects designed this station for the Pleasant Valley (SC) Fire Department. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects.)

2 The Beaufort (NC) Fire Department had Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects design its new station.

1 Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects designed this station for the Pleasant Valley (SC) Fire Department. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects.) 2 The Beaufort (NC) Fire Department had Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects design its new station.

Newell says fire departments usually have a good idea of the type of equipment they’ll have in the building, so they should collect literature on the equipment and provide it to the architect. “We also recommend to the chief to bring young end users who will occupy the building onto the planning committee,” he notes, “so they will have continuity when they have to build another station.”

Lynn Reda, principal at Hughes Group Architects, says her firm gets fire departments from a variety of perspectives. “Some say they know they need a new building but don’t know what it should look like, while other departments have ideas drawn up in some detail, perhaps using software to prepare a rudimentary site and building plan,” Reda says. “We like to encourage departments, especially larger departments with a distinct line between administrators and firefighters in the field, to be sure to solicit the opinions of the crews in the house. As designers, we want to be consistent with how things are done now for the generation that will be using the station.”

3 The Dale City (VA) Volunteer Fire Department had Hughes Group Architects design a terrace garden area int </div> <a class=Read more
  • 250
  • 0
  • Article rating: No rating
RSS
First46714672467346744676467846794680Last

Theme picker

Filter News Catagories

Search News Articles

Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2024 by Washington Fire Chiefs