By Alan M. Petrillo
Fire departments around the country are engaging architects to build new stations or refurbish older structures to 21st-century standards.
While many new contemporary style stations are being built, often a department chooses a traditional design over a contemporary one to reflect an area’s heritage or the department’s tradition. Other reasons behind the style of station design include blending the structure into the character of a neighborhood and, at times, fitting the station onto a small-sized or irregularly shaped piece of property.
1 Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects was the design consultant for this station built for the Bruton (VA) Volunteer Fire Department. (Photos 1 and 2 courtesy of Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects.)
Traditional Designs
Ken Newell, principal at Stewart-Cooper-Newell Architects (SCN), says that in the 400 fire stations SCN has designed and built, the firm has done a wide variety of every type of design style. “The majority of our clients want a more traditional style of architecture for their fire stations,” Newell says. “For example, we designed a new modern fire station for the Pleasant Valley (SC) Fire Department with a very traditional look. The station uses cultured stone, masonry, cast concrete, red overhead doors, and a hipped roof. There’s something about that look that draws clients to it.”
In Lincolnton, North Carolina, the city hall and fire station were designed and built in the 1970s and were separated by about 100 feet, Newell says. “They needed more space in both buildings, so we designed and built additions to each structure, connected them, and then put a more traditional looking skin around the whole thing,” he notes. “The initial architecture was old tan brick facing with long vertical slot windows and a flat roof. We put on more traditional red brick and stucco, with concrete entryways and accent pieces.”
For the Bruton (VA) Volunteer Fire Department, Newell says SCN was the design consultant architect “to replace a very old station on the same site. They wanted the aesthetic of a historic old school in their community, so we built a five-bay station of masonry and precast concrete, arched openings, and circle head windows built to look traditional but very modern inside. We built it 20 feet behind the old station, and when it was completed, tore down the old station and turned the area into the front drive apron.”
Posted: Apr 3, 2018
chief concerns richard marinucci
Always attack a fire from the unburned side. How many firefighters learned this over the years?
But, research indicates that putting water on the fire, regardless of what direction, will make the situation better. Now there may be some perils from arbitrary application of water, but the fact remains that the best way to gain control is to get water to the fire as quickly as possible. Besides fire control, rescue profiles are enhanced for those sheltering in place. This is a shift in traditional thinking and, like anything else, one size does not fit all. There are various considerations when selecting the appropriate tactic including staffing levels, fire location and size, wind speed and direction, and available water supply. We can also include competence on that list.
Engine Company Tasks
Engine companies are usually the group assigned the task of water delivery. The simplest explanation of this responsibility is to get the water from the source to the fire. The source can be tank water on the engine, water from a tanker truck, a hydrant system, or water from a fixed source such as a pond. The source is important in the decision-making process as staffing and training come into play. Organizations with limited staffing are challenged to make hydrant lays and hookups while still trying to lay lines to the fire. Departments with minimal experience in tanker shuttle operations or drafting from a fixed source will not be able to quickly establish a continuous water source. Even areas with good mutual aid and a planned shuttle operation have to consider response times that can delay establishing a water supply early. All of this needs to be considered—and considered quickly—when selecting the appropriate tactic for water application.
Staffing
Staffing levels and the ability to assemble the right number of people within certain time frames affect tactical decisions. Some organizations may have one or two people initially on an engine. Even with three, there are limitations. While ultimate staffing on the fireground may appear to be adequate or even in line with National Fire Protection Association standards, understaffed first-arriving vehicles will have limits to their tactical options. This also means that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation of two in/two out cannot be met until additional resources arrive. Where do the priorities lie—attack line or water source? This will depend on the experience level of the arriving units and their ability to make a fast assessment of the conditions. The size and location of the fire are the main factors. Engine companies can carry varying amounts of tank water. Is there enough to get a quick knockdown? If so, what is the best way to accomplish this?
Equipment
Departments establish their best means of rapid deployment based on not only staffing but the equipment carried. Preconnected lines that are manageable by the staffing levels are intended for specific fires in structures—usually for an interior attack. The size of the lines used must be maneuverable by the personnel on hand. For example, charged 2½-inch lines are extremely heavy and are not easily relocated or advanced by most firefighters. Without adequate staffing to move the lines, they will end up in a fixed location. This may be okay if it fits the overall strategy. The decision
Read more
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Posted: Apr 3, 2018
chief concerns richard marinucci
Always attack a fire from the unburned side. How many firefighters learned this over the years?
But, research indicates that putting water on the fire, regardless of what direction, will make the situation better. Now there may be some perils from arbitrary application of water, but the fact remains that the best way to gain control is to get water to the fire as quickly as possible. Besides fire control, rescue profiles are enhanced for those sheltering in place. This is a shift in traditional thinking and, like anything else, one size does not fit all. There are various considerations when selecting the appropriate tactic including staffing levels, fire location and size, wind speed and direction, and available water supply. We can also include competence on that list.
Engine Company Tasks
Engine companies are usually the group assigned the task of water delivery. The simplest explanation of this responsibility is to get the water from the source to the fire. The source can be tank water on the engine, water from a tanker truck, a hydrant system, or water from a fixed source such as a pond. The source is important in the decision-making process as staffing and training come into play. Organizations with limited staffing are challenged to make hydrant lays and hookups while still trying to lay lines to the fire. Departments with minimal experience in tanker shuttle operations or drafting from a fixed source will not be able to quickly establish a continuous water source. Even areas with good mutual aid and a planned shuttle operation have to consider response times that can delay establishing a water supply early. All of this needs to be considered—and considered quickly—when selecting the appropriate tactic for water application.
Staffing
Staffing levels and the ability to assemble the right number of people within certain time frames affect tactical decisions. Some organizations may have one or two people initially on an engine. Even with three, there are limitations. While ultimate staffing on the fireground may appear to be adequate or even in line with National Fire Protection Association standards, understaffed first-arriving vehicles will have limits to their tactical options. This also means that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation of two in/two out cannot be met until additional resources arrive. Where do the priorities lie—attack line or water source? This will depend on the experience level of the arriving units and their ability to make a fast assessment of the conditions. The size and location of the fire are the main factors. Engine companies can carry varying amounts of tank water. Is there enough to get a quick knockdown? If so, what is the best way to accomplish this?
Equipment
Departments establish their best means of rapid deployment based on not only staffing but the equipment carried. Preconnected lines that are manageable by the staffing levels are intended for specific fires in structures—usually for an interior attack. The size of the lines used must be maneuverable by the personnel on hand. For example, charged 2½-inch lines are extremely heavy and are not easily relocated or advanced by most firefighters. Without adequate staffing to move the lines, they will end up in a fixed location. This may be okay if it fits the overall strategy. The decision
Read more
- 306
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Apr 3, 2018
chief concerns richard marinucci
Always attack a fire from the unburned side. How many firefighters learned this over the years?
But, research indicates that putting water on the fire, regardless of what direction, will make the situation better. Now there may be some perils from arbitrary application of water, but the fact remains that the best way to gain control is to get water to the fire as quickly as possible. Besides fire control, rescue profiles are enhanced for those sheltering in place. This is a shift in traditional thinking and, like anything else, one size does not fit all. There are various considerations when selecting the appropriate tactic including staffing levels, fire location and size, wind speed and direction, and available water supply. We can also include competence on that list.
Engine Company Tasks
Engine companies are usually the group assigned the task of water delivery. The simplest explanation of this responsibility is to get the water from the source to the fire. The source can be tank water on the engine, water from a tanker truck, a hydrant system, or water from a fixed source such as a pond. The source is important in the decision-making process as staffing and training come into play. Organizations with limited staffing are challenged to make hydrant lays and hookups while still trying to lay lines to the fire. Departments with minimal experience in tanker shuttle operations or drafting from a fixed source will not be able to quickly establish a continuous water source. Even areas with good mutual aid and a planned shuttle operation have to consider response times that can delay establishing a water supply early. All of this needs to be considered—and considered quickly—when selecting the appropriate tactic for water application.
Staffing
Staffing levels and the ability to assemble the right number of people within certain time frames affect tactical decisions. Some organizations may have one or two people initially on an engine. Even with three, there are limitations. While ultimate staffing on the fireground may appear to be adequate or even in line with National Fire Protection Association standards, understaffed first-arriving vehicles will have limits to their tactical options. This also means that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation of two in/two out cannot be met until additional resources arrive. Where do the priorities lie—attack line or water source? This will depend on the experience level of the arriving units and their ability to make a fast assessment of the conditions. The size and location of the fire are the main factors. Engine companies can carry varying amounts of tank water. Is there enough to get a quick knockdown? If so, what is the best way to accomplish this?
Equipment
Departments establish their best means of rapid deployment based on not only staffing but the equipment carried. Preconnected lines that are manageable by the staffing levels are intended for specific fires in structures—usually for an interior attack. The size of the lines used must be maneuverable by the personnel on hand. For example, charged 2½-inch lines are extremely heavy and are not easily relocated or advanced by most firefighters. Without adequate staffing to move the lines, they will end up in a fixed location. This may be okay if it fits the overall strategy. The decision
Read more
- 213
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Apr 3, 2018
By Noah Levens
When the call for emergency responders arrives, the men and women who jump into action know there may be danger at the site of the emergency.
But, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the highest potential for danger actually occurs on the way to the call through collisions with motorists on the roadways.
It’s a common scenario: A fire crew is dispatched to an incident, so they hurry into their apparatus, prepare their equipment, and speedily head to the scene. With sirens engaged and lights flashing, they’re counting on motorists to see them, hear them, and pull over so they can make it to the scene and do their jobs as safely and as fast as possible. But, there are impediments: The driver checking his phone is distracted, doesn’t notice the siren, and clogs the lane; another motorist with soundproofing in her vehicle can’t tell where the truck is coming from and doesn’t react until it’s too late; or, worse, a vehicle enters an intersection with the fire truck fast approaching and a collision occurs.
A Solution
A new public safety tech company is working to help first responders avoid such collisions through direct communication between responders and the vehicles with which they share the road. This year, HAAS Alert has introduced Responder-to-Vehicle (R2V™) and Responder-to-Responder (R2R™) technology for firefighters and other emergency personnel that delivers real-time alerts to motorists in the vicinity of approaching emergency crews so that drivers can pull over safely in plenty of time to let the emergency trucks pass. Firefighters and fire chiefs will have a chance to get a closer look and learn more about R2V at FDIC International 2018 where HAAS Alert will hold a workshop on R2V Technology and how it’s keeping first responders and the public safer on the roads.
Attendees will see firsthand how easily HAAS Alert equips emergency vehicles to send real-time alerts via a Smart City Internet of Things (IoT) device installed onto emergency vehicles and connected to any aftermarket light bar and/or siren on any first responder vehicle. It’s a small transponder that installs in as little a five minutes, requiring no downtime for the fleet. Additionally, the company offers a direct data API solution, so departments can use HAAS Alert without any device on the vehicle. And, since the cost is minimal for all solutions (less than the cost of a pair of some firefighter gloves), most cities and responder crews are finding it simple to join the program. So, more and more fleets are getting access to R2V technology and benefiting from the alerts and the data they continuously generate.
1 Once an alert is received in a civilian vehicle, it shows up as a brief visual and audible warning right inside the vehicle. (Photo courtesy of HAAS Alert.)
Using the System
R2V Alerts are new for drivers and for first responders. For the first time, emergency crews have the ability to broadcast their location in real time whenever
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