Richard Marinucci

The mission of the fire service has grown significantly with the addition of more responsibilities and expectations, but the basis of delivery is to get the resources to the emergency in the moments that matter.

If you have great staffing and an inadequate response time, the outcome is usually not good. Conversely, quick response without proper personnel for the job will not result in the best solution. In many, if not most, departments, resource allocation has maxed out. By this I mean that staffing per vehicle, station locations, vehicles, and other costly items will not change for the positive very significantly. So, to improve service, organizations look to technology for advancement.

In today’s world, we have come to expect that there is a technological solution for almost everything. We may still be amazed at some of the capabilities of technology, the information we have at our fingertips, and how we can simplify some jobs. Initial releases of technology can be expensive, but as more versions are released the cost can be significantly reduced. The question often is not whether something can be done with technology but whether it will be affordable.

Many companies hold focus groups, retain subject matter experts, or simply do some research to determine the needs of a particular industry. If you have ever participated, you know that there is great potential to meet the needs of a job with technology. The question is not whether something can be developed but if there is funding to support the development. Depending on the cost, there has to be a forecast as to whether there will be a market that will translate into profits. Often, the initial production of technology can create a price point that is out of reach for many, if not most. Those old enough to remember recall days of mobile phones (probably more commonly known as car phones) that were only available to the rich. Obviously, the cost (along with mobility) came down so the masses could afford them. Cell phones are now considered essential.

Some technology is simple and affordable. In these cases, departments embrace and consider them part of the essentials of doing business. Others may not be so simple and might be relatively expensive but required as a basic of providing service or required by laws, regulations, or standards. In these cases, organizations have little choice but to use the technology. This is a good thing, as it removes budget constraints and politics as excuses for not embracing the technology. For example, departments need compliant self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with the required technology to meet the standards. Departments placing firefighters in hazard zones need SCBA to do the basics of the job. Funds must be appropriated for purchase if there is to be a fire department that will put firefighters in immediately dangerous to life or health environments.

Other technologies would greatly benefit fire protection but are not used to their potential because of political and financial reasons. These include automatic sprinkler systems, automatic fire alarms, and firefighter air replenishment systems. There are champions of sprinkler systems who have had continual battles to enact code changes that would require sprinklers in residential buildings. There is no doubt this would have a positive effect on fire loss. Yet, there are those who offer opposition and use their political connections to oppose adoption. Regarding automatic fire alarms, one could argue that sending a signal automatically without the

By Alan M. Petrillo

1 Mitchell Associates Architects designs fire stations that use 2x8-inch wood studs with spray foam insulation in between, then sheeting and concrete block facing outside to get to an R22 insulation value. (Photos 1-3 courtesy of Mitchell Associates Architects.)

Fire departments around the country are choosing to design “green” elements into their new or remodeled fire stations - from the use of sustainable materials and taking advantage of natural lighting, to energy-producing solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, energy-saving PV water heating systems, and LED lighting systems.

Energy Requirements

2 This roof array of photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity was installed on this Rensselaer (NY) Fire Department station designed by Mitchell Associates Architects.

What really matters in fire station design, says Bob Mitchell, principal in Mitchell Associates Architects, “first and foremost is energy. We can achieve very high R values (insulating values), up to R32 in many cases,” Mitchell says. “The typical wall in an office area is a steel stud with insulation on the outside, like a Dow Styrofoam screwed onto the studs, but the system’s insulating value is diminished by the steel. We use 2x8-inch wood studs with spray foam insulation in between, then sheeting outside. With concrete block facing, we can get to a R32 value.”

Mitchell points out that many municipalities building fire stations are looking to have Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. “LEED looks not only at the materials used but also at health-related matters for the individuals who will be in the building,” he says. “That means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as lots of daylight with views and vast expanses of north-facing glass, which often can conflict with energy efficiency.”

3 This modern, ultra-high-efficiency, compact boiler uses PVC as an exhaust flue, has 95 percent efficiency to drive down annual operating costs, has variable-frequency ultra-high-efficiency circulators, and produces extremely low air pollution from nitrous oxide.

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart Cooper Newell Architects, says, “What we are seeing industrywide is a little less desire to follow a prescribed program, like LEED or Green Globes, and more desire to design and incorporate sustainabl

By Alan M. Petrillo

1 Mitchell Associates Architects designs fire stations that use 2x8-inch wood studs with spray foam insulation in between, then sheeting and concrete block facing outside to get to an R22 insulation value. (Photos 1-3 courtesy of Mitchell Associates Architects.)

Fire departments around the country are choosing to design “green” elements into their new or remodeled fire stations - from the use of sustainable materials and taking advantage of natural lighting, to energy-producing solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, energy-saving PV water heating systems, and LED lighting systems.

Energy Requirements

2 This roof array of photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity was installed on this Rensselaer (NY) Fire Department station designed by Mitchell Associates Architects.

What really matters in fire station design, says Bob Mitchell, principal in Mitchell Associates Architects, “first and foremost is energy. We can achieve very high R values (insulating values), up to R32 in many cases,” Mitchell says. “The typical wall in an office area is a steel stud with insulation on the outside, like a Dow Styrofoam screwed onto the studs, but the system’s insulating value is diminished by the steel. We use 2x8-inch wood studs with spray foam insulation in between, then sheeting outside. With concrete block facing, we can get to a R32 value.”

Mitchell points out that many municipalities building fire stations are looking to have Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. “LEED looks not only at the materials used but also at health-related matters for the individuals who will be in the building,” he says. “That means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as lots of daylight with views and vast expanses of north-facing glass, which often can conflict with energy efficiency.”

3 This modern, ultra-high-efficiency, compact boiler uses PVC as an exhaust flue, has 95 percent efficiency to drive down annual operating costs, has variable-frequency ultra-high-efficiency circulators, and produces extremely low air pollution from nitrous oxide.

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart Cooper Newell Architects, says, “What we are seeing industrywide is a little less desire to follow a prescribed program, like LEED or Green Globes, and more desire to design and incorporate sustainabl

By Alan M. Petrillo

1 Mitchell Associates Architects designs fire stations that use 2x8-inch wood studs with spray foam insulation in between, then sheeting and concrete block facing outside to get to an R22 insulation value. (Photos 1-3 courtesy of Mitchell Associates Architects.)

Fire departments around the country are choosing to design “green” elements into their new or remodeled fire stations - from the use of sustainable materials and taking advantage of natural lighting, to energy-producing solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, energy-saving PV water heating systems, and LED lighting systems.

Energy Requirements

2 This roof array of photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity was installed on this Rensselaer (NY) Fire Department station designed by Mitchell Associates Architects.

What really matters in fire station design, says Bob Mitchell, principal in Mitchell Associates Architects, “first and foremost is energy. We can achieve very high R values (insulating values), up to R32 in many cases,” Mitchell says. “The typical wall in an office area is a steel stud with insulation on the outside, like a Dow Styrofoam screwed onto the studs, but the system’s insulating value is diminished by the steel. We use 2x8-inch wood studs with spray foam insulation in between, then sheeting outside. With concrete block facing, we can get to a R32 value.”

Mitchell points out that many municipalities building fire stations are looking to have Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. “LEED looks not only at the materials used but also at health-related matters for the individuals who will be in the building,” he says. “That means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as lots of daylight with views and vast expanses of north-facing glass, which often can conflict with energy efficiency.”

3 This modern, ultra-high-efficiency, compact boiler uses PVC as an exhaust flue, has 95 percent efficiency to drive down annual operating costs, has variable-frequency ultra-high-efficiency circulators, and produces extremely low air pollution from nitrous oxide.

Ken Newell, principal in Stewart Cooper Newell Architects, says, “What we are seeing industrywide is a little less desire to follow a prescribed program, like LEED or Green Globes, and more desire to design and incorporate sustainabl

More than 850 homes were targeted to receive free Home Fire Safety Visits on October 7 and October 14 as the American Red Cross, Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) and the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) partner to kick-off National Fire Prevention Week, October 7 – 14, 2017. With the resident’s permission, teams of volunteers will test existing smoke alarms and install new smoke alarms as needed to ensure working smoke alarms are in the right locations throughout each home.
- PUB DATE: 10/9/2017 12:50:38 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4