BY STEVE GREEN

On December 12, 2014, the Southlake (TX) Fire Department, in cooperation with the Johnson County (TX) ESD1 Training Center, conducted a series of live fire experiments.

The following is a synopsis of what transpired during those live burns. This article is not meant to be a position paper on the use of compressed air foam systems (CAFS), nor does it prescribe one method of extinguishment over another. As always, follow your departmental guidelines regarding suppression techniques.

The What

CAFS is not a new piece of technology that just appeared on the fireground. In our area, we have had some departments actively deploying CAFS on the fireground for more than nine years. What is very much "up in the air" is its effective usage in urban environments here in the Metroplex area. The area known as the Metroplex encompasses Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Many departments have purchased these rigs and deployed them throughout their fleets. The manufacturers have been very good with initial training on operating the actual systems. There are also plenty of "experts" in the field of CAFS who are willing to come train your department. What is not standard nationwide is the acceptance of CAFS as an initial attack method. It is misunderstood and often not set up correctly-many apparatus operators are not familiar with the maintenance and upkeep of their systems. This altogether represents the higher costs often associated with the actual system. I have heard too many individuals comment that these systems are "a waste of money," that they are "glad it's out of service today," or comment that "we just need to stick with water." As with many "new" pieces of technology, training and experimentation are ways to overcome many of these misconceptions.

We could not acquire enough structures representative of construction found in the Metroplex. To be as realistic as possible, we acquired contemporary furnishings common to all jurisdictions. Mattresses, chairs, couches, and wood-component nightstands and dressers are very common products found in all bedrooms throughout the country. (Photos by author.)

The Idea

After the Southlake Fire Department acquired its newest engine, some members and I were flowing this apparatus in a parking lot during the spring of 2014. Not having used CAFS that much before, we found the results rather interesting. We had also borrowed a nozzle from another department to do some minimal testing. Afterward, we actually had more questions than answers. Basic operation of the system is easy, but the application results were different than when we used water. As a member of the Fire Instructors Association of North Texas (FIANT), I started contacting some of my other instructors about information, tactics, and so on as they related to CAFS. Now fast forward about three months to the summer of 2014. I put a study group together to evaluate the differences between CAFS and water. After about five to six months of planning, scheduling, and rescheduling, we managed, as a group, to get this done.

What We Were Burning

To be as realistic as possible, we could not acquire that many structures representative of

Legislative Session Update

The Third Special Session of the 2015 Legislature began Sunday, June 28 after a tentative deal on the Operating Budget was reached early morning Saturday, June 27.  Both the House and Senate passed the Operating Budget on Monday, June 29, and the Governor signed it into law shortly thereafter, thus avoiding a partial government shutdown.  But while the Operating Budget has been passed, as well as the Capital Budget and new gas tax increase for the Transportation Revenue Package, there is still work to be done, as disagreements linger regarding the potential suspension of I-1351 regarding reductions in class sizes for grades 4-12, as well as on the bonding components of the Capital and Transportation budgets.  It is expected that legislators will return to Olympia sometime after the Fourth of July holiday in hopes of completing their work sooner than later.

Compiled by Ron Heal

Arkansas

E-ONE-Benton Fire Department, pumper. Typhoon X cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 780-gallon tank. Sold by Chip Crooms, Sunbelt Fire, Fairhope, AL. Delivery in November.

Florida

E-ONE-Hialeah Fire Rescue, 78-foot rear-mount aerial quint. Typhoon cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; 500-gallon polypropylene tank; 30-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 single-agent foam system. Sold by Ron Wilson, Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, Ocala, FL. Delivery in November.

Georgia

VT Hackney-hazmat unit. International 4400 cab and chassis; MaxxForce 9 330-hp engine; 24-foot walk-around, 11-compartment rescue body; ZICO swing out/down roof access ladder; upper body storage compartments. Sold by Royce Holton, Tactical Fire Vehicles, Winder, GA. Delivery in November.

Illinois

Pierce-Cicero Fire Department, 100-foot aerial quint. Dash CF cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 500-hp engine; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm pump. Sold by John Kenna, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL. Delivery in January, 2016.

Alexis-Marshall Fire Protection District, top-control pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CXS 1,500-gpm pump; Pro Poly 1,000-gallon tank. Sold by Stan Froelich, Alexis Fire Equipment, Alexis, IL. Delivery in February, 2016.

Pierce-Monticello Fire & Rescue, pumper. Dash CF PUC cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Pierce 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; Will-Burt Night Scan light tower; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by Larry Graves, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL. Delivery in January, 2016.

Pierce-Peoria Heights Fire Department, pumper. Saber FR cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; Harrison 6-kW generator. Sold by Jamie Bennett, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL. Delivery in January, 2016.

Ferrara-West Chicago Fire Protection District, top-mount pumper. Igniter cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell. Sold by Bill Neuner, A.E.C. Fire & Safety, Springfield, IL. Delivery in March, 2016.

Indiana

Pierce-Seymour Fire Department, rescue-pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank. Sold by Rob McAtee, Global Emergency Products, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in January, 2016.

Iowa

Alexis-Blue Grass Fire Department, pumper-tanker. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 350-hp engine; Waterous CX 1,250-gpm pump; APR polypropylene 2,000-gallon tank. Sold by Greg Landon, Alexis Fire Equipment, Alexis, IL. Delivery in February, 2016.

Alexis-LeClaire Fire Department, top-control pumper. HME 1871-W LFD cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CXS 1,500-gpm pump; Pro Poly 900-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Waterous Aquis 2.5 single-agent foam system; Command Light Knight 2 KL 450 light tower; Smart Power 10-kW generator; 5-kW XRT rescue tool pump. Sold by K. Jeffrey Morris, Alexis Fire Equipment, Alexis, IL. Delivery in February, 2016.

Danko-Orient Rural Fire District, quick-response attack unit. Ford F-550 cab and chassis; 6.8-liter three-valve SOHC EFI NA V10 engine; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; 12-gallon foam cell; Waterous 2515 LE pump; FoamPro 1601 Class A foam system TFT Tornado remote control monitor. Sold by Bruce Blum, Danko Emergency Equipment, Snyder, NE. Delivery in October

HANSEN INTERNATIONAL, INC. has announced the recent promotions of Lisa Hansen Beebe to vice president and Michael Coggins to chief operations officer. Coggins will be responsible for manufacturing, warehousing, accounting, purchasing, engineering, and IT. Beebe, with the company for 21 years, has held a variety of leadership positions prior to this promotion, including director of human resources and most recently director of administration. Sales, Quality Control, and Human Resources will report to Beebe in her new position. Coggins, a 24-year veteran employee, was most recently director of operations.

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HME has delivered a Rapid Attack Truck (RAT) to the Notre Dame Fire Department at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. This pumper is built on an 1871-SFO custom chassis with a 12-inch raised roof, has a cab to fit a crew of six , is powered by a Cummins ISL9-330 330-hp diesel engine, and is equipped with a Hale Q-Flo Plus 1,250-gpm midship pump.

Notre Dame's RAT utilizes HME Hydra Technology™, a 96-inch-wide cab with a 45-degree cramp angle for a tight turning chassis in urban environments, and stainless steel body for minimal corrosion. Other features include a 500-gallon polypropylene water tank; a four-wheel Meritor/Wabco stability enhancement system; an Allison 3000EVS automatic transmission with a pushbutton selector; a David Clark 3800 Intercom system with a remote headset station; a seven-inch waterproof LCD backup camera; a three-dimensional stainless front grille; cab tilt road interlock; a Gen II full-height interior EMS cabinet with a satin anodized roll-up door; deep adjustable shelving and hosebed dividers; a center hosewell; a brushed stainless steel pump panel; three crosslay beds; a Task Force Tips model XG18VL-XX 18-inch Extend-A-Gun; an Elkhart #8297-98 Stinger direct-mount, lift-off style deck gun; 140 cubic feet of compartment storage; 50 feet of hosebed storage; backboard storage; through-the-tank storage; and FoxTrax toolboards.

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SUTPHEN CORPORATION recently announced that Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc. will be its new dealer in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based out of Osceola, Wisconsin, Custom Fire Apparatus is also a family-owned apparatus company. Custom Fire Apparatus designs and manufactures structural fire equipment and rescue squads. It also provides full service repairs, repainting, and electrical work for its customers. Additionally, it runs a mobile service truck to meet the needs of customers in remote areas of the state. Custom Fire also serves as an authorized warranty center for Hale and Waterous pumps. "We appreciate the long history of Sutphen, which has been in business since 1890," says Jim Kirvida, president and founder, Custom Fire Apparatus. "We share a commitment to building quality equipment and serving our customers with the highest possible respect and dedication. We are eager to arrange face-to-face meetings with potential customers interested in learning more about our companies and our product offerings."

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Pierce Delivers Arrow XT Tiller to the Minneapolis (MN) Fire Department

APPLETON, WI-Pierce Manufacturing Inc. has delivered a Pierce® Arrow XT™ 100-foot aerial tiller apparatus to the Minneapolis (MN) Fire Department. The apparatus was purchased through an HGAC procurement services contract.

"We are thrilled to be chosen by the Minneapolis Fire Department to engineer and manufacture this aerial tiller apparatus," says Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. "Pierce takes great p

A garage and shed were destroyed this morning in a fire that injured a Yakima firefighter. The firefighter suffered first-degree burns to his neck and was being treated on the scene. The fire broke out in a standalone garage at an unoccupied and boarded up home at 309 Cherry Avenue shortly before 10 a.
- PUB DATE: 7/9/2015 11:23:30 AM - SOURCE: Yakima Herald-Republic