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Mission Statement

The objectives of this Division shall be to further enhance the education of all Fire Service Administrative Support by conducting workshops and seminars; to increase the proficiency of Fire Administrative Support by establishing a network sharing of information systems through various channels of communication; and to faciliate a statewide standardization wherever possible in all phases and aspects of the Fire Administrative Support field for the benefit of the Fire Service.

Recent Fire Administrative Support News

Posted: Oct 20, 2020
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Greetings all~

At the yearly business meeting of the WFAS, usually a part of the annual conference, 2020 elections were held. Two Regional Representative terms were up this year along with that of the Secretary and Chair. Cathy Blakeway, Tumwater Fire, will continue to serve as a Regional Rep and Tasiya Deering, Moses Lake Fire, was reelected to the position of Secretary. Kristen Cole chose not to run again for the Regional Rep position she has held but has opted to remain on the board as the Hospitality/Activity committee chair. Slita Bradley, Benton County Fire District 4, was chosen to fill that Regional Rep position. Caity Karapostoles, Clallam County Fire District 3, was elected to serve for the next two years as Chairman when Mykel Montgomery stepped down. Mykel will stay on the board as Past Chair, allowing her to help deliver the 2021 WFAS Conference in Chelan postponed from October 2020. A huge shout out to everyone for stepping up to run for positions on the board and to volunteer on the various committees, along with everyone who continues to serve as board/committee members. It takes all of us to create and maintain the valuable network that is the WFAS! And along those lines, the Vice Chair position is open if you or someone you know is interested, please let me know as soon as possible. In keeping with our policies and procedures, the vacancy will be filled by a majority vote of the Executive Board at our next meeting. The person chosen will serve until the next election at the 2021 WFAS Conference,

In lieu of this year’s conference and workshops, a number of webinars are being planned for our group. Check the website and the group’s Facebook page for more information as it comes available.

Please feel free to contact me or any of the other board/committee members, if there is anything we can help you with. I welcome comments, concerns and suggestions!

Take care and stay safe.

As always,

Caity K

WFAS Chair

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Posted: Apr 21, 2020
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Wednesday April 22nd

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Posted: Jun 27, 2018
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 A recording of the hour long webinar How to Apply for a Local Records Grant is now available at Washington State Archives’ website at:

 https://www.sos.wa.gov/archives/RecordsManagement/Local-Records-Grant-Program.aspx

 

The Online Grant Application form will be available on July 2, 2018.

If anyone has questions or would like assistance in planning and preparing their application, please email recordsmanagement@sos.wa.gov.

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Posted: Apr 25, 2018
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On behalf of your Washington Fire Administrative Support (WFAS) Board and Committee Members, we would like to acknowledge your hard work, dedication and commitment to the fire service and the work that you do. We all play an integral part in the departments we work for and the communities we serve, but perhaps don’t always get the acknowledgement that goes along with it. I hope everyone feels valued for their efforts and feels the support of your network of peers within the WFAS Section. Enjoy your day and I am so excited to see 96 of you in Walla Walla at our annual conference next week!

 

Ashley Becker, WFAS Section Chair

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Posted: Apr 2, 2018
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In accordance with the Washington Fire Chiefs' Bylaws, and the WFC Fire Administrative Support current Protocols, the recommended updated version of the protocols has been posted 30 days before conference

If you would like to see a version noting all of the changes, that document is shown as well. Feel free to share any concerns or comments regarding this updated document with us at: wfc@washingtonfirechiefs.org 

The updated protocols will be voted on by members at the WFAS conference in Walla Walla, Washington on Monday, May 7th.

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Posted: Feb 21, 2018
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Nominations need to be submitted to the WFC office by Friday, April 20, 2018 to kathleen@washingtonfirechiefs.org.

  • Nominee can be nominated by any WFC member, belonging to any WFC Section – please include: nominees name, position title, years of service;
  • The nominee must be a current member of the WFAS;
  • Nomination should list the nominee’s administrative accomplishments and contributions during the previous year as well as their leadership abilities, demonstration of professional performance and personal character.  A short story should be submitted to enhance the nominee’s accomplishments.
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Posted: Aug 8, 2017
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We currently have an opening on the WFAS Executive Board for an Eastern Representative, partial term, to serve through May 2018 (until the conference in which an election will take place for a two-year term).

 

Please submit a Statement of Interest to abecker@centralpiercefire.org, no later than Tuesday, August 15, for consideration at our upcoming Board Meeting in Walla Walla.

 

Feel free to reference the WFAS Board Campaign on the website for more information on Board involvement or reach out to a Board Member.

 

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Posted: Apr 26, 2017
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On behalf of the WFAS Board, we would like to thank you for your endless dedication to the fire service and your commitment to learn and grow.

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Posted: Apr 6, 2017
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In accordance with the Washington Fire Chiefs' Bylaws, and the WFC Fire Administrative Support current Protocols, the recommended updated version of the protocols has been posted 30 days before conference

If you would like to see a version noting all of the changes, please contact us. Feel free to share any concerns or comments regarding this updated document with us at: wfc@washingtonfirechiefs.org 

The updated protocols will be voted on by members at the WFAS conference in Olympia, Washington.

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Posted: Jan 31, 2017
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Nominations need to be submitted to the WFC office by Friday, April 28th of this year, 2017.

  • Nominee can be nominated by any WFC member, belonging to any WFC Section – please include: nominees name, position title, years of service;
  • The nominee must be a current member of the WFAS;
  • Nomination should list the nominee’s administrative accomplishments and contributions during the previous year as well as their leadership abilities, demonstration of professional performance and personal character.  A short story should be submitted to enhance the nominee’s accomplishments.

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FIRE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SECTION UPCOMING EVENTS

Upcoming Events

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FIRE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT BOARD & COMMITTEES

Resolving Incompatible, Damaged Fire Department Connections

Fire Industry Today

The reasons for encountering incompatible fire hose threads on structures equipped with fire sprinkler and standpipe systems are numerous. They include contractor installation error, fire inspector and building official error, firefighter failure to verify thread compatibility, and brass theft.

It is believed by some in the fire protection business that building and fire officials are not communicating as well as they should. The communication disconnect between firefighters, building officials, and fire prevention inspectors is a concern.

SUPPORT THE FIRE ATTACK, CONNECT TO THE FDC

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a working fire in a high-rise structure, water application and fire control will always be a high priority. If there’s one common denominator for success on the fireground, it’s the ability for fire crews to quickly put water on the fire. Rapid extinguishment seems to solve almost everything, regardless of the size of the structure. However, when it comes to high-rise fires, rapid water application is a much bigger challenge than at the average residential structure fire. Most sprinklered multi-story buildings have combination standpipe/sprinkler systems. Therefore, connecting and pressurizing the fire department connections (FDCs) will ensure that firefighters have sufficient water and nozzle pressure needed for a fire attack.

Regardless of the occupancy type, the fire officer’s priority is always rescue and civilian life safety. The tactical considerations for rescue and fire attack will differ significantly with the building occupancy type, the size, height, the occupancy load, and the specific fire protection features provided in the structure.

Civilian life safety is always a fire officer’s first strategic priority. This can be achieved with two tactical fire attack options/actions: 

  1. Single-family/low-rise multi-family residential housing: Vent-enter-isolate-search (VEIS); the tactics must support the fire attack and effort to remove occupants from harm.
  2. High-rise multi-family: It is practically impossible to remove occupants from harm in a timely fashion. Therefore, firefighters must remove the harm from the occupants—that is, getting water on the fire as quickly as possible.

Firefighters and command officers must consider that pumping into the FDC and supporting the standpipe and fire sprinkler system with water and pressure is not just a precaution in the event of fire pump failure. Supporting these fire systems is a necessity and the right thing to do. If a FDC hookup is ignored by the fireground commander and things do not go well, it could be very hard to explain.

It may be much wiser to explain why we pumped the FDC and supported the fire attack than why we chose to ignore advise from fire professionals as found in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13-E, Recommended Practice for Fire Department Operations in Properties Protected by Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems. Always preplan an alternative means for water supply (NFPA 13-E 4.2 #6).

 

 Brass thieves have stolen both female swivels from this FDC, making the hose incompatible. (Photos by author.)

 

 

 A standpipe FDC with two stolen brass swivels.

 

 

 This is a high-rise federal building with stolen female swivels.

 

 

 This missing swivel adapter has teeth that attach to the exposed groove when a brass female swivel has been stolen by a brass thief.

 

In most cases, the fixed fire protection features, such as fire pumps, fire sprinklers, standpipe systems, control valves, pressure reducing valves, and FDCs, will be intact and in good working order. Unfortunately, there are multiple factors, both human and mechanical, that can result in a partial or complete failure of the building’s fire protection features. Unless firefighters have conducted a preplan of the building and are confident and familiar with the existing fire protection features, they should be highly skeptical of their condition. In other words, firefighters should not fool themselves into believing that every fixed fire protection system is perfectly maintained and operational. I have witnessed too many cases to the contrary both as an engine captain and a fire suppression system inspector to believe that things are perfect 24/7.

There are authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) that do a thorough job of reviewing fire protection system plans and inspecting the installation of suppression systems before they issue a certificate of occupancy. Unfortunately, the reliability of the finest suppression systems will decrease with time if they are not tested and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Suppression Systems.

One of the highest priorities for the commanding officer at a working fire is to provide water supply to the fixed fire protection system. The FDC provides the best means to supplement water supply, increase nozzle pressures, and support standpipe operations at high-rise fires. In most situations, the fireground commander will ensure that one of the first-arriving engine companies locates and connects to the FDC. When brass thieves remove the 2½-inch female (swivels) connections from the FDC, it becomes impossible for firefighters to connect hoselines. The theft of FDCs is so disturbing to fire officials that NFPA 13-E is now recommending that fire departments preplan an alternate means of water supply for standpipes and sprinkler systems with damaged or missing FDCs.

 

 

 At this high-rise fire in Phoenix, having all the brass swivels missing from the standpipe FDC was a bit unexpected.

 

Metal values have reached levels where thieves have expanded scrap metal recycling into a criminal activity. The brass FDCs on the exterior of buildings have become an easy target for scrap metal thieves. The theft of FDC brass swivels has become so common that fire departments such as Chicago, Denver, and Phoenix have equipped their engine companies with a missing swivel adapter. The device has teeth that will engage with the exposed groove when the swivel is missing or stolen. A Speed Swivel will provide the “alternate means” for water supply as suggested in NFPA 13-E (4.2 #6).

SOLUTIONS FOR INCOMPATIBLE FDCs

  1. Shoulder load and stretch 5-inch supply hose into a stairwell and provide firefighters with a temporary water supply.
  2. Extend an aerial ladder pipe to a floor below the fire and use it as an exterior standpipe and water supply for an interior fire attack.
  3. A Speed Swivel FDC adapter will provide an alternate means for water supply when you encounter a stolen brass swivel.
  4. Hoist hose with a rope or lower hose down the side of a building to improvise a standpipe. Secure the suspended hose before charging.
  5. It is possible, with certain (pressure reducing valve) limitations, to overcome a damaged FDC on a standpipe system by stretching a supply line into a building stairwell and, with the use of a double female hose adapter, connect to and back-feed the standpipe outlet. Charge the supply line before opening the outlet.
  6. The yard lay, the apartment stretch, and the horizontal stretch are similar hose evolutions. They are used for quick attack or as a solution for a damaged or a missing FDC.

When the FDCs are not functional and the first-floor standpipe outlets are of the pressure-reducing type, systems can be pressurized by pumping into the building’s fire pump test header connection with the use of double female adapters. It is critical to enter the pump room and open the valve to the test header.


MIKE CORNELIUS is a retired 31-year firefighter with 23 years in the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, serving in the fire operations division as a firefighter, an engineer, a paramedic, a captain, and a battalion chief. He has an additional eight years serving as an ICC Fire Inspector II and a new suppression systems plans examiner II. He is currently the owner and sales manager of Cornelius Enterprises and chief inventor/product developer of StandpipeOperations.com.

 

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Posted: Mar 31, 2023,
Categories: Fire Mechanics,
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