Above inset left: Cell on wheels in Utah. Photos via Verizon.

Even as wildfires continue to persist in Western areas of the United States, Verizon has been responding with critical communications to support thousands of firefighters and first responders on the ground. During an emergency, first responders rely on wireless service more than ever to coordinate efforts, and Verizon is there to support those first responders and the communities they serve.

In California, Verizon brought satellite communications service to a remote area where the Schaeffer Fire is burning in Sequoia National Forest, 17 miles north of Kernville in Kern County. The U.S. Forest Service Incident Management Team requested assistance for the fire base camp located at Black Rock Visitor center.

The company is providing two satellite communications solutions to provide 4G LTE service. A Satellite Pico cell on a Trailer (SPOT) includes a 30-foot antenna mast with the satellite dish on top of the trailer. A portable mini-satellite dish with a 4G LTE eFemto cell, is also being used for additional wireless service.

In addition, where existing Verizon network coverage is available, the company is responding to requests for communications assistance by loaning wireless devices and jetpacks (portable wireless hot spots) to first responders at the Winters Fire (Yolo County), Alamo Fire (San Luis Obispo County), Wall Fire (Butte County) and Whittier Fire (Santa Barbara).

In Utah at Brian’s Head Fire, Verizon deployed a Cell on Wheels (COW) to the Brian’s Head Fire command center and base camp near Panguitch. The COW is a mobile cell site with multiple voice and data channels capable of processing thousands of calls and data transmissions simultaneously. The COW provides additional capacity for emergency crews accessing the Internet, sending text and video messages and making phone calls during disaster response efforts. The base camp needed critical communications services to support over 1,000 firefighting personnel.

In Arizona, with sustained heat of over 120 degrees igniting and expanding wildfires, the flames have impacted tens of thousands of acres of land. To assist the first responders and residents of those areas, Verizon deployed multiple network repeaters, which pick up a network signal, amplify it, and point it to an area with weaker or no signal.

Read additional information HERE.

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association will introduce a hands-on Fire Pump and Accessories with Proper Pump Testing class on Sunday, January 14^th, 2018, as part of the 30^th Annual Apparatus Symposium. The eight-hour, pre-conference class will be presented by Brian Brown, Fleet Services Bureau, South Metro (CO) Fire Rescue, and Chris Dennis, Chief Mechanical officer, Vaughan Fire & Rescue Service in Ontario.

The Pump Testing class is designed for emergency vehicle technicians, especially, engineers/driver operators and those looking to promote, fleet supervisors, and anyone who wants to know more about fire pump theory, operations, and testing.

Brown said, “The class will cover fire pump and accessories theory and operation along with a dynamic hands-on experience to understand the current 1901 and 1911 testing standards. This is a great opportunity to learn about different brands and types of fire pumps, how to properly perform multiple tests along with hands-on training!”

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The class will be held at the Mesa (AZ) Fire Department Training Grounds. Due to the hands-on nature of this class registration is limited to 25 participants and must bring their own PPE (See www.fdsoa.org/events for details). Breakfast, lunch and transportation to the site will be provided.

“The main message is that a comprehensive maintenance and annual testing program is important to the vitality and longevity of the fire service apparatus,” said Brown. “It is also important to know who is working on and operating your apparatus and understand that they comprehend the importance of safe and well-maintained apparatus and equipment.” 

The Pump Testing class will be the first hands-on class offered at an Apparatus Symposium. Rich Marinucci, executive director, FDSOA commented, “Each year since I began as Executive Director of FDSOA, we have had requests for hands-on training. We will offer this course in response to those suggestions.” 

The most current NFPA 1911, Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Fire Apparatus, 2012 Edition, requires once a year every unit with a fire pump must be scheduled for an annual pump test. The NFPA requires annual testing for fire pumps, aerial devices, hose, ground ladders, low voltage systems, line voltage systems, vehicle weight, etc. 

In addition, fire pumps on new apparatus should be Acceptance Tested when they are received at the respective department. An extensive onsite test will demonstrate the true performance of the fire pump and related systems. Post-repair pump tests should be performed any time there are major repairs to the fire pump, pump transmission, truck transmission, or power plant. Insurance Services Offices (ISO) assign points for pump testing as part of the Fire Suppression Rating for each department’s Public Protection Classification.

Registration for the Fire Pump pre-conference class and the