(Click the title to view the video)
Great video about SFFD's use of wooden ladders and why.
Real Kings of Logistics
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Firehouse Etiquette - Preparing for a shift
Preparing for a shift
What should you do the night before a shift?
Attitude - Think about what you are going to accomplish during your shift. You are there to run calls but there is more to it then that.
What about your physical training (PT)? Are you going to walk, run, lift weights, etc.?
What about your mental training? Fire/EMS journal review, read departmental orders, study for promotion, study OPM's.
What about practical training? Pulling hoselines, assembling a Thumper, SCBA drills.
Hygiene - Do you have all the supplies you need in your shower kit or station locker?
Nutrition - Are you bringing your meals to work or are you going to be in on meals with the rest of the shift and need money for groceries?
Family - Does your family know where you are working and how to get in touch with you other than your cell phone?
Overnight Items - Alarm clock, bedding, pillow, clothes for sleeping.
Any others?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
10 Deadly Tanker Mistakes
(Click the title to be taken to the article)
This article discusses 10 deadly tanker mistakes that include:
1. Overloading the vehicle - This should not happen to our units because they are designed and built to carry water in the capacity specified.
2. Raising the center of gravity - Also, this should not be a problem with our tankers. They have been specifically designed for their function and none of the modification, if any, have changed the center of gravity.
3. Omitting tank baffles - All of our tanks have baffles. Ground Support also insures that the baffles are replaced when any tank work is being done.
4. Cutting and splicing the frame - Our vehicles are on chassis designed for the function. There should not be any notching or modifications to the frame. Even if a vehicle has a cracked frame that has been repaired, it will most likely not be permitted to respond under emergency conditions.
5. Not training drivers - This is an area that we have to be cautious. While the department require driver's training prior to being permitted to drive, there is not a specific tanker driver course. Given the differences in vehicle actions such as sloshing water and weight changes, the tanker driver should be someone with a lot of experience and training.
6. Not limiting vehicle speed - Based on NFPA 1901 our tankers top speeds should be 60 mile per hour. As you know, 60 mph is fast when you must make a quick turn or stop with a load of water. The driver must be aware of the vehicle's limitations and drive accordingly.
7. Not wearing seatbelts - WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS, enough said.
8. Not using a backing spotter - USE A SPOTTER. again enough said.
9. Not following NFPA 1901 - When specifying a vehicle, we make every effort to conform to the current edition of NFPA 1901. Any deviation is seriously considered.
10. Not performing regular maintenance - Our tankers are on the same maintenance schedule as our other apparatus. The driver is responsible for checking it at the beginning of the shift to insure that it is safe to operate.
Don't just think this applies to the tanker driver. It also applies to the pumper/tankers as well. Maybe more so. The drivers of pumper/tankers are driving the vehicle on more emergency runs and must heed these warnings to insure that they and their crew make it safely through their shift.
This article discusses 10 deadly tanker mistakes that include:
1. Overloading the vehicle - This should not happen to our units because they are designed and built to carry water in the capacity specified.
2. Raising the center of gravity - Also, this should not be a problem with our tankers. They have been specifically designed for their function and none of the modification, if any, have changed the center of gravity.
3. Omitting tank baffles - All of our tanks have baffles. Ground Support also insures that the baffles are replaced when any tank work is being done.
4. Cutting and splicing the frame - Our vehicles are on chassis designed for the function. There should not be any notching or modifications to the frame. Even if a vehicle has a cracked frame that has been repaired, it will most likely not be permitted to respond under emergency conditions.
5. Not training drivers - This is an area that we have to be cautious. While the department require driver's training prior to being permitted to drive, there is not a specific tanker driver course. Given the differences in vehicle actions such as sloshing water and weight changes, the tanker driver should be someone with a lot of experience and training.
6. Not limiting vehicle speed - Based on NFPA 1901 our tankers top speeds should be 60 mile per hour. As you know, 60 mph is fast when you must make a quick turn or stop with a load of water. The driver must be aware of the vehicle's limitations and drive accordingly.
7. Not wearing seatbelts - WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS, enough said.
8. Not using a backing spotter - USE A SPOTTER. again enough said.
9. Not following NFPA 1901 - When specifying a vehicle, we make every effort to conform to the current edition of NFPA 1901. Any deviation is seriously considered.
10. Not performing regular maintenance - Our tankers are on the same maintenance schedule as our other apparatus. The driver is responsible for checking it at the beginning of the shift to insure that it is safe to operate.
Don't just think this applies to the tanker driver. It also applies to the pumper/tankers as well. Maybe more so. The drivers of pumper/tankers are driving the vehicle on more emergency runs and must heed these warnings to insure that they and their crew make it safely through their shift.
Downhill Braking with Air Brakes
(Click on the title to go to the article)
This article describes snub braking which is the preferred method of downhill braking.
Snub Braking is:
1. Choose the proper gear for the road conditions.
2. Allow the truck to accelerate to the maximum safe speed.
3. Apply the brakes hard to reduce your speed by 5 mph.
4. Repeat until you reach the bottom of the hill.
Read the article for an explanation about why this works.
This article describes snub braking which is the preferred method of downhill braking.
Snub Braking is:
1. Choose the proper gear for the road conditions.
2. Allow the truck to accelerate to the maximum safe speed.
3. Apply the brakes hard to reduce your speed by 5 mph.
4. Repeat until you reach the bottom of the hill.
Read the article for an explanation about why this works.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Class A Foam: The Smart Thing To Do (Part 3)
Class A Foam: The Smart Thing To Do (Part 3)
This article discusses the use of a brand of universal foam concentrate for multiple classes of fires.
This article discusses the use of a brand of universal foam concentrate for multiple classes of fires.
What's Up With This Class A Foam? (Part 2 of 3)
What's Up With This Class A Foam? (Part 2 of 3)
(Click the link to go to the article)
This article describes the advantages of Class A foam.
Quick knock down.
Less water use.
Wetting agent.
Firefighter safety.
Do you think we should carry Class A foam ready for quick deployment?
(Click the link to go to the article)
This article describes the advantages of Class A foam.
Quick knock down.
Less water use.
Wetting agent.
Firefighter safety.
Do you think we should carry Class A foam ready for quick deployment?
RAM Nozzle Article
(Click title to read article)
This article discusses the use of a RAM nozzle for quick knock down then advancing hand lines for final extinguishment. The hand lines can be advanced from the RAM by connecting a gated wye to the RAM. With this arrangement, one person can conduct the blitz and prepare the hand line awaiting the arrival of additional personnel.
What do you think?
This article discusses the use of a RAM nozzle for quick knock down then advancing hand lines for final extinguishment. The hand lines can be advanced from the RAM by connecting a gated wye to the RAM. With this arrangement, one person can conduct the blitz and prepare the hand line awaiting the arrival of additional personnel.
What do you think?
Truck's Electrical System Was Source Of Fire At Station 3
Truck's Electrical System Was Source Of Fire At Station 3
A yet undetermined electrical problem with a fire vehicle caused over one million dollars damage. Let Ground Support know if you think you have a problem.
A yet undetermined electrical problem with a fire vehicle caused over one million dollars damage. Let Ground Support know if you think you have a problem.
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