Fire Apparatus or Equipment Used By Firefighters

Fire Apparatus or Equipment Used By Firefighters

Introduction

Fire fighting strategy involves the following basic procedures: arriving at the scene of the fire as rapidly as possible; assessing the nature of the fire by determining its intensity and extent, the type and abundance of fuel, the danger of entering the fire area, and the most effective techniques for extinguishing the fire; locating and rescuing endangered persons; containing the fire by protecting adjacent areas; ventilating the fire area to allow for the escape of heat and toxic gases; and, finally, extinguishing the fire. This paper discusses fire apparatus or equipment used by firefighters in a concise and comprehensive way.

Fire Apparatus or Equipment Used By Firefighters

Lyons (2000) mentions in most cities, firefighters are trained members of government-supported organizations, such as fire departments. Elsewhere, fire-fighting organizations are primarily composed of volunteers, or "vols." Fire-fighting organizations also help design and implement fire-prevention programs, which may include such measures as building codes requiring fire alarms, regularly located fire-extinguishing equipment, internal fire walls to help contain a fire, sprinkler systems, the use of fire-retardant construction materials, and safe electrical wiring. Educating the public about fire safety and fire-prevention practices is an important part of all fire-prevention programs.

Wildland Firefighting Apparatus

There's no doubt that brush pumpers and other apparatus are an important part of wildland firefighting. They allow firefighters to respond quickly with enough equipment to control many wildfires in the early stages. They also permit firefighters to take advantage of existing roads or move across country as required to meet shifting fire situations. And they can be operated around the clock under conditions of high winds or low visibility (Lyons, 2000).

As this year's wildland fire season begins, departments across the country are using a mix of old and new ideas to make the best use of their apparatus. The ongoing concerns for safety and efficiency are key factors in determining the configurations and components found on wildland apparatus in 2007.

The statement that "bubbles beat water" is doubly true when it comes to wildland firefighting. Foam is standard on many wildland engines, and compressed-air foam systems make the foam even more efficient. The compressed air gives the stream more energy for greater reach, and the thick layer of bubbles clings to surfaces to cut off oxygen and block radiant heat. Many departments that protect the wildland-urban interface use CAFS to coat and protect threatened structures, then withdraw personnel and engines to safer locations before the firefront arrives. A 2-to-1 ratio of water flow in gallons per minute and air flow in cubic feet per minute produces a good foam consistency and has been adopted by NFPA as the rating standard for all CAF systems (Robertson, 2004).

Remote-control monitors also have been around for a while, but they now are finding more applications on wildland apparatus. As engine crews get smaller in many departments, the need to maximize firefighting efficiency becomes more important. Remote-control monitors let a crew of only one or two make a mobile attack ...