This document provides an overview of fire department resources and facilities. It describes common fire department facilities like headquarters, repair facilities, training centers, warehouses, and communications centers. It also discusses fire apparatus vehicles like pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, rescue vehicles, and aircraft. Finally, it outlines the tools and equipment carried on fire trucks, including hoses, nozzles, ladders, fittings, self-contained breathing apparatus, and hand tools.

1. Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd Edition

2. Chapter 6 Fire Department Resources

3. Objectives List fire department facilities List advantages of a department having its own facilities Describe the purpose of each of the fire department facilities Describe the types of fire apparatus and their functions List the types of tools carried on fire apparatus

4. Objectives (con’t.) Describe the use of the various tools carried on fire apparatus Describe the different types of personal protective equipment firefighters use Describe the types and uses of aircraft in fire fighting

5. Introduction The modern fire department relies on facilities and equipment as resources Some facilities are not available at every fire department due to need or budget constraints Equipment has evolved over a period of many years Varies in fire departments according to situations and types of fires

6. Fire Department Facilities Includes the following: Headquarters Automotive repair facility Training center Warehouse/central stores Communications center Fire stations

7. Headquarters Houses managerial/command staff Concentrates decision makers in one location May be located at main fire station or at other location

8. Automotive Repair Facility Fleet maintenance Apparatus build up Mechanical expertise for fire equipment

9. Training Center Training center Specially constructed or improvised Drill tower (see Figure 6-4) Ladder training (ground/aerial) Hi-rise training High angle rescue

10. Training Center (con’t.) Burn building Search and interior attack drills Fire environment demonstrations Ventilation drills Hazardous materials drills, including simulated drug labs Safety Note : Follow NFPA 1403 standards for live drills

11. Training Center (con’t.) Classrooms Equipment VCR, TV, white boards Clean/controlled environment Lighting, seating May be shared with other agencies Storage rooms Apparatus, equipment, supplies

12. Training Center (con’t.) Drafting pit Operating training On-site hydrants For drill tower and burn building Testing on hydrant hookups Driver training/testing course Emergency stops, high-speed lane changes

13. Training Center (con’t.) Hazardous materials props Plumbing props, railroad tank cars, large tanks Useful for confined space rescue training Studio Create and duplicate training materials Produce closed-circuit TV programs Offices Instructor support Library of training materials

14. Warehouse/Central Stores Stock day-to-day needs, from toilet paper to PPE Keep items readily available Maintain equipment SCBA and medical oxygen refill Hose repair

15. Communications Center Receives calls for emergency assistance Relevant 911 calls routed to fire department dispatcher Dispatcher enters call information into CAD system CAD system displays information to dispatch required units Enhanced 911 and CAD systems give incident address and equipment information

16. Fire Stations Began as apparatus storage sheds Provide living quarters, office space, and apparatus room Accommodate women in the fire service Provide handicapped access Blend in with neighborhood

17. Fire Stations (con’t.) Keep well maintained Occupy a large, secured lot Supply room for maneuvering apparatus to perform drills House equipment for vehicle maintenance Motor block heater, electric and air hose reels, air compressor, hose tower Store turnouts in ventilated storage cabinets

18. Fire Apparatus Many types required Build up from cab and chassis Commercial or custom cabs Meet NFPA 1901 Automotive Fire Apparatus requirements Safety Note : Wear seat belts, remain seated and belted in until told to exit

19. Cab and Chassis Tour of cab Large mirrors Air brake pressure gauge Oil pressure gauge Fuel level gauge Manual or automatic transmission

20. Cab and Chassis (con’t.) Pump transfer case Transfers power to pump Automatics equipped with brake and throttle pedals Diesel may have “jake brake” Turns motor into air compressor for braking Saves vehicle brakes from wear/overheating

21. Cab and Chassis (con’t.) Switches for lights and siren Light bar on cab includes alley and red lights Air horns in front bumper Electronic siren with several tones Radio system has multi-channel capability Administrative and emergency operations channels Communications with other jurisdictions

22. Cab and Chassis (con’t.) Intercom system allows intra-cab communications SCBA mounted in cab for quick donning Mobile Data Computer (MDC) connect to CAD and AVL Global positioning system (GPS) allows vehicle tracking and relay of position to aircraft Double battery setup for startup power and warning lights

23. Motor Diesel becoming most common Long life and durability Abundance of torque Turbo and/or supercharged Oversized alternator High idle switch keeps amperage up

24. Modular Apparatus Cab and chassis Replaceable buildup Flat bed with skid unit Allows greater flexibility

25. Pumper/Engine Triple combination most common Hose Water tank Pump

26. Water Tanks Various sized water tanks 200 to 1,500 gallons Baffles to prevent sloshing and weight shift Plastic gaining popularity as tank material Unharmed by foam Does not rust

27. Foam Systems Foam systems Class A Superior knockdown on ordinary combustibles Class B For hydrocarbon fuels Often uses flow meter CAFS Uses compressed air

28. Pumps Main purpose is to lift water Centrifugal most common as main pump Construction Impeller is the vaned wheel inside case Suction inlets introduce water into eye of impeller Impeller spins, forcing water outward against walls of casing

29. Centrifugal Pumps Casing uses volute area to convert centrifugal energy to pressure Volute discharges water into plumbing Plumbing connects to various outlets (discharges)

30. Centrifugal Pumps (con’t.) Relief valve Reroutes excess pressure to suction side Prevents pressure surges Pressure governor Controls motor speed Less speed = less pressure Prevents pressure surges Safety Note : Should always be set at a safe operating pressure to provide firefighter safety

31. Centrifugal Pumps (con’t.) Advantages Can spin without discharging water Take advantage of pressure from inlet side Can pump dirty water Equipped with screens to limit size of debris entering pump Safety Note : If no water is discharged, it can reach scalding temperatures

32. Centrifugal Pumps (con’t.) Disadvantages Can only act on the water that enters Cannot draw water from a static source Cavitation can occur if the discharge exceeds intake pressure May damage pump impeller

33. Positive Displacement Pumps Types include rotary gear, piston and diaphragm Discharge volume equals intake volume Used to “prime” centrifugal pumps Evacuates air from pump housing Creates vacuum Atmospheric pressure forces water into pump Used in some high pressure applications

34. Positive Displacement Pumps (con’t.) Advantages Self-priming (can pump air) Disadvantages Must keep a discharge open at all times due to pressure buildup Cannot pump debris Heavy and expensive

35. Aerial Ladder and Elevated Platform Apparatus Two basic configurations Tractor/trailer with tiller Straight chassis Ladder types Extendable with flies With or without basket/platform 108 feet of ground ladders needed to qualify as a ladder truck

36. Aerial Ladder and Elevated Platform Apparatus (con’t.) Additional features Articulated boom Intercom system Breathing air system in platform Plumbing for elevated streams Remote controls in platform

37. Quint Quint apparatus ladder truck/pumper combination includes: Pump Water tank Hose bed Aerial ladder Ground ladders

38. Squads Specialty vehicles to serve department’s special needs Examples Special lighting vehicle Medical and hazardous materials vans Tactical command post and support Rehab Terra torch (for wildland firefighting)

39. Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Large water tank Foam and dry chemical extinguishing systems All-wheel drive for off-runway operation Turret and ground sweep nozzles Pump and roll capability Hand lines and ladders for fuselage access

40. Fire Tools and Appliances Includes the following: Hose Nozzles Ladders Fittings SCBA Hand Tools Wildland Firefighting Hand Tools

41. Hose Come in various sizes and construction types Use couplings Carried in apparatus hose beds Used for various applications Attack Supply

43. Figure 6-37 Hose lines, 2 ½ inch, three-inch, and four-inch diameter, laid in hose bed.

46. HIGBEE CUT & INDICATOR

47. Nozzles Numerous sizes and designs Combination Fog or straight stream patterns Straight tip/smooth bore Bail handle turns on and off Designed to turn itself off if dropped

48. Nozzles (con’t.) Foam inductors Based on venturi principle Draws concentrate from pail and introduces it into the hose stream Must follow manufacturer’s instructions or quality foam will not be produced

61. Fittings Connect hoses and appliances Allows versatility Reverse direction of hose lays Change hose size or thread type Combine or divide hose lays

65. Ladders Attic ladder: folding 10-foot most common Roof ladder: 14-foot with fold out hooks Extension ladder: bed ladder with one or more flies, various lengths Safety Note : Ladders used must be designed for firefighting use

66. SCBA Self-contained breathing apparatus Four main components Face mask Air bottle Backpack Regulator Low pressure alarm

67. SCBA (con’t.) Protect firefighters from Low oxygen concentration Toxic byproducts Smoke Superheated gases Regulator operates in positive pressure mode to prevent toxic gases from entering face mask

68. SCBA

69. Scott 50 – 4.5 SCBA

71. General SCBA Components – E.g. MSA Mask Regulator Cylinder Shoulder Straps Waist Strap Cylinder Valve Pressure Reducing Valve

72. Scott 4.5 AV2000 Mask & Pack

74. Hand Tools General and specialized tools for cutting, forcing, lighting, tightening Hose tools (spanners) Hydraulic rescue tools Air bags Axes Circular saws Chain saws

79. HYDRA RAM Add picture

83. PARTNER SAW

84. Adjustable depth gauge

85. QUICK-VENT SAW

86. Hand Tools (con’t.) More tools Sledge hammers Pike poles Rubbish hooks Power fans Smoke ejectors Salvage covers/rolled plastic Fire extinguishers

90. Hand Tools (con’t.) More tools (con’t.) Medical aid equipment Automatic external defibrillator Electrical generator Lights/power cords Shovels Thermal imaging camera Many other tools are carried depending on needs

91. Wildland Firefighting Hand Tools For cutting and scraping McLeod Pulaski Axes Shovels Chain saws Fusees (for road flares)

92. Wildland Firefighting Hand Tools (con’t.) Other tools Flagging tape Canteens Portable pumps Tanks Other specialized tools are available Safety Note : Cutting tools are very sharp; use great care!

93. Heavy Equipment Bulldozers create firelines Scrape earth Knock down trees Pumper Cat has water tank on board Special foam units for oil firefighting

94. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Includes the following: Station/work uniform Structure fire PPE Personal alarm/personal safety system Proximity suits Wildland PPE

95. Station/Work Uniforms May be flame-resistant material, cotton or cotton blend Cotton underwear Additional layers help to protect from radiant heat Safety Note : Any clothing made of nylon or related synthetic fabrics can melt to your skin

96. Structure Fire PPE Designed as a system Helmet and hood or ear protection SCBA Coat Pants Boots and gloves Safety Note : PPE must all be worn every time to provide proper protection

97. Personal Alarm / Proximity Suits Personal Alarm Device (PAL or PASS) Required to carry on SCBA suit Emits signal when no motion is detected for approximately 30 seconds Proximity Suits Used to approach flaming fuel Not designed for walking in flames

98. Wildland PPE Designed as a system Hard hat, ear and face protection, and goggles Fire shirt with T-shirt underneath Flame-resistant pants Lace-up boots with lug soles Gloves Fire shelter Safety Note : Never leave vehicle without shelter

99. Emergency Medical PPE Universal precautions Moisture-resistant long-sleeved shirt Latex or vinyl gloves Eye, nose, and mouth protection

100. Aircraft Fixed wing Lead plane Air tankers Smoke jumper transport Rotary wing Troop/materiel transport Water dropping EMS transport

101. Tools and equipment constantly developed or adapted for firefighters Equipment varies according to department needs New tools make job easier and safer Do not become so dependent on power tools that you are ineffective without them Facilities in this chapter are only a representative sample Most important resource: the firefighter Summary