Chapter 6

Resources of the Fire Department

Introduction

• Facilities described in this chapter are not available at every fire department due to need and budget constraints

• Described facilities represent a sample of the facilities at fire departments across the country

• Apparatus and equipment have evolved over a period of many years

• Not all available apparatus and equipment is listed in this chapter

HEADQUARTERS

• Purpose Location of department managerial staff

• Advantage Keeps a finger on pulse of organization Firefighters more informed about station activity

Learning Objectives 1 through 3

Fire Department FacilitiesAdvantages and Purposes

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR FACILITY

• Purpose Maintaining apparatus and other equipment

• Mechanics Experts in working with

apparatus

Learning Objectives 1 through 3

Fire Department FacilitiesAdvantages and Purposes

TRAINING CENTER

• Purpose Training personnel

• Drill tower

• Burn building

• ClassroomsCont.

Learning Objectives 1 through 3

Fire Department FacilitiesAdvantages and Purposes

TRAINING CENTER

• Storage area or engine house• Hydrants• Driver training/testing course• Props• Video/CD/DVD training• Training staff offices

Learning Objectives 1 through 3

Fire Department FacilitiesAdvantages and Purposes

WAREHOUSE/CENTRAL STORES

• Purpose Designed to stock day-to-day needs of the fire

department administration, fire stations, and firefighters

• Can also serve as facility for SCBA repair

Learning Objectives 1 through 3

Fire Department FacilitiesAdvantages and Purposes

COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

• Purpose Receives calls for emergency assistance

• 9-1-1 system• Enhanced 9-1-1 system

Programmed with address of the land-line phone

Learning Objectives 1 through 3

Fire Department FacilitiesAdvantages and Purposes

FIRE STATION

• Purpose Many functions for firefighters and apparatus

• Changes to fire station to accommodate women and handicap access

• Modern fire station amenities

Learning Objectives 1 through 3

Fire Department FacilitiesAdvantages and Purposes

FIRE APPARATUS

• Cab and chassis• Motor

• Modular apparatus

• Pumper/engine

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE APPARATUS

• Foam systems• Pumps• Aerial ladder and elevating

platform apparatus• Quint

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE APPARATUS

• Squads Specialty vehicle

• Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Apparatus (ARFF) Also called crash fire rescue apparatus (CRF) Specially designed for airport firefighting

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES

• Hose Construction Couplings Hose load Attack lines

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES Supply lines Wildland firefighting hose Hose reel Hose for static water source

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES

• Nozzles Made of chrome-plated brass or pyrolite Combination nozzles Straight stream nozzles Automatic nozzles

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES Low back pressure nozzle Appearance and performance Master stream appliance on apparatus Monitor nozzle Foam nozzle In-line foam eductor

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES

• Fittings Reducers Increasers Wye Siamese

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES

• Ladders NFPA Standard 1901, Automotive Fire Apparatus

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) Consists of backpack, air bottle, face mask, and

regulatorCont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES

• Hand tools Fire engines equipped with specially designed tools General firefighting tools Vehicle extrication tools Air bag systemCont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES Roof ventilation tools Salvage covers Fire extinguisher Medical aid equipment Generator and detachable lights

Cont.

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES

• Thermal imaging camera Used to find heat sources Battery operated Effective at locating victims Can also be used to find fire hidden in walls

Cont.

FIRE TOOLS AND APPLIANCES

• Wildland firefighting hand tools McLeod Pulaski Shovel Combi Chain saw

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

HEAVY EQUIPMENT

• Bulldozers• Heavy transports

Used to get heavy equipment to the fire• Foam unit

Has firefighting capability away from water source

Learning Objectives 4 through 6Types of Apparatus, Tools, and Equipment

Uses of Tool and Equipment

STRUCTURE FIRE PPE

• Helmet• Eye protection• Turnout coat• Pants• Gloves• Boots• Extras in pockets

Learning Objective 7Types of Personal Protective Equipment

PERSONAL ALARM/PERSONAL ALERT SAFETY SYSTEM

• Emits loud alarm when not moved for 30 seconds• Helps others find you if you become trapped

PROXIMITY SUITS

• Worn primarily by aircraft firefighters• Made of aluminized material

Learning Objective 7Types of Personal Protective Equipment

WILDLAND PPE

• Hard-hat-type helmet• Compass and canteens of water• Fire shelter

EMERGENCY MEDICAL PPE• Disposable shirt, latex gloves, eye protection

Learning Objective 7Types of Personal Protective Equipment

ADVANTAGE OF AIRCRAFT FIREFIGHTING

• Deliver retardant or water to inaccessible areas

FIXED WING• Can be used to transport crews

ROTARY WING• Can sling load supplies to and from the fire line

Learning Objective 7Types of Personal Protective Equipment

Summary

• New tools and equipment are constantly being developed or adapted to firefighting use to make the job safer, faster, and more efficient

• Without intelligent, trained, aggressive firefighters, the facilities, apparatus, and equipment are worth nothing

• The best firefighters are capable not only of using all of the tools available to them, but also adapting those tools to new uses and performing in their absence