Blackwood Fire Company
Force, when used, should be overwhelming and disproportionate to the force used by the enemy. Colin Powell 2
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Basics The basic unit of any fire department, the engine company performs the cornerstone task of extinguishing fire. Our engines are identical and are equipped with 1500 GPM single stage fire pumps and 750 gallon water tanks. Each engine also carries a foam tank with 50 gallons of alcohol resistant aqueous film forming foam (AR-AFFF). The engines are designed for versatility. Numerous fire attack options are possible considering hose length, size and nozzle type. The engines are also equipped for supporting roles at accidents, medical emergencies and routine investigation assignments. Basic Company Operations Structure Fires The team concept for engine operations works slightly different than truck or rescue company operations. All members of the engine must function as a unit to ensure the nozzle reaches the seat of the fire without delay and a continuous water supply is established. There are several key points to the Blackwood Fire Company engine company philosophy: Water supply is established early and sustained. Hand lines are pumped properly for the required flow. A back up line is always pulled to the point of entrance. Big lines are readily available and their use is dictated by the fire, not available manpower. The Truck Company must be safe to operate in the structure without their own hand line. The Engine Officer is inside with his line and will not back out of a fire situation without ensuring the safety of the Truck Company. Always use more force than you think necessary to overwhelm the fire. 4
Engine Company Riding Assignments Driver The driver is responsible for getting the supply line in the street or providing water to engine arriving prior. Driver should be prepared to serve as an initial FAST for 2 in 2 out in minimum manning situations. At a minimum the driver should attempt to monitor his crews activities to provide accountability. Assists in deploying lines. Clears the bed, chases kinks between engine and front door. Charges line to pre designated engine pressure when requested. Hooks up supply line. Returns to hydrant for hook up in extraordinary situations. Uses generator and lights for scene lighting. Maintains water flow, supplies additional lines, monitors progress. Assists all companies as necessary in immediate vicinity of engine. Officer Responsible for locating water supply and most direct route to scene. Determines hydrants based on order of arrival and by monitoring radio. Determines hose size / length for attack or back up Determines best route to stretch line. Teams with nozzle firefighter and back up. Equipped with radio, light, TIC. Seat 1 Nozzle Stretches correct line as directed. Maintains sufficient line at entrance to make seat of fire. Keeps a working length available to stretch in. Operates nozzle to extinguish or control fire Seat 2 Back Up 4 man company Initial FAST Assists in deploying line Forces entry as required Feeds line from door way Chases kinks on fire floor 5
5 man company Assists in deploying line Moves in with nozzle man Keeps line moving smoothly on interior and backs up nozzle man Seat 3 Door Initial FAST Assists in deploying line Forces entry if required Feeds line from door, moves in with first coupling and keeps line moving. Chases kinks from door to fire floor Seat 4 Hydrant Makes up hydrant connection COLD water hook up 5 directly to large hydrant port and gate valves on both small ports. Cold water hook up on dwellings is OK. Engine hook up 5 to largest discharge, No kinks between hydrant and pump, Use all hydrant ports. Commercial buildings greater than 200 lay. Returns to assist Seat 3 Seat 5 & 6 are extras and are assigned by the officer. Except in extraordinary cases or where no truck company is available, all extra engine personnel should be assigned to establish water supply and support the advance of the hose line to the seat of the fire before getting additional lines in service. Fire Ground Position The engine driver and officer must always work together to ensure the engine is positioned to effectively attack the fire, while not interfering with apparatus that have greater operational limits. The engine can quickly stretch several hundred feet of hose while the tower must be within 80 of the building and the rescue must be within 80 of an accident to take full advantage of their equipment. Structure Fires Unless it will create an undue delay or eliminate a water supply, the 1 st engine should seek to enter the fire location from the opposite direction of the tower or allow the tower to enter the street first. 6
The engine should be placed at least 75 beyond the front door of the fire building. The engine must allow enough room for the tower to position their turntable centerline of the building or toward the most likely exposure. Engines must be no closer than 30 to the rear of operating ladder companies to allow for removal of ground ladders. Highway Incidents The initial arriving engine should position to block the scene and still attack the fire or provide fire suppression at an MVA. The engine should remain approximately 100 behind the scene, allowing room for engine firefighters, the rescue and ambulances to work in a protected area. Where conditions require the engine to operate in a position past the involved vehicle (uphill or upwind) Additional traffic control measures will be required from other responding apparatus. Water Supply This is where it starts. The key to success is establishing and maintaining a water supply. Each engine is equipped with 1200' of 5" hose. The hose is finished in a bundle to allow it to lie in the street without wrapping an object. The hydrant bag (center) contains fittings and tools to establish water supply given almost any circumstance. Standard orders require the first engine to provide the water supply. The officer of the first engine has to determine the best way to accomplish this. In most cases it is the straight lay. The following are basic lays used by the Company. 7
Types of Hose Lays Straight Lay or Forward Lay ( Lay In ) The engine stops on the way in, drops the 5 hose bundle in front of the hydrant, and lays into the scene. If necessary, a second engine responds to and pumps the hydrant. The advantage here is that the work is done prior to arrival and it is the fastest sustained water supply. The disadvantage is that the second engine may have its crew and all equipment quite a distance from the fire. Reverse Lay ( Lay Out ) Starting at the scene, an engine lays to the hydrant and pumps the line. The advantage here is that the crew and equipment on the engine can be deployed before it starts its lay. The disadvantage is trying to get into the fire scene and maneuver back to the hydrant with additional apparatus responding in. A reverse lay can be used to provide a supply line to an engine or tower already at the scene or the reverse lay could be a 3 or 4 hundred foot attack line laid from in front of the structure. Split Lay The first engine lays in partially (courts, driveways, parking lots) and the second engine either performs a reverse or straight lay to make up to the partial lay. One In / One Out - Used when a high fire flow situation is noted on arrival. The tower ladder will straight lay 1 line in and the first engine will reverse lay one line out to another hydrant. The first engine will pump its line and assign its crew to the tower ladder to deploy lines. This concept gives us the advantage of high flows immediately on arrival of the first 2 pieces. It also provides flexibility as the incident grows to add an engine to pump the first line, or split water supply up for other companies. Layout Instructions The first engine officer must make clear communications on arrival to sustain water flow. An example would be: Engine 841 arriving at 201 State St with heavy smoke from floor 2 of a 2 story single family dwelling, we laid in from the hydrant at Lake and State Streets. Have the 2nd due engine pump the hydrant, send their crew forward for the backup line. The driver of the 2nd due engine will make all necessary connections while his crew proceeds to Engine 841 to stretch a back up line. After the 2nd due has acknowledged their actions, additional engine companies should reference their map books and locate the 2nd water supply. The 3rd and 4th due should also take note of the location of tower ladders on the fire ground as their water supply may become a high priority if 1 5 line is insufficient. 8
Water Supply Basics No personnel should ride the back step while hose is being laid. The apparatus should not exceed 20 mph and should attempt to remain to the hydrant side of the street when laying line. Kinks are major flow killers for LDH. Make sure all bends are smooth and the line is not kinked. Taking the time to do this pays off on the other end. If necessary, notify command and shut down lines to resolve major kinks. Take advantage of all hydrant ports. Install gate valves on both 2 ½ ports for using all available water. Use 5" for these supplies where possible. Discharge through the largest discharge ports on the engine. Side discharges toward the rear of the apparatus are full flow discharges. Ensure all valves are FULLY open and then lock them in place. High flows can cause valves to slowly go closed if not locked. Maintain desired pressure (do not exceed 185 psi discharge pressure on LDH) Use 2 ½ x 5" adapters for 2 barrel hydrants. When charging 5 lines, start at hydrant pressure and open the gate to the 5 discharge. Note the pressure on the suction gauge prior to opening the 5. That is the static pressure. The pressure remaining with water flowing is the residual pressure. Unless otherwise directed, pump the 5 hose at 150 psi when requested to charge the line. Relay Operations 5 hose has a functional limit of about 1500 GPM. Friction loss at 1500 GPM allows for a hose lay of about 800 feet between fire and hydrant. For distances greater than 800 feet a relay pumper is required. The relay pumper should be positioned to take a supply in through its largest intake and out through its largest discharge port. The pump operator opens both valves fully and locks them in position. The relay pump operator increases his pressure until he holds a 20 psi residual pressure. No additional actions are required by any of the pump operators in relay except for the scene and supply engines. All intermediate relay pump operators merely adjust pressure to maintain 20 psi residual. Relay pump operators should maintain radio silence except to report a problem. 9
Attack Hose Nozzle Nozzle Flow Tank NFA FF Pressure Duration 1 ¾ 15/16 SB 50 185 GPM 4 minutes 555 sq. ft. 1 ¾ TFT 75 180 GPM 4 minutes 555 sq. ft. 2 1/2" 1 ¼ SB 50 325 GPM 2:20 975 sq. ft. 3 1 ½ SB 50 473 GPM 1:35 1500 sq. ft. Deck Gun Fog Tip 100 1000 GPM 45 sec. 3000 sq. ft. Deck Gun 2 SB 80 1000 GPM 45 sec. 3000 sq. ft. Deck Gun 1 ¾ SB 80 800 GPM 56 sec. 2400 sq. ft. Deck Gun 1 ½ SB 80 600 GPM 1:15 1800 sq. ft. Deck Gun 1 3/8 SB 80 500 GPM 1:30 1500 sq. ft. Once the water supply is established, the primary job of the engine company is to locate and kill the fire. Protection of escaping civilians and searching firefighters dictates how we approach this method. Extinguishing the fire saves lives, when in doubt, KILL the fire. Our attack lines are set up to deliver high flows for immediate knock down of fires from 500 to 1000 square feet. 1 ¾ attack lines use a mix of TFT low pressure nozzles and 15/16 smoothbore nozzles. Lines 2 ½ and larger use exclusively smoothbore nozzles. Each attack line has a pre determined pump pressure. This designated pressure is derived by determining the desired flow, type of nozzle, and length and diameter of hose. The pump operator sets the engine pressure (EP) based on this calculation and adds 5 lbs per 10 of elevation. This pressure is marked on the corresponding discharge gauge and is the standard pressure to which attack lines will be charged. The following formula is used to determine proper pump pressure: EP= NP + FL + E. EP= Engine Pressure, the pressure indicated on the individual discharge gauge. Set by adjusting the throttle and discharge gate. NP= Nozzle Pressure. Several nozzle pressures are used within the company. o Smooth bore tips for hand lines = 50 psi. o Smooth bore tips for fixed master streams = 80 psi. o TFT Midmatic fog tips = 75 psi. o Fog master stream tips = 100 psi. 10
FL= Friction loss is the loss of pressure as water is pumped through a hose. Friction loss is dependent on the diameter of the hose, the length of the hose and the actual flow. E = Elevation loss is the loss of pressure as water is pumped to levels above the engine. Elevation loss is about 5 lbs per 10 feet. Pumping a hand line to the 4th floor of a structure may cause a loss of up to 20 lbs. Pump operators must make adjustments for elevation. Although not frequently encountered, pressure will similarly increase when the pumper is in an elevated position to the discharge. Needed Fire Flow (NFF). Our philosophy is to utilize high flow hand lines to quickly overwhelm a fire. Selecting and operating the correct line should allow for knockdown within the first minutes. This is determined by utilizing the National Fire Academy (NFA) Quick Access Fire Flow Formula. Find the area of the building by multiplying length by width. Divide the result by 3 to establish fire flow. A 40 x 60 strip store occupies an area of 2400 square feet. The needed fire flow is 800 gpm if this store if completely involved. A dwelling with a 12 x 14 bedroom is 148 square feet, requiring a flow of approximately 50 GPM. Exceeding the fire flow does not cause water damage. Overwhelming a fire with a high flow line allows it to be shut down much more rapidly. Attack Line Selection The top left photo shows the cross lay area. From right to left, the following attack lines are: 200' 2 ½ hose with 1 1/4" smoothbore nozzle. Delivers 325 GPM at standard pump pressure 200' 1 3/4" hose with 15/16" smoothbore nozzle. Delivers 185 GPM at standard pump pressure 200' 1 3/4" hose with low pressure TFT Midmatic. Delivers 200 GPM at standard pump pressure. The cross lays are bundled so the nozzle man pulls the top 50 from the street and shoulders it. The back up and door man take remaining folds and the driver clears the bed. 11
The center photo shows the front bumper line. This line is generally used for nuisance or auto fires, but may be used on dwelling fires where the 150 length is sufficient. The front bumper line contains 150' 1 ¾ hose with a low pressure TFT Midmatic, preconnected in a Kentland Load. This line delivers 135 GPM at the standard pump pressure. 1" forestry line and a TFT nozzle are carried in the well above the pump panel. For use in structure fires, pressure is increased to reach the standard 1 ¾ flow of 185 200 GPM. The extreme left of the right photo shows the 300' 1 ¾ line (green hose). This line is set up to deploy off of your shoulder (note the location of the nozzle low in the hose load). This line is equipped with a 15/16 smoothbore and will deliver 185 gpm at the standard pump pressure. Another option for long lines is the Leader Line (shown in the upper right photo with orange strap attached). This line uses 300 of 3 hose connected to a 100 1 ¾ bundle. This line is equipped with a 15/16" smoothbore and will deliver 185 gpm at the standard pump pressure. Operating Procedures 1 ¾ hose lines are the initial attack line for most residential and some commercial fires. The first line off is equipped with a 15/16 smooth bore nozzle delivering 185 GPM at 50 psi. Smooth bore nozzles are operated only in the FULL OPEN position. Although not SOP, if the TFT nozzle is pulled first it should be operated FULL OPEN and in a straight stream pattern until the fire is controlled. Using the NFA formula, both of these lines are capable of achieving quick knock downs on fires in compartments up to about 600 square feet. Pre connected 1 ¾ lines are limited to 300. For distances greater than 300, use the Leader Line, or refer to the section on Wye Lines and Utility Rope stretch. The 2 ½ hose line should be considered for any working fire in a commercial occupancy and some residential uses. The 2 ½ hose line is equipped with a 1 ¼ smooth bore nozzle delivering 325 GPM at 50 psi. In most cases the use of the 2 ½ hand line will require the firefighters of 2 engine companies to deploy and move efficiently. Using the NFA formula, this line is capable of achieving quick knock down on fires in compartments up to about 1000 square feet. When longer lines are required than the 200 provided on each engine, 3 hose should be made up starting at the pump panel. Do NOT add extra lengths of the much heavier 3 hose in at the nozzle end. The use of the crews from 2 engine companies should be strongly considered when advancing 2 ½ hose into a building. 12
Some quick indications of when to use 2 ½ hand lines: Advanced fire conditions Conditions such that entry can not readily be made due to the amount of fire. Initial use of the 2 ½ may be quickly followed up with an interior attack using the same line or by attaching one or more lengths of 1 ¾ hose to the nozzle and stretching in. Defensive operations The use of the 2 ½ and the Bomb line are indicated for a quick exterior attack. These lines are far easier to get into service with limited manpower than master streams. As additional companies arrive, master streams can be deployed. Unable to determine fire area or extent of fire These conditions are most frequently found in larger commercial buildings. The uncertainty demands the use of a high flow line. Large, uncompartmented fire areas 1 ¾ hose works well on house fires because even a 3000 square foot house is broken down into individual manageable compartments. Commercial occupancies may have little to no compartmentation and wide open floor areas. The 2 ½ provides the reach and cooling stream necessary for deep penetration into these buildings. Attack Line Placement Single Family Dwellings In almost all cases, interior attacks will be made in residential buildings through the main entrance. This is particularly true in dwellings and apartments, where life hazards are greater, and access to stairs and sleeping areas is more readily available. Although an alternate entrance may allow for attack from the unburned side, the delay and obstacles encountered limit any advantage gained. The advantages to attacking at the main entrance are: Direct access to and protection of the main stairway. Allows firefighters to proceed to upper floors via stairs to search Allows victims to exit If there is no life hazard, the first hose line is positioned between the fire and most severe exposure. 13
The goal of the initial attack line is to advance to the seat of the fire and extinguish it. This could be considered the most dangerous position, as a loss of water or fire conditions that overwhelm the hose stream may endanger the initial hose crew or stall the fire attack. For this reason, the second line must be deployed to back up the first line, and should not be repositioned without the consent of the interior officer. The back up line is positioned where it will not interfere with the first line, but can immediately assist if the first hose crew is overwhelmed or experiences a failed length of hose or loss of water. If the first line is making good progress, it is expected that the back up line will go to the most severe exposure, generally the floor above, but possibly to the left or right. The back up line may have to be considerably longer than the attack line. A good rule of thumb is that no more than 2 hose lines should go through the same entrance. The weight of multiple hose lines will certainly slow or stop the progress of the first lines, and will create a fall hazard, particularly on steps. The officer of a hose crew assigned to stretch a line (when other lines have already been stretched) should walk the layout and determine the best route to the objective, taking care to avoid multiple hose lines through the same entrance. Basement fires Initial size up must always determine the fire location. A working basement fire is a critical situation. Take the time to check for exterior entry to the basement and announce the change of standard plan on the fire ground if exterior attack is warranted. The outside team of the truck should be ventilating windows and the 1 st floor as necessary, while the inside team performs a quick search and secures the 1 st floor basement door. Garden Apartments Garden apartments pose a significant challenge to the engine company. Limited access, setbacks and parking arrangements all combine to require longer stretches and closer attention to detail when deploying lines. The construction of garden apartments also lends itself to fire spread between units and the possibility of many residents being trapped by a lower floor fire. 14
1 ¾ line is sufficient for interior attack in most cases. The first line in a garden apartment fire has to go to the seat of the fire. Determining the floor of origin is critical. The back up line should be stretched to the fire floor or to the closest entrance. If released, back up can be deployed to an exposure apartment. General order of priority in placing hose lines at garden apartments follows below. A working fire in a multi story complex requires many lines quickly. Extra alarms are almost always required. 1 st line - Fire apartment Back up Fire apartment 2 nd line - Vertical exposures As indicated by fire conditions - Horizontal exposures 3 rd line - Alternate stretches to upper floors The use of 1 ¾ hose at lengths greater than 400 is questionable. The 300 line may be extended by 100 to quickly attack a fire. The 400 Leader Line is also an option. Additional extended lines will require the use of 3 hose, wyes and hose packs. Commercial Buildings Size up should include identifying the closest door to the fire area. Prior to committing to an attack position, the IC should use recon information from the Truck Company or the Engine Officer to determine the fastest route to the fire. The main entrance tactic can not be relied on due to wide varieties of building sizes and types. Locating a door with direct access to the fire area is the ideal condition. In most cases, 2 engine companies should be assigned to place the first 2 ½ line into operation. As previously stated, there are many reasons for using 2 ½ hose on commercial building fires. Engine company members should take full advantage of the extended reach of the large stream and ensure they control the fire before over committing. Truck Companies will generally remain with the line on commercial building fires, and the engine officer should request frequent checks of the ceiling / overhead to ensure fire is not traveling in voids overhead. Ventilation is much more likely to be delayed when compared to a residential structure. 15
Attack Line Deployment All attack lines are packed to facilitate the nozzle man reaching the objective with a working length of hose. This is accomplished in several ways: Front bumper Kentland load, nozzle man removes donut roll and proceeds to fire area entry. Cross lays 1 ¾ and 2 ½ attack lines are packed with the nozzle length bound with an inner tube and chock just behind the nozzle. These lines are deployed by grabbing the LONG loop from the ground and shoulder loading the pack. Additional firefighters shoulder load from the shorter loops. Rear lines both the 300 1 ¾ and 3 Bomb lines are set up to be shoulder loaded, and are packed in a minuteman load with the nozzle under the last length of hose. The 400 leader line has 100 of 1 ¾ line arranged in a bundle load. This line may be deployed in close quarters and does not need to be flaked out. Attack lines should be carried and deployed off the shoulder whenever possible. This allows for maneuvering around obstacles and up stair wells and prevents snags and delays. The nozzle team is responsible for flaking the line and ensuring it moves quickly to the fire area with no kinks. Sprinklered Buildings The 2nd or 3rd due engine, depending on size up conditions, should supply the FD connection. Connections are generally in close proximity to hydrants. The engine should lay a 5 line from the hydrant to the area of the connection, connect to the sprinkler system with two 3 hose lines, and pump the lines at 150 psi.. Standpipes Standpipe hook ups are similar to sprinklered buildings, except that the size up should include: Height of building to stand pipe outlet: Add 5 psi per floor. Type of hose, nozzle and length of lay. 16
Engine pressure must account for: Friction loss in 3 to Siamese Elevation loss in standpipe Friction loss in appliances Friction loss in attack hose Nozzle pressure High Rise Pack The high rise packs are equipped with a gated wye for 2 ½ hose, and 100 of 1 ¾ hose. The line is equipped with a break apart nozzle, which consists of a 15/16 smooth bore tip with shutoff, and a low pressure TFT nozzle with a twist shut off. Engine companies should equip themselves for operations with 2 ½ hand lines when fire conditions dictate and stand pipes will support. Members should shoulder load lengths of hose and bring appropriate equipment to make the hook up. Wye Lines After the initial and back up lines are deployed, consider stretching a 3 line and gating it to provide 2 additional lines in exposed areas. The high rise pack provides the attack hose and gated wye. Use of Ladders A single hose line can be advanced rapidly over a ground ladder to an upper floor. The hose should be stretched dry to a safe area, sufficient hose pulled into the structure to reach the fire and the hose secured BEFORE calling for water. Utility Rope Stretch Particularly useful in large garden apartment complexes, a crew goes to the desired floor equipped with a high rise pack, forcible entry tools and the utility rope. Entry is gained to an apartment remote from the fire area, and a 3 line is stretched from the ground to the upper floor via the utility rope. The 3 is secured and the high rise pack provides the attack line. Utility ropes are stored with the high rise pack on each engine. 17
Blackwood Fire Company Big Guns For quickly delivering streams of 400 to 1250 GPM, we have the following options. The first 2 photos below show the Elkhart Stinger in the deck mounted mode. In this mode, the Stinger flows 1250 GPM and can be operated with the safety pin pulled, with no elevation restrictions. Do not exceed 150 psi inlet pressure. The photo to the right shows the stinger with The Pipe attached. This device elevates the gun approximately 18 inches to clear the cab roof and hose body. Use of this device requires practice by driver/operators to determine the effect the added height will have on the angle of attack and reach of the stream. The Stingers have a stream shaper and a set of stacked tips (1 3/8, 1 ½, 1 ¾, and 2 ). A 1000 GPM fog tip and a portable base for the Stinger are in compartment L-1. For portable use, another Stinger is located on the back step of each engine with a portable base and an anchor kit (lower right photo). Operation is the same as described above, except the flow is limited to 800 GPM, the unit can not safely be rotated more than 45 degrees to either side of the center leg, and should be anchored prior to use. The safety pin can not be pulled to lower the stream in this mode. Do not exceed 150 psi inlet pressure. The Bomb line (lower left photo) is a 3" line equipped with a 2 ½" full flow shut off and a 1 ½" master stream tip. This line is capable of flowing 400 to 600 GPM and should only be operated from a seated position or a hose loop. 18
Foam Operations Each engine is equipped with 50 gallons of Universal Gold Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AR-AFFF), a 100 gpm JS-10 foam nozzle and a 100 gpm LP-9 foam eductor. This foam is for Class A and B Flammable Liquid firefighting. Hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel require a setting of 1% while alcohol or polar solvent based fuels require a setting of 3%. Prior to deploying foam it is important to determine the required flow rate and how much foam will be required. Foam solution (foam/water mix) must be applied at a rate of.16 gpm per square foot of burning fuel. To be effective, foam solution must be applied for 15 minutes. We ll use a 1000 square foot gasoline fire as an example: 1000 x.16 gpm = 160 gallons of foam solution are required per minute to knock down and control the fire. Hydrocarbons require 1% foam..01 x 160 = 1.6 gallons of foam concentrate per minute. The foam must be applied for 15 minutes. 1.6 x 15 = 24 gallons of foam concentrate needed to extinguish the fire Since this evolution requires close to 1500 gallons of water, a hydrant supply line or other water supply must be established Since we have a 50 gallon on board foam concentrate tank, this is the practical limit for a single engine foam attack. Of course if both engines placed their lines into service simultaneously, this amount could be doubled. To utilize foam, take the following steps: Obtain the foam nozzle and eductor from compartment L-1. Deploy no more than 200' of 1 3/4" hose. Replace the existing nozzle with the JS-10 foam nozzle, Connect the eductor to a driver side discharge and connect the pick up tube to the small fitting on the lower left of the pump panel. Open the pump access panel and pull the foam discharge lever. Set the eductor to 1% for hydrocarbon (oil, gas, etc...) or 3% for alcohol fires. Pump the line at 200 psi 19
Foam should be applied to completely cover the burning fuel. Avoid plunging the stream into burning fuel. Allow the foam to gently cascade onto the fire by striking an object and allowing the stream to flow down onto the fuel, or bank it onto the fire by directing the stream at the ground in front of the fire and rolling it onto the burning liquid Do not mix foam and water streams, the water will weaken the foam and push it off the fuel. The nozzle must be maintained full open and the line kept free of kinks for efficient eductor operation. Foam Pro Pak The Pro Pak holds 2 ½ gallons of AFFF Universal Gold. This is firefighting foam with both Class A and B firefighting properties. Rated at 12 GPM @ 100 psi. Most effective for vapor suppression at fuel spills, small class B fires and application of Class A foam for deep seated fires. Portable Fire Extinguishers The following types of portable fire extinguishers are maintained either on the engines or other apparatus. ABC Type Dry Chemical Effective on all types of fires but has particular use in quick knockdown of flammable liquid fires. Carried on all apparatus. The ABC chemical reacts with heat to form a film over any burned material. The powder can be damaging to electrical equipment and motors. We have both stored pressure and cartridge operated extinguishers in use. Pressurized Water Carried on all apparatus, consists of 2 1/2 gallons of water pressurized to 100 psi. Effective on Class A fires only, such as nuisance and trash fires. Can also be used to darken a room and contents fire while the attack line is being stretched. The PW extinguisher is carried by the Can positions on both the Rescue and Tower. 20
Indian Back Pack Effective on Class A fires only. Carried on both engines. Vest is filled with water at the scene and is hand pump operated for use on brush fires and nuisance fires out of the reach of a hose line. Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Effective on Class A and B fires. Carried on the engines and rescue. This type of extinguisher has a special air aspirating nozzle. Contains 2 ½ gallons of water with the addition of foam concentrate. Excellent for use in covering a spill or small flammable liquid fires. May also be used on Class A fires. METL-X Effective on Class D fires only. Carried on the Rescue only. This type of extinguisher contains a specialized extinguishing agent for combustible metal fires such as magnesium or titanium. METL-X is a finely powdered sodium chloride (salt). METL-X is best applied gently to completely cover any burning metal. The burning metal should be covered and not disturbed until extinguishment is complete. Vehicle Fires Assume a blocking position unless situation dictates otherwise due to traffic or uphill / upwind considerations Officer chocks involved vehicle wheels Minimum 1 ¾ line with fire showing Avoid the bumper areas, attack from corners or sides. Deploy and man a dry chemical extinguisher for flammable liquid fires. Deploy porto power spreader and halligan for vehicle engine compartment access. Safe batteries Inspect trunk / cargo area 21
Highway Incident Hazard Control The engine is responsible for: Establishing scene safety in a blocking mode. Initial stabilization of the vehicle if arriving before the Rescue. Hazard control including: o Check for / control fuel leaks o Disconnect vehicle battery o Standing by with fire extinguisher for motor vehicle accidents o Standing by with a charged hose line and extinguisher during extrications. Utility Incidents Electrical Downed wires Position apparatus 2 pole spans from the incident. Establish a safe area and deny access. Coordinate actions with Police. Downed wires with no arcing or burning is a traffic control incident. Notify the utility Provide the address and closest pole number. Do not approach or touch wires. Pole top fires await arrival of utility and support firefighting efforts Wires arcing in trees with no damage generally do not require FD intervention. Confirmed Gas Leak Inside Leak Notify Gas Company Locate gas meter Monitor with O2/LEL meter Stop leak locally (valve to stove, heater, etc) if possible Secure meter if necessary Secure leak and danger tag valve Ventilate Uncontrollable Inside Leak Structure Fire Assignment Water Supply Evacuate Gas Company 22
Outside Leak Notify Gas Company Isolate area and deny entry Secure potential ignition sources Monitor for high flammable gas concentrations in area and surrounding structures Depending on severity and exposures: o Consider a structure fire assignment o Water Supply o Evacuation Confirmed Carbon Monoxide Incidents Interview occupants for signs / symptoms Monitor with house closed up and appliances running. Use SCBA. Attempt to locate faulty appliances, plugged flue or chimney. Notify Gas Company Secure appliances Ventilate EMS First Responder Operations The engine companies are the primary EMS response vehicles. Each engine is equipped with: A jump bag for trauma and basic medical emergencies. Semi automatic defibrillator Suction unit Airway bag (oral and nasal airways, bag valve masks) Long board and head blocks The primary goal of the EMS first responder program is to respond to ALS level calls and provide care when an ambulance is not readily available. The EMS engine is also dispatched for all calls involving major trauma and patients reported in cardiac or respiratory arrest. 23
When arriving before the ambulance or medic unit, the firefighter first responder or EMT should take control of patient care, gathering information and ensuring basic life support is provided. On arrival of the Squad or Medics, the firefighter will provide a complete turnover on information gathered and care provided up to that point. The remaining members of the engine company should assist EMS as required in treatment, packaging and transport of the patient. Mass / Emergency Decontamination Operations Both engines can be equipped to provide mass decontamination as necessary. An area for the decon corridor should be selected that provides: Containment of victims Containment of run off A water supply Victim privacy Mass decon is provided using flooding quantities of water at low pressure (pressure should not exceed 40 psi. The engines should be set up so that they are side by side with water supplies to the OUTSIDE of the corridor. The engines should be 12-15 apart. The pump operator installs the spare 30 degree adapters (L-1) on the pump panel to the inside of the corridor. They should be installed to counter the existing angle and provide for a slightly upward stream. 1 ½ caps are placed on the angle adapters and fog nozzles are provided opened and set on a medium to wide fog. The deck gun may be used with the pipe extension and a fog nozzle. The front bumper line of one engine can be used out in front to provide an initial wash down. Firefighters manning decon should be in full PPE and SCBA or utilize SCBA and the chemical protective clothing (CPC) kit. The decon corridor should delineated with traffic cones and specific instructions provided via PA to the victims. The victims should be instructed to proceed to the corridor Prior to reaching the decon streams instructions should be provided to remove valuables and bag or place on ground As victims approach streams they should be encouraged to wash fully and strip to their underwear. Victims should be directed to turn and ensure their head, face and hands in particular are fully flushed. As victims proceed through they should be turned over to EMS or Haz Mat for definitive decon. 24
Pump Operators Reference Page Friction Loss Table (per 100 of hose) GPM 150 200 250 300 350 400 500 600 750 1000 1250 1500 Hose 1 ¾ 16 25 35 2 ½ 15 20 30 35 55 3 8 10 15 20 30 45 55 4 5 7 10 20 31 5 1.6 3 5 7 10 15 NOZZLE PRESSURE* 40 26 9 45 28 10 50 Handline GALLONS PER MINUTE (GPM) SOLID BORE NOZZLES SOLID BORE DIAMETER (INCHES) POUNDS REACTION FORCE (RF) 3/8" 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" 7/8" 15/16" 1" 1 1/8" 1 1/4" 1 3/8" 1 1/2" 1 3/4" 2" 30 11 55 31 12 60 32 13 65 34 14 70 35 15 75 36 17 80 Master Stream 37 18 47 16 50 18 53 20 55 22 58 24 60 26 62 27 64 29 66 31 73 25 78 28 82 31 86 34 90 37 94 40 97 43 101 46 104 49 106 35 112 40 118 44 124 49 129 53 135 57 140 62 145 66 149 71 144 48 153 54 161 60 169 66 176 72 183 78 190 84 197 90 203 96 165 55 175 62 185 69 194 76 202 83 211 90 218 97 226 103 234 110 188 63 199 71 210 79 220 86 230 94 240 102 249 110 257 118 266 126 238 79 252 89 266 99 279 109 291 119 303 129 315 139 326 149 336 159 294 98 311 110 328 123 344 135 360 147 374 159 388 172 402 184 415 196 355 119 377 134 397 148 417 163 435 178 453 193 470 208 486 223 502 237 423 141 448 159 473 177 496 194 518 212 539 230 559 247 579 265 598 283 575 192 610 216 643 240 675 264 705 288 734 313 761 337 788 361 814 385 752 251 797 283 840 314 881 345 921 377 958 408 994 440 1029 471 1063 502 g g g g g g g g g 25
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