Pike Fire Dedicates New Vehicles(posted Aug 21) Two fire trucks, a Battalion Command SUV, and a Safety Vehicle SUV were formally dedicated into the Pike Township Fire Department on August 21. Fire Chief Gerald George graciously thanked Pike Township Trustee Lula Patton and board members for the equipment. George noted the estimated $1.1 million expenditure did not raise taxes because it was paid from the cumulative capital fund. He said the engine and aerial truck were replacements for retired Engine 111 and Aerial 111. George noted that fire engines and aerials no longer have a useful life of 20 years because the number of runs have doubled over the last two decades.. Replacements now happen around 10 to 12 years, with a reserve life of two to three years. He noted the five front line fire engines and two aerial trucks are rotated to increase their useful life. George involved the firefighters with participating in the design of the fire engines since they would be the ones using the apparatus. George acknowledged Square One for the striping package to accent the fire trucks and SUVs. The aerial has a special graphic of an American Flag on the 95 foot extension ladder. The new vehicles were showcased at the Pike Township Trustee's Office where Patton called the PTFD "a first class department that is only going to get better." Board member Cynthia Bowen praised George for his ability to manage resources to maintain the equipment and high level of fire service to the community within the confines of the budget. After the dedication, firefighters demonstrated the aerial by allowing board members to go up in the aerial. Board member Ronald Rogers said his wife wasn't going to believe that he went up in the aerial. "It was really neat," he said. Rogers was surprised that the 95 foot climb was a smooth ride. Captain Chris Tragesser describe how all the new vehicles play a vital role in extinguishing a fire. Tragesser explained that when the fire station receives a call from dispatch most of the personal protective equipment is in the truck. By the time the firefighters are sitting inside, they are putting on their air packs because there is no time to waste once they arrive at the scene. "We only know what it is going on from dispatch. People are often not clear when calling 9-1-1 what the actual emergency is . Many times they are describing the injury of a person having difficulty breathing, but fail to mention it is due to a smoke inhalation from a burning house. You have only seconds to think and to make decisions once you arrive at the scene," he said. Engine 111 and Aerial 111 are a team. The aerial relies on Engine 111 for pressure to pump water. Engine 111 sets up at the hydrant and the pumper boosts the pressure through the hose to send to Aerial 111. He noted the engineer is the driver. The engineer's job is deceptive in appearance. It may look as though he as an easy job because he does not enter the burning structure, but he is responsible for the water pressure. He must know the exact pressure to send depending upon the length of the hose and height of the aerial truck. "If the engineer provides too much pressure, it can crack the nozzle sending the firefighter on his rear end," he said. He noted that aerial truck is configured for a 95 foot ladder which is five feet shorter than the old Aerial 111. He said to increase the ladder by five foot on the new aerial would mean reconfiguring the chassis, the frame, stabilizers and other parameters. He noted the for every ten feet the ladder is in the air five pounds of pressure must be added to the water, so it can spray 1,000 gallons per minute. Tragesser' job as safety officer is to provide training on how to drive trucks to arrive safely at the scene and then to provide safety at the scene. It is not easy driving the heavy trucks. The vehicle can not stop on a dime. He is amazed at drivers' reactions to the sirens. "Some stop in right in front of you. Some go to the left while others to the right. Some end up following us so they can go through the lights," he said. Tragesser explained that air packs last up to 45 minutes, but they have to be monitored closely because the firefighters have to make sure they have enough air left to exit the building. The firefighters rotate to make sure they keep hydrated. Tragesser monitors the fire and wind direction to make sure the fire does not spread to nearby buildings. He noted they often use aerial maps to see the surrounding neighborhoods in case they are exposed to the fire or hazardous materials that could involve an immediate evacuation. "The engineer operating the aerial's platform must be smooth. Quick little movements down here mean big movements up there," he said. Tragesser's final job is to monitor the building's CO level. "To deem a building safe means you don't have to use the bottled air anymore," he said. The Battalion Chief provides the plan of attack to put out the fire. He assigns tasks to the firefighters that involves coordinating the water with ventilation. If the water and ventilation are not not in sync, it can either result in a steam house that "fries the guys on the inside", or an error in ventilation can mean spreading the fire. Ventilation helps relieve the steam and clears out the smoke. In essences, he sets up the tactical priorities. |
|
