THE WAR WAGON
APPARATUS & EQUIPMENT
Photo by Bill Glass.
WHEN DADE County’s “War Wagon” rolls, you can be sure it is responding to a working fire or rescue incident. Operated by Metro-Dade Fire Rescue’s Logistical Services Division, the War Wagon is a scene support unit that provides logistical support when responding to greater-alarm fires and rescue incidents. It often reduces the need for additional engine and truck companies.
The War Wagon demonstrated its logistical support value on September 3, 1988 at a four-alarm warehouse fire that lasted 16 hours. First the scene support crew removed several heavy-steel overhead rolling doors with an exothermic cutting torch and K-1200 saws. At the same time it provided the roof sector with five additional K-1200 saws for roof ventilation activities. During roof ventilation operations the scene support crew replaced blades, drive belts, and recoil assemblies.
Approximately eight hours into the incident, radio communication in the command post failed and the incident commander lost contact with sector commanders. Scene support was called on to set up its remote radio system, and within five minutes communications were back on-line. Because of the large fire flow requirements, supply lines were laid from several hydrants. The scene support unit provided the hosebridges to allow continued access to theft reground.
During overhaul, the interior sector determined that ventilation was hampered by stacks of materials in front of the* access doors. The scene support crew surveyed the building and determined that the east wall was breachable. With the aid of a backhoe and operator, they made four 8-inch by 10-inch openings. This additional ventilation significantly improved operations.
The war wagon concept is not new. In the horse-drawn era, major departmcnts had supply wagons respond with equipment that could not be carried on streamers and hose wagons. The early motorized years saw the formation of “flying squads,” or manpower and equipment units, that provided backup on greater alarms. Over the years, the support truck evolved and took on additional assignments in the old Chicago and Memphis fire squads. These units not only provided extra men and equipment at major fires but also had large deluge guns to provide heavy attack streams.
Metro-Dade is one of the few departments currently operating a strictly logistical support company. Because many departments must operate with minimum manpower, such support units are a luxury they cannot afford. In many departments the heavy-rescue function fills the void.
CHANGING FUNCTIONS WITH THE TIMES
Since its inception in 1963, MetroDade’s support vehicle has changed in function to meet the changing demands of the department and the county it serves. Originally known as Support Three, the first vehicle carried an oxyacetylene cutting torch, an assortment of large wrenches, come-a-longs, house jacks, a large Porta-Power, and a handchain hoist. Manned by one lieutenant on a 24-hour shift, the vehicle provided heavy rescue on multiple alarms. The truck was also routinely dispatched to pick up knocked-down hydrants.
Tools and Equipment Inventory
Hydraulic tools/equipment
Hydraulic rescue tool and power unit
Hydraulic rams set
Manual hydraulic pump
Porta-power set
Rescue chains
Cutting and forcing equipment
Chain saws, 2
Rotary sows, 5
Thermo cutting sets, 3
Cutting rods, 2 boxes
Air chisel, 1
Come-a-long, 1
Spore sow chains, 16
Rotary sow blades, 96, various sizes/functions
Recoil sets, rotary saw, 4
Spark plugs, 2 boxes
Air filters, saws
Sharpener, chain saw
Hand tools
Slap hammer
Bolt cutters, spare heads
Axes, flat and pike head
Sledge hammers
Pipe wrenches
Mallets, rubber
Haligan (type) pry bars
Hammer
Fuel, lube, spare parts
Fuel cans, safety, 5 gal.,1 gal.
Chain cutting oil, quarts
Motor belts, rotary sow, 24
Jerry can, 5 gol.
Hydraulic fluid, rescue tool, 4 quarts
Motor oil, 1 cose
Fuel, 2-cyde, 1 case
Funnels
lighting equipment
Flashlights, 6
Batteries—9V, AA, D, C (1 cose ea.)
Halon rechargeable handlights, batteries, chargers, bulbs, 6 ea.
Cirde-D lamp, spare bulbs
Generator, 3500 watt
Electrical coble, 100 ft., reel
Adopters, domestic electric
Plugs and sockets, replacement
Dive equipment
Masks, fins, snorkels-various
Dive lights
Dive B.C.s
Dive line, tender
Air/gas supply
Oxygen cylinders, 60 cu. ft.
Oxy/acelylene cylinders, spares
Protective equipment, personnel
Bunker gear, spare, 3
Helmets, shields, spare 4
Boots, spare 4
PASS devices, spare 12
Resuscitator
Gloves, firefighting, 30 sets
Lineman’s gloves
Safety goggles, 12
Surgical gloves
Hearing protectors
Compressed air cylinder/50 ft. hose
Fittings, adapters, nozzles, related equipment
Siamese
Triamese, Storz
Gated wye
Water thief
Floating pumps
Hydrant keys
Hydrant wrenches
Hose clamps
Spanner wrenches, all types
Handline nozzles, various
Master stream nozzles, various
Hydrant valves
Gauges, in-line, pitot, cop
Foom edudor
Water curtains
Cellar pipes, Bresnan, 3
Blind caps, assorted sizes
Thread adapters, various, 12
Adapters, Storz to NST, 3
Double male/female, various, 14
Stream straightener, 3
Communication equipment
Portable radios, 8
Lapel mikes, 6
Syntor “X” radio port
Radio headset
Syntor “X” radio port
Antenno, portable, various, 8
Antenna, directional, 1
Coaxial coble, 50 ft., 2
Miscellaneous
Masking, duct, banner tape
Tow chains, various, 5
Plastic ties, 1 box
Elevator keys
Ballpoint pens, 1 box
Flares, road
Air gun, rescue
Cables, jumper
Drinking water/cooler, 5 gols.
Hand cleaner
Rags, clean, 3 cases
Nuts, bolts, screws, assorted
Insect repellent
Gunk
Starter fluid
Spray paint, 12 cans, assorted
Cement, PVC
Salvoge covers
Squeegees, mops, brooms
Shovels
“S” hooks
Wedges, plugs, wood
Traffic cones
Attic ladder
Trailer hitches
Polyester rope, 100 ft., 2
Magic markers
Thermo-imaging camera
Decible meter
Digital thermometer
Digital tachometer
Span test set
Silicone sealant
Trauma kit
In 1974 the support unit was manned by one lieutenant and one firefighter per shift. In 1975 it provided medical rescue, which was becoming one of the department’s main functions. Over the next decade, the support unit operated on a sporadic basis.
In 1985 the vehicle was unmanned and sat idle at fire department headquarters until the civilian transportation officer volunteered to respond with the truck to greater alarms. In the fall of 1987 the support unit was assigned a much broader and coordinated role— working for the Research and Development Bureau.
In 1988 the Metro-Dade Fire Department was working an overturned liquefied petroleum tanker incident. The incident commander determined the need for and requested the “scene support truck.” Because it was a new unit and because more than six other units were designated as support, this request confused die dispatcher. After several exchanges over the radio the incident commander said, “Send the War Wagon.” Then everyone knew what he meant, and to this day “War Wagon” is still the vehicle’s unofficial title.
The War Wagon is the responsibility of the three lieutenants in the Research and Development Bureau, who stock and maintain the unit. Since they are on a 40-hour-a-week schedule, each officer takes the War Wagon home at night for a rotating two-week period. When the unit responds to a call, the other two lieutenants meet it at the scene and “set up shop.” The vehicle provides a wide array of equipment and supplies.
In January 1989 the scene support unit was invited to attend a product demonstration at another department’s training facility. Before starting the demonstration, the vendor observed that his equipment did not have the proper threads to connect to the hydrant, nor did the host department have any compatible adapters. This is not unusual in Dade County, because thread sizes vary from one municipality to the next. Metro-Dade’s War Wagon had the necessary adapters in its inventory, which enabled the demonstration to continue.
In addition to providing logistical support and technical assistance at major incidents, the unit provides handson research and development. New equipment and products constantly are tested and evaluated under combat conditions to improve safety and service delivery. This information is shared with other departments and the manufacturers.
With the growth Dade County has experienced over the past few years has come an increase in the number of alarms and particularly multiple alarms. In 1988 the Metro-Dade Fire Department responded to more than 100,000 alarms.
The War Wagon has become a valuable and cost-effective tool for us. The concept has worked so well that a new, heavier-duty rig is now under construction to replace the present vehicle.
