VOLUNTEERS CORNER | By Tim Pillsworth
History tells us that the first fire department in our young country was the Union Fire Company in Philadelphia, founded in 1736 by Benjamin Franklin. Soon afterward, volunteer fire companies were created in many cities around the fledgling states that would become the United States. At the time, they were not much more than organized bucket brigades that would turn out to support their neighbors in their time of need.
Bringing Creditability to the Term ‘Combat Ready’
As time moved forward, there was an introduction of steam fire engines, hose wagons, and ladder trucks to the modern-day apparatus we use today. Each company took a tremendous amount of pride in their equipment and would show it off at local parades and events. At the time, many fire apparatus were just as much function as a piece of moving and functioning art. Some of the old hand-drawn hose wagons and pumpers had ornate details that have long since passed. The local or regional parade was held in high esteem to show off equipment and pride in the fire company.
Fast-forward more than 250 years: The firematic parade is still alive and well in the volunteer fire service. Whether it is for an annual community event, organization, inspection, or other reason, pride in ownership, equipment, and name can always be on display in any part of the country during these parades.
So, the question that comes around parade time is, Are you fire or parade ready? Do you really have to choose? Some do, and all should. We all know one or two departments that would take a frontline apparatus out of service for days and, in some cases, weeks, to prep it for a parade. Each part of the engine, truck, and rescue would be cleaned as it leaves and, in some cases, beyond the day of the final inspection at the manufacturer. The famous “white glove test” will be passed with flying colors. The wheels and chrome will have that “mirror” finish, enough wax to make the paint look endless in depth. There will not be one water spot on any glass or gauge, but does that make the vehicle any more ready for its next alarm? This could be a fire, motor vehicle accident, or any other call for service your community needs. A clean rig does not always make it a fire-ready rig.
Changing for the Times
What does it take to be fire ready? All the equipment must be in usable condition. The handlines must be packed correctly with loops to allow for quicker and easier stretches. The power tools must be cleaned, be fully fueled and charged, and start easily with the correct blades/chains for that community’s needs. The hand tools must be safely and correctly stowed away. Ladders with proper halyards are set for a quick deployment. The tool and handline operators have the knowledge and skills to properly operate the pump, ladder, and all other tools aboard the vehicle. The crews know how to stretch a line, how to throw a ladder, and the location of every tool. So, we should update the equipment inspection part of our parades. Far too often, the inspection is nothing more than how clean and pretty the lights are. Take your preparation to the next step and do not simply act like your apparatus and tools are in a beauty contest.
For some, accept this change in mindset that the apparatus is there for its true function and not just for appearance. Is it in service and ready to protect its community? That question must come before, “Is it clean and shiny?” Of course, pride in its appearance and inspection is a must, but it cannot be the overriding factor for the coveted “Best Appearing” trophy.
Getting the Equipment’s “Good Side”
Let’s start with the appearance side of the apparatus at the parade. Has it been cleaned and waxed? Yes, this is important not just for its appearance but also for its longevity. The white glove test should not be the only test, and the overall appearance of the apparatus is important, but keeping taxpayer-funded equipment in good condition is part of our job. Next, are the tools mounted on the exterior clean and rust free? Are the wheels clean? If we look at the exterior, are the compartments clean and organized?
If the cleanliness inspection is only for the exterior, we are missing the design and function of all fire apparatus. The engine/truck/rescue is a work truck, a toolbox on wheels, and a service vehicle. The overall inspection should not just be for the exterior, with shiny chrome and coated tires, but for all equipment. All the tools—hand, power, battery, and hydraulic—need to be clean and in service. If a tool is out of service, it should not remain on the rig.
We have all seen a rig whose outside is clean and shiny. Then, you open a compartment, and it is a disaster area. The jambs and hinges are full of road grime. Oil and debris from saws and other tools are on the trays, there are leaky cans, and the tools look tossed in. More importantly, can the tools be removed quickly when required? Is there rust on the ax head or pole/hook stored in the apparatus? Are the tools located where they should be, grouped by task, and matched with others in the department? Are the power saw tools clean of wood chips from the previous fire? The parade-ready rig will only be shiny on the outside; the fire-ready rig’s interior should be just as clean as the exterior.
Now that we know the tools are clean, do they work? We all know that one saw or generator that is hard to start. Are all the batteries charged? Do you use a battery system, and is it standardized? This is important for being fire ready.
The Inspection
Now that everything has been checked for cleanliness and workability, have the assisting crew do a random check for operations. Start a saw, fire up the extrication equipment, check the levels of the hydraulic equipment; the list can continue. For the inspection, you don’t need to check every tool, just one or two pieces from every compartment. As previously mentioned, the crew assigned to ride the rig at the parade must also know how to use every tool on the rig. If not, they should not be allowed to ride it, which is actually a major penalty.
The immediately dangerous to life or health equipment needs to be inspected separately. Are the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mounted and with full cylinders and the personal alert safety systems functioning? Each must be clean from the dangerous carcinogens from the most recent fire. Next, are the portable radios fully charged, stored, and preset to the correct frequency? Ask which channels they use for operations and in the event of a Mayday. Is the thermal imaging camera (TIC) in its cradle/charger and ready to go?
Although these questions seem simple, we must now return to our main question: Are you fire or parade ready? Many of us have been en route to a fire, and the SCBA straps were not fully extended, or the high-pressure line was not fully attached. Maybe the batteries in your radio, which is now under your coat, are dead. What if, in a middle of a search, the TIC goes dead because it was not stowed in the charger correctly? This equipment represents the life safety of you and your crew. Most parade-goers do not check in the cab other than for clean windows and clean and shiny wheels, but the fire readiness of the engine is your responsibility.
Regarding the apparatus interior, is the cab clean? We all know about the dangers of the smoke, soot, particulates, and carcinogens found within our engines and gear. We spend tremendous amounts of time cleaning the exterior, but what about the interior? A good inspection of the cab and its cleanliness is more important than how much wax is on the paint. There cannot be any drywall, insulation, and grime remaining from previous fires on or under the seats, controls, and steering wheel. This is area of the apparatus with which you and your crew will have the greatest amount of contact, so it must be safe; that means clean. If it isn’t, it’s a failure in the inspection.
Lastly, consider the inspection of the engine/truck/rescue, which entails not just checking the rig’s operability (i.e., pumps, ladders, and so on) but the operator’s proficiency. Does he know the target flow for the line with the correct pump discharge pressure? Can he set up the ladder/tower for safe operations? These are tests that he must be able to complete. Driving a 30,000- to 75,000-pound truck fully, safely, and correctly requires a level of training that exceeds basic classroom knowledge and hands-on teaching. How many times have you witnessed or had to be asked to assist the operator to address a problem while operating at an alarm? Sometimes, even the best operators can experience a “brain cramp” and need some help. This is common and not something about which to be overly concerned, but be mindful of the possibility. A true “knowledge check” is proof of being fire ready.
Are you fire or parade ready? You can be both, but there is a need to change how we judge and inspect the equipment and rigs in our fire departments. Will you do your inspections at the time of the parade or on inspection day? The choice is up to you.
Continue to honor our past with firematic parades. The pride in marching behind our country’s colors and our company’s banner is part of being a volunteer firefighter. It should be taught and passed down to our newest members. Having a shiny rig and tools without the skills and knowledge of how to operate them must change. The people who pay for our equipment, training, and perks (i.e., retirement programs, tax breaks, additional medical/insurance coverage) expect much more than they did 30 to 40 years ago. We are now unpaid professional firefighters. Times change, but the service we continue to offer to our communities requires us to adjust.
TIM PILLSWORTH has been in the volunteer fire service since 1986 and is a firefighter/EMT with the Washingtonville (NY) Fire Department and a past chief and life member of the Winona Lake (NY) Engine Company. He has presented at FDIC International and at other local and regional conferences on engine company operations and leadership in the volunteer fire service. He authored and coauthored many articles on PPE, volunteerism, engine company operations, attack system flow testing, and volunteer fire department management and planning. He is the author of the PPE chapter in Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II. He is a project engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
