Cost-effective backup alarms add to safety
DEPARTMENTS
Dispatches
Last year, 117 firefighters died in the line of duty, a 5.5% increase over 1983. And, according to statistics, a large number of these firefighter deaths and injuries are the result of vehicle accidents (see “Incident Command,” FIRE ENGINEERING, December 1984).
Although numerous seminars, articles, and training sessions cover the safe handling of fire apparatus, even the best chauffeur can miss seeing an exhausted brother firefighter inadvertently stumble into the path of a maneuvering apparatus.
One safety precaution that could help alleviate some potential vehicle-related accidents on the fireground, training ground, and in the fire station is a backup alarm on the apparatus.
The Margaretta Twp. Fire Department, Castalia, OH, devised a very effective backup alarm system at minimum cost to the department. The basic equipment includes:
- One 12-volt auto horn;
- One 12-volt horn relay;
- One 12-volt turn signal flasher unit;
- 12-gage electrical wire, connectors, and tape.
The auto horn, mounted on the back of the truck, gives a louder warning than the commercial backup alarm units, which is an added benefit when operating around diesel engines and the noise of the fireground. As can be seen from the sketch, a 12gage wire is run from the apparatus battery and connected to the horn relay. A 16-18gage wire runs from one end of the relay and is spliced into the backup light circuit. A 12-gage wire runs from the other side of the relay and is connected to the 12-volt flasher, which in turn is connected to the 12-volt horn.
We feel that the alarm should be wired directly to the backup switch circuit without any means of shutting it off except by taking the vehicle out of reverse. This will keep the system from accidentally being shut off.
A cost benefit of this alarm system is that all parts are easily and inexpensively replaced. In fact, the only cost incurred by the Margaretta Twp. Fire Department for their backup alarm system was for the wire, connectors, and tape. The local auto salvage yard was happy to donate all the other needed equipment.
Our profession has enough hazards without us creating our own. If we can do anything to prevent injuries and deaths, then we would be foolish not to.
Thomas H. Keimer
Chief
Margaretta Twp. Fire Department
- Castalia, OH
