LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Wildland fires
I am writing in reference to the article “Health and Safety at Wildland Fires” (June 1992). William C. Putt is to be commended for a fine article. He brought to the surface topics that are oftentimes taken for granted or viewed as less important than the actual firefighting.
The reference to poisonous plants alone is very important. I realize that someone who is allergic to such plants should consider not responding to wildfires, but it happens. A lung full of “ivy” smoke in the wrong person could result in serious problems. Ill or injured firefighters (normally) cannot remove themselves to an area for treatment. Therefore, you lose firefighters who must assist or move the injured firefighter.
One point to consider is contact with animals. I have seen skunks, pushed out by fire, cross the fireline between crew members. In areas where rabies is a problem, it would pay to be on the lookout.
While a lot of the wildfires in this area of the country burn only an average of four acres, Putt points out what to look for: The small fire, the one we take for granted—whether it is in the woods or downtown—is the one that catches us off guard. My thanks to the author for a fine article.
Dennis H. Metzger
Lieutenant
McEtvensville (PA) Fire Department
Forest Fire Warden
District 20
PA Bureau of Forestry
doss “A” foam and CAFS
I was very interested in the letters to the editor on the pros and cons of Class A foam and the use of CAFS units.
My department purchased a CAFS unit about 10 months ago. These units and class A foam have their limitations just like any other piece of fire equipment. However, CAFS units are quite effective if used strategically. My department has used our CAFS unit on brush, hay barns, structures, and even oil field fires; up to the present time, we have had no problems. On structure fires our unit uses a l’/2-inch preconnect off the CAFS unit and a backup lVi-inch, 125-gpm preconnect line from a pumper for an initial offensive attack. This method has proven to provide a proficiently fast knockdown with less damage to the building. Note: This is also in combination with positive-pressure ventilation. On oil field fires, the bigger apparatus cools down the tanks and surrounding exposures, while the CAFS unit provides AFFF along with dry chemical. This is a very efficient and quick knockout of the fire. My department uses our CAFS unit almost daily.
Whether you are volunteer or folly paid, you have to train your crews in the proper operation of your department’s equipment. If your department has a CAFS unit and it’s not being operated correctly or it’s not functioning as it should, then you should take a look at your training and see if your crews know how to operate the equipment properly. If training or lack of training is the problem, don’t blame it on a piece of equipment. If volunteer crews have multiple operators because of manpower shortages, all personnel should be properly trained and acquainted with the unit. These procedures should be in your SOPs and should be enforced. You should have scheduled evaluations of your operators’ performance and knowledge of the equipment they are using.
Our department has large-volume and low-volume eductors, and we use them mainly on larger hydrocarbon fires. However, we have tried them with Class A foam, and from our experience the eductors are not as efficient as the CAFS units. We used more water with eductors than with the CAFS unit. Also, the CAFS unit foam is all ready to use—just pull a switch and you have a good, solid foam for fire attack. With the eductors, on the other hand, a firefighter must place the pickup tube from one bucket to the next. Also, it takes considerably more time to set up the in-line eductors and to haul the foam buckets where they are needed. Where you might have two or three firefighters involved in in-line eductor operations, the CAFS unit takes only the operator/driver—the other firefighters can be used on the fire attack.
John R. Turner, Jr.
Chief
West Odessa (IX) Volunteer
Fire Department
Fire department preparedness
This letter is to compliment Fire Engineering for publishing the article “Fire Department Preparedness: Results of a National Survey” by James Campbell (November 1992). This is especially interesting to me because we have worked very hard in my area to improve our mutual/automatic-aid capabilities.
However, I feel Campbell omitted an important issue—politics! The political entities and their territorial attitudes provide most of the resistance to implementing an effective automatic/mutual-aid system. The various fire service agencies would make considerable progress if they had the support of their governing bodies. It took two years for us to complete mutualaid agreements with the seven cities that surround us. Automatic aid has been even more difficult. When local council members see “their” fire truck in another city, they want an explanation. Currently, we are able to participate in an automatic-aid agreement on a limited basis only, and even this is not favorably accepted by some council members.
Another obstacle in the effective sharing of resources Is the variation in the “level of service” among cities. While one city might have a minimum staffing level of three to four firefighters per apparatus, others may only have one firefighter on the apparatus who will be joined by paid, oncall personnel. This can hardly be considered “mutual aid.”
Again, thanks for publishing the article. It will encourage all of us to be more diligent in our efforts to effectively use our resources.
Bill M. Strickland
Chief
Arlington (TX) Fire Department
Letter of gratitude to firefighters
Following is a copy of a letter the New Glarus (WI) Fire Department received on the anniversary of a house fire that took place in October 1991. Its contents should be read, understood, and cherished by firefighters throughout the world. Please share it with your readers.
Kent Anderson
Chief
New Glarus (WI) Fire
Department
It’s October 19, 1992, early in the morning—I can’t get back to sleep. I should get up and get to work, but I don’t want to leave my house. One year ago today I left my house and when I came back two hours later it was filled with black smoke.
We forgot all the rules we learned in school. The four of us—my two youngest children, my fiance, and I—ran through the house looking for the source of the smoke. When we opened the closet door and saw the flames, I yelled for my girls to get out—they ran. I grabbed the phone, and as the flames devoured the tablecl( ‘th and the curtains, I dialed 911.1 told my fiance to make sure the girls were out and told the lady on the phone that I had a fire in my home, my name and address, and that I had to get out noiv. I had to go out the back way because the flames blocked the other way.
Then we stood in the yard and waited forever —/ was told later it was only a few minutes—until the red trucks came roaring to 1306 2nd Street. I ivatchecl while smoke poured out everywhere and men climbed on my roof and went in the door with their hose. I kept thinking of all the things in there that could never be replaced—pictures, important papers, the afghan my Grandma made. Then the men in the big boots and long jackets were backing out the door carrying something—no—carrying someone. My Gocl, it teas one of the men, their friend and fellow firefighter, and surely someone I knew as well.
My prayers were different after that. My eyes were opened to the risks those volunteers take every time the siren blows. I wonder how their families cope while their loved ones are risking their lives. Now, when the siren sounds, I say a silent prayer for their safety.
Here it is, a whole year later. I have a new roof and new walls and floors. The wedding went on as planned five days after “the fire. ’’ It was hard on the whole family for a few months, but we survived. We have new smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher. I’m a lot more careful about some things—that peace of mind that when you leave everything will be okay when you get back was slightly shattered. But we’re okay.
I wanted you all to know that I am grateful. “Thank you” sounds shamefully simple for what you face each time you get on that truck, but no words are adequate.
Please be careful. And please also know that when prayers are said at the end of each day, there is at least one family who always remembers you in theirs.
With love and gratitude,
Peggy Jeglum
