Old Pumper Altered For Use by Squad Awaiting New Truck
BY ERIC S. LAMAR
and
JAMES F. FEATHERSTONE III
Faced with the problem of providing heavy rescue and fireground support service to a rapidly growing area without a reliable vehicle to use, members of Squad Company 14 in Fairfax County, Va., effectively modified a reserve pumper to use as a squad. As a result, an old and extremely unreliable squad was retired. A replacement squad is on order and is scheduled for delivery late this year.
Squad companies in Fairfax County perform specialized activities in these areas:
- Fireground duties include search and rescue, forcible entry and ventilation.
- Emergency medical services include a wide range of extrication problems, support of ambulances and mobile intensive care units, and citizen and fire fighter basic life support.
- For emergency situations, the squads carry a wide range of tools and equipment. In addition, squad companies carry compressed air cascade systems to recharge breathing apparatus cylinders.
With these responsibilities in mind, a 1967, diesel-powered, reserve pumper was selected for modification. Fire fighters first removed several pumper components. These items included a master stream device, two hard suction sleeves, 1000 feet of 2½-inch hose, and 300 feet of 1½-inch hose.
The primary step in conversion was the addition of a compressed breathing air cascade system. This was accomplished by fabricating a cylinder frame and delivery piping for a four-bottle system. Members installed a storage cabinet for a gasoline circular saw on top of the unit. A compartment was outfitted for storage of the Hurst Tool and accessories. Also added was a foam system with 25 gallons of AFFF concentrate, a foam line, and an at-the-pump eductor.
Vacated storage space on the unit facilitated the addition of other essential tools and equipment. These included a basket stretcher, breathing apparatus, smoke ejectors, hydraulic rescue tools, jacks, etc.
The entire modification process took about four days. All the work was performed in quarters by fire fighters and officers. Financial outlay for the project was negligible since most of the tools and equipment were already available.
The successful completion of this project proved that where it is feasible for a short term, apparatus modification is a sensible, functional way to circumvent lead time for the delivery of new apparatus.
