LETTERS
DEPARTMENTS
NFA Grad Speaks Out
As a recent graduate of the National Fire Academy, I feel obligated to express my sentiments concerning the program. There were two conclusions I founded upon my completion of study: One was the new-found belief that the Federal Government can in fact use the taxpayers’ money most efficiently when it wants to, and two, there is a great brotherhood among fire fighters.
The six weeks I spent there studying hazardous materials were six of the toughest weeks I have ever spent in the academic world. I might add that my educational background includes four degrees, two of which are master’s.
The material offered was comprehensive, thorough, and taught in a most efficient manner. The instructors were not only knowledgeable, but fine educators as well.
On the other hand, there was the social life at the institution. Although spartan, there nevertheless existed a great common willingness to make the best of that situation. And the food was excellent, something I cannot say for my many years in college.
As for this fire fighter, the National Fire Academy has to be one of the finest institutions of its nature to come about since fire fighting became a science. In a business that demands education and knowledge, it is reassuring to know that the National Fire Academy will continue to grow and prosper.
John Moshella
Lt., Revere Fire Department, MA
Oil Lab Analysis
I applaud the article in the lanuary issue entitled “Oil Analysis Allows Longer Change Intervals.” There is no doubt in my mind oil analysis should become a part of every fire department’s preventive maintenance program. For the sake of your readers, I would like to expand briefly on the article.
While the oil quality analyzer is an excellent device for determining serviceability of oil, it does not provide the engine diagnostic characteristics which are available through engine oil lab analysis. In my opinion, most fire departments would be better off using an outside lab analysis rather than the analyzer. Lab analysis will provide you with a progressive report that shows current and previous results for the particular engine being analyzed. With that information you have a continuous progress report updated with every analysis performed. The advantage then is that the lab analysis gives you a detailed running history of the health of the engine plus serviceability of the oil, whereas the oil quality analyzers primary function is to determine serviceability of the current oil and limited information on the health of the engine at the time of testing.
Oil Lab analysis is offered by most of the major oil companies as well as numerous private labs, filter manufacturers, etc. Most utilize $10 to $ 15 kits which you buy from truck parts shops. When the kit is used it is sent to the lab by mail, analyzed by the lab and a report returned to the user. If a serious condition is diagnosed an immediate phone call is initiated by the lab.
As a matter of information, some of the major oil companies will provide oil analysis on a no cost basis if you use their products. I am sold on oil analysis because it has saved several of our diesel engines since the program was initiated.
It will detect almost every type of engine problem prior to it becoming an engine failure. Because of this downtime and expense are held to a minimum.
I hope to see additional articles on care and maintenance of fire department apparatus in future issues. Escalating costs and the economy will mandate additional attention in these areas. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
F.W. Dolezal
Assistant Chief
Chesterfield Fire Department
Virginia
Comments on Foam Applications
The comments of Mr. Gelbhause and Mr. Stevens in your March issue, Letters Column, further demonstrates the various conceptions of how to get the most out of foam applications.
My thanks to Mr. Gelbhause for his simple and plain comment: “In using foam it is necessary to apply it faster than it is being consumed.” I taught that method as a rural fire instructor for the Texas Forest Service and found it to be easy to understand.
Foam is similar to a wet blanket being pumped from a device to cover and seal flammable vapors. The type of concentrate used influences the type of blanket made, as does the device that produces the blanket. A foam blanket that has large bubbles covers more area, but does not seal vapors well and is fragile to fire turbulance. A foam blanket that has very small bubbles is like a tight filter, it is difficult to pass vapors through it and each layer of bubbles insulates the next layer from exposure to the fire.
The forest service is using a foam unit called the water expansion system, which is capable of adjusting the expansion ratios of foams.
After many tests and experiments with this system, using every imaginable foaming concentrate and percentage mixing ratio, it was determined that the condition of the blanket was much more important than if it was made from special ingredients.
It is my experience that a water nozzle is a poor foam maker compared to a nozzle designed to make foam. The fire fighters that use nozzles designed for water to make foam are only proving that a little foam is far better than water for fighting fire.
The water expansion system has allowed us to compare exact mixtures of concentrates such as AFFF generated as wet fluid foam and then as dense shaving cream-type foam. The wet fluid foam and the film underneath seal well, but cannot withstand fire turbulance nearly as well as the heavy foam.
Mr. Stevens mentioned accomplishing extinguishment through technique and technology and “not overwhelming and wasting” foam. It is my opinion that it makes little difference if you are using 1 percent or 6 percent concentrate if your concern is how long a time you can burn up foam.
Mark Cummins
President, W.E.S. of Texas Inc.
Reader Service Card Comments
Very informative articles on maintenance problems and solutions.
Kevin A. Reynolds
Marion Fire Department, IN
Excellent articles on training. In the future could you include articles on wildland fires.
Ronald A. Cop
Chief, Pinewood Estates Vol. Fire Department Bernegat, NJ.
I would like to see less EMS and more on firematics.
Robert Malanga
Newark Fire Department, NJ.
National Fire Academy article very good. Let’s see more on the NFA each month.
Frederick Koenmond
Assistant Chief, Boles Acres Fire Department Howard Beach, N. Y.
Best coverage on equipment maintenance that I have seen . . .
Russ Mode
Deputy Chief, Dinsmore Fire Department Saskatchewan, Canada
Very beneficial and timely (March 1983) due to our department’s upcoming conversion to computer dispatching.
Bill Roberts
Springfield, Ohio
World’s best magazine for fire departments everywhere.
Edwin R. Jenny
Fort Meyers, FI.
Most informative (February 1983).
I’m glad I subscribed.
D. H. Cushman
Assistant Chief/ Training
South Lock port Vol. Fire Department, N. Y.
