1 the history of the driver/ operator. 1 objectives describe how the fire service in america has...

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The History of the Driver/

Operator

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Objectives

• Describe how the fire service in America has progressed from the colonial period to the present day.

• Describe the major changes in transport equipment and personnel from the colonial period to the present day.

• Identify the role of the driver/operator in the safe operation of fire apparatus.

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Introduction (1 of 3)

• Driver/operator responsibilities according to NFPA 1002, Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications– Getting the fire apparatus to the scene safely– Setting up the pump– Running the pump or operating the aerial

ladder

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• Driver/operator also called an engineer or technician

• Full-time role in some departments

• Operation of fire apparatus and equipment is critical– Driving to and from the scene can be as

dangerous as operating on the fire ground itself.

– Equipment failure on scene can be disastrous.

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• Driver/operator is responsible for:– Preparation of the fire apparatus and equipment

– Driving the fire apparatus in emergency response mode to a call

– Placing the fire apparatus at the scene

– Safely and properly operating equipment

– Securing equipment

– Safely returning to the fire station

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Evolution of Fire Apparatus and Equipment (1 of 6)

• Today’s apparatus and equipment evolved as new inventions emerged and adapted to the needs of the fire service.– Colonial fire fighters had only buckets, ladders,

and fire hooks.– Early American buildings had thatch roofs and

wooden chimneys.– Fire protection was limited to a bucket brigade.– “Hook-and-ladder truck” evolved from the fire

hook.

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• Fire protection in early American cities– Watchmen walked the streets at night looking

for fires.– Fire companies were formed.– Small buildings were erected to store ladders

for firefighting.– First organized companies had straight ladders,

leather buckets, axes, and hand tools.

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• Hand pumps and hose carts– Evolution of tools influenced by fire suppression

teams in Europe.– Hand pump was the first equipment to replace

the bucket brigade.– 1720: Richard Newsham developed the first

pumper in London.– Early 1800s: Philadelphia developed a municipal

water supply using wooden water mains.

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Courtesy of the FASNY Fire Museum of Fire Fighting, New York

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• Hand pumps were a type of piston-driven, positive displacement pump pushed up and down by fire fighters manning poles at the side of the pump.– Placed on wagon wheels for easier transport

to the fire

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© Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy Images

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Fire Apparatus Evolution

• Mid-1800s: Horses replaced fire fighters in moving equipment to fire ground

• First mechanized fire pumps fueled by coal– Drivers of horses (called teamsters) were

hired to stay at the firehouse and transport the steamer to the fire ground.

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Ladder Wagons Pulled by Horses

• Wagons loaded with ladders and fire hooks were drawn by horses and driven by teamsters.

• One-person ladders with a hook could be placed over a windowsill and used to climb from floor to floor.

• Extension ladders led to wooden aerial ladders to serve fire fighters.

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Elevated Streams

• First elevated streams– Water towers were mounted on wagons and

pulled by horses.– When raised, the elevated streams could

raise 30’ (9.1 m) in the air.

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Gasoline-Powered Fire Apparatus (1 of 2)

• Emerged around 1900

• Ladder wagon was the next gas-powered unit.– Front axle and horses replaced by single-axle

tractor

• Chemical wagon was the first gas-powered apparatus to discharge water.– Soda acid device used to extinguish small fires.

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Gasoline-Powered Fire Apparatus (2 of 2)

© National Library of Medicine

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Adding a Pump

• Booster pump added as trucks became larger and stronger

• Many booster pumps were rotary gear pumps and generated 200 gal (757 L) of water/minute– Could not deliver as much water as a hydrant– Used mainly for small fires and to supply the

booster line with water

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Triple-Combination Pumper

• Breakthrough in 1906: triple-combination pumper was introduced– Carried water in a tank generally used for the

booster line– Pump capacity of 250 gal (946 L) per minute

or greater– 2½” (6.35-cm) water supply hose – 1½” (3.81-cm) firefighting hose

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Improvements in Aerial Devices (1 of 2)

• Power supply now available to turn the hydraulic pump– Hydraulic pressure could be used for lifting,

rotating, and extending the aerial device.– Aerial ladders are now made of steel, reach

farther, and carry greater loads.

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Improvements in Aerial Devices (2 of 2)

© GTibbetts/ShutterStock, Inc.

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Other Uses for Motorized Apparatus

• Gas engine became the sole power source to drive the fire apparatus.

• Additional uses for the apparatus emerged.– Salvage companies– Heavy rescue squads– Air supply units

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Diesel-Powered Fire Apparatus

• Larger-capacity pumps requiring greater horsepower meant larger vehicles carrying more equipment and greater loads.

• Diesel engine started to replace the gasoline engine.– More reliable, burned fuel more efficiently,

and provided the desired horsepower– Diesel engines used to brake the apparatus

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Safety Considerations (1 of 8)

• NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program– Growing concern for fire fighter safety during

apparatus movement– Required a new apparatus to be designed so

members have a seated area inside the enclosed cab

– Resulted in the near elimination of rear steps on the fire apparatus

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• NFPA 1901, Standards for Automotive Fire Apparatus– Requires manufacturers to install warning

devices that verify fire fighter is seated and belted

– Some apparatus are monitored by black boxes.

– Fire apparatus specifications were developed to provide a safe riding area in case of rollover.

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• Protecting the driver/operator at the scene– Efforts to protect against collisions and other

traffic-related incidents– Fire fighters assist by wearing equipment with

reflective material and placing traffic cones appropriately.

– Take measures to protect fire fighter safety when operating in traffic.

– Use emergency lighting on the fire apparatus.

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© Jack Dagley Photography/ShutterStock, Inc.

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• Visibility for the driver/operator• Fire apparatus have

– Larger windshields– Heated mirrors– Cameras mounted on the rear

• Fire fighter injuries and fatalities have occurred during the reversal of the apparatus.

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• Driver/operator’s role in safety– Second leading cause of fire fighter fatalities:

injuries sustained responding to or returning from the fire ground

– 19 fire fighters died while responding to or returning from a call in 2008.

– The driver of the apparatus is critical in ensuring a safe response.

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• Driver/operator’s role in safety (continued)– Every department should develop, train

members on, and enforce SOPs for driving/operating the apparatus.

– Process of proceeding safely through traffic control devices

– Operator is critical in ensuring fire fighter safety at the incident scene.

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Modern Fire Apparatus (1 of 3)

• Today’s apparatus is larger, heavier, and taller with a higher center of gravity.

• Ever-increasing challenge to maneuver safely through traffic– Traffic continues to increase.– Cars are better insulated.– Drivers are generally less patient and often

distracted.

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• Capacities of apparatus continue to increase– Water delivery rate of many pumps exceeds

1500 GPM (5677 L)– Water capacities increased: from 100 gal on

pumper to 1000+ gal (3785 L)– Increased water capacity and enclosed cabs

makes fire apparatus heavier, larger, and more challenging to drive.

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• Computers on the fire apparatus– Systems prevent vehicle from skidding (ABS).

– Electrical load management systems make sure the electrical load does not exceed the apparatus’s ability to produce electricity.

– Systems monitor the engine’s performance.

– Some vehicles provide monitoring information on apparatus’s speed and engine performance (rpm) to the officer’s monitor.

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Driver/Operator Selection (1 of 3)

• What makes a good driver/operator candidate? – Knowledge

• Knowledge of services provided by the fire department

• Education about and training in operating at the emergency scene

– Skill• Skills to complete critical life-preserving actions• Problem-solving skills

– Attitude

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• Difficult to select driver/operator candidates– Process based on candidate’s knowledge,

ability, and willingness to pursue the challenge– Fire officers may consider written/verbal

communication skills, physical/mental fitness, basic mechanical ability, and attitude.

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• Difficult to select driver/operator candidates (continued)– Should be physically capable of performing

tasks• Good vision, hearing, and physical ability• Patience, reaction, focus, awareness

– Should have a basic understanding of mechanics

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Summary (1 of 2)

• Formal fire protection efforts began in U.S. cities with response equipment.

• Hand-operated pumper, reel of hose, and ladder continue to evolve to where they are today.

• Fire protection has improved and enhanced based on improved apparatus and equipment.

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Summary (2 of 2)

• The driver/operator has a critical role in ensuring the safety of crew members and other drivers.

• Successful driver/operators have the right knowledge, skills, and attitude.

1 the history of the driver/ operator. 1 objectives describe how the fire service in america has...

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