foremost challenge facing firefighters today in auto...
TRANSCRIPT
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"Foremost Challenge Facing Firefighters
Today in Auto Extrication"
NEWS-UPDATES-PRODUCT INFORMATION-INNOVATIONS-ACTION PHOTOS
Inside this issue:
Challenge facing 1
Hydro-Formed Steel 2
New Convertibles 3
Need your help! 3
FS3 Staff 4
Holmatro Gloves 4
April 2009Editor: Steve Carpenter,
FS3 GM & Retired BC Vacaville FD
Special points of in-
terest:
Foremost challenge facing
today's firefighters!
Hydro-Formed Metals
Martensite Steels
Hydraulic Cutter effectiveness.
Reciprocating saws & air
chisel effectiveness.
New Holmatro Gloves!
Volume 1 issue 5
Toyota Camary "B" Pillar
Multi-Layer HSLA Steel
The use of thicker and layered
steel will cause your cutters to
use an unusual amount of effort
to make what was once a
simple cut.
Subaru "B" Pillar
Note: The double high
strength steel bars extending
the length of the pillar
Having the ability to cut through modern High Strength steels will be the ultimate
test for your hydraulic cutters. Don't forget the plan B concept. Ultra-High Strength
steels are being used in today's auto's based on the need for greater structural strength
and flexibility. HSLA, Boron, Dual Phase and Martensitic steels are a few examples.
Martensitic is becoming the choice of major structural components such as posts, rails
and cross bracing. This material is 40% lighter and 10 times stronger than materials
previously used. Tensile strengths are upwards of 246, 500 psi and your current
hydraulic cutters may or may not be able to cut through this material based on the age
of your tools. Note: Reciprocating saws and air chisels are not effective in dealing
with Martensite metals.
Oxnard FD
La County FD
Vista FD
Newport Beach FD
Santa Ana FD
Butte Co. FD
Lompoc FD
North Co FD
West Sacramento FD
Recent Deliveries
2
C-70 "B" Pillar Volvo
Cross section of the A Pillar
Note: Boron Steel = Ultra High Tensile
Strength.
2009 Ford F150 Pick up with Boron Steel B Pillar.
Hydro-Forming of High Strength Steel
Strengthens the frame while making it lighter.
The three pictures one to the left and the two bottom are of
a 2009 Ford F150 pick up and depict the use of high strength
hydro formed steel that dramatically increases the strength
of the drivers compartment and the front of the vehicle.
The up side is the passenger compartment is much stronger.
In contrast when required to cut the metal is more difficult
to sever. The older your tools, the more difficult!
Consider the following:
Angle or parallel cuts on post are more successful then
perpendicular cuts.
Cutter blades need to have enough depth to surround
the material and draw into the power edge.
3
Another Challenge Facing FF's Today!
The addition of various makes and models of hardtop convertibles gives us another
challenge that at this point, we do not have all the answers for! Pictured is the new
three piece hard top convertible. Current roll over standards are 1.5 times the vehicles
weight. In 2010 the FMVSS 214 will go into effect and will increase to 2.5 times the
vehicles weight. The issue is; Is your hydraulic cutter capable of cutting through the
high tensile strength steels of today and the increase expected in 2010?
C70 Volvo Hardtop
Convertible.
C70 Volvo Hard Top
Convertible -Retracting
Exchange Information w/FS3
The staff at FS3 teaches classes in auto
extrication through-out California and Nevada
and with nine instructors, none of us has yet had
the opportunity to cut a new hard top
convertible or Volvo such as this.
We need your help!
The News Letter forum allows us to exchange
training information as we learn. A new idea/
concept is to provide a path for the exchange of
new information back to us so that we may pass
it onto our readers and to the classes we teach.
Therefore, we need your input! If you have had
an opportunity to cut on hard top convertibles,
and would like to share your knowledge and
experience you gained, please email me with
any input you may have! However, training
info received from you is not limited to this
specific subject. Upon your approval, we are
open to share any information that relates to
auto extrication so that FF's throughout
California & Nevada may benefit. This
exchange of info is the sole purpose of this news
letter and with your input, more FF's will
benefit and hopefully keep them safer during
extrication operations!
Please send your input & information to:
4
Serving California & Nevada
P.O. Box 10817
Santa Ana, CA 92711-0817
Phone: 800-388-6607
Www.holmatro-fs3.com
FS3 Northern CA Staff
John Jurado: (707)-689-3119 Calaveras, Co-
lusa, Glenn, Lake, Solano, Tehama, Napa, Yolo
and San Joaquin Counties.
Jason Martin: (415)-302-5687 Contra Costa,
Marin, Mendocino, San Francisco and Sonoma
Counties.
Tony Martinez: (909)-289-3234 Amador, Butte,
El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra,
Sutter and Yuba Counties.
Zack Boyce: (707)-477-4954 Alameda, San
Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz
Counties.
Dave Parker: (559) -307-3020 Fresno, Kings,
Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuo-
lumne Counties.
Bill Cross: (775)-846-8121 Alpine, Inyo and
Mono Counties.
FS3 Southern CA Staff
Tom Gilbertson: (714)-222-9377 Kern, Los
Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino
Counties.
Dane Jackson: (805)-341-3614 Monterey, San
Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura Counties.
Steve Carpenter: (760)-707-6923 San Diego
and Imperial Counties.
FS3 State of Nevada Staff
Bill Cross: (775)-846-8121 Northern Nevada
FS3 Dealer Service Technicians
Southern California
Raul Galvez: (323)-356-8432
Dane Jackson: (805)-341-3614
Northern California
Ashley Sanders: (707)-480-8478
Jeff Hartman: (530)-301-3933
Central California
Dave Parker: (559)-307-3020
Northern Nevada
Bill Cross: (775)-846-8121
For additional details about the FS3 staff, visit
our Website: www.Holmatro-fs3.com
Whatever your crash/rescueneeds may be, FS3 and
Holmatro® have the solutionsthat will best suit your specific
needs!
LED Lights
Low noise level
69.3db
55 lbs.
LED Lights
New Extrication Gloves100% of the glove interior is insulated with 4 oz. Kovenex
Fabric, Shock-Absorbing knuckleguard padding, Extended
cuff for increased safety, Elastic comfort-fit band, Reinforced
finger and palm protection, Reinforced finger webbing
Sizes: Sm, Med, Lg,
X-Lg, XX-Lg.
$37.00 Ea.
Contact your local FS3
rep or Call:
800-388-6607 to order!
Credit Cards
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