Something Old, Something New
There's no doubt that brush pumpers and other apparatus are an important part of wildland firefighting. They allow firefighters to respond quickly with enough equipment to control many wildfires in the early stages. They also permit firefighters to take advantage of existing roads or move across country as required to meet shifting fire situations. And they can be operated around the clock under conditions of high winds or low visibility.
As this year's wildland fire season begins, departments across the country are using a mix of old and new ideas to make the best use of their apparatus. The ongoing concerns for safety and efficiency are key factors in determining the configurations and components found on wildland apparatus in 2007.
The statement that “bubbles beat water” is doubly true when it comes to wildland firefighting. Foam is standard on many wildland engines, and compressed-air foam systems make the foam even more efficient. The compressed air gives the stream more energy for greater reach, and the thick layer of bubbles clings to surfaces to cut off oxygen and block radiant heat. Many departments that protect the wildland-urban interface use CAFS to coat and protect threatened structures, then withdraw personnel and engines to safer locations before the firefront arrives. A 2-to-1 ratio of water flow in gallons per minute and air flow in cubic feet per minute produces a good foam consistency and has been adopted by NFPA as the rating standard for all CAF systems.
Remote-control monitors also have been around for a while, but they now are finding more applications on wildland apparatus. As engine crews get smaller in many departments, the need to maximize firefighting efficiency becomes more important. Remote-control monitors let a crew of only one or two make a mobile attack on a running vegetation fire without dragging a hose across rough terrain or engaging in the dangerous practice of riding on the outside of a moving apparatus. Monitors also can be used to knockdown a developing roof fire as an apparatus rolls up to a structure while the rest of the crew pulls handlines. The combination of a front-mounted, remote-control monitor with CAFS lets wildland engines handle vegetation fires, structure fires and even vehicle fires with equal ease. Monitor nozzles that can be changed remotely from smooth-bore to fog are especially handy when departments need to switch back and forth between compressed-air foam and water.
Pumpers with large tanks are becoming more popular for departments and agencies that protect large wildland areas. In situations where response distances are long and water sources are scarce, firefighters usually have to bring their own water — and lots of it. Large tanks let apparatus stay on scene for extended periods while reinforcements are mobilized. For improved stability on side slopes and rough terrain, the tanks are mounted low to reduce the overall vehicle center of gravity. Adequate internal baffling is important to prevent dangerous water surges that can cause these big units to roll over. To give firefighters access to all kinds of water sources in the field, many wildland apparatus now carry portable pumps to take water from ponds, swimming pools and streams. They also carry a variety of adapters to fit household yard faucets, irrigation pipes, storage tanks and other common rural water supplies.
Finally, the days of open equipment trays on wildland apparatus are just about over. To keep tools and equipment from falling off or being stolen, most departments now specify latching and locking compartments. Not only do compartments keep items secure, but they also keep tools out of the sun, rain and dust so that they're clean and ready for use. Departments in turn are paying more attention to securing the hose on apparatus. Hinged metal hosebed covers often are used to protect the hose from drifting embers, and drop-down fabric end flaps with quick-release straps prevent the hose from accidentally unrolling while the apparatus is in motion. NFPA standards now require that all hose storage areas on an apparatus — the main hosebed, preconnected crosslays, soft suction bins and even front-bumper jump lines — be designed to prevent accidental hose deployment.
Perhaps the most promising new wildland engines are those being built on the latest generation of special off-road chassis. Some of these chassis were designed for military applications, while others came from the civilian sector where they were used for rough-terrain work in the forestry, utilities or agricultural industries.
One chassis that has been receiving a lot of attention from the fire service is the Mercedes-Benz Unimog. Older models of this versatile vehicle have been used for years to fight range fires in the western United States. The newest model fills those same shoes and is equally at home lugging water, equipment and personnel through the mountains or along the coastal plains. All of these special chassis combine off-road traction and hill-climbing power with higher payload capacity and good maneuverability to speed response times and improve crews' overall firefighting efficiency. The high ground clearance also makes Unimogs useful for response through standing flood water. Departments can select pumps, tanks, foam systems, compartments and other components to fit their local conditions.
Wildland engines also can benefit from several new, more powerful engine-driven pumps. Using a separate engine to drive the pump, rather than driving it from a power take-off on the vehicle engine or transmission, provides independent control of the pump output regardless of the vehicle speed. It also allows the pump to be positioned on the apparatus where it's more accessible for easier operation and maintenance. Several pumps now are available with engines up to 35hp. These bigger units can deliver moderate flowrates and high pressures suitable for use with multiple handlines or remote-control monitors on wildland apparatus. Some have diesel engines that run off the vehicle fuel tank for extended operation. Optional dual control panels — one in the cab and the other on the pump — allow the driver to remotely start and control the engine speed during pump-and-roll operations.
In situations where the vegetation is too thick, the soil too soft or the terrain too steep for wheeled vehicles, bulldozers and other tracked vehicles are often the answer. The use of bulldozers used to be restricted to very large state or federal wildland fire agencies. Recently, however, several city and county departments have established their own dozer teams to help contain wildfires and keep them away from built-up areas. The teams usually consist of a heavy-duty highway tractor pulling a low-bed trailer carrying the bulldozer. A support vehicle, or dozer tender, often is used to transport tools, parts and diesel fuel to keep the bulldozer running in the field. Sometimes, a dozer team is assigned to a group of engines protecting a specific built-up area. In the off season, bulldozers can be used to maintain access roads and fire breaks or to clean up mudslides after winter rains hit fire-barren slopes.
Helicopters also are an important part of wildland firefighting, and some departments now use a team of support vehicles on the ground to keep the helicopters flying. Special helicopter fuel tenders bring aviation fuel to remote landing sites, while other vehicles may bring personnel, tools, parts or equipment. One of the support vehicles also may be equipped with a twin-agent fire suppression system to provide protection during helicopter refueling operations.
Special crew carriers have been used for years to move state and federal agency hand crews and their equipment to wildland fires. The carriers have forward-facing bus-type seats for the personnel and separate exterior compartments for hand tools, chain saws and fuel cans. They also carry drinking water, food rations and personal gear for each firefighter. The latest generation of crew carriers are equipped with full warning lights and reflective striping for added safety on the highway.
Some city and county departments are now using these transport vehicles to move extra firefighters to the scene of major wildland fires. Some wildland team leaders report that as many as eight firefighters per engine can be effectively used during structure protection operations in built-up interface areas, if the personnel can be brought to the area and can keep up with the engines as they move from one assignment to the next.
No matter what vehicle configuration is used, most modern wildland apparatus now incorporate all the latest safety features found on their big-city counterparts. That includes non-slip steps, ground lighting around the vehicle, reflective stripes, and upper and lower warning lights. Wildland apparatus also have to meet tough side-tilt requirements to comply with NFPA standards. Air inlet screens are required to help prevent floating embers from igniting the air cleaner element and causing engine fires. Some departments also specify heat-resistant windows and protective curtains in the cab to protect the crew against radiant heat in case of burnovers.
Wildland fire apparatus are changing constantly to improve the efficiency and safety of suppression operations. Whether it involves adopting old ideas to new applications or finding new ideas to fill important needs, the latest generation of wildland fire apparatus shows that change can be good.
There are many good sources of information about wildland firefighting on the Internet, and some of it applies directly to wildland apparatus. Here are a few sites worth visiting.
CAL FIRE is the new name for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known for years as CDF. The department protects more than 31 million acres of wildland, rural and built-up areas and responds to over 350,000 incidents each year. The mobile equipment fleet includes more than 3,000 engines, bulldozers, crew transporters and other vehicles. Some CDF engine models have been widely adopted by other agencies.
To view photos and specs, go to www.fire.ca.gov/fire_er_mobileequip.php and select specific types of vehicles in the right-hand column.
The Florida Division of Forestry protects a variety of wildland areas, from swamps to forests, using many types of wheeled and tracked vehicles, including engines, crawlers, dozers and other specialized equipment. The division's light brush engine design features an aluminum flatbed body with all the components mounted low to provide improved stability.
To view photos of some of the many wildland apparatus used in the state, go to www.fl-dof.com/wildfire/equipment/index.html.
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group established the Incident Command System designations for wildland engines based on the pump, tank, crew and equipment. Similar designations exist for water tenders and other wildland apparatus. The group also publishes the Water Handling Equipment Guide, which includes photos and specifications of apparatus and equipment from many state and federal wildland fire agencies.
To view the latest edition of the Water Handling Equipment Guide, go to www.nwcg.gov/pms/pubs/WHEG03.pdf.
The North Carolina Division of Forest Resources relies heavily on a large fleet of initial attack pumpers located throughout the state. These lightweight 4×4 rigs are equipped with economical slip-on pump and tank units and carry a variety of hand tools. They are usually the first to arrive and the last to leave at most wildland fires.
For a brief summary of these and other wildland apparatus used in the state, go to www.dfr.state.nc.us/fire_control/fire_groundequip.htm.
The Roscommon Equipment Center is a cooperative program between the National Association of State Foresters and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its mission is to help fire departments build wildland engines that are both safe and effective. The center specializes in providing information on the conversion of military vehicles into wildland pumpers, as well as the installation of slip-on pump/tank units in pickup trucks.
To view some of the reports, guidelines, drawings, specifications and other information available, go to www.RoscommonEquipmentCenter.com.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources uses several types and sizes of wildland fire suppression equipment, including pumpers, tractors and other specialized vehicles. The DNR heavy engine design includes a low-profile compartmented body with a large water tank. It tows a trailer with a medium bulldozer for additional firefighting capability.
To view photos and descriptions of many of the department's mobile equipment, go to http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/fire/suppression/equipment.htm.
