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Friday, July 26, 2013

Fire Chief's Briefing for July 17 through July 22, 2013

Here is a summary of Brentwood Fire and Rescue’s emergency responses for the period of July 17 through July 22, 2013.


We responded to 44 emergency calls for service.


These calls can be broken down into the following categories:

Fire: 1

EMS/Rescue: 28

Hazardous Condition: 1

Good Intent: 5

False Call: 9


Here is an overview of significant events from this period’s activities:


Wednesday, July 17 at approximately 4:34 am:

E2 and R1 were dispatched to a report of an MVA with a report of a vehicle striking a backhoe. Upon arrival, crew members found one PT complaining of abdominal pain. BFR personnel immobilized the PT and removed them from the vehicle before transferring care to EMS. The PT was transported non-emergency to an area hospital for further treatment and evaluation.


Wednesday, July 17 at approximately 2:23 pm:

E4 was dispatched on a report of ingestion of insect killer. Upon arrival crew members found 2 children showing no signs of distress. The consumed product was located and poison control was contacted. After speaking with poison control, it was determined that the children could not have ingested enough of the substance to cause them any harm. The parents of the children were contacted and care was transferred to EMS. Once the parents arrived and the situation was explained, care was turned over to the parents and E4 returned to quarters.


Saturday, July 20 at approximately 8:44 am:
 
E2, C1, C3, C5 and Squad 1 (driven by the crew of L1) were dispatched for Mutual Aid with the City of Fairview for a commercial structure fire. Upon arrival of BFR crew members the fire was under control and the structure was being overhauled to ensure complete extinguishment. BFR was assigned to HAZMAT and assisted with identifying and researching the hazardous materials located on the scene. Multiple flammable liquids were present and units from all fire departments on scene were evacuated from the structure once overhaul was complete. BFR remained on standby until released by command.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Station Life: Engine 5



Many people cherish is the memory of their first car.  Some people are lucky enough to have their first car be considered a “classic” or “collector” car.  Here at BFR we are lucky enough to still have one of our first fire trucks!


Engine 5 is a 1986 Pirsch Pumper equipped with a 750 gallon water tank and a 1500 gallon per minute pump.  Engine 5 was one of three fire apparatus purchased by the city in 1986 for the newly formed Brentwood Fire Department.  Back then, Engine 5 was called Engine 510.  The other two apparatus purchased were a 1650 gallon tanker truck (Tanker 1) and another identical Pirsch Pumper, Engine 520.  These twin pumpers had a rather interesting journey to Brentwood in 1986.  


Just as the new fire department was awaiting delivery, Pirsch announced that it would be filing bankruptcy.  Fearful of not receiving its apparatus as promised, Chief Filer and another firefighter flew up to the Peter Pirsch and Sons factory in Wisconsin to lay claim to their apparatus.  Rumor has it they drove them off the line and back to Brentwood with the paint still tacky.  This was apparently a wise move, as Pirsch cut their deliveries short that year and many orders went unfulfilled.  Pirsch officially ceased all operations in 1987.


Brand new Engine 5 at the first BFD Station 1 located near the intersection of Church St and Wilson Pike


Two BFD Captains equip brand new Engine 5 with the tools they need to keep the city safe

  

Engine 5 at the current Station 1 in the early 90s


Engine 5 is currently based out of Station 4.  While Engine 5 was taken off frontline service in 1997 it can still be called upon as a reserve apparatus if other engines are out for service or repair, though there is another reserve apparatus in line ahead of it.



Engine 5 is also an excellent training tool.  Most pump panels today use electronic controls to open and close valves and adjust pressures.  Engine 5 uses all manual controls and gauges to give an engineer in training a better “feel” for pump operation.  Mastering the operation of this panel makes operating all the other apparatus much easier.



A Haligan and two pry bars are mounted on the outside of E5 for easy access. Modern fire engines are wonders of design and layout; Engine 5 is a bit more utilitarian in nature.


BFR’s newest fire engine has internal ladder storage, but Engine 5 stows its ladders on the side. Many newer engines have powered ladder racks that bring the ladders down to make them easier to remove and stow, but this Pirsch keeps it simple.



The deck gun is another piece of equipment that is still installed on all of BFR’s apparatus today.  The deck gun allows a large amount of water to be sprayed onto a fire in a short amount of time.



One very unique aspect about Engine 5 is that the rear seats are in an open cab formation.  This allowed firefighters to easily exit the apparatus but also meant that they were partially exposed to the elements.  The yellow bar in front of the seat is called a Man Saver.  This bar is a one way barrier that keeps a firefighter from falling out of the apparatus.  To exit the seat a firefighter simply folds the bar up towards the roof or back towards the seat.  Remember, when this engine first came into service, it was acceptable for firefighters to ride on the back! The Man Saver bars weren’t added until approximately 2010. 


A view inside the cab reveals a much simpler design than current fire apparatus.  The air pack seen here is mounted so that the officer can easily put it on before leaving the apparatus


Engine 5 is a cab over design, meaning that the driver sits ahead of the front wheel and over part of the engine.  This allows better visibility and increased maneuverability, two aspects that are very important when driving a fire truck to an emergency scene.  Firefighters often call this a “custom cab” configuration. Every current BFR fire apparatus except Brush 1 and the command vehicles utilize the custom cab design.



Engine 5 not only serves as a great training resource and capable response apparatus, it reminds BFR personnel of where the department started and how far firefighting technology has come.  If you are ever at Fire Station #4, be sure to check out this piece of departmental history.