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| The engineer is reflected in the cab door, often not imaged on the fire ground - the engineer is a key element of the scene. Appropriately the apparatus and it's operation is a reflection of the engineer. |
Is an Operator or driver: firefighters who are assigned to operate fire department apparatus in the normal course of their duties. This firefighter develops an understanding of mechanical principles of fire pumps and their controls, principles of water and water systems, intake and discharge hydraulics, fire stream production, relay pumping operations, care and maintenance of pumper apparatus, and troubleshooting. FA Engineers become experts in producing effective fire streams from hydrants, relay operations, and drafting from static sources. Student engineers practice determining pump discharge pressures for hydraulic situations that range from single line problems to multiple-line relay operations to provide a solid understanding of fire ground hydraulics and practical solutions to apply these concepts to their department.
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| Clear and immediate access to the hydrant is essential for fast attack operations. |
That quick connect to the hydrant provides the essential tool for firefighting operations – water. Be it your shed, car house or garage – without a dedicated source of water – operations are limited.
When you park and stay clear of hydrants and no parking fire zones – you are clearing the way for Fire Apparatus Engineers. Behind them the rest of the team. Clearing the snow away from hydrants and making access easy and readily apparent and during summer months not stacking trash at the curb around or near the hydrants – are all partnership activities for your fire department response activities. They are “Best practice”, “Fundamentally Sound Activities and honestly- can save the house you live in.
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| Two of the vehicles destroyed in this incident. Foam was required due to fuel loss from the fire vehicles. Note the collapse - also note the failed ladder on the wall and the garage door frames deformed and failing. |
On a recent 2 am call out for a structure fire, fast attack and success in taming the beast was achieved – and this can only be attained by true teamwork and coordination. An old timer told me once, to watch the engineer. He or she are a key element in the process, often overlooked when an incident is being imaged. He told me to be sure to “Pivot to him or her” they often receive less attention then deserved.
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| Our engineer on Tower 25 this call is Jim H, you can see his determination to maintain a solid water supply. His team and others are depending on this water to not only extinguish the raging fire but to protect the firefighters from those same flames. |
The DC and I have a brief conversation as we realize that we
are in a warm spot downrange of the Tower exhaust – even knowing better – it happens,
man it’s cold! We move and I think our engineers know these temperatures can be an issue and part of the process is assuring no
freeze ups. Tonight, thankfully, this is not a problem
Thank you to all our Fire Service Members and this morning @ 2 am a special recognition to our Engineers!
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| Fires out. Check out that Tower 25 Badge... |
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| Prepping for overhaul |
All images captured on scene with little sleep by the author, J Kleeman
https://www.fsi.illinois.edu/content/courses/programs/description.cfm?course_id=236
