Appliance Standards

[JamesGar]

Hi All, i'd be interested to know your thoughts on appliance standards in the CFS, currently I believe we have the following standard appliances: QAV, 14, 24, 24P, 34. With a number of other appliances that aren't standard: ie. Stand Alone Rescue, Hazmat, CAFS, BWC's/Tankers and Pumpers (Stirling's pumper, Mt Barkers Dennis and the NSW/CFS Type 2 pumpers)  For a long time the Hino 24 Appliance has seemed to be the backbone of the majority of CFS operations, is it's time up? I might run a poll of the hino 24's...Should we push for more 34 appliances (more water, dual cab safety), or are they too big? Are QAV's/14 an efficient form of Firefighting? Does the CFS need Urban Pumpers, or another level of Standard appliace (ie Urban/Rural Pumper like Waikerie Pumper of Coromandel Valley 24P). Is CAFS all it's made up to be? What are your thoughts? If you want to look at any of these appliance have a look at http://www.fire-brigade.asn.au

[Firefrog]

I have always been concerned with some CFS appliances. For example the Mitsubishi Canter 14's a capable vehicle and very good for some roles but you just cannot put out fire very well with the choice of pump that was installed.
I have seen a row of 14's trying hard to attack a growing fire but didn't have the volume or pressure output required. I have also been told of injuries caused because a lack of volume and pressure.

Many may feel that a 14 is not for aggresive fire attack, my view is that all appliances should have minimum pumping capabilites. Imagine a standard Canter 14 with a great pump it would be so much more versatile could even be used in a relay.

The 24p are good not great, there is still high shelving which creates a lifting hazard. Not to mention the BFFF, AFFF system. A stainless steel tray with a spike , I wonder if the designers gave much thought to changing foam types mid way through a drum. Especially with the significant health hazards of 3M AFFF.

Tech services need to conduct heavy user surveys and a volunteer design forum to establish what is required by the user in 2005 and beyond.

I am yet to see the new dual cab 34's up close, the roller door lockers are welcome! I'm glad we might be moving away from the fibreglass swing out doors.

There will always be a trade off between affordabilty and design of appliances but CFS should expect equal quality of appliances.

In answer to the original question the hino 24 is starting to get old and a programmed retirement should occur over time. Is the 20 year policy still in vogue?

CFS does need Urban pumpers! There are brigades covering significant infrastructure, urban areas, and industrial developments with rural trucks.
Some brigades can get away with a rural/urban combination while others must have a dedicated pumper set up for the risks  they cover.

Long post - would love to hear others views.

[kat]

Are they still delivering rural 24's? It's only been 34's and 24P's for a while hasn't it? I'm not sure what the question means? Rural 24's have been changed a little bit each build and there are a few different types out there. Do you mean stop making a rural 2000 litre appliances altogether or pull all the ones currently in service. We have a CFA built (1990) Hino which was one of the first of the standard Hinos in service. It's a special, not a rural, meaning nothing except that it has lockers down both sides as opposed to her "rural" sister delivered to us at the same time (and an extra ladder, I think). The "rural" appliance was relocated to Narrung in 1998 where I believe it still serves the community well after serving us faithfully for 7 long years including journeys to NSW, Flinders Ranges, South East.
Anyway my vote is, yes, we still have a use for rural 24's. There is a LARGE percentage of our 400+ Brigades that do relatively small callout numbers and whose main risk is rural. They are well served by a modern well maintained rural 24 appliance. (in my opinion).  I personally would love a specialised rescue vehicle and a 1000 gpm pumper with a dual tank foam pro (although in my limited experience AFFF is best applied with a foam branch with inductor which needs to be mixed at branch - happy to hear of alternatives). And a few other things , a new station, brass pole, dalmation  

[rescue5271]

I come from a brigade that has had to fight to get its stand alone rescue and stand alone pumpernwe have a large urban area to cover and our pumper is the only one of its type in SA.Our rescue is the only type of its type in the state also made by skilled(vic) we have had other RCR brigades look at it and say too large for their area but we love it as we are in many ways isolated from any heavy rescue back up for a bout one hour.
Our new 34 crew cab has its good and bad points height of the cab is a big issue being all elctric is also a issue with the hard water in the south east causing corrosition and wire damage.Sure its safe for  crew all in the cab,but we have recently found out by doing a entrapment training session that the crew in the front will not be covered by fog spray from the crew in the back under the curtain.

As for the 24,well iI dont think its past its used by date I would like to see a few changes done to it may be a new design better communications for crew on the back,but make it a 2500lt unit as I have seen around the place in parts of Vic and NSW

 
I would also like to see that each member of a brigade gets to fill in a appliances form stating the good and bad points of all future appliances that are being introducet into service. And tell me how does one get onto a state committee that looks at all these new changes?

[kat]

Regional representation on State Committees usually comes from either the Regional Ops Committee (ie: all your Groupies) or your VFBA Branch (become active, make a difference, stir a bit). Alternatively through a specialised Regional Committee. For example the State Training Committee Rep is elected from Regional Training Committee members which is all your Group Training Officers. In the same way your Regional OH&S Committee could be made up of all Group OH&S Reps and State Rep elected from there (not always the way though).

In your neck of the woods I would talk to Rex Hall about state level represenation. He wrote the book on the subject (or could have).

Wouldn't be suprised if the structure or scope of these committees change bit with the new SAFECOM structure. These committees used to report to (and have representation on) the State Volunteer Management Committee which reported directly to the Board. Seeing as how the Board ceases to exist I am not sure how this is planned to work from now on??