The following thread is for compiling a list of the most frequently asked questions or misunderstandings in relation to the SA Country Fire Service. Please do not discuss these issues here, but rather start a new thread. As more questions appear, I'll add them into this post so that they all appear on the first page.
If you see something incorrect below, and its only minor, it'll be best if you PM me, rather than clutter up this thread. thanks!
Q: Why does CFSRES or URGMSG appear on all response pages even when CFS aren't responded?
A:(From corecutters)
1) From day dot the SAGRN pagers were programed for the Tone 7 to be a response tone.
2) The set prefix (word / symbol that triggered the activation of tone 7 was *CFSRES: or URGMSG.
3) So if MFS send pages to MFS DO's or Stations with pagers, the prefix *CFSRES: will set off tone 7, just like CFS pagers... Despite the fact NO CFS is responding.....
(from Darius)
URGMSG is the same as CFSRES in that it activates tone 7 on the pager, however URGMSG additionally triggers the siren and (optionally) opens the station doors. Hence a brigade can choose slightly different actions for different calls or at different times of day etc. That was the intent anyway, some brigades have CFSRES set the siren and open the doors (making CFSRES and URGMSG the same).
(and finally, from medevac)
[it is used for all services because] CFSRES is a pre-determined part of any response message in the MFS CAD database (same as the 'MFS'prefix, and the date/time)... this is due to the fact that MFS/CFS/SES quite regularly responded together, and it keeps things simple... not having to change/add bits and pieces when it is determined that CFS or SES are apart of the response...
Q: What's a pumper?
A:(from skirkmoe)
By the definition of volume in a pump (not talking pressure here for a moment. but the simple thing is....
1000-2000 lts/min = light pumper
2000-3000 lts/min = medium pumper
3000+ lts/min = pumper
these volumes are usually operated at about 1000kpa or there about 150psi. If you start to talk about high pressure then it's usually 3,500 - 4,000 kpa... so about 3 times what a standard appliance usually runs at.
A standard CFS 24 appliance runs usually a 300GPM, so about 1140 lts/min. A 24P or 34P runs a 500GPM pump.... so 1900 lts/min... so in reality if we call a 24P and 34P a pumper, why can't a standard 24 or 34 also be called a pumper, after all it fits in the same bracket of pumper!
The HE-500 pump that runs on 24P and 34P appliances is only a volume pump, not a pressure as it's only designed to be used around 1000 kpa... (so when people just keep winding them up to get more pressure it usually does pump damage) that's why some of the older type pumpers and new ones have a separate high pressure stage. Some people may remember the old SAMFS Isuzu pumpers that were in Adelaide, glen Osmond and prospect (now based in country stations) but they only had a 500GPM pump also so they were not usually used to boost...
The new Type 2 appliances run a Rosenbaur NH30 I think it's called, it's a multistage 3000lts/min pump.... so on the boarder of medium and pumper status. As also has been stated they have a number of inlets and outlets to be able to boost more effectively....
Anyway I have probably rambled enough for the minute and hope i haven't caused too much confusion.
P.S. - if an appliance is a 'pumper' the stowage is different as has been suggested.... 4xCABA, different hose, PPV etc. I'll try and dig out a stowage list from somewhere....
