Throwback Thursday - Ryegate, VT - 1996 Metalfab Top Mount Pumper

Today's featured unit for Throwback Thursday is a Metalfab Top Mount Pumper that was manufactured for the Ryegate, VT Fire Department. The unit was delivered to Chief Gene Perkins and his team on November 3rd, 1996. This was the first Metalfab unit to be delivered in Vermont.

This unit featured a Hale 1500 USGPM pump and a 1250 US Gal Poly Tank. The body was an extruded aluminum body and had a mixture of flush mount and rollup doors.

Reading Books

I have always enjoyed reading, and still do!  In the March 2013 issue of the Rotarian , there were a couple of articles on reading that made me think about my reading habits.

I tend to have 2 or 3 books on the go at any one time. I always have a business book of one sort or another on the go – I’m always looking for ideas to help me improve my performance or that of the company. Currently I’m reading W. Edward Deming’s “Out of the Crisis” which describes his 14 points to transform management. I tend to buy these books as I like to keep them for reference and like to mark them up. I'll be writing more about the 14 points as time goes on as I can see a lot of benefit in implementing them. 

I also enjoy series of books – Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, etc. Currently I am reading Stephen R. Lawhead’s King Raven Trilogy which is an interesting take on the Robin Hood legend. I tend to read these on the Kindle, or on my phone with the Kindle app. One of the articles in the Rotarian justified reading fiction as it let us see how people interact and allow us to perhaps imagine what another person is thinking or feeling. Maybe I can say that this is helping me with business as well!

Finally, I enjoy biographies. These I tend to borrow from the library as an ebook and read with my tablet. I believe we can always learn from other peoples’ experiences.

Recent Deliveries - Rogersville, NB - Metalfab Top Mount Pumper

On April 6th, 2013, the Rogersville Fire Department took delivery of their Metalfab Top Mount Pumper, This unit was based on their 2007 Metalfab Pumper which was lost when their fire hall burnt in January 2012.

The new Pumper featured a Waterous 1250 IGPM pump with a 1200 Imperial Gallon Poly tank. Some of the upgrades from the 2007 unit were a 200 CFM Compressed Foam system and an extended front bumper with an attack line.

The ladder rack is a Zico electric access system and the lighting package is from Whelen. The rear compartment housed a 10" Newton Dump Valve, storage for two suction hoses in the tank and 4" Direct Tank fill.

Metalfab would like to thank Chief Marc Pitre and his team for purchasing two Metalfab units following their unfortunate fire.

Do The Work

A couple nights ago while walking I was listening to a podcast by Michael Hyatt about “how to overcome the Resistance”. This is a phrase coined by Steven Pressfield to describe the force that works against you whenever you try to do something new or different. This resonated with me as I often find it easier to stay with the status quo rather than make changes that I know need to be made.

The Resistance has three strategies – Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. 

Our typical response to FEAR is Procrastination. What we need to do is START.

Our typical response to UNCERTAINTY is Distraction. What we need to do is FOCUS.

Our typical response to DOUBT is to quit and leave the work unfinished. What we need to do is FINISH.

I picked up Pressfield’s book “Do the Work” and read it on the Kindle. This is a book in the same style as much of Seth Godin’s work. It was published by the Domino Project which was conceived by Seth Godin as a way to publish without bookstores and middlemen.

The book is short, an easy read, and it builds on ideas developed in Pressfield’s book “The War of Art” which I’ve added to my list of books to read. I have found that I’ve encountered “the Resistance” many times in my career without knowing what it was called. I always chalked up setbacks to inertia – people don’t like change. This book gives me some insight into setbacks and how to combat them. It also clarifies how committed you are to the change you are trying to make.

The  high point of the book for me was the test “How bad do you want it?”

Dabbling • Interested • Intrigued but Uncertain • Passionate • Totally Committed  

 If your answer is not the one on the far right, put this book down and throw it away.

Drafting operations

Drafting can be considered as a standard operation in certain departments or as a rarely utilized art form in some others.

The key element in drafting is eliminating the air in the pump system. Making sure all drains are closed and every inlet is capped tightly is essential. Also, a well maintained primer will make the task of drafting much easier. The primer is designed to remove air out of a pump so it will be more effective on a dry pump. If the pump and suctions are partially full of water, the primer will have to work harder in order to expel the water and air mixture out of the plumbing.

There are a few accessories that will make the task of drafting much easier. Lightweight suction hoses will allow the operator to see the water coming into the pump. The operator should always make sure that the suction hoses have a proper fitting gasket and that the suction hose is threaded on tightly. The slightest amount of air coming in by the suction hose threads will make it difficult to maintain prime.

Choosing the right strainer for the job is also another key component to drafting. A barrel strainer can be used when there is a lot of water and no chance of the strainer hitting the bottom. A floating strainer should be used in a pond or lake in order to keep the suction off the bottom where it could come in contact with sand. A low level strainer should be used in the portable tank in order to get out as much water as possible.

The shorter the height between the surface of the water and the center of the suction inlet, the easier the drafting operation will be. The maximum lift should be below 20’ high. The horizontal distance is not an issue so a porta tank can be placed in front or behind a fire apparatus. A suction elbow can make that operation easier by saving the suction hose from making a large loop by the operator.

How often does your department practice drafting operations?

Recent Deliveries - Havelock, NS - Metalfab Pumper

On March 24th, 2013, the Havelock, NS Fire Department received their new Metalfab Top Mount Pumper. This was the department's first Metalfab unit.  It was modelled after their neighbour's Metalfab unit to allow for better mutual aid and compatibility on scene.

The Top Mount Pumper body is mounted on a 2013 Freightliner M2 106 and is powered by a Cummins ISC 300hp engine. The Allison 3000 EVS transmission powers a 5KW PTO generator.



The pump on this unit is a 1050 IGPM and has
a flowmeter installed on the output. The electric governor is a FRC In-Control 400. There is a
FoamPro 2001 with a 20 Imperial Gallon foam cell. The left side suction is gated and a pre-primer is included. The Poly tank has a capacity of 1000 Imperial Gallons.


The light package is a Federal LED system and dual 110-volt LED extendable lights are mounted on the back side of the chassis cab.


The body compartments are equipped with Amdor roll up doors. The left side are full height while the right side are lower with the manual fold down ladder rack mounted on the fender top. Below the right side fender top, the attic ladder and pike poles are mounted in a compartment accessible from the rear. The hose bed has deck plate hose bed covers and the rear of the body has reflective Chevrons.
                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                              

                                                                      

Throwback Thursday - South Bristol, ME - 1986 Metalfab Pumper

Today's featured unit for Throwback Thursday is a Metalfab Pumper manufactured for the South Bristol, ME Fire Department.  This truck was delivered to the department on October 24, 1986. This was the first unit to be delivered in Maine.

This unit was a 1000 US GPM Pump with 1000 US Gallons of water. The body and tank were made of steel. There was a 10" dump valve on the valve with a step above it. The hose bed was lined with Versa-Tile. This unit had a 3600 Watt Inverter installed.

Quick Tip - Drafting Tip

When arriving at a scene and preparing to draft with a dry pump, it is best to connect the suction hoses and prime so that the water is up the suction hoses to the suction inlet first.  After this is done, then engage the pump shift into pump mode.  This reduces the potential amount of time that the pump runs without water, reducing possible damage to the mechanical seal and the other components of the pump caused by running the pump dry.

Question of the Week

  With the greater focus on safety, what option on your fire apparatus would you change to make it more safe for your firefighters or to make it more user friendly for your firefighters?

Product Spotlight - Zico LAS Extender

  When looking at the design of your new truck, one usually looks at the height of equipment and tries to keep everything to be easily accessible.  In the case of ladders mounted on the side of the truck, it is hard to have higher compartments over the wheel wells just because it raises the ladders up and makes them hard to access.  Sometimes even with a Zico LAS (Ladder Access System) the ladders still aren't easily accessed.

Ziamatic (Zico) has released a new version of it's LAS.  It is the LAS Extend Down.  It is similar to the standard LAS rack, but it incorporates a pulley system to allow the ladders to extend down an additional 12".  This means you are able to increase the compartment heights while maintaining the ladders accessibility.

Cold Weather Operations

   A common discussion in the Fire Service is running a “Dry” pump versus a “Wet” pump during the cold winter months. If a pump will be exposed to freezing weather conditions for a significant amount of time, running a dry pump would definitely be recommended. This practice reduces the possibility of pump components freezing and will identify if the tank to pump and tank fill valves are sealing properly. Caution - If these valves are leaking with the drain valve open, this could cause a situation where the booster tank may be low and the drain valve could freeze open rendering the pump inoperable. To completely drain your pump, please follow the simple steps that are typically printed on a label on the pump panel.

   Since moving water does not freeze, the fire pump should be engaged and water circulated while on scene. If operating from the apparatus booster tank, it would be recommended to operate the pump with the tank to pump fully open and the tank fill ¼ from closed. If operating from an external water supply, the operator should ensure that some water is being circulated through a discharge or tank fill valve. Care should be exercised to limit the amount of water spilling on scene. This could cause the area around the truck to become icy during a long emergency call.

   The pump house heat pan should be installed every fall and removed every summer. If your unit is equipped with an optional pump house heater, it should be used all the time during cold weather operations.

 

What precautions does your department make to the Fire Apparatus during the winter months?

 

Recent Deliveries - Tyne Valley, PE - Metalfab Walk In Rescue

On March 09, 2013, the Tyne Valley, PE Fire Department received their new Metalfab Walk In Rescue Unit.  The rescue was tested and certified by ULC to meet ULC Standard - ULC-S515-04 for a SSV (Special Services Vehicle).  This unit is the department's second Metalfab unit.

The 18'-00" walk In Rescue body was mounted on a 2013 International 4400 Chassis.  The chassis was equipped with a 300 HP Maxxforce DT Diesel Engine.  There was a sealed pass through installed between the chassis cab and the Walk In Body to allow for communication between the people seated in the cab and the people seated in the body.




A receiver was installed under the front bumper.  This receiver could be used for mounting a
removable winch or placing tow rings for tie off points, amongst other possible usages.

The rescue unit was equipped with a Federal LED Warning Light System, 12V scene lights, 110V telescopic flood lights, 110V Tripod Flood Lights, and other lighting options.  There was also a 7kw Raven PTO Driven Generator installed on the unit.

The 18'-00" Walk In Body included low side exterior compartments, rear and right side access doors, four interior SCBA seats , an interior flip down command table, and interior storage for 32 sets of bunker gear.  There was also a four bottle cascade system installed in the rear left exterior compartment.

Metalfab would like to thank the Tyne Valley Fire Department for this purchase.

Throwback Thursday - Maitland, NS 1984 Metalfab Pumper/Rescue

 

 

 

Today's featured unit for Throwback Thursday is a Metalfab Pumper/Rescue manufactured for the Maitland, NS Fire Department.  This truck was delivered to the department on May 18, 1984.  This unit was the first unit Metalfab manufactured for a Fire Department in Nova Scotia.  It was also the first unit manufactured that had a pump and tank with the rear body being a Walk In Rescue.

This unit was equipped with a Hale M-75 625 IGPM Midship pump.  The steel water tank had a capacity of 300 Imp Gal.  The steel Rescue Body had exterior high and low side compartments on both sides of the unit as well as storage in the interior of the unit.

Spotlight Option - In Bumper Storage

  You can never have enough storage space on a Fire Truck.  Storage space is always at a premium.  When you extend the front bumper of the chassis, you open up a lot of storage options. 

  There are numerous different ways you can configure the storage in an extended front bumper.  Pictured above is how one department decided to utilize the storage.  In the center compartment is a hose well for a pre-connected 1-1/2" hose line.  They also have one storage compartment outboard of the chassis frame rails on each side of the bumper.  These wing compartments will be utilized for the storage of miscellaneous equipment.  On this truck, instead of using deck plate doors to secure the equipment and hose in the compartments, a red webbing will be used.  The webbing has the advantages of being able to see within the compartment without removing the webbing and it also allows for air flow in the compartments to assist in drying equipment.

  Does your department have an unique storage layout in the extended bumper of your trucks?

Exterior Sun Visors

One of the options I like to include on the majority of the quotations I prepare using a commercial cab is an exterior sun visor.   The exterior sun visor can either be polished stainless steel or painted.  The painted sun visor comes painted and installed from the chassis manufacturer to match the color of the chassis cab or in the case of a two tone cab, it usually comes in the same color of the upper portion of the chassis.  That being said, the sun visor can be ordered in any color desired.



Personally, I find this option really dresses up the exterior of the cab.  It is also a fairly inexpensive option when ordered with the chassis.  It is usually priced under $500.00 from the chassis manufacturer.  This comes completely installed, painted, and complete with built in clearance lights in the front face of the visor.



 

The most common statement I hear concerning the exterior sun visors is that most people believe that come with the chassis as a standard.  That is definitely not the case.  If you desire the exterior sun visor, ensure that you let your body builder know prior to ordering the chassis.  You can also review the chassis specifications prior to order, to ensure that it is included.  If you receive the chassis without the sun visor and wish to have one installed after the chassis is received by the body builder, it would be a fairly expensive addition.  The cost of installing the sun visor post receipt of the chassis would be upwards of $1,500.00.  

 

The exterior sun visor is a great option to inexpensively dress up the exterior of the unit. 

Tuesday's Tip - Drafting in Low Water Situations

Every Fire Department has a couple of water sources (ponds, streams, rivers, etc.) in their territory that could be a great asset while responding to a fire scene nearby.  The trouble with some of these water sources is that some aren't deep enough to allow the suction hose and strainer to be submerged and having sufficient distance between the strainer and the bottom of the water source.  This situation may lead to small pebbles, gravel, small rocks, etc. to be drawn into the pump, possibly causing expensive damage to the pump and also possible damaging the seals on the ball valves on the unit. 

One option to help alleviate this situation would be the use of a floating strainer.  The floating strainer floats on the surface of the water, alleviating the need for the strainer and suction hose to be fully submerged.  However, if the water source isn't deep enough to allow suitable distance between the strainer and the bottom of the water source then the potential of collecting debris into the pump is still possible.

Another option that could be used is to position a roof ladder above the water source horizontally.  The suction hose could then be tied to the ladder at a location that would keep the suction hose from being fully submerged, thusly keeping the strainer above the bottom of the water source.

Another similar option is to submerge a bucket or pail into the water source so that the top of the water source is above the top of the bucket.   The strainer would then be placed into the bucket.  The water would then be drawn from the top, reducing the chances of debris being drawn into the pump.

Taking precautions, as noted above, will help you utilize all of the assets in your territory in your efforts in protecting your department's service area while keeping costly pump repairs at a minimum.

What steps does your department take when drafting from a shallow water source?