Are you proficient with the use of you Emergency ARFF vehicle(s)? It is bitter sweet that we do not have to actually use our emergency vehicles every day. Air traffic is one of the safest ways to travel in the world. So how do we stay proficient with the tools on our trucks, jaws of life, roof and bumper turrets, K-12, to name a few. Our training programs have to be developed so that we are competent in the use of our tools.
Lets talk about roof and bumper turrets. On our primary truck, Oshkosh 1500 (2002), out roof turret is operated on electric and the bumper turret is pneumatic. They have a completely diff rent reaction during operation. I was under the impression that the bumper turret was not functioning properly until I was educated on the systems. Come to find out it was me that was not training on the system to operate it properly! The bumper turret will give you a nice ground sweep, 300gpm, this will allow you to conserve some agent but not my choice to use, simply because I was not comfortable using it. The roof turret will disperse 375/750gpm sometime that much agent is not necessary, at times the roof turret is like bringing a gun to a knife fight.If your not comfortable with the systems and tools on your vehicle(s) please take the time to practice. Ask you Captain/Supervisor for help. Whatever it takes for you to perform your duties safely, and independently, take those steps today.
Here are a few drills we have performed to stay proficient with the turrets.
(1)Place road cones on the ramp with baseballs/softballs on the top. Have your ARFF vehicle approach this simulated seen, shoot water in the three minute time frame, knocking the ball off the cones with out the cones falling over. Have a contest, see who can knock only the balls off. Step it up a little, see who can do it the fastest.
(2) Turret Hockey.
fill two 5 gallon buckets with water and put the lid on them. Place the buckets in front of
your ARFF vehicle(s). Setup a goal about 300ft in front of the vehicles. Using your turret of choice, push the buckets down the ramp and into the goal.
There are many training activities you can perform locally. A little Imagination goes along way.
Here is a list of the Annual 139 ARFF Training Topic:
(i) Airport familiarization, including airport signs, marking, and lighting.
(ii) Aircraft familiarization.
(iii) Rescue and firefighting personnel safety.
(iv) Emergency communications systems on the airport, including fire alarms.
(v) Use of the fire hoses, nozzles, turrets, and other appliances required for compliance with this part.
(vi) Application of the types of extinguishing agents required for compliance with this part.
(vii) Emergency aircraft evacuation assistance.
(viii) Firefighting operations.
(ix) Adapting and using structural rescue and firefighting equipment for aircraft rescue and firefighting.
(x) Aircraft cargo hazards, including hazardous materials/dangerous goods incidents.
(xi) Familiarization with firefighters' duties under the airport emergency plan.
All rescue and firefighting personnel must participate in at least one live-fire drill prior to initial performance of rescue and firefighting duties and every 12 consecutive calendar months thereafter.
How many of these topics could you cover at your station on your airfield?
I am all for Advanced training, and specialist conducting classes, but in the meantime lets stay proficient with our duties.
Don't Just Go Through The Motions!
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