FE Volume 144 Issue 4

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FIREGROUND HYDRAULICS: STRAIGHT-STREAM REACH

Last month we discussed nozzle reaction and saw how, like flow rate, it varies with the square root of nozzle pressure and how the maximum reaction can be calculated in your head. In practice, the actual reaction felt by the nozzleman is always less, because some is transmitted along the hose to the floor.
Firefighting EquipmentHoselines
PHOENIX TOLUENE TANK EXPLOSION

PHOENIX TOLUENE TANK EXPLOSION

Rescuers in the Tower 5 incident were cognizant of the dangers posed by cutting into tanks containing residual toluene atmospheres. They remembered an incident in Phoenix, Arizona involving the ignition of toluene vapors within a steel tank during rescue operations.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

FIRE FOCUS

How many handlines do you need? Start to build a needs analysis —forget the gallon formula for now. 1 st line: To the store. After getting water, see if the forcible entry problem is taken care of. If it's effected fast, begin the attack. If delayed, protect the fire escape while awaiting entry. 2nd line: Look for a visible life hazard —if on the fire escape, protect the civilians until they are off. If not present, stretch enough hose to the second floor to handle that and to go above to the third floor if momentarily needed or to complete extinguishment later.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

FIRE LOSS MANAGEMENT

After the spectacular First Interstate fire in Los Angeles in 1988, passage of a sprinkler law for new and existing high-rise buildings in California seemed a sure thing. A law passed by the state legislature was vetoed by the governor, however, and a replacement law was heavily opposed and has been in the inactive file since early 1990.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

More FE Volume 144 Issue 4

POLITICS AND THE BUREAU

It’s rarely discussed in fire prevention courses and most often is omitted in fire prevention texts. Yet, politics usually is the most important factor that affects the operation of the fire prevention bureau. How well fire prevention personnel control and react to political pressures determines the overall effectiveness of their activities.
Fire PreventionFire Safety
CRUISE SHIP BURNS

CRUISE SHIP BURNS

In Part 22 of Fire Loss Management (January 1991), I mentioned some of the hazards of cruise ships. The travel section of the New York Times reported on January 20, 1991 (page 3), that the world’s largest cruise ship, the brand new 2,766-passenger Monarch of the Seas, will be delayed for almost a year because of a fire.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting
MANUFACTURERS’ LITERATURE

MANUFACTURERS’ LITERATURE

Wandel At Goltermann offers a brochure on its Life Detector system. Life Detector is a compact and lightweight seismic and sound detector used for locating buried survivors of catastrophes such as earthquakes or explosions It can help pinpoint persons who can still indicate that they are alive by means of movements, knocking, or calling.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

BROKEN HEARTS, SAME SAD HOMILY

There was a smoke condition but no fire showing on arrival. Firefighters searching for the hidden fire could feel the heavy heat coming from the drop ceiling void overhead. Smoke began to bank down over them. Their low-air bells started ringing, and they retreated from the structure—all except Firefighter John Nicosia. He never made it out. His body finally was recovered two days later from under the massive debris of roof collapse.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

LDH TOOL POUCH/PULL LOOP

Several years ago the Plentywood, Montana Volunteer Fire Department began using 5-inch large-diameter hose. The use of LDH has dramatically simplified virtually every type of evolution used by the department and has markedly increased our water delivery capability while reducing manpower requirements in those critical first few minutes of a working fire.
Firefighter ToolsFirefighting Equipment
HOT TOPIC

HOT TOPIC

This month Hot Topic initiates a survey program that elicits input from fire prevention personnel across the country. Its purposes are to let you know what others are thinking and to provide a data base for various organizations.
Fire PreventionFire Safety

MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF AIRCRAFT EXTRACTION

Many firefighters have responded to a major aircraft incident. Every one of them probably never would want to do it again. Few emergency situations match the magnitude, stress, and challenges of an aircraft disaster.
Aircraft Fire & RescueTechnical Rescue
COMING EVENTS

COMING EVENTS

APRIL 16-19-2ND NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT, presented by the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, will be held in Hamilton, Ontario. Public safety, disaster planning, conflicts in disaster management, and lessons learned from recent disasters will be covered.
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

SQUARE ROOTS IN YOUR HEAD

Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

SPALLING AND DETERMINATION OF ORIGIN AND CAUSE

Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

NEWS IN BRIEF

Firefighter SCBAFirefighting Equipment

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TOOL USE

Firefighter ToolsFirefighting Equipment

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

NFPA 1904: A LOOK FROM THE INSIDE

Aerial ApparatusFire Apparatus

ATOMIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS: What the fine Department Need to Know

Fire SafetyFire Suppression Systems

TOLUENE

Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

CHEMICAL DATA NOTEBOOK SERIES #59: ETHYL ETHER

HazmatTechnical Rescue

FIRE ENGINEERING

Firefighter ToolsFirefighting Equipment

APPARATUS DELIVERIES

Fire Apparatus

NFPA 1903: MOBILE WATER SUPPLY APPARATUS

Fire Apparatus
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