Effective immediately, any damage to a DECS  (PLYMO VENT) as a result of a moving apparatus shall be treated as a vehicle accident. A Battalion Chief shall be assigned to an “invest” incident and all reports shall be prepared as outlined in Volume 3, Department Apparatus Involved with Fire Department Property. Minor repairs and leaks shall continue to be handled through BAS.

Additionally, all officers shall make certain that any members driving apparatus are aware of this problem and ensure that drivers pull out of quarters slowly to allow a safe disconnection of the DECS before continuing on emergency and non-emergency responses

 At a recent structure fire, 2 separate 2 ½” hand lines were put into operation using the new MAX-FLOW tips.  During firefighting operations, the gasket that is placed between the tip and the shut-off butt was sucked into the flow of water. One gasket was forced out the end of the line, the second gasket was found stuck in the tip. The result of the dislodged gasket was a steady spray of water coming from the joint where the tip screws onto the shut-off as well as a distorted water stream. No significant GPM loss was reported. Companies were in a defensive mode fighting the fire from the outside when all this occurred.

The same problem was also reported as happening with the smaller hand lines. (1 ½” and    1 ¾” tips) The difference being that the gasket gets stuck in the strainer of the tip instead of being forced out the end of the line. In these cases, severe restricted flow was reported.

 LESSONS LEARNED

 After various flow tests it has been determined that a loose tip was the cause of the gasket being sucked into the nozzle. To prevent this from happening it is critical we make sure the tip is screwed on TIGHT to the shut off. When the nozzle is attached to the hose tighten BOTH the nozzle and the tip before flowing water. With this reoccurring gasket problem, it reminds us to check ALL firefighting nozzles everyday for tightness and proper gasket placement.

HAS THIS HAPPEN TO YOU??  CLICK  “COMMENT”  BELOW AND LET US KNOW

List of Questions A/O Candidates Asked

During A/O Workshop

Q) Do we need to disengage Engine Retarder while backing?

A) This question came from the grading sheets. Please remember these grade sheets are examples of  many exams including rigs with manual transmissions. It was more important with manual transmissions to disengage your Jake while backing.

Q) Where will chocks be stowed for LTI/ALF jackknife and can or should the candidate move them into cab?

A) For the exam the apparatus chocks will be located in the appropriate place for deployment. You will not have to move them.

Q) What amount of deduction if any for rung alignment? Should candidate misalign on purpose to create more of a step on a low throw?

A) You will be given clear instructions on your spot and the information provided to you will answer this question. The ultimate goal is to get the exact spot and rung alignment both. If you had to compromise the spot is always the most important.

Q) Will there be any issues with such a low throw where the 45 degree hoist before rotation will be a factor?

A) Always default to what the  logbooks and AOTM says about angle of inclination prior to rotation for that particular apparatus. Proctors will default to written LAFD Standards.

Q) Is lifting above parapet to  prevent tell-tail drag considered an extra or unnecessary aerial movement?

A) As in past exams any extra movement beyond the minimum needed to establish a safe effective ladder would be graded accordingly.

Q) Must aerial control lid be closed after throwing ladder to objective?

A) As long as the apparatus is set up properly when prepared to drive away.

Q) Is drop starting allowed?

A) Yes drop starting is allowed as long as it is properly done with all safety precautions in place.

Q) Can we use our own axe?

A) No personal axes will be allowed. An assortment of axes will be provided for the candidate to choose from.

Q) Can candidate stop vibration of side mirror with hand while backing into qtrs?

A) The proctor takes into account that safety is first and foremost. To provide a safe backing operation the proctors realize the driver must see clearly.

IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE RESCUE MAINTENANCE UNIT THAT POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE HIGH AND LOW PRESSURE HOSE IS OCCURING.  THIS DAMAGE IS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE HOSE FROM THE 1ST STAGE REGULATOR TO THE Y-BLOCK. THE DAMAGE IS MOST VISIBLE AT THE COUPLINGS.

IN ORDER TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION AND TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS EACH MEMBER SHALL INSPECT ALL HOSES, PRESSURIZE THE SCBA AND LOOK FOR CUTS, LEAKS, AND BRUISES.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, STATION COMMANDERS SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL  BA’s ARE EVALUATED  PER THE MANUAL OF OPERATIONS.  6/3-04.01 – THE SCBA SHALL BE INSPECTED FOR DEFECTS DAILY AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER EACH USE. 6/3-04.02 – BOTH LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE HOSES SHALL BE CHECKED FOR HOLES, CUTS, TEARS, RUST OR CORROSION.  NOTE: MEMBERS ARE NOT TO MAKE ANY FIELD REPAIRS OR ALTERATION TO BA’S. REPORT ANY FAILURES TO THE RESCUE MAINTENANCE UNIT, SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE DIVISION AT (213) 485-6121.

As a reminder, if you have a question, you can click on the “Questions & Answers” section to the left of this page.  We will do our best to answer them and put to rest any rumors out there.  Sorry, we dont have any answers about the Coverage Plan!!

Hope I can help clear up some confusion. After talking to Mark Clark, at field repair, you do not need an F 80 (SRS) for emergency or non emergency repair. This may possibly change in the future but as for right now just call in all repairs.

Members are reminded that the Department still has light duty Seagrave Aerial Ladder Trucks in the reserve fleet.

Members shall immediately discontinue using Seagrave Aerial apparatus for all litter basket operations including emergency, non-emergency and training evolutions.

When litter basket operations must be performed at an emergency, concerned Officers shall request a company with a medium-duty aerial ladder (LTI, American La France) to respond to the incident. Also consider Heavy Rescue 56 and/or USAR companies.

This policy will significantly increase the margin of safety during litter basket operations.

As per “Special Notice” on February 22, 2007 from Bureau of Support Service:

 MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT EYE HOOKS AND DESIGNATED RECEIVERS ARE THE ONLY ANCHOR POINTS THAT SHOULD BE USED FOR LITTER BASKET OR OTHER ROPE SYSTEM OPERATIONS.

 EYE HOOKS ARE LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF HEAVY APPARATUS IN OR NEAR THE FRONT BUMPER.

EYE HOOKS ARE ALSO PROVIDED AT THE REAR OF PUMPERS ABOVE THE TAILBOARD AND BELOW THE LOWER REAR COMPARTMENT ON LTI AND AMERICAN LAFRANCE AERIAL LADDER TRUCKS.

 SEAGRAVE AERIAL LADDER TRUCKS DO NOT HAVE REAR EYE HOOKS.

 MEMBERS ARE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS AS ANCHOR POINTS:

 1.AERIAL LADDER GROUND JACKS

2. TURNTABLE LIFTING EYE LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE TURNTABLE      ROTATION MOTOR.

3. APPARATUS COMPARTMENTIZATION OR HANDRAILS

This is part of a letter that was sent out from BES in regards to attaching stuff to the end of your Aerial ladders. Just a heads up!!

Recently, the Supply and Maintenance Division has noticed an increased number of damaged aerial ladders caused by members clamping items such as pike pole brackets to uprights and diagonals on the fly section causing crushing and denting of these ladders.

 All members are reminded that it is a violation of the rules to alter (or attach) anything to the aerial ladder without the approval of the Bureau Commander and Supply and Maintenance Division

 The Bureau Office received information from Supply and Maintenance today that the clamping of a pike pole on an aerial ladder truck brought into the shops today did damage to one of the uprights, causing it to be taken out of service.  That situation will require follow up via CTS. 

Additionally, we are out of reserve trucks.  Chief Rueda has directed field resources to use a browned out truck as a relief apparatus.  There are lots of issues that go along with the use of browned out trucks.  Most of these issues are very problematic. 

Please cause each of the aerial ladder trucks assigned to your Battalion to be inspected by the assigned Officers, and any clamped items removed from the aerials immediately.  This is to be documented in the Fire Station Journal. Division Commanders will report back to BES Office when this has been completed.

In the early morning an Engine was dispatched to a “water problem”. The Engine was heading south then stopped at the intersection. Upon arriving, the Engine noticed a moderate amount of water running down the street. The water was described as flowing down the street, but the crew stated that they did not observe any turbulence in the water that would indicate the point of origin. There was one street light at the intersection and no others down the block.  According to the crew, the street was wet but they did not see any rocks or dirt that would indicate they were near the main break. A DWP truck stopped with their lights flashing about 7 – 10 houses to the west. This caused the crew to think the problem was near the DWP truck down the block.  The Engine traveled 2 houses down the block then thought they might be in a bad position. It was decided that they were going to back up. The two firemen exited to cab to back the Engine up. As  the Engine started to back it sank to the bumper level. The Engine continued to sink forcing the Engineer and Captain to leave the cab. The Engineer said he rolled his window down and jumped out of the window.

When responding to reported water problems consider the following:

WHERE IS THE WATER COMING FROM?

If you arrive on scene and find a sheared hydrant it is obvious where your problem is.   The force from the water is straight up, not underground where is will erode soil under the asphalt. You are not dealing with a situation that will cause a sink hole.

If you arrive on scene and find an unusual ammount of water flowing down the street, and there is not a CLEAR source identified, this should raise some concerns.  There is a strong possibility there is an underground main break. The force of the water will now be underground eroding the soil leaving only the unsupported asphalt on the surface. 

WHAT WILL YOU SEE?

Depending on the size of the main and the break, you may see a crack in the ground with water bubbling from it or you may see a flood from curb to curb.  Whatever you see  PROCEED WITH CAUTION.  It may be a good idea to stop short and walk up to investigate. While walking, use a pike pole or rubbish hook to feel around in front of you so you dont fall into a hole. If DWP is on scene, make contact with them, they deal with this sort of thing all the time.

You will also see mud and rocks that will have been forced out of the ground by the water. This is a sure sign of an underground main break.

A new site has been created by the In Service Training Section to highlight successes and challenges faced by companies while “on the fireground”.  The site is intended to point out these challenges and promote discussions among individual companies of their own SOGs in overcoming those challenges. 

Photos and videos have been taken from recent incidents and have been posted on this new site.  These images show fire departments in action and include indicators that point out discussion points.   

Please visit the site below to view “On the Fireground”

http://lafdtraining.org/btrm/?page_id=563