20th Five Year Trends in Fire Fighting

First, fire fighting and rescue equipment

“In my field of industrial firefighting, TFT (a firefighting equipment company) launched a hemispherical mobile fire water cannon. It is very portable and easy to use, and can be fixed to pipes, handrails, and even pick-ups on pick-up trucks. It is the most versatile and stable mobile water gun I have ever seen.” — Bill Green , who has been in the chemical industry for almost 40 years and has just retired; part-time teacher in industrial fire protection and hazardous goods TEEX ; Petrosafe Technologies (a company engaged in emergency management and Consultation partner for disaster accident management consultancy) .

Bill Green's recommended hemispherical mobile fire monitor weighs only 23 pounds (about 10.5 kilograms) and the flow rate can reach 500 gpm ( 2000 L /min ). The mobile fire sprinkler is equipped with a 90 degree rotatable valve inlet and manually adjustable outlet. The horizontal rotation can reach 80 degrees. With a crank, the mobile monitor can achieve a 360- degree horizontal rotation.

“The Hytrans mobile water supply system (similar to the remote water supply unit we use) provides firefighters with a more efficient method of water intake, which can ensure the fire water consumption in the absence of water, enabling firefighters to extinguish the fire more quickly. — Dean Simpkins , Business Development Manager , Haines Fire Risk Consulting.

I believe that most firefighters in the United States and Canada have just seen the first reaction of the Hytrans Mobile Water Supply Fire Truck is "Is this the fire truck we know?" Through the video we have a preliminary understanding of the working principle of the Hytrans mobile water supply system, which not only solves Large-scale disaster accidents (such as forest fires, train accidents, and industrial facility fires) have long on-site disposal times and large amounts of water. They also effectively solve the problem of municipal water supply disruption due to line breakage or storm damage (just like In recent years, hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area.

The Hytrans mobile water system has gradually become a shared resource for many fire departments and governments because it has a diameter of 6 inches ( 15.24 cm), a length of 9,845 feet ( 3,000 meters ), and a flow rate of 800 gpm ( 3000L /m ) LDH (Note : large diameter hose - large diameter fire hose ). In addition, the mobile water supply system also has other functional modules.

The Hytrans flood protection module is an auxiliary component of the standard HydroSub 150 bulk pump system. The system (using three HydroSub 150 pumps) can pump flooded areas (such as basements, parking lots, low-lying areas, embankments and tunnels, etc.) at a flow rate of 10,600 gpm (40,000 L/min) . This is equivalent to draining an average family backyard swimming pool every minute!

Translator's Note:

️Hytrans Mobile Water System:

Main application: similar to our remote water supply unit, which is mainly used for long-distance water supply in fire fields, drainage, temporary supply of drinking water, and transport of contaminated liquids.

The main components:

1. Floating pump: It is a new portable floating hydraulic pumps connected to an engine through two 60m long hydraulic hoses, quick access to any natural water, natural water levels theoretically or vertical distance can reach 60m , and use thrust to pour water into large-diameter hoses (rather than pumping water).

Advantages: The pump can transport salt water, chemically contaminated water, dirt and dirt, and can operate in shallow water.

Disadvantages: Must be near the water.

2. HydroSub power pack (capacity from 1,500 L /min to 30,000 L /min ):

A containerized diesel-powered power unit with a built-in booster pump and foam proportioner that powers the hydraulic pump and other parts of the system.

3.LDH large diameter hose:

(1) When the inner diameter exceeds 3.5 inches, the fire hose is generally regarded as LDH; the US fire department usually uses the LDH with the diameter of 4, 5 or 6 inches ;

(2) LDH is a large-flow low-pressure water belt. Since the friction loss in the fire hose is completely determined by the flow rate rather than the water pressure, the greater the capacity ( GPM ) that can be carried by the hose , the required force for transmission ( PSI ). The smaller it is. LDH can deliver a greater amount of water over longer distances, but the friction loss is small.

(3) LDH has the following characteristics: LDH is usually longer than a small diameter hose. The standard length is 100 feet ( 30.48 meters ); the LDH liner is usually made of polyester fiber and the liner is made of seamless coated rubber; LDH is heavier than other hoses; couplings are commonly used.

4. Hose Laying and Hose Recycling: Hytrans offers a mechanized hose laying and recycling system for large-diameter hoses with a diameter of 100 mm / 4 inches to 300 mm / 12 inches. This system effectively reduces the manpower required to lay the hoses and also reduces the hydraulic loss during the conveying process. Recycling 1000 meters of 6 -inch ( 150 mm) diameter water can take only 30 minutes to complete.

Second, firefighter training

“The biggest change I have seen is training. How should we train our firefighters to deal with the decline in the number of major accidents and the fact that the number of EMS (emergency medical services) alarms is constantly increasing? I think virtual reality training will Will play a major role in EMS , firefighting and police training." - Paul Calderwood , Disaster Recovery Specialist, Tennessee Department of Revenue ; Retired Captain of fire department , Everett (Massachusetts) ; President of Calderwood International Consulting.

"I agree with Paul 's views on VR training. VR training can immerse students in real events, allow them to see the results and cultivate their critical thinking. This will undoubtedly subvert the training model that we are used to." - Dan Wright , Wright Public Security Consulting and Training Company Owner

Virtual reality training is one of the fastest growing areas in the technical training system. Virtual reality technology allows fire commanders and firefighters to see what is happening around them in a 360- degree view. If they look at the ceiling, they can see the flames rolling over their heads. When they look back, they can see what's happening behind them. When they poured water on the fire, they saw all the reactions of water to the fire.

Virtual reality training technology is quite mature and can simulate any activity that firefighters perform on the fire (such as demolishing ceilings, opening ventilation ducts on walls, or exhausting smoke from a fire room).

Translator's Note: Although VR training can not be compared with the daily fire drills and simulation training, VR training can simulate our common disasters, and it has tracking and feedback functions that can make firefighters have a new and interesting Practice fire fighting skills in a unique way, especially for the daily training of ordinary firefighters and part-time firefighters.

Third, based on cloud technology

“The modern science and technology are changing with each passing day, and are increasingly used in the organization and management of administrative institutions, and the efficiency of work is improved through automated communications. This not only saves time and money, but also enables administrative agencies to efficiently handle the ever-increasing daily management issues. " - Brad Bihun , Engineer / Firefighter / Medical Staff at the California Fire Department , FireAdmin 's CEO."

More and more fire departments recognize that they must modernize their administrative functions and gradually replace their traditional office methods with paperless office (ie, paper office). Through paperless office, various management functions can be realized, such as: supply chain of all consumables and equipment; asset management of facilities and equipment; personnel file management.

More and more of these systems are designed by firefighters and share information through cloud platforms. This is a big trend as more and more fire departments increase the use of mobile electronic devices ( such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc. ) .

A cloud-based system will no longer need to store software on a separate machine or device. All software is hosted in the cloud, which undoubtedly reduces the operating costs of the fire department.

“Formally, the national construction firefighting safety plan was all paper. However, with the development of technology, most fire safety plans are now digitalized and can be shared for free. The fire department can use the cloud system to check the floor plan before rescue workers arrive. A list of key locations, key infrastructure, and people with disabilities. In addition, fire department personnel can conduct fire safety video conferences with family members (residents) of the resident at any time." - Jason D. Reid, Founder , National Life Safety Group senior consultant.

Another important area for the digitization of fire safety information is the digitization of fire protection planning and building safety plans for commercial, industrial facilities, and particularly hazardous residential facilities (such as advanced nursing and social welfare agencies). Similar to the fire department's management system, fire department staff can obtain important information about these buildings and facilities through the cloud platform.

Another trend based on the cloud platform is to integrate and share information stored between various departments. For example, access to fire plan information and fire inspection records (completed by firefighters), alarm records (stored in the CADS of the dispatch system ), and building alteration information and building violation records (stored in the building inspector's office system).

Translator's Note: The paperless office and information sharing based on the cloud platform mentioned here is actually similar to the wisdom fire protection concept proposed by us. Now, there is a lot of data lying “inside” each department and each system. The main thing is how to activate and integrate data. For example, whether a fire surveillance inspector can check real-time information on the unit's fire control files or fire protection acceptance drawings through a tablet computer, and compare whether the unit arbitrarily changes the fire protection facilities and internal structures; for example, in command and dispatch, through alarms. Whether the unit provided can obtain the basic information of the unit (including drawings, fire-fighting facilities, number of residents, and surrounding fire-fighting facilities) and peripheral video surveillance in real time, and provide the commander with the most detailed information before the firefighters arrive at the venue. All of these must break the "information isolated island" and require multiple departments to jointly share information and improve the overall level of automation and administrative efficiency.

Fourth, the application of UAV technology in the fire department

“ UAV technology is rapidly evolving, and it is becoming more and more affordable, even for sectors with lower budgets.” — Joshua Fowler, Regional Director of Fire / Rescue Services in Beaumont ( TX ) .

Drones used by fire departments at all levels are rapidly increasing. However, some difficulties encountered by the fire department when using drones include:

1. Define the scope of use of the drone and timing of use;

2. Request drone operators to provide training and certification required by the FAA ;

3. Develop drone operation guidelines.

Translator's Note:

FAA : Federal Aviation Administration .

In recent years, drones have been widely used in the reconnaissance of fires and various types of disaster accidents. They can be said to be the “eyes of the air” for firefighters to handle accidents. They can give full response and be able to enter firefighters' hard access to dangerous sites. Unique advantages. However, its function has yet to be further developed. For example, when a fire occurs in a high-rise building, the biggest problem is the difficulty of rescue. Can we use drones to put in key equipment and equipment and save biological resources? During floods and earthquakes, can fire fighters not be able to use the drones to send life-saving ropes, life jackets, drugs, and food at the first time when they arrive at the scene? These are questions that are worth thinking about.

V. Application of Ultrasound Technology in Emergency Medical Care

“The year 2018 will be an important year for ultrasound in EMS ( emergency medical care ) . One of our organizations has just been approved to use a portable ultrasound instrument for three-year plans for on-site emergency medical personnel. These on-site emergency medical personnel are approved to use portable ultrasound. To assess the patient's heart, lungs, aorta, abdomen, and blood vessels.— Tim , Founder and CEO, Colorado Springs Emergency Medical Solutions.

Portable ultrasound equipment and hand-held, portable blood analyzers and other portable devices are increasingly used on-site emergency medical personnel, and telemedicine systems are increasingly becoming effective aids in the emergency medical rescue of the fire department.

Translator's Note: In the United States, the Emergency Medical Ambulance Team is the same as the fire brigade and is responsible for the first aid of people injured on the spot.

The author: Robert Avsec translation: Yujie Sheng