Showing posts with label Water tanker. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

LODD: FIREFIGHTER DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY-APPARATUS CRASH AT WILDLAND FIRE

FIREFIGHTER DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY-APPARATUS CRASH AT WILDLAND FIRE

We regret to advise you that around 0830 yesterday, 19-year-old Jesse Trader was killed Tuesday morning while working the Big Windy Complex Fire about 25 miles northwest of Grants Pass in Josephine County.

Initial reports are that he lost control of the water tender/tanker vehicle he was driving, down a hill, lost control and went over the edge of a cliff. Rescue medics arrived within minutes but he could not be saved.

Jessie was a contractor FF was operating in the area of the big windy complex fire (one of five major forest fires in the region) was killed in the Line of Duty in a truck crash

Sheriff Gil Gilbertson says Trader was driving a water truck around 7:20 a.m. along Bear Camp Road near Soldier Camp when he lost control and slammed into an embankment. Gibertson estimates he might have been going 30 to 40 mph at the time of the accident. Life Flight got to him right away but it was too late. Trader was coming off his overnight shift.

He was a 2012 graduate of West Albany High School.

The southwestern fires were ignited by lightning late last month. They are burning in some of the state's most difficult mountain terrain, fed by vegetation parched by a widespread drought.

Our condolences to all-RIP.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Best Practices for Water Tender Operations (Water Tanker Back East Till They Catch Up) #CaFire

Frequent training and review of safety concerns is a must to ensure safe operation of fire tankers

North Tree Fire Water tender After Rollover Accident Leaving California Wildfire

Use of fire service Water Tenders (also called water tankers back east) is on the rise due to growing urban sprawl. More people are building houses in the wildland/urban interface and in areas that we once thought of as farmland—areas that don’t have the benefit of a fixed water supply system. But these properties still require high fire flows.

One of the only effective methods we have to get water to these locations is to haul it in using tankers and to establish a water tender shuttle operation using drop tanks or a nurse tanker operation, where the water is pumped into or connected directly to the first-arriving units.

Although we once only considered water tenders a rural apparatus, many of America’s fastest growing cities—like Charlotte, Phoenix and Fort Worth—are including them in their operations due to growth and annexation into areas without hydrants. But this increased use is cause for concern. Compared with other apparatus, tankers are associated with a disproportionately high number of accidents and firefighter deaths. In fact, as early as 2003, the U.S. Fire Administration recognized this threat, and responded with a report, “Safe Operation of Fire Tankers,” which remains a valuable resource today.

With this in mind, it’s never a bad time to review tanker driving operations. Following are a few recommended best practices that can be used for training purposes or when reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to water tender use and operations.

Use Experienced Drivers
Relegating the water tenders duties to one of your least-experienced driver/operators is an accident waiting to happen. You wouldn’t assign them to drive your newest engine or the aerial ladder, so why would you let them drive the tanker? Most tankers are oversized and very heavy, with high centers of gravity, making them difficult to operate—so use the best driver/operators for the job.

Stations that house water tenders should provide additional training to those members assigned tanker-driving duties. Training should include the dangers associated with tanker operations and a review of tanker SOPs.

Slow Down
Because of their size and weight, water tenders don’t handle or drive like other apparatus. Speed is considered one of the leading causes of tanker-related accidents. Being watchful of your speed is especially important when operating in areas where roads are narrow or have soft shoulders. Remember: Posted speeds on curves are applicable to passenger vehicles during ideal weather conditions, not for a tanker carrying 3,000 gallons of water.

Determine the Appropriate Response Mode
A clearly written SOP should cover the conditions that warrant when a water tender should respond to an incident in an emergency mode. Tankers often serve in more of a support role by supplying water to initial-arriving companies. Before each tanker response, ask yourself whether the tanker needs to respond with lights and sirens to make a difference in the operation.

The incident commander should make every effort to request tankers to support the operation as early as possible, so that tankers can have ample time to arrive on scene before water supplies become critical to the operation’s success.

Limit Off-Road Use
Use caution when taking water tenders off-road to support wildland fire suppression or other activities. The weight of the unit and its high center of gravity on uneven terrain increase the risk of mishaps. Also be aware of soft ground and parking lots during hot weather where the apparatus may become stuck due to its weight.

Prepare for Poor Roadways
Roads in rural or recently annexed areas may not be as good as those in the more developed parts of your response area. These roads may be in poor repair, with large potholes, tall crowns and soft or non-existent shoulders. They can even be unpaved. Use caution and drive appropriately for the conditions.

Beware of Bridges
In areas where water tenders must operate, preplan routes to avoid bridges that won’t support the weight of the tanker. The rated capacity of load-zone bridges should be clearly marked and followed.

Don’t Overcorrect
One of the leading causes of water tender related accidents is due to the driver overcorrecting after allowing the right-side tires to drop off the road. Overcorrecting the wheel to get the unit back up on the roadway may cause the truck to go into oncoming traffic or to roll because of the weight and high center of gravity. If the rear wheels leave the road, reduce speed and slowly bring the water tender back onto the roadway; resist jerking the wheel to help correct the vehicle’s direction.

Wear Seatbelts
Nationwide, water tenders have been involved in a high number of rollovers. The DOT says that nearly 80% of all fatalities in truck rollover accidents involved the ejection of an unbelted occupant. Follow your state laws and department SOPs on seatbelt use; better yet, just wear your seatbelt at all times.

Drive Safe
Fire service water tenders are an important part of many departments’ operations. Recognizing the dangers and unique operating characteristics of these large and heavy apparatus is the first step toward their safe operation. Take time to review the USFA guide, “Safe Operation of Fire Tankers”—and hit the road safely!

Article modified from this source: http://www.firefighternation.com/article/vehicle-operation-and-apparatus/best-practices-tankertender-operationshttp://www.firefighternation.com/article/vehicle-operation-and-apparatus/best-practices-tankertender-operations

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

1997 Peterbilt 8,000 gallon tanker 1,250 gpm

South Bowers Fire Co. Kent County Delaware: 1997 Peterbuilt 8,000 gallon tanker 1,250 gpm Hale pump has seven five-inch discharges two inch-3/4 pre-connects on the rear fender.

Monday, February 13, 2012

From the Secret List: Water Tender involved in single vehicle LODD

All,
The Firefighter who died in the Line of Duty early this morning in a crash on the way to a fire, has been identified.
21-year-old Gore Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Frederick County) FF Zachary Whitacre died after being taken to Winchester Medical Center. Chief Dennis Linaburg says a tanker that hauls two people, was involved in that single vehicle accident.

Whitacre had been a firefighter with Gore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for about a year.

The crash happened on Route 50 West just over the West Virginia line as the pair was heading to Capon Bridge to pick up water before responding to a reported structure fire in Hampshire County.

Making this horrible Line of Duty Death even more tragic is that the driver of the tanker was Donald Whitacre, Zachary's father. He was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The Gore Fire & Rescue station has been placed out of service and is being staffed by firefighters from Winchester.

Chief Linaburg understandably described it as one of the saddest moments in Frederick County's history. Our heartfelt condolences to the Whitacre Family, The Gore VFRC, Frederick County Fire Rescue and all those affected. RIP.

UPDATE FROM ALEXANDRIA VA FD
The Alexandria Fire Department is continuing to make preparations for memorial events scheduled this week to honor AFD Paramedic Joshua Weissman, who fell from the roadway and died from his injuries last week during an emergency response to a car fire on I-395.
All information related to the memorial service events is posted online athttp://alexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman. If you or your group plans to attend the visitation, funeral, or repast scheduled onFebruary 15-16, please fill out an online form to RSVP for these events as soon as possible. Fire or police department groups planning to bring apparatus, equipment, or color guard units should provide their contact information on this form. Honor guard units are not needed at this time.All participants are urged to carpool and use public transit to attend memorial events. Parking will be extremely limited and road closures or traffic delays will make it difficult for participants to arrive at events. By Tuesday, February 14, the City will post locations online where public parking is available, and provide a shuttle service schedule for groups that are parking at designated locations off-site.If you need assistance filling out the form, have questions, or require additional information, please call 703.746.HELP (4357). Take Care-BE CAREFUL
Billy G
The Secret List 2-13-12 / 1341 hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Pennsylvania: Tanker lands in ditch

MEHOOPANY - A fresh water tanker headed for a gas well site being fracked in Wyoming County was involved in a one-vehicle crash around 1:30 Monday afternoon.

Richard Lane, 51, of Sayre, was traveling east on John Sheehans Road in Mehoopany Twp. when the Peterbilt vacuum water truck he was driving was facing a tanker usually used for hauling sand in the opposite lane.

According to Meshoppen Police Chief John Krieg, Mr. Lane pulled his water tanker over the road's shoulder to allow the other vehicle room.

But, Chief Krieg said that in doing so, Mr. Lane overestimated the amount of shoulder available and the tanker went into a ravine, partially tipping the truck on its side.

Mr. Lane was driving for Clarendon firm Thomas Trucking, and was headed to Chesapeake's Wooten gas well pad which is currently being fracked less than a mile from where the accident occurred.

Chief Krieg said the driver was taken away by ambulance but he did not know to which hospital nor did he have an update on his condition. He said Mr. Lane would be cited.

Chief Krieg said that because the truck landed in a ravine with about a foot of water he called for Wyoming County EMA review which gave the all-clear for the tanker to be towed from the scene.

The road was fully reopened after about two hours.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/tanker-lands-in-ditch-1.1255555#ixzz1j5JkQtGU

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

West Virginia Firefighter Hurt After Fire Truck Plunges 75 Feet over Hill

Thursday, March 12, 2009

- WAYNEVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A 20-year veteran firefighter is recovering after he was hurt in a fire truck rollover accident early this week in Webster County.

It happened at about 5:32 p.m. Monday on Erbacon Road near Wayneville.

According to a news release from Richard Rose, OES Director for Webster County, 53-year-old Daniel Tharp was driving a 2,000 gallon tanker alone when it somehow went over a hill, landing 75-feet below on railroad tracks.

Tharp was thrown from the truck as it rolled over. He was flown via HealthNet to CAMC General in Charleston, where he's currently listed in stable condition.

Tharp is a member of the Erbacon Fire Department.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Webster County Sheriff's Department.

Crews from the Erbacon Volunteer Fire Department, Cowen Volunteer Fire Department, Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Webster Memorial EMS, West Virginia State Police, West Virginia Fire Marshal's office, and Webster County Sheriff's Department all responded to the scene.

Source: www.iafcsafety.org/ - Link

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Checkout this Mad Max East Coast Water Tanker

Mad Max East Coast Water Tender well they call em' Tankers on the right coast.
Called a "Breaker" it is a 6X6 water Tanker / Tender used to plow through brush. This one is up in the Cape Cod area at the Cape Cod Fire Department - West Barnstable Headquarters Fire Station 1 - West Barnstable

(WB-1)

Cape Cod Brush Breaker

1967 International Military 6x6 / 1982 T Young Brush Breaker
300 gpm - 1000 gals
(diesel / standard)
Foam Eductor
Pump & roll - Winch

[MF-xxxx] Placed in service 1982
The last "County" built brush breaker

Monday, October 1, 2007

SUV- Water truck crash sends 6 to Mercy

October 1, 2007

By Katie Burford | Herald Staff Writer

Six people were taken to the hospital by ambulance Sunday after the sports utility vehicle they were in crashed with a water-hauling truck west of Ignacio on County Road 318.

JACK PINCUS/Herald

Drivers in a water tanker and a black Suburban towing a U-Haul trailer collided west of Ignacio in the 2000 block of County Road 318 on Sunday. Six members of the family riding in the Suburban were sent to Mercy Regional Medical Center, where they were treated and released.

The accident happened at about 10 a.m. Sunday just west of County Road 309, said Tom Aurnhammer, deputy fire chief for Los Pinos Fire Protection District.

Family members were taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center were they were treated and later released, hospital spokesman David Bruzzese said.

Mike Shorty, the driver of the water truck, said he was heading west on 318 when he came over a hill and saw the SUV, pulling a U-Haul trailer, stopped in the road to make a left-hand turn.

Shorty said he swerved left to miss the SUV, a Chevrolet Suburban, just as it started to turn. Both vehicles went off the road and ran into a thicket of trees.

Shorty said another water truck was behind him, and he swerved to avoid a piled-up.

Chris Howlett, a relative of the family's, said he came out to the scene as soon as he heard about it. He said his grandmother, along with his cousin, her three daughters and her boyfriend were in the SUV and had been turning into his aunt and uncle's driveway when the crash happened.

He said his cousin's 11-year-old daughter had been thrown out the back window, which was shattered.

Howlett said his cousin's family had just moved to the area from Arizona.

The accident investigation was being handled by the Southern Ute Tribal Police; an official on scene declined to provide details.

Shorty said he was going about 45 mph when he came over the hill and saw the stopped U-Haul.

Traffic on 318 was closed for about 10 minutes and was down to one lane for a couple hours after the accident.