Long Lay and Limited Access/Water mapping

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Permalink Reply by Rob Cannon on January 19, 2009 at 10:45pm

We did this during our recent ISO evaluation. Have you had an ISO evaluation done in the recent past?If so, check those records on where to start. You could also contact a fire department consulting firm as another option.

Neighboring departments are also a good resource, check with them as well!

Good Luck,
Rob

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Permalink Reply by Joel Holbrook on January 20, 2009 at 9:36am

Addressing the issue is not the problem I face, it is formatting the mapping into a usable system. With our CAD update we will soon be transitioning from a 15 box system to a 71 box system. So we are getting ready to add more bulk to the map book. additionally, it goes beyond just adding maps, we are wanting to add estimated fire flows for each individual property, distances from the nearest hydrant to the property, drop points, and apparatus placement in the relay. I have a general concept, I am taking measurements, etc.. I am just looking for other ideas I can use to further develop the lay out of the maps. Furthermore, our maps are done in house on an antiquated OS, so I am interested in new mapping programs that some of you may use that work well for the fire service...sure I can use google satelite images of each of the properties, but the over lay information I would have to add would be just to busy. Reference the ISO, we are a 3/4 and have recently been accredidated through the CFSA.

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Permalink Reply by Kirk Nitz on January 21, 2009 at 9:59am

Have you checked with the San Francisco FD? They have contingency plans for long hose lays in the event of an earthquake. In the Loma Prieta EQ in 1989, they used fire boats to pump to fire engines because the water mains were broken.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Lasich on January 21, 2009 at 11:16am

Are you planing to use this for all structure fires or just the high fire flow (big building, big fuel load, big housing) calls?

If you carry a pre-plan book, or you have the luxury of a dispatch/mobile data terminal that can hold the info for you, I'd set it up so that after the first alarm gets there and calls a worker, then the IC or water supply officer takes the units that will support the water supply and assigns them to their spot in the line, after they check in and request their assignment.

The great thing about fix length relay pumping is that everyone in the relay knows just how much hose everyone is pumping and just what pressure to work at. You need to get the steps for starting and shutting down, and the attack pumpers need to practice so they have waste lines going and don't try to chase the engine pressure around, but if you have the mutual aid help and good hydrants to run from, you can get spectacular results. Much better that Tender shuttles, or at least safer.

If you have to go to max length relay pumping, the Water Supply Officer, HAS GOT to have a right seat guy to help with the math. You don’t want to have guys trying to figure that out while they are laying supply lines and getting pumps running. Think of it as an accountability operation for the water supply sector. Must do, must be done well.

Have fun with this. I worked on this at my department and you can have a blast if you have the manpower and equipment to make it happen. It's the cutting edge of Rural operations. A structure is a structure, but without the water....

Let me know how this goes.
Larry

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Permalink Reply by Jim Puleo on January 21, 2009 at 8:14pm

Try a computer program called GIS. This program collects information from all Municiple Departments specific to you and stores it in one place. The program is very easy to use. In my town we received increased credit under pre-plans from ISO

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Permalink Reply by Joel Holbrook on January 22, 2009 at 12:39pm

Thanks guys, I appreciate any input I can get. Be Safe!!

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