AERIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE SOUTH SALEM FIRE DISTRICT

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AERIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE SOUTH SALEM FIRE DISTRICT At the request of Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners Steven Angelilli, Emergency Vehicle Response was contacted to provide an Aerial

1 AERIAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE SOUTH SALEM FIRE DISTRICT At the request of Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners Steven Angelilli, Emergency Vehicle Response was contacted to provide an Aerial Needs Assessment for the South Salem Fire District. 1.0 Overview: On October 11, 2012 the staff of Emergency Vehicle Response met with representatives of the South Salem Fire District for the purpose of assessing the need for an aerial device for the fire district. During the day a tour of all areas of the first due area as well as several adjacent mutual fire stations was provided by Past Chief Kevin Andros, who also acts in a part time maintenance capacity for the fire district. Seventeen target hazards were viewed as part of the district tour. The Fire station was examined as it relates to housing an aerial device, as well as the present fleet of apparatus to determine what type of aerial device and year of apparatus that could potential be successfully integrated into the present fleet. 0.0 The First Due Area The first due area has some unique features not often found in other areas of the country large private mansions some 8,000 to 18,000 square feet. Due to

2 the topography creates three or four story homes particularly in the rear and many rear yards are inaccessible to fire apparatus. Some of these homes have larger fire loads then the store at the strip mall located in the center of town. The long narrow driveways to these homes some as much as 2000 feet from the main road would require long hose lays to establish a water supply making apparatus positioning a challenge at best. In some cases it would appear that the first due apparatus may be the only apparatus to be on scene particularly if that apparatus lays a supply line blocking other responding apparatus. 0.0 Target Hazards Seventeen target hazards were identified and visited during the tour of the district. Holly Branch had a steep hill with several houses that would be difficult to get to. Michele Estates, Shelter Rock Road, and Church Tavern all have large mansion homes that are multi-story and have very narrow roadways and driveways. The rear of the Junior High School has a drop off and would require many ground ladders if there was a major emergency, given that the rear is largely inaccessible to fire apparatus and two to three stories off the ground. There was a private house on RT. 121 that had a 2000' plus uphill driveway that would require more portable ladders to affect rescue in the rear from upper floors of the mansion than both engines presently carry. Noting that if the first engine layed in the second engine and the needed portable ladder would be halfway down the hill 1000' away. There were several large area buildings at the golf course, as well as the strip mall, the schools and Monkey Village again access to all being an issue. 0.0 Fire Station The staff of Emergency Vehicle Response was given a tour of the South Salem Fire Station and was shown an apparatus bay that could be used for an aerial device. With that bay being 75 feet deep and the door width at 13'7" it could easily accommodate the length and width of any aerial device. However with the door height at 11'6' it is a cause for some concern as some aerial devices may exceed that height limitation. Their appears to be enough room from the top of the ceiling to the top of the present door to modify the opening and

3 purchase another door that would gain more height. It would also appear that the modification as outline should not cost a lot of money but something that may have to be done depending on what apparatus is chosen. The fire district and the apparatus committee must keep this potential height restriction in mind as they search for the appropriate apparatus. 0.0 Recommendations The need for a short wheelbase apparatus that would be able to navigate the narrow winding roads and driveways in the South Salem Fire District is apparent. Modern day aerial towers or tower ladders with wheelbases in excess of 252 inches simply will not work in your fire district. There is an overwhelming need for more portable ladders to arrive on the first or second due apparatus to mitigate any life safety rescue issues for both civilians and firefighters than are presently carried on the engine apparatus. The other concern that needs to be address is staffing issues, with a day time structural fire during a week day the reality is the response of only one piece of fire apparatus is likely. Taking these facts into consideration the following recommendations are made. A. Purchase a good used short wheelbase tandem axle aerial ladder quint. The South Salem Fire District should consider the following design criteria for the used aerial ladder: Built between 1995 and 2004 Wheelbase between 225 inches and 240 inches Large compliment of ground ladders Rear mount aerial ladder with minimum vertical reach of feet Rear mount aerial with minimum horizontal reach of feet Overall height between 138 inches and 142 inches Overall Length between 40 and 42 feet

4 500 HP Diesel Engine Auto Transmission 1000 GPM to 2000 GPM Pump tank 800 feet of LDH Apparatus built by one manufacturer When we teach classes on apparatus purchasing the number one objective is to define the mission of the vehicle. The immediate need of the South Salem Fire District is a short wheelbase easy to get around portable ladder carrier. It is imperative that whatever you decide to purchase must have as short of wheelbase as possible. The aerial ladder quint should respond first to all reports of structural fires. g Given the makeup of the district and the narrow roads and driveways and the ability at times for only one apparatus to make it to the fire scene the apparatus will need to be self sufficient hence the recommendation for the quint. However there are no easy choices due to the rural nature of the fire district and the heavy reliance of tank water versus the need for more portable ladders. The reality is the more water on this truck equals less portable ladder storage that will be a decision for the apparatus committee. Advantages of buying a used aerial apparatus. For far less money than the cost of a new apparatus the fire department can learn how to become a truck company. If the used apparatus is damaged accidentally in the learning process which is going to happen, no harm no foul.

5 Current drivers will be far less intimidated by learning to drive and operate a used apparatus over a new apparatus. That will result in more drivers wanting to learn how to drive and operate the truck. With the used apparatus you can learn what aspects of the apparatus will work well within the district and which aspects may not. By tracking this information when it comes time to replace this unit the next apparatus can be purchased based on the facts that you have gathered which will equate into a much more cost effective, functional vehicle. If the district could replace the 1998 Rescue in 2016 and push the replacement of the 2004 American LaFrance Pumper until 2026 that would give the district a large window in which to replace the used apparatus around 2020 with a new aerial ladder or a newer used aerial ladder. B. Purchase a new aerial ladder quint. The new aerial apparatus should include all of those bullet points offered for the used aerial ladder quint: Advantages of purchasing a new apparatus. The apparatus will be under warranty and there will be no unexpected repair bills. The apparatus will be exactly what you want as it will be your design. If you buy new it will still fit fairly well in your overall apparatus replacement program. A new apparatus can be made to fit into the present station without modifications. Respectfully Submitted Michael Wilbur Emergency Vehicle Response

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