I don't think many folks realize just how much of America's fire protection depends on the courage, commitment and personal sacrifice of our dedicated volunteer firefighters. I salute you for your service.

Good points on fire safety, too.

Good luck on your article/book. I follow this and related subjects, too, as an emergency services and healthcare attorney, firefighter/paramedic, and federal disaster responder, and I shre your concerns.

Jeff

That might go over better if you joined yor local VFD. Just a suggestion. You seem like the kind of person they'd like to recruit.

Jeff

"...Think I feel strongly about that subject?..."

Why don't you tell us what you really thing about HOA's?

What, me put OUT fires?

Sadly, I'm in exactly the position Martin is talking about. Multiple jobs, little time. However I am finally joining the local CERT response team. Training for that begins in Septmember, I'm really looking forward to it!

I figured the whole fire hose thing was a bad idea, but I didn't know for sure. Thanks for input, Martin. I am still going to approach the HOA about sponsering a fire extinguisher class. I've worked closely with them on some other preparedness stuff, I might have enough pull to get them aboard with this. No harm in trying anyway.

-Blast

I knew I liked you.

Nobody is using a 4" hose as a hand line, trust me. What you want is a properly sized gated "Y" valve between the hydrant and an 1-1/2 or 1-3/4 hose, with a reducer if necessary, and an adjustable nozzle. The Y valve will prevent the FD from losing a connection point, and the nozzle is essential to control water flow and pattern. This assumes that there is pressure in the hydrant and that the whole idea isn't illegal from the get go.

But I am by no means advocating it. There are lots of ways to get hurt around both fire and water under pressure that many folks might not be aware of. Consider volunteering with your local VFD, or at least checking with your local fire authorities. They may be able to pressure test your hose for you, or even give you some good surplus hose for a small donation.

That being said, sometimes a little water now is much better than a whole bunch of water later.

I've put a y valve in my pool pump line and my aux. generator is in the pump room. I've attached some small diameter hose for firefighting purposes. The electric pump doesn't have a lot of pressure or volume, but it is considerably better than a garden hose, and it will flow water when the power is out or the water pressure is down or off, as it would be if there were a major urban interface fire in my neighborhood, which borders on a nature preserve, after a hurricane, etc.

Jeff
Professional Firefighter

Number 6 had a problem with his HOA, except the HOA wouldn't let him leave until he became Number 1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29JewlGsYxs&feature=related

LOL! I love that show, still have them all on VHS...

-Blast

Volunteer firefighters are also in shortage in mine country. We have also seen a decline in firefighters. Although the reason isn't because the volunteers need to work more hours to make enough money. The economy is still OK here. The problem here is that most people are working much further away from there homes. This means many fire stations have a lack of firefighters during the day. Also many people have to stop, because being a volunteer firefighters is like a part-time job, but without a decent pay. It's really hard on them and there families, to continue.

As for budget cuts, well they are also trying to cut costs here. Some are made by centrally organising things, like maintenance, buying equipment, training, etc. Which is not necessary bad, but some are also done by shutting fire stations down...

As for fire extinguishers, don't forget to mention fire blankets. They can be very effective, are simple to use and leaves a lot less mess.

You haven't seen a grease fire until you've taken a 36" wok, filled it to the top with cooking oil and heated it until it auto-ignites. I had a summer job with a fire-protection company and that was one of the tests we had to pass for UL.

We had turnout gear for when the system under test failed (often), but they warned me that it was the old non-breathable type that would steam you in your own sweat if you got too close to the fire.

I don't know how volunteers manage it. Between one full time job and a family I don't have an extra minute to spare.