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NSWFB Appliances PDF Print E-mail
Written by Andrew Turner and JAFO   
Thursday, 01 January 2009 14:18

 NSWFB Appliances

Categories, Photos, Descriptions

  • Pumper
 
Standard Urban Pump. In general all Pumps carry the same Firefighting and Basic Rescue Equipment. Some Stations carry some extra equipment based on local needs or fire risks.
  • Class 1

These are 4 x 4 crew cab tankers. The term ‘composite’ is no longer used. Their scope of operation is as an ancillary grass or bush firefighting appliance on the urban / bushland interface, or a secondary appliance providing fire cover, Primary Rescue or Intermediate Hazmat Capability. The pump capacity is rated at of 500Lt/min minimum and they carry between 2500 to 3000lt of water.

  • Class 2

 

These are 4 x 2 crew cab pumping appliances located in rural/regional or metropolitan areas where community infrastructure is of an “Intermediate Hazard Level” and the number of fire calls results in the staffing for the area being predominately retained staff. The scope of operation is as a primary or secondary pumper depending on the location. The Class 2 appliance may be configured to undertake primary rescue roles in some locations. The Class 2 may be fitted with a manual or automatic transmission. The pump capacity is a minimum of 3000 litres per minute.

  • Class 3

 

These are 4 x 2 crew cab pumping Appliances located in regional or Metropolitan areas where hazard levels and call rates usually require Permanent Staff on the standard 10/14 Roster. The scope of operation is as a primary pumper servicing all hazard levels including support for aerial operations. The Class 3 appliance may also be configured to undertake primary rescue or hazmat roles in some locations. The Class 3 appliance is fitted with an automatic transmission and in-cabin BA seating. The pump capacity is a minimum of 3700 litres per minute.

  • Rescue Pump
 
 Urban Pump configured for Primary Rescue
  • Hazmat Pump
  Urban Pump configured for Intermediate Hazmat Response
  • Tanker

A 4WD appliance with a 1500 litres per minute rated pump carrying 1500-3000Lts of water.

  • Rescue Tanker

A A 4WD appliance with a 1500 litres per minute rated pump carrying 1500-3000Lts of water used for Bush & Urban Interface Firefighting and configured for Primary Rescue.

  • Hazmat Tanker

 

Hazmat Tankers are part of the Brigades Intermediate Hazmat Response Units (also known as Class 2 units) and are strategically located through rural areas of New South Wales. Hazmat tankers are a Isuzu 4WD appliance with a 1500 litres per minute rated pump carrying 1500-3000Lts of water used for Bush & Urban Interface Firefighting and configured for Intermediate Hazmat Response. 

  • Rescue

The NSWFB has two (2) Type of Rescue Appliance; Either the Country Based dedicated Rescue “Van” or the Metropolitan Based “Heavy Rescue/Salvage” Appliance.
Both appliances carry Advanced Heavy Hydraulic Rescue Tools, Chain Saw, Power Saw, High Angle Rescue Equipment, and a vast range of other small equipment suited to assist in a vast range of rescue situations.
The country based “Rescue Van’s” are based on the Mercedes Benz LWB Sprinter Van and are a Dedicated Rescue Appliance to those Stations that are equipped with them.
Those metropolitan based Heavy Rescue/Salvage Appliance are generally viewed by other Emergency Service Personnel as a NSWFB Primary Response Rescue Appliance, this is only one portion of their overall use with these appliances being an important resource to other Station Crews for their Salvage & Overhaul equipment that they carry and Incident Scene Lighting that they can provide.

  • Turntable Ladder (Ladders)

 

1 Unit Still in Service as “Ladders 11”

A Set of 30 Meters Telescopic Ladders mounted on a Turn Table system. This appliance is fitted with a High Pressure Firefighting houseline and firefighting monitor, with water being supplied from a Standard Urban Pump.
A second set of Ladders are on short loan to the Civil Aviation Authorities “Aviation Firefighting & Rescue Service” at Sydney Airport.

  • Ladder Platform (LP)

 

An appliance with a Hydraulic Boom & Work Platform often referred to as Cheery Pickers by news outlets and Bronto’s by Firefighters - Bronto being the company that manufacture a specific type of boom.  The NSWFB have in the past used a Simon Snorkel and ABBY Aerial Hydraulic Platform and in recent times have switched to Bronto Aerial Hydraulic Platform appliances. The Brigade currently has two Bronto Aerial Hydraulic Platform Boom Sizes in service, a 37m Boom Appliance found in areas with High Rise Building Risks and a 27m Boom appliance that are generally located in areas with medium high rise risks. Aerial Pumper (AP).A pumping appliance with a 15 meter telescopic ladder mounted on a turn table. The Appliance is fitted with a 2 Stage High Presure / High Volume Pump capable of delivering 5500l/m at 1000kpa. The Telescopic Boom is fitted with a Firefighting Monitor at the ladders top, allowing the Ladder System to be used as an Aerial Water Tower.

  • Aerial Pumper (AP)

A pumping appliance with a 15 meter telescopic ladder mounted on a turn table. The Appliance is fitted with a 2 Stage High Pressure / High Volume Pump capable of delivering 5500l/m at 1000kpa. The Telescopic Boom is fitted with a Firefighting Monitor at the ladders top, allowing the Ladder System to be used as an Aerial Water Tower.  

  • Heavy HazMat

 

A Heavy Hazmat appliance carry vast range of equipment from Gas Monitors/Detectors, Gas Suits, Wash Showers, Spear Breathing Apparatus, Spear Breathing Apparatus Cylinders, anti static pumps to deal with Chemical Spills.
Heavy Hazmat appliance are also responded to Large Fires, Rescue Incidents, Police Special Operations and other emergency incidents as needed to provide specialised support.

  • HazMat Van

 

Hazmat Van’s are part of the Brigades Intermediate Hazmat Response Units (also known as Class 2 units) and are strategically located through rural areas of New South Wales. Hazmat Vans carry vast range of equipment from Gas Monitors/Detectors, Gas Suits, Wash Showers, Spear Breathing Apparatus, Spear Breathing Apparatus Cylinders, anti static pumps to deal with Chemical Spills.

  • Co2 Appliance

 

The CO2 Appliance designated as 9CO2 is based out of the NSWFB Hazmat Response Unit at the Greenacre Logistic Support Facility. The CO2 Appliance is a Specialised Appliance Configured to carry a Bulk Supply of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide Gas) for Specialised FireFighting Needs, such as Underground Electrical Sub Station Fires and some Metal fires. The CO2 Appliance carries a limited amount of other BA Equipment and is not a Primary Hazmat Response Appliance.

  • Community Firefighting Unit (CFU)

The CFU is a trailer/storage box located in areas with bushland/grassland with a fairly high risk of fire and a large community. The CFU units carry hoses, standpipes, personal protection gear and more.

  • Incident Control Vehicle. (ICV)

An ICV is a command bus usually used at larger incidents, 4th alarm and above. It takes control of fireground communications and operations, there are 2 ICV's in the Sydney Metro area - Alpha and Bravo - which are fully fitted out with comms stations, computers, radios, maps, and more.

  • Fire Investigation & Research Unit (FIRU)

 

The Fire Investigation & Research Unit are responsible for carrying out fire course investigations at suspicious fires. The Unit also use Accelerant Detecting Canine (Dogs) to assists in these investigations by detecting possible flammable liquids used to start fires. The Fire Investigation & Research Unit also provides reports to NSW Department of Consumer Affairs of possible Product Fire Safety Issues.

  • Service Exchange Vehicle (SEV)

When a station's regular appliance is taken off line for service or repairs, the station is given a Service Exchange Vehicle (SEV) until their regular appliance returns.These can range from pumpers, tankers, Ladder Platforms, rescues appliances etc, and are generally older appliances no longer assigned to a station, but at the NSWFB workshops at Greenacre or at various regional centres around NSW with 2 to 5 years service remaining till retirement.

  • FireAir 1

 

Firefighting/Rescue Helicopter, Jointly owned and operated with the NSW Police Force where it is know as PolAir5. FireAir 1 is used in search and rescue operations and Based at the NSWPolice Air Wing at Bankstown Airport. It can be deployed across the state at a moments notice in support to firefighters.

  • Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)

USAR 1, the semi-trailer that carries gear for structual collapse and search and rescue operations. USAR1 must remain within a 2 hour Response Radius of the Sydney CBD. Equipment carried in the USAR 1 trailer includes: 3 x 50kVa generators seismic listening device, search cameras, communication equipment, hydraulic jackhammers, halogen balloon lights, timber shoring and is equipped with a Suzuki 450 Quad bike & trailer, so equipment can be transported from USAR1 to incident ground. There are also other various USAR appliances such as Utes, 4WD's

  • Logistical Support Vehicle (LSV)

 

A Logistic Support Vehicle is based at Regional Centralised Stations and acts as a District Logistics Supply Vehicles. These vehicles transport Department Internal Correspondence, Firefighting Equipment, Spear Breathing Apparatus Sets, Spear Breathing Apparatus Cylinders for exchange with empty or faulty Station’s equipment. The LSV’s are also available for response to large emergency incidents to transport Firefighting equipment, Refreshments and meals in support to firefighters involved in firefighting operations.

  • Duty Commander (DC)

A duty commander is a Brigade Officer who is in charge of all Staff for their rostered platoon within their Zone. A DC's vehicle is often used as a command point at small to moderate sized incidents and has a range of equipment stored within their vehicles to assist with Incident Control, such as radios, a laptop computer, mobile phone, ICS Position Tabard Vests, White boards and other useful items to assist with Incident Planing and control.

  • Marine 01

A an 8.5 m catamaran firefighting vessel operated solely by NSWFB firefighters from Drummoyne, Balmain & Leichhardt fire Stations, berthed at Birkenhead Point Marina, Roseby Street Drummoyne.
Marine 1 will respond to Fires on Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River and will provide Incident Support for both Land base and Harbour based Hazmat Incidents. Provide assistance to the NSW Water Police for Special Operations and Harbour Emergencies as requested.
Marine 1 is equipped with a GAAM MK325 Single Stage Centrifugal pump delivering 1400 L/m @ 700kPa via 4 x 70mm outlets (1 connected to bow monitor), Breathing Apparatus and a small supply of firefighting equipment.

 

 

Some Photographs By Andrew Turner, Luke Hughes, NSW Fire Brigades

Last Updated on Sunday, 03 May 2009 16:01
 

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