Fire fighting GTR?

DooDooBrown · 03-10-2010, 08:47 PM

Alright, HATE to burst everyone's bubble, but the car is somewhat worthless.....

It only carries 13 gallons of water, and a medium extinguisher..... Not quite what you want for a car fire.... Not to mention the capacity of the pump can't be more than 300 gpm... I highly doubt that the track has water main piping through out the course, meaning that there is no way to establish a water supply from a fire hydrant to the pump on the car. Even if there was, I see no place for hose lines, only the hose reel. Couple this with the fact that there is no place to store firefighting gear, and the car is not worth the money.... They would have been MUCH better off purchasing a fire engine for that price.... Sure, it may be slower, but with the little amount of water the GT-R carries, it would be worth it....

With that being said, they would have been much better off equipping the GT-R with extracation equipment (think Jaws, Spreaders, Rams, etc....). I am assuming that entrapment would be pretty common on this course, as the speeds are greater than your average road, and generally, you are much more likely to be entraped in a car than to be in a car that is on fire. Additionally, vehicle extracation can take upwards of 30+ minutes, so, why not get the faster unit cutting quicker until the slower, heavier hitting appartius arrive?
Just my two cents, but what do I know, I am just a dumb fireman!

fullmonty · 03-11-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DooDooBrown

It only carries 13 gallons of water, and a medium extinguisher..... Not quite what you want for a car fire.... Not to mention the capacity of the pump can't be more than 300 gpm... I highly doubt that the track has water main piping through out the course, meaning that there is no way to establish a water supply from a fire hydrant to the pump on the car. Even if there was, I see no place for hose lines, only the hose reel. Couple this with the fact that there is no place to store firefighting gear, and the car is not worth the money.... They would have been MUCH better off purchasing a fire engine for that price.... Sure, it may be slower, but with the little amount of water the GT-R carries, it would be worth it....

With that being said, they would have been much better off equipping the GT-R with extracation equipment (think Jaws, Spreaders, Rams, etc....). I am assuming that entrapment would be pretty common on this course, as the speeds are greater than your average road, and generally, you are much more likely to be entraped in a car than to be in a car that is on fire. Additionally, vehicle extracation can take upwards of 30+ minutes, so, why not get the faster unit cutting quicker until the slower, heavier hitting appartius arrive?
Just my two cents, but what do I know, I am just a dumb fireman!

You're right, really you could accomplish the job with a F350, a small pump with CAFS. So we're talking like 200 Gallons of water and 15 gallons worth of Foam and a compliment of rescue tools. The GTR is quick but can't really be described as a quick attack pumper. Once you get some man power there and working it will buy enough time for a larger rescue truck to get on scene. I don't know much more about the ring aside from it being in Germany but I would guess there has to be some hydrants throughout the course. But if there isn’t any we’re just talking a car fire and an engine can’t be that much further behind bringing more than enough water. The only time you’ll run into a water supply issue is if you have a large pileup and everything is burning. So yes the GTR is a little impractical as a firefighting vehicle, but it’s still a pretty cool little set up. I don’t think I’ll be pressing my chief to run off and talk to the town into buying one.

DooDooBrown · 03-12-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

You're right, really you could accomplish the job with a F350, a small pump with CAFS. So we're talking like 200 Gallons of water and 15 gallons worth of Foam and a compliment of rescue tools. The GTR is quick but can't really be described as a quick attack pumper. Once you get some man power there and working it will buy enough time for a larger rescue truck to get on scene. I don't know much more about the ring aside from it being in Germany but I would guess there has to be some hydrants throughout the course. But if there isn’t any we’re just talking a car fire and an engine can’t be that much further behind bringing more than enough water. The only time you’ll run into a water supply issue is if you have a large pileup and everything is burning. So yes the GTR is a little impractical as a firefighting vehicle, but it’s still a pretty cool little set up. I don’t think I’ll be pressing my chief to run off and talk to the town into buying one.

Agree with everything you said except CAFS. It is over rated!!!

fullmonty · 03-12-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DooDooBrown

Agree with everything you said except CAFS. It is over rated!!!

Out of my station our Engine has CAFS, and has worked great on both car fires and structures, I wouldn't call it overrated. Granted I would not recommend spraying foam on a building that’s fully involved right away because I don't see any effect from it. But for car fires it has worked really great and for room and contents fires its worked pretty good. It doesn't do anything water can't do though.

DooDooBrown · 03-12-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

Out of my station our Engine has CAFS, and has worked great on both car fires and structures, I wouldn't call it overrated. Granted I would not recommend spraying foam on a building that’s fully involved right away because I don't see any effect from it. But for car fires it has worked really great and for room and contents fires its worked pretty good. It doesn't do anything water can't do though.

Disagree. My department just purchased 40 new engines, all of which where outfitted with CAFS. Just recieved a directive from the higher ups telling us not to use, as its effects are minimal, and the costs are too great. Sure, it works a little better than water on car fires, but there is no justification for spending the extra money. Not to mention the compressors themselves have proved to be a nightmare. Didn't really like them either, because the hoselines would kink too easily..... Whats wrong with water? We have used it for the past 300 years and it has done fine....

fullmonty · 03-13-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DooDooBrown

Disagree. My department just purchased 40 new engines, all of which where outfitted with CAFS. Just recieved a directive from the higher ups telling us not to use, as its effects are minimal, and the costs are too great. Sure, it works a little better than water on car fires, but there is no justification for spending the extra money. Not to mention the compressors themselves have proved to be a nightmare. Didn't really like them either, because the hoselines would kink too easily..... Whats wrong with water? We have used it for the past 300 years and it has done fine....

Trust me I'm not a big CAFS fanboy, but I don't mind it. And to have a quick attack pumper like for a race track in this case I think it would be beneficial. Have I ever had trouble with water? No. Have a I had trouble with CAFS? Actually yes, but not while we were putting it on a fire. I can't believe that they bought 40 engines with CAFS, at $100 per 5 gal. Bucket, and 40 gallons per apparatus, the costs associated with it all are incredible, while water for all intents and purposes is free. If flames are out the roof, putting foam on the fire is a big waste, but for a room and contents its works pretty well. I could get the same results by putting water on it, it just maybe a few gallons more. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

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03-10-2010, 08:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
DooDooBrown Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ranson, WV Posts: 178 Drives: 09 370 Touring w/spt Rep Power: 17	Alright, HATE to burst everyone's bubble, but the car is somewhat worthless..... It only carries 13 gallons of water, and a medium extinguisher..... Not quite what you want for a car fire.... Not to mention the capacity of the pump can't be more than 300 gpm... I highly doubt that the track has water main piping through out the course, meaning that there is no way to establish a water supply from a fire hydrant to the pump on the car. Even if there was, I see no place for hose lines, only the hose reel. Couple this with the fact that there is no place to store firefighting gear, and the car is not worth the money.... They would have been MUCH better off purchasing a fire engine for that price.... Sure, it may be slower, but with the little amount of water the GT-R carries, it would be worth it.... With that being said, they would have been much better off equipping the GT-R with extracation equipment (think Jaws, Spreaders, Rams, etc....). I am assuming that entrapment would be pretty common on this course, as the speeds are greater than your average road, and generally, you are much more likely to be entraped in a car than to be in a car that is on fire. Additionally, vehicle extracation can take upwards of 30+ minutes, so, why not get the faster unit cutting quicker until the slower, heavier hitting appartius arrive? Just my two cents, but what do I know, I am just a dumb fireman!