(2) TB 183 - Thermite RS3 Robotic Firefighting Vehicle

Question 1

The Thermite RS3 is a diesel powered, remote-controlled tracked platform fitted with an Elkhart Brass Monitor that is capable of flowing between ______ to ______ GPM.

Answer 1

500 to 2,500 GPM

Question 2

The IC should consider ordering the RS3 early on into an incident to allow for a delay of on-scene time.

Some examples of incidents to consider requesting the RS3 are:

Answer 2

• Commercial fires

• Oil Refinery fires

• Tanker fires

• Tunnel fires

• Recycling Yard fires

• Large Outside Rubbish fires

• Large Animal Rescues

• Hazmat fires

• Hazmat Incidents (Gross Decon)

• Barricaded suspects

• Wood Framed Structures under Construction

Question 3

The RS3 may be assigned as:

-a single resource to support a group or division

-as RS3 ______

Answer 3

-Group

(The RS3 Group Supervisor would be equal in the ICS structure to other Group and Division Supervisors and may work in one or more divisions with IC approval and Group/Division coordination.

Question 4

The RS3 Group Supervisor needs to communicate a clear leader’s intent and identify a _____ Officer prior to RS3 operations.

Answer 4

-Safety Officer

(A SAFETY BRIEFING with support personnel SHALL BE COMMUNICATED to ensure safe work practiced are adhered to while working in the vicinity.)

Question 5

Prior to the RS3 arrival the following should be considered:

Answer 5

-Determining the best means of approach
—Although the RS3 can drive over any size fire hose, it is NOT recommended due to the possibility of damaging the hose.

-Identifying the best access to enter
—The RS3 is 65.5” wide (5.5 Feet), any double doors, large storefront windows or roll-up doors are potential access points. Loading docks may also be considered as a potential access points, however special ramps may be needed for the RS3 to ascend the dock.

-Water Supply to the access point
—A 4” supply with a 2 ½” gated wye valve is the preferred supply. If getting a 4” supply to the designated access point is impractical, extending off a pre-existing 2 ½” firefighting line should be considered.

Question 6

The RS3 is _____ ft wide.

Due to its width, what are potential building access points for the RS3?

Answer 6

-5.5ft wide (65.5”)

Potential access points:
-double doors
-large storefront windows
-roll up doors
-loading docks (special ramps may be needed)

Question 7

What is the preferred water supply for the RS3?

Answer 7

4” supply with a 2-1/2” gated wye valve

(If getting a 4” supply to the designated access point is impractical, extending off a pre-existing 2 ½” firefighting line should be considered.)

Question 8

Fire companies may be assigned RS3 support duties by the IC.

Some examples of the tasks are:

Answer 8

• Developing a water supply

• Hose pulling

• Clearing corners and obstructions

• Placing ramps at loading docks

• Refueling

Question 9

Prior to the commencing support company operations, the RS3 Operator SHALL review the following CHECKLIST to ensure SAFETY and understanding of OBJECTIVES.

Answer 9

-Leader’s Intent
-Safety Officer assigned
-Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
-Communication Plan
-Engineer has received RS3 Hydraulic Calculation Sheet
-Safe hose pulling methods
-Remain Clear of RS3 nozzle while flowing water

Question 10

The RS3 will be typically utilized in a ________ (offensive or defensive?) posture at emergency incidents.

Answer 10

-Defensive

Question 11

Who is allowed to operate the RS3 unit on the fire ground?

Answer 11

Certified Operators only

Question 12

Safety

Consideration of the unit’s weight should be given to working on undermined foundations or floors and around personnel.

Weight of the RS3 is ______ lbs

Answer 12

3,630 lbs

Question 13

Safety Considerations with the RS3:

Answer 13

-Pumping: Engineers understand pump pressures to RS3. Hydraulic calculation sheet comes with RS3

-Weight of Unit

-Nozzle Force: Master stream can cause damage and/or injury

-Combustion: RS3 diesel engine exhaust has byproducts of combustion including carbon monoxide.

-Hose lines: RS3 can damage charged hose lines which may result in injury to personnel/equipment

Question 14

In order for the RS3 to operate at its optimum performance level the following limitations must be considered:

1. The air intake located in the engine compartment can intake firefighting foam, causing a blockage to the filter or poor engine performance. Caution is needed to not submerge the unit in a significant amount of foam.
2. The RS3 is a diesel motor which requires oxygen to run. Heavy smoke banked down to the floor can prevent the unit from running optimally.
3. The unit is only able to operate in a maximum of _____ inches of water before potentially incurring damage to sensitive internal electrical components.

Answer 14

8 inches

Question 15

The RS3 has a removable winch with _____ ft of 1/4” cable rated at 8,000 lbs.

Answer 15

100 ft

(The winch draws ELECTRICAL power directly from the RS3 unit.)

Question 16

RS3 Horizontal Reach is _____ ft

Answer 16

300 ft

Question 17

The delivery of foam will be done by pumping foam directly into the RS3.

This may be accomplished by using either the In-Line Foam Eductor or the Jet Ratio Controller, attaching a _____” hose line that will then plug into one of the 2-1/2” inlets on the back of the RS3.

Answer 17

1 ½”

Question 18

Pushing ability

Dry surfaces will typically provide better traction enabling the RS3 to push the equivalent of a small size ______.

Answer 18

sedan vehicle

(If the surface is wet, slippery or uneven, it will decrease the RS3 pushing ability.)