Small Gear Flashcards
What work ethic should be applied to the use of tools and equipment
Good firemanship
What is small gear to ACTF&R
Its a general term referring to the miscellaneous tool and items of equipment, which are essential for firefighters to tackle a wide variety of emergency and non-emergency tasks.
Tips for identification and use of small gear on appliances
Where the small gear is stowed varies slightly from appliance to appliance, however the basic equipment is always the same. Some pumpers such as heavy rescue appliances will also carry extra gear to that on a ‘normal’ pumper. Always familiarise yourself with the pumpers stowage you are assigned at the start of each shift, as some items may have been moved or re-located for a specific reason.
Good small gear work practices
Use the correct tool for the task - use a spanner instead of a shifter, use a hammer not a coupling spanner. Do not drop any gear - place them on the ground. Do not drag equipment - such as pumps, ceilings hooks etc. Clean and dry tools after use and during inspection procedures. Correct disposal or cleaning of all contaminated items - e.g. surgical gloves, husdon mask. re-stow if required. If you don’t know or don’t understand - ask somebody.
Whos responsible for inspection and maintenance of inventory and why is it important
All firefighter are responsible for the inspection and maintenance of appliances and equipment to ensure that they remain in operational condition at all times. It is important that all firefighters are aware of the operation of all equipment and where it is stowed on the appliance. This is particularly important when you are not working on you usual appliance -out-duties, changes of shift, overtimes).
Who does daily checks and why
The daily inspection of ACTF&R appliances is carried out by all firefighters. It is not just the responsibility of the motor driver to ensure that all equipment is accounted for and in working order. Inventory check sheets can be found and printed on the ACTF&R intranet (operations-inventories). Should a fault exist, or an item of equipment is found to be missing at an incident rather than at the start of a shift, the safety of both firefighters and the general public is placed at risk.
During an inspection you should
Check the appliance is in operational condition (oil, water, lights, etc.) Check the operation of the pump Inspect the appliance for body damage Check for missing equipment using the appliance inventory. Operate and clean all equipment as per individual specifications.
Hose testing procedure
The periodic test procedure for all ACTF&R Duraline hose (38mm and 64mm) is as follows: a) Lay out straight on a flat clean surface and attach a shutoff branch. b) Mark the hose/ coupling joints so any movement between the two will be obvious. c) Secure the branch to a roll of hose or full foam drum. d) Charge the line to 500 KPA and vent all air. e) Gradually increase the pressure over a period of not less than 20 seconds and not more than 2 minutes, until a maximum pressure of 2100 KPA is reached. f) Maintain this pressure for a period of not less than 3 minutes while the hose is examined for defects (cuts, abrasions, burns, contamination). g) Inspect couplings and seals for distortion and damage. Hose exhibiting leakage or other defects, which would impair its performance, or permanent slippage on the coupling greater than 2mm, shall be withdrawn from service. Note: Not more than 3 lengths of hose shall be tested as a single hose line.
What is making-up
‘Make-up’ is an ACTF&R term referring to the process of cleaning and re-stowing all the equipment on the appliance after an incident or exercise.
Points to remember for making-up
If possible, ‘strip’ only one appliance at a time. This ensures that as the incident draws to a close, the extra appliances are fully stowed and ready to respond to other calls as required. The motor drivers are responsible for all equipment on their appliances, so if you take something – let them know. Most equipment is colour coded to assist with identification of which appliance it belongs on. Ensure that all gear is cleaned, dried, re-greased as necessary (Power Lube, etc.) and tested before it is put back on the appliance. On return to station replace all used equipment (extinguishers, cylinders, etc.) and properly dispose of items such as surgical gloves and Hudson masks.
What is re-stowing
In ACTF&R a ‘re-stow’ refers to swapping your appliance for a spare when it has to be taken off the road due to a fault or for servicing requirements including any small gear required to ensure the replacement pumper is fully operational. A full inventory must be undertaken.
Points to remember when re-stowing
Generally the spare appliance only requires the addition of cabin gear (maps, keys, etc.) and personal equipment (BA masks, etc.). However some specialist equipment such as gas detectors and thermal cameras may also need to be transferred. Make a note of all gear you have transferred so that it can be put back when your mainline appliance is returned. Make sure other shifts are aware of this list (at hand-over, note in occurrence book/ station diary, etc.). Check the inventory of the appliance you are re-stowing on to. Check the operation and condition (including body damage) of the appliance, pump and all equipment. Check the operation of the fitted radios.
Process of fault reporting
Any faulty, missing or damaged equipment must receive immediate attention. The procedure in the ACTF&R is: • Report the fault to the Station Officer • Rectify the problem (if possible) at the station. • Replace the item or exchange (for equipment such as extinguishers). • Repair – liaise with the Brigade Workshops or Technical Operational Support Section (TOSS) and arrange for repair. • Re-stow may be necessary, depending on the nature of the problem. This process is commonly known as the 5 R’s
