Water Trucks and Water Tenders

RESPONDING FIRE TANKER ROLLOVER IN ARKANSAS

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Arkansas State Police cite fire chief in Pea Ridge rolled a tanker truck accident.

PEA RIDGE, Ark. — Arkansas State Police say the fire chief in Pea Ridge rolled a tanker truck while rounding a curve when on the way to a fire.

The Wednesday accident resulted in Fire Chief Frank Rizzio with being given a written warning by a state trooper.

The Benton County Daily Record reports (http://is.gd/g4D2UC ) that Rizzio was driving the county-owned, 4,000-gallon tanker on U.S. 62 and rolled it onto its right side when turning onto Rose Street in Avoca.

Rizzio was treated and released at a hospital.

The warning was for failure to maintain control.

A tow truck from Tontitown hauled the damaged tanker away.HERE IS THE USFA training document: Safe Operations of Fire Tankers: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-248.pdf The above manual provides excellent information regarding the safety practices and principles of fire tanker vehicles for fire departments. Safe Operation of Fire Tankers provides information related to human performance (driver training, operations, etc), technology (vehicle design), to enhance the safety of fire tanker operations.

The manual also examines past incidents of crashes involving fire tankers that have killed Firefighters with a focus on how these fatalities could have been prevented. Fire departments will find Safe Operation of Fire Tankers a valuable resource providing information related to the current and applicable federal standards and regulations as well as national-level consensus standards and guidelines.

From the Secret List: Water Tender involved in single vehicle LODD

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:08:00 +0000

All,
The Firefighter who died in the Line of Duty early this morning in a crash on the way to a fire, has been identified.
21-year-old Gore Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Frederick County) FF Zachary Whitacre died after being taken to Winchester Medical Center. Chief Dennis Linaburg says a tanker that hauls two people, was involved in that single vehicle accident.

Whitacre had been a firefighter with Gore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department for about a year.

The crash happened on Route 50 West just over the West Virginia line as the pair was heading to Capon Bridge to pick up water before responding to a reported structure fire in Hampshire County.

Making this horrible Line of Duty Death even more tragic is that the driver of the tanker was Donald Whitacre, Zachary's father. He was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The Gore Fire & Rescue station has been placed out of service and is being staffed by firefighters from Winchester.

Chief Linaburg understandably described it as one of the saddest moments in Frederick County's history. Our heartfelt condolences to the Whitacre Family, The Gore VFRC, Frederick County Fire Rescue and all those affected. RIP.

UPDATE FROM ALEXANDRIA VA FD
The Alexandria Fire Department is continuing to make preparations for memorial events scheduled this week to honor AFD Paramedic Joshua Weissman, who fell from the roadway and died from his injuries last week during an emergency response to a car fire on I-395.
All information related to the memorial service events is posted online athttp://alexandriava.gov/LODDJWeissman. If you or your group plans to attend the visitation, funeral, or repast scheduled onFebruary 15-16, please fill out an online form to RSVP for these events as soon as possible. Fire or police department groups planning to bring apparatus, equipment, or color guard units should provide their contact information on this form. Honor guard units are not needed at this time.All participants are urged to carpool and use public transit to attend memorial events. Parking will be extremely limited and road closures or traffic delays will make it difficult for participants to arrive at events. By Tuesday, February 14, the City will post locations online where public parking is available, and provide a shuttle service schedule for groups that are parking at designated locations off-site.If you need assistance filling out the form, have questions, or require additional information, please call 703.746.HELP (4357). Take Care-BE CAREFUL
Billy G
The Secret List 2-13-12 / 1341 hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Pennsylvania: Tanker lands in ditch

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:23:00 +0000

MEHOOPANY - A fresh water tanker headed for a gas well site being fracked in Wyoming County was involved in a one-vehicle crash around 1:30 Monday afternoon.

Richard Lane, 51, of Sayre, was traveling east on John Sheehans Road in Mehoopany Twp. when the Peterbilt vacuum water truck he was driving was facing a tanker usually used for hauling sand in the opposite lane.

According to Meshoppen Police Chief John Krieg, Mr. Lane pulled his water tanker over the road's shoulder to allow the other vehicle room.

But, Chief Krieg said that in doing so, Mr. Lane overestimated the amount of shoulder available and the tanker went into a ravine, partially tipping the truck on its side.

Mr. Lane was driving for Clarendon firm Thomas Trucking, and was headed to Chesapeake's Wooten gas well pad which is currently being fracked less than a mile from where the accident occurred.

Chief Krieg said the driver was taken away by ambulance but he did not know to which hospital nor did he have an update on his condition. He said Mr. Lane would be cited.

Chief Krieg said that because the truck landed in a ravine with about a foot of water he called for Wyoming County EMA review which gave the all-clear for the tanker to be towed from the scene.

The road was fully reopened after about two hours.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/tanker-lands-in-ditch-1.1255555#ixzz1j5JkQtGU

Arizona: Fatal Water truck crash

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:36:00 +0000

1 killed after semi lands on water truck in Peoria

Slideshow

PEORIA, AZ – One person was reportedly killed in a wreck at a construction site in Peoria this morning.

Police and fire crews responded to the accident near Lake Pleasant and the CAP canal around 7:30 a.m.

A semi truck reportedly drove off a dirt road, over an embankment, and landed on a water truck.

One person was killed, but it is unclear whether that person was in the semi or the water truck.

Stay with ABC15.com for updates.

Afghanistan: Water station Bomb kills Six

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:47:00 +0000

Bomb kills 6 from same family, including 4 children, in eastern Afghanistan

Initial reports indicated the bomb had been beneath a water truck, but officials later clarified it was planted beneath a water tank in the water station

11/24/09 4:20 AM PST

KABUL — A remote-controlled bomb planted in a water station exploded in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing six members of a family, including four children, authorities and a relative said.

The victims were caught in the blast as they traveled in a car on a shopping trip ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid this weekend, relative Qimat Khan told Associated Press Television at the scene in the eastern province of Khost.

Taher Khan Sabari, deputy provincial governor, said the dead included a 1-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl. The other children were older, he said.

The Interior Ministry initially said two children and a man had been killed and another three people, including two children, wounded in the Tuesday morning attack in the Matun area of Khost city. Khan, the relative, said the wounded later died.

Police official Amir Hassan said the water station was built by the rural rehabilitation ministry to distribute water to local homes.

Wazir Pacha, a spokesman for the provincial police chief of Khost, said authorities were investigating what the target might have been.

Taliban violence against U.S. and NATO soldiers and Afghan civilians continues to rise.

A U.S. service member was killed Monday in an insurgent attack in the south of the country, NATO said Tuesday. The death comes a day after NATO announced four U.S. service members died in separate attacks — three Sunday and one Monday.

The latest death brings to 16 the number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan this month. October was the deadliest month for the U.S. military in the eight-year war with 58 service members killed.

Military officials and others expect President Barack Obama to make a decision soon to deploy 32,000 to 35,000 more U.S. forces. The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, has asked for about 40,000 extra U.S. troops to be sent to Afghanistan, in addition to the roughly 68,000 already in the country.

Separately, the Interior Ministry said police seized a weapons cache with 174 mortar rounds in the far northeastern province of Badakshan.

The Defense Ministry said 21 suspected insurgents were arrested by the Afghan army and international forces in separate operations in Khost and the southern province of Kandahar in the past 24 hours.

Source: SFExaminer.com - Article link

Colorado News: Denver: Evergreen Fire Rescue - Sweet 1969 Pontiac Firebird versus 48,000-pound Water Tender

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:14:00 +0000

Denver: Evergreen Fire Rescue - Sweet 1969 Pontiac Firebird versus 48,000-pound Water Tender

40 year relationship is over
When Shelbi Vickery went out to her father's driveway outside Evergreen, the vintage car could barely be seen. (Vicky Gits, Canyon Courier)

Driving home, fighting off the shock, Bill Vickery tried to imagine what his sweet 1969 Pontiac Firebird would look like with a 48,000-pound firetruck sitting on top of it.

Then he pulled into the driveway next to his mountainside home outside Evergreen, and it looked just about exactly as he imagined it would.

Bent. Twisted. Crumpled.

"It's gone everywhere with me since I was 16," Vickery said Wednesday afternoon, staring at the remains of his pride and joy. "It's basically spent two-thirds of my life with me."

The relationship, however, is over.

Full story at: CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: Denver: Evergreen Fire Rescue - Sweet 1969 Pontiac Firebird versus 48,000-pound Water Tender: .

Original Source: Denver Post - Link

1963 reo 1,200 gallon water truck for trade

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:52:00 +0000

1963 reo 1,200 gallon water truck trades:

1963 reo 1,200 gallon water truck it runs and drives good it has a strait six gas motor
and a 10,000 pound winch eveything works im open for some trading call 406 214-6748 thank you
Things i would trade for:
ford cop car
chevy hot rod
motorcycle
teeth
cash and trade

Location: stevensville
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1174656746

California: North Tree Fire Water Tender rollover

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:56:00 +0000

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: North Tree Fire Water Tender rollover

NTI WATER TENDER ROLLOVER CRASH:

A North Tree Fire water tender was involved in a rollover crash on I-5 and Lambert Road in South Sacramento County while returning from the Jesusita fire in Santa Barbara County.

The North Tree Water Tender rolled several times down an embankment at the over crossing coming to rest on his wheels.

The driver was the only occupant and he was able to self-extricate prior to the FD arrival. A Strike Team of Type 3's from AEU came up on the incident and assisted local responders in getting the driver up the embankment and securing the scene.

The operator suffered moderate injuries, He is at Sacramento Medical Center.
The water tender is a total loss.

First lesson learned: Driver was wearing a seat belt and survived....

Sources: firefighterclosecalls.com - Link
Wildlandfire.com Hotlist- Link
Photo credit: Capt Jim
Photo credit: Capt Jim"

West Virginia Firefighter Hurt After Fire Truck Plunges 75 Feet over Hill

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:06:00 +0000

Thursday, March 12, 2009

- WAYNEVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A 20-year veteran firefighter is recovering after he was hurt in a fire truck rollover accident early this week in Webster County.

It happened at about 5:32 p.m. Monday on Erbacon Road near Wayneville.

According to a news release from Richard Rose, OES Director for Webster County, 53-year-old Daniel Tharp was driving a 2,000 gallon tanker alone when it somehow went over a hill, landing 75-feet below on railroad tracks.

Tharp was thrown from the truck as it rolled over. He was flown via HealthNet to CAMC General in Charleston, where he's currently listed in stable condition.

Tharp is a member of the Erbacon Fire Department.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Webster County Sheriff's Department.

Crews from the Erbacon Volunteer Fire Department, Cowen Volunteer Fire Department, Webster Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Webster Memorial EMS, West Virginia State Police, West Virginia Fire Marshal's office, and Webster County Sheriff's Department all responded to the scene.

Source: www.iafcsafety.org/ - Link

Water Tankers, Water Tender, Ford F-700 used fire equipment

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:33:00 +0000

In this forum Heavy Equipment & Pavement Lawn and landscape business owners discuss heavy equipment used by Green Industry professionals such as dump trucks, bull dozers, tractors and various other machinery
Water Tankers?

The local Fire Department is updating and getting rid of a water tanker, with the hydroseeder now being able to carry more water is big. Not sure I really want another old truck but do like the idea of 2200 gallons in one shot. Has anyone ever priced water tankers out? They are crazy expensive. I did like the one tanker I found, it was an old front discharge redi mix truck with an 6000 gallon water tank on it. I think my slide in tank for a big dump would be better or having a hook. Here's pictures of the old girl. What do you think it's worth? It has a 427 gas with a 5 and a 2.

Attached Images

Nice Ford F-700 Water Tender
__________________
Source: www.lawnsite.com - Link

Construction Water truck: Rollover

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Water truck in lucky escape after rolling down hill

Well, my job site, out in the middle of nowhere, saw the most action it’s ever seen today, when a water truck was trying to turn around on top of a large hill, with a 3:1 incline.

Unfortunately for the driver, his judgment was a little off and he drove off the edge of the hill, sending him sliding down the hill. To make matters worse, he turned the wheel, sent himself into a spin and started rolling the truck down the hill.

The incredible part is that there is a small, flat ledge about half way down the hill and he landed with his tyres on the ground at this point and the truck decided not to make another roll and send him down the second half of the hill.

The truck suffered a few dents, scuffs and cracks and the driver is apparently doing OK.

Now all that remains to be seen is how they’re going to get it off the hill…

Skid/ roll marks

Earth damage and truck

Damaged truck

Source: http://www.thewanderingbrit.com/2009/03/31/water-truck-in-lucky-escape-after-rolling-down-hill/

Engineers try to redirect water

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:41:00 +0000

Fiji News: Water trucks will be sent out once the exact areas affected are confirmed while engineers are trying to redirect water from the Tamavua system to the greater Suva area.

This is the message from Works Department Central/Eastern spokesperson Maika Nagalu who said the water disruptions are due to a burst main at Laqere Bridge.

There is an audio file attached to this story. Please login to listen.

Nagalu said they do not know how long it will take to fix the problem.

Also, the Education Ministry said they have had no notice from schools or the Water Department on the water situation and cannot confirm whether schools that fall in the affected areas will be closed today.

Meanwhile, Interim Works Minister Timoci Natuva said old pipes must be replaced to ensure water disruptions are a thing of the past.

Natuva said most of the pipes still being used have been in place since World War Two and that is why consumers will continue to receive water disruptions adding the replacement of pipes will take a couple more years.
Source: http://www.fijivillage.com - Link

Illinois: Empress Casino fire

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:08:00 +0000

Empress Casino fire spreads; roof collapses

March 20, 2009
By KIM SMITH ksmith@scn1.com

JOLIET — Some 6,000 to 8,000 gallons of water per minute have not been enough to stop the Empress Casino blaze that has spread from the former ballroom east to the entryway.

Water trucks from other area departments are circling in and out of the area, but the fire that started Friday morning has continued to spread. Additional water has been trucked in from as far as two miles away.

Firefighters from Joliet and other departments battling the large fire at the Empress Casino. The fire apparently broke out in part of the casino that is under construction
(John Patsch/Staff Photographer)

Smoke rises from the Empress Casino in Joliet, where a fire started in an area under construction Friday morning.
(Liz Wilkinson Allen/Staff Photographer)

• Casino fire will impact local economy
• Casino in middle of renovation

Fire Chief Joe Formhals said firefighters are concentrating on containing the fire that broke out around 10 a.m. in an area under renovation. Firefighters have four ladder trucks spraying directly into the building, but the smoke keeps pouring out.

General Manager Frank Quigley said it is too soon to tell the extent of the damage and how long it will take to get back the jobs of the 900 casino workers.

The Empress brings in $14 million and $15 million a month.

"This is very disappointing, we were all very excited about our $50 million renovation," Quigley said.

Plans were to add a new French restaurant and a coffee shop.

Joliet City Councilman Tom Giarrante said the fire damage to the Empress Casino is unbelievable and the timing is brutal.

"We are going to have to sit down with the city manager and find out how bad this is going to be," Giarrante said. "We may need to have a special meeting. Thank God no one was hurt. That was a result of a lot of fire drills."

Giarrante had been on the fire scene since 11 a.m.

The renovations may have hampered firefighting efforts with more than one drop ceiling to chop through, which caused the blaze to spread horizontally, Formhals said.

Formhals confirmed that the lack of water has been an issue.

He said an off-duty Joliet firefighter was on the scene around 10 a.m. at the casino on Route 6 when an alarm went off.

The fire started in a kitchen area, Formhals said. Police Lt. Stephen Breen said the fire apparently was started by welders. He says a spark might have hit some grease around the ceiling area, but that it's too soon to say exactly what happened.

Scaffolding and other construction equipment was seen inside the burning wing.

A casino official said smoke more than likely damaged casino walls. Concerns have mounted that the fire might spread to the gaming floor.

Meanwhile, Quigley had told employees they were free to leave. Earlier, Quigley has asked workers to wait and see what developed.

Some employees had purses and keys locked up in the casino. Quigley said the company would provide transportation to those who need it and no one would be allowed inside.

Earlier, Formahals said the blaze was sparked by the construction in an area where new seats were being added. A lot of drywall was being stored in that area as well, he said.

Rarely does the Joliet Fire Department call for assistance but trucks from Troy, Rockdale and other departments started to roll in shortly after noon. Most appeared to be water trucks.

Quigley had spoken to employees who have been gathering under to carport of the hotel.

"All kinds of kudos to you guys for pulling off an extremely professional evacuation," Quigley said. "There were no injuries."

Michelle Bell, marketing director, said there was a $50 million renovation project in the pavilion area with new food outlets under construction.

Smoke from the blaze was visible for miles.

Bob Bennet of Joliet was in the casino around 10 a.m. when a voice came over the PA sytem.

"They told us we had to evacuate because there was a small fire," Bennet said. "Everyone got up and left. It went well, there was no one panicking, no pushing or shoving."

At first, gamblers were told they would be able to get back in after about an hour, but later were informed by security guards that the casino would be closed for the day.

Laura Carter of Orland Park had hoped to cash her $94 voucher but was told the vouchers would be good for about a year.

The 50,000 square-foot casino features 1,100 machines and 20 table games, according to its Web site.
Source: www.suburbanchicagonews.com - Link

Water trucks in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, Canada

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:48:00 +0000

Where or where has the water truck gone?

Posted by Kennie at 3/11/2009 07:03:00 PM Wednesday, March 11, 2009

After three long (and perhaps smelly) days with no water (one of the added perks you can purchase with your Northern Adventure) the water truck finally graced us with an appearance.

I was getting to the point where I was going to start standing in the middle of the road and block its way around town until it stopped to fill up our water tank. It is not fun not being able to have my morning (although quick) shower. Nor is it very fun if Kennie doesn't have her cup of Java in the morning .. makes for a very foul mooded Kennie. All should hopefully start returning to normal ... now all I have to do is make my way through two weeks of laundry ...

WV Firefighter Critical After Tanker Accident

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:43:00 +0000

A Webster County Volunteer Firefighter was critically injured in an accident last night (03/09/2009) approximately six (6) miles from the Erbacon VFD. He was critically injured and was sent via Healthnet to CAMC where he is in extremely critical condition with severe head trauma. The person that called me indicated that the firefighter may not survive his injuries.

According to unconfirmed reports, the 2000 gallon Commercial Fire Tanker went off the road on the right, the FF driver over corrected and crossed two (2) lanes of traffic, went through the guardrail, and then down an approximately seventy (70) foot embankment striking a railroad grade.
Source: www.firefighterclosecalls.com

Ghana: No water and firemen 'too old"

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:02:00 +0000

From the Ghanian Journal - Link

Fifteen families were last Friday rendered homeless after fire gutted the rooms they were occupying on the upper floor of a two-storey building near the main lorry station at Assin –Fosu.

All their belongings were burnt to ashes, while the roof of the building was destroyed.

Briefing the GNA on the incident at Assin-Fosu on Monday, Mr Alfred Otoo, one of the victims, said there was nobody at home when the incident happened at around 1520 hrs.

He explained that there was power outage in the town that day and that the fire reportedly started immediately after power had been restored and it was therefore suspected that some of the occupants on the floor must have left their electrical gadgets on.

He said personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) in Fosu tried in vain to put out the fire and had to call for assistance from their counterparts in Cape Coast but the entire floor had completely been burnt by the time the team arrived.

Other people living within the vicinity the GNA spoke to, expressed anger that the local personnel of the Fire Service had been unable to put out the fire, because they were “too old”.

When contacted, the Assistant Divisional Officer of the GNFS at Fosu, Mr Tony Abraham, explained that a crew of firemen was dispatched immediately a distress call about the fire was received, but the water in the fire tender was not enough to put out the fire.

He also explained that the township had no fire hydrant so water has to be fetched into the fire tender from a stream in the next village, a distance of about 13 kilometres and that investigations are underway to establish the exact cause of the fire.

ASP Seth Doe, the Assin Fosu divisional crime officer said his office is yet to receive a report from Fire Service for it to carry out investigations into the incident.

1957 Water tender still fighting fires

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:07:00 +0000

St. Elmo Fire Protection District has oldest water truck around

Cathy Thoele
Effingham Daily News
ST. ELMO — St. Elmo Fire Protection District may have the oldest water truck around, but it can still run with the best of them.

The water truck started out as a new fire truck when the fire protection district bought it in 1957. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the district converted it into a water truck.

It is the oldest water truck in operation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) 54 Division, which includes 23 departments in Effingham, Jasper, Fayette, Shelby, Cumberland and Richland counties, and has been used to haul water to every rural structure fire in the area where mutual aid is needed.

While parts may be a little hard to come by, St. Elmo Fire Chief Doug Engeljohn said the truck still runs good, earning second place in water hauling at a recent rural water shuttle class.

“It can haul water with the best of them,” he said.

The truck that has traveled 9,000 miles also shows no outward signs of wear with the 1,800-gallon tank still shining. The common tank size on most water trucks now is 2,000 gallons, according to Engeljohn.

Even though the truck still runs good, the fire protection district would like to replace it, but it has been unsuccessful in obtaining funding help. The district has applied for a fire act grant a few times and has been turned down each time. Engeljohn said he’s not sure why the district hasn’t been chosen to receive a grant to replace the old truck, but he isn’t dwelling on it.

“We got a water truck, and that’s the lot of it.”

So this is it?: And I kept going back for more!

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 20:38:00 +0000

And I kept going back for more!

So I stayed with it and kept the job. So much worry and yet so much personal growth! I became more confident and capable than I thought was possible. Many of those guys watched over me and looked out for me. Others weren't kind. But I learned from that too. Not everyone HAS to like you and you will survive. Many of the farmers were impressed that I would go the extra mile for them. Always trying to remember to close their tarps, making sure that it was done the right way and offering a smile and conversation if they were willing to talk. But getting it done in a timely fashion too.

The family part was hard. In March of every year I'd begin to make casseroles, meatballs, bbq, what ever I could think if to have meals ready to heat and eat. As well as baking up a storm so the kids had cookies, etc.. The food in the freezer usually lasted until the first week or so of June. And then DH had to fend for the family and things would get yucky. Now mind you he did take over the laundry ( and still does to this day) and the kids had chores to help with the housework. Mom had Sundays off from work. After church I got the nitty gritty cleaning done and it was back to getting up and working 12-16 hour days 6 days a week.

My boss was very understanding about family. He said that I didn't have to come in to work until the kids were off to school. Since DH worked an hours drive away that meant that I was there to get the four of them up and ready for the day. The 2 older boys were in high school so they had practices, etc.. to tend too but we had it worked out that someone was home with the younger 2 elementary age kids. Many days I was the last one in to work and the other trucks and fertilizer applicators were long in the fields. Most night during planting season I was home about 8 pm. I was able to attend their evening concerts and most other events. The hard part came when the secretary would radio me that the school was on the phone and could I come pick up a sick child. That happened more than I care to remember during the 5 spring/ summer seasons I was there. My mom, God bless her, would usually come to my rescue.

And then planting was done and there was no need of fertilizer. I was asked to stay on and drive a water truck. I would load the chemicals in 2.5 gallon jugs in boxes or large 110-250 gallon totes on the truck and fill the 2 1500 gallon tanks on the truck bed with water. Crawling around and up and down the truck bed all day long. Filling a crop sprayer ( Rogator) with water and chemicals for our company applicator to apply to crops for farmers. Now mind you, this was in the big trucks that were converted semi cabs. The fertilizer boxes would be hoisted off the truck frame and then the water tanks beds were placed on the truck frame for their purpose. This is where the 15-16 hour days were.

You were paired with a male applicator as his driver and that's where you were most of the time. Mid May thru early July. Days off only happened if it rained a lot or if it was so windy that you couldn't spray. The chemical and water won't reach the plants and weeds if the wind is strong. If we were in the yard at the company you'd better find something to do or you were sent home. So I cleaned vehicles, Terragators*, Ro*gators, offices, filed papers in the office, whatever needed doing to rack up the overtime. I'd earn just as much in 3.5 months doing that as I did in my other 2 jobs the rest of the year.

And next time, ( if you're still up to reading this dribble!) I will tell you about learning to drive the water truck. Which had a trailer on behind it to pull the Ro*gator on it to pull from field to field. Scary , scary times for that 30 something woman. I'll have to try and get pictures scanned for you to see what some of the equipment was and give you an idea of what was involved.

So this is it?: And I kept going back for more!:

Mariposa County: Orders 15 firetrucks from Oshkosh

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:01:00 +0000

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS: Mariposa County: Orders 15 firetrucks from Oshkosh

Pierce Manufacturing, the firetruck division of Oshkosh Corp. (OSK), received a $4.1 million order for 15 vehicles from the Mariposa County Fire Department

All of the firetrucks are expected to be in service by August. Oshkosh Capital, a financing division of Oshkosh Corp., provided the financing for the fire department, which is north of Fresno, Calif.

The order includes 11 Contender pumper trucks and four Contender DX tanker trucks. Each of the vehicles, to be built in the Fox Valley, will be outfitted with equipment geared for wilderness fires.

Mariposa County is in the sparsely populated western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It includes portions of Yosemite National Park and was the site of the Telegraph Fire that burned 34,000 acres last July.

The Mariposa Fire Department consists of 12 companies that cover 1,463 square miles.

Info2008 Pierce Contender DX series tanker: The Contender DX tanker offers the new Pierce exclusive 10" directional dump valve/chute assembly that offers more than a 1600 gpm flow — no more worrying about what direction you’re facing when pulling up to the scene.

With a low center of gravity (reducing side rolls), the DX tanker allows pump and roll, and is extremely stable — proven up to 28 degrees static side slope on a tilt table.
The DX tanker comes with compartments ahead of the rear axle(s) on both sides, has a 5-year limited warranty on the PTO and portable pumps, and a 360 hp engine.

The tank, designed specifically for Contender, is constructed of polypropylene with a water compartment baffling system that reduces the surges that can destabilize your vehicle

Water truck fatality: Not drugs just no seatbelt

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Sedative didn’t cause man’s death - Not using a seatbelt the likely reason truck driver died, fatality inquiry determines

DAMIEN WOOD - Herald-Tribune staff

In the written findings of Michael Berggren’s fatality inquiry, Judge J. R. McIntosh concluded the death was not the result of a sedative found in the truck driver’s system at the time of death in a highway accident, stating it was purely the lack of a seatbelt.

The in-court proceedings occurred late last July in a Fairview courtroom.

The result of those proceedings was released to the public Wednesday.

It was the morning of Dec. 26, 2006, when 55-year-old Berggren was called in to work for what would be his last run at Ponto Water Hauling – his place of employment for the two years.

Berggren did not work the day before and got off early the day before that.

He has been reported by those who encountered him over this stretch to have seemed in good health and good spirits.

Nothing seemed wrong at all in the minds of common-law spouse Anna Tina Miller, his employer or his co-workers.

But at approximately 10:15 a.m. Dec. 26 – just a half hour after leaving on his run to an oil rig near Worsley – Berggren was involved in a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 64, approximately 10 kilometres north of Hines Creek.

He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was ejected from the vehicle, which rolled over him and crushed his chest.

The scene responded to by authorities and emergency services was that of a water truck on its side and its driver some 20 feet away, lying in the middle of the road.

Not using a seatbelt is considered an oddity in behaviour for Berggren.

His spouse, employer and co-workers said Berggren habitually wore his seatbelt.

McIntosh stated in his concluding report that Berggren would have, in all likelihood, survived the rollover had he been wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred.

Found to be in Berggren’s system at the time of the accident was 55 micrograms per litre of blood of a potent sedative of the benzodiazepine family – Estazolam – which was attributed to a natural health product called Serenity Pills II Berggren was talking to aid in sleeping.

The pills contained an amount of the sedative.

Estazolam was once marketed legally, but is now classified as a Schedule IV substance not legally available anywhere in North America.

Berggren had been using the product for about three months before the accident.

It is believed he took one before going to bed the night prior. Expert testimony stated it could have caused sedation and impaired his judgment while driving.

McIntosh concluded, however, there are too many variables in this incident to claim the sedative in Berggren’s system at the time of the accident was a contributing factor.

He went on to state it was not a contributing factor to the accident, or to the death.

Counsel at the fatality inquiry had requested McIntosh use his concluding report to educate the public with respect to Health Canada’s role in registration of natural health products.

Health Canada has been notified of the presence of Estazolam in Serenity Pills II, but McIntosh declined to use his findings and recommendations to any further effect.

Source: dailyheraldtribune.com - Link

California National Guard - New wildland fire trucks

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:41:00 +0000

California National Guard - New wildland fire trucks

A total of six Pierce Tactical Fire Fighting Truck (TFFT) and HEMTT-based Water Tender (HEWATT) vehicles will be operated by the California National Guard at the direction of Governor Schwarzenegger.

APPLETON, Wis. - In an effort to generate awareness of California's wildland firefighting capabilities, the California National Guard showcased their newest Pierce Manufacturing firefighting apparatus at an event held January 30 at McClellan Air Force Base near Sacramento, Calif. Built by Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation Company (NYSE: OSK), the Pierce Tactical Fire Fighting Truck (TFFT) and HEMTT-based Water Tender (HEWATT) apparatus are based on Oshkosh military chassis. Three each of the TFFTs and HEWATTs have been deployed to the California National Guard's 233 Engineer Fire Fighting Company.

The event, which showcased the California National Guard and its increased firefighting ability, featured vehicle displays, information booths, and opportunities for media interaction. Representatives from the California National Guard, local and regional fire agency representatives, CALFIRE, CAL-EMA, Oshkosh, Pierce, and the United States Forest Service were present. Representatives from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's staff, as well as other elected officials, were on-hand to review the apparatus.

Purchased through contracts with the U.S. Army's Product Manager for Heavy Tactical Vehicles, the TFFT and HEWATT vehicles will be operated by the California National Guard at the direction of Governor Schwarzenegger.

"We're proud to help the California National Guard and the citizens of California fight the devastating wildfires that plague the state by providing extremely powerful and mobile wildland firefighting vehicles," said Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. "The ability to respond to wildfires quickly and with more powerful fire apparatus is a top priority in California, and we're excited that Pierce is the choice for the Army's firefighters."

Based on the Oshkosh HEMTT military transporter chassis, the TFFT is built to handle the most challenging terrain, with an 8 x 8 chassis configuration, all-wheel drive, and the ability to climb a 60 percent grade while fully loaded. The TFFT's firefighting capabilities include room for six firefighters, a 1,000-gallon water tank, a 1,000 GPM pump, a twin-agent foam system, roof and bumper turrets, 1,000 feet of hose and storage for a wide range of equipment.

The HEWATT also features an 8 x 8 all-wheel drive axle configuration. It is designed as a multi-purpose water distributor to support the TFFT, while providing supplementary fire suppression capabilities as well. Each HEWATT is equipped with a 2,500-gallon water tank, 500 gpm single-stage pump, 50 gallon foam cell and a front mounted bumper turret.

About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini-pumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side-Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit http://www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh, JLG, Pierce, McNeilus, Medtec, Jerr-Dan, BAI, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline, SMIT, Geesink, Norba, Kiggen, CON-E-CO, London and IMT. The Oshkosh brands are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

Virginia: Oshkosh water tender “24”

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:56:00 +0000

Virginia’s “Unusual” fire apparatus - Bland 24 Oshkosh

February 2, 2009 by GhostAdmin

Virginia’s “Unusual” fire apparatus

Welcome to a new feature of www.vafirenews.com. Everyone has their own definition of what “unusual” might be. Virginia has had some unusual fire and rescue trucks in its history. In addition, through my travels, I have come across some interesting fire and rescue trucks. These are trucks that have been built for a specific purpose and ones you just don’t find in many stations across the commonwealth.

We invite you to submit your photographs of Virginia’s “unusual”…..fire and rescue trucks that is.

I will kick off this column with one of the most interesting fire trucks I have photographed. While returning home from a business trip several years ago, I had to make a stop for gas and food in Bland, Virginia. I also thought I would find the local fire station to see the apparatus; however the doors were closed tight. I found a local business where a volunteer firefighter worked, and he asked me if I was there to see “24”. Now he really had my interest. He made arrangements for a driver to meet me at the station and I was able to photograph “24”.

Large is a good description for this truck. Much of Bland County is wooded, so the fire department needed a truck capable of going off road and taking water with it. In addition, Bland County is the only county in the United States that is entered and exited via Interstate Tunnels. There are two tunnels, Big Walker Mountain located a few hundred yards from the Wythe County line and East River Mountain, which forms the Virginia and West Virginia border. “24” was also designed to respond to tunnel emergencies.

“24” is a 2005 Oshkosh MTVR/Pierce Hawk Extreme fire truck. It is equipped with a 500 gallon per minute pump, holds 2400 gallons of water, and carries 60 gallons of foam. The truck sits 10 feet 2 inches high.

I am glad I made the stop at the Bland Volunteer Fire Department to find this one of a kind in Virginia.

Source: VA Fire News - Link

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Fire Truck Caught By Growing Sinkhole In NJ Finally Hoisted To Safety

By CraneLinda Young - AHN Editor

Jersey City, NJ (AHN) - A firetruck responding to a call about leaking water fell into a sinkhole in the street Sunday and was stuck there for hours until a crane pulled it out.

The 33-ton truck was swallowed by a sinkhole that was created after water leaking from a nearby house eroded the earth from under the roadway.

Firefighters were responding to a call about a water leak in the basement of a home when the street suddenly collapsed under their rear wheels, trapping the vehicle at 8:40 a.m. in a growing sinkhole. The crew was able to jump off the truck to safety.

Tow trucks were unable to pull the fire truck out. At about 7:30 p.m. a crane was finally able to hoist the fire truck out of the hole that had grown to about 60 feet in size.

Water trucks were brought in to supply residents with water until the water main can be prepared. About 125 homes were affected.

News: Milk tanker rolls off ferry

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Regular readers of Biglorryblog may well remember me blogging on this this recent incident in New Zealand when a Volvo waggon and drag milk tanker slipped off the end of the ferry which goes from the mainland to Matakana Island in the Bay of Plenty. Look carefully at the above picture and you'll see the prime mover on the left of the ferry doing its impression of U517. Dive! Dive! Dive!

Well it couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of blokes as it belonged to BLB's much admired favouite Kiwi fleet operator Fonterra. Well I'm grateful to BLB regular Vic Hungerford for bringing me bang up to date on the story. Vic says: "You may remember the story a few months ago about the Fonterra tanker that went for a swim off the end of a ferry. I think in your comments you wished the driver and the tanker well and hoped that they made a full recovery."

Vic continues: "Well I'm pleased to inform you that the driver was fine, but unfortunately the tanker didn't recover. It was decided that the salt water damage was terminal and that there was no point in trying resuscitation. It is gradually being stripped for parts as required for other tankers; I was down there a couple of days ago and this is what is left of what was once a fine Volvo FM12. Apparently Volvos don't like swimming!" And I don't blame them Vic...now click through here for a real hoot from the back of a Mainfreight truck....

Regular BLB readers will know that the major Kiwi truck operator Mainfreight is renowed for its smart rigs and eye-catching artwork, as well as pithy phrases. on the back of its trucks too---indeed they are much admired by Biglorryblog. So what do you make of this one?

Vic says: "On the way back I was stopped behind this Mainfreight curtainsider at some traffic lights and was rather taken by the signwriting on the back. I'm not too sure about the Kiwi shaking hands with the Kangaroo though! Cheers Vic" And who's it aimed at Vic..? That's the REAL question! Great stuff as ever and thanks.for the update on the Fonterra driver. You can always put metal back together...it's not so easy with people.

New water tender for Riceville Fire Department

noreply@blogger.com (California Fire news) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:15:00 +0000

The Riceville Fire Department�s new tanker before (above) and after (top) almost two years of hard work. The 5,000-gallon tanker is now ready to be put into service.

Fire Department puts 'new' tanker into service

The Riceville Fire Department is putting its newest vehicle, a tanker obtained in a deal with the Department of Natural Resources' Forestry Department, into service after two years of hard work.

With the new tanker, which holds 5,000 gallons of water, the Fire Department will be able to triple the amount of water it can take out on a call. Previously, the Fire Department could carry 2,500 gallons. Now, if necessary, they can bring 7,500 gallons of water to a fire call.

"The truck is DNR-owned," Fire Chief Lyle Eastman explained, "but the Fire Department has lifetime use of it."

The Fire Department must also provide liability insurance for the truck.

Had the Fire Department purchased a new truck, the expense would have reached at least $150,000. Work on the truck was done at the elevator shop and at Dean Eastman's shop. The truck is a diesel-automatic.

The Fire Department first obtained the tanker in April 2007. Since then, many improvements have been made to ensure that the truck is suitable for service. According to Eastman, the truck's tank was moved ahead, new mounts were added, a water fill was added, a quick dump was mounted in the back of the truck, and a 3,500-gallon portable tank was added. The portable tank was donated by workers at McNeilus.

Once the work on the truck was done, it was sent away to be painted. The end result is a bright red truck with an American flag and an eagle painted on the side, along with the words "Riceville Fire Dept." in proud, yellow print. It is certainly a vehicle that the people of Riceville, and the Fire Department can be very proud of.

Source: http://www.ricevillerecorder.com - Link