1 00:00:16,250 --> 00:00:21,410 Male Narrator: They're not your standard pickup trucks, they're wildland fire engines; highly 2 00:00:21,410 --> 00:00:28,410 specialized apparatus, with hoses, pumps, and reels. In the ICS classification system, 3 00:00:28,470 --> 00:00:33,010 there are seven "types" of engines, with Type 7 being the smallest and Type 1 being the 4 00:00:33,010 --> 00:00:33,260 largest. 5 00:00:33,210 --> 00:00:36,600 Tavis Sorensen: Of course some engines have more capabilities than others. 6 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,370 Narrator: These incredible pieces of equipment are put in some of the harshest conditions 7 00:00:40,370 --> 00:00:42,340 and navigate some of the roughest terrain there is. 8 00:00:42,340 --> 00:00:44,530 Rebecca Sorensen: They're amazing machines; they can go a lot of places. 9 00:00:44,530 --> 00:00:48,890 Male Narrator: So sit back and enjoy as we take a closer look at the inner workings of 10 00:00:48,890 --> 00:00:51,149 one of the most widely used firefighting tools, The Mighty Engine! 11 00:00:51,149 --> 00:00:51,579 [music playing] [fire siren] 12 00:00:51,579 --> 00:00:58,579 Female Narrator: A 13 00:01:22,150 --> 00:01:29,110 few characteristics of a Type 7, a slip-on tank unit with a capacity between 50 and 200 14 00:01:29,110 --> 00:01:36,110 gallons, a minimum pump rating of 10 gallons per minute at 100 psi. The type 7 is ideally 15 00:01:36,110 --> 00:01:41,909 suited for patrol duties or mop-up on small fires that are difficult to access with larger 16 00:01:41,909 --> 00:01:43,180 engines. 17 00:01:43,180 --> 00:01:50,180 Male Narrator: When a local district or forest needs a new or replacement engine, they submit 18 00:01:50,810 --> 00:01:55,829 specifications to either the national or regional equipment committee. The requirements for 19 00:01:55,829 --> 00:02:00,710 new engines will vary as terrain types and uses for the engine are not the same. These 20 00:02:00,710 --> 00:02:05,420 specifications are carefully reviewed and then sent out to contractors for bid. Government 21 00:02:05,420 --> 00:02:09,869 officials review the bid packages and choose the vendor whose bid best matches the needs 22 00:02:09,869 --> 00:02:15,450 of firefighters and provides the best value. Once the bid has been awarded, the construction 23 00:02:15,450 --> 00:02:17,030 begins. 24 00:02:17,030 --> 00:02:23,510 Male Narrator: The workers begin to cut the metal into pieces, working meticulously to 25 00:02:23,510 --> 00:02:28,680 match the specifications given in the drawing. The welders build the main body structure 26 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:35,069 and put it on a roll-around cart. They grind down all their welds to make the shell semi-smooth 27 00:02:35,069 --> 00:02:42,069 for the body shop. Electricians and body assembly workers attach doors, lights, and other components. 28 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:49,560 At this point, they bring the chassis in and lower the body on to the chassis. The workers 29 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:54,319 then go to work attaching everything they've already installed onto the chassis. The pumps 30 00:02:54,319 --> 00:02:56,879 are then ready to be tested and a complete final inspection is done. 31 00:02:56,879 --> 00:02:57,349 Pump Technician: We have to meet NFPA standards which is the National Fire Protection Association 32 00:02:57,349 --> 00:02:57,890 and then the government sets the pumping standards for us which is 250 gallons per minute at 33 00:02:57,890 --> 00:03:04,890 a 150 psi. Stage two of it is 200 gallons per minute at 300 psi. And the last stage 34 00:03:13,610 --> 00:03:20,610 is 150 gallons per minute at 400 psi. Each of those tests you have to pass without overheating 35 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:26,420 or, you know, leaks or anything like that. 36 00:03:26,420 --> 00:03:33,420 Female narrator: A few examples of the Type 6 engine - with a capacity of 150 to 400 gallons, 37 00:03:34,150 --> 00:03:39,900 the Type 6 is an extremely effective initial attack resource in light fuels or in remote 38 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:46,489 areas where access is limited. Minimum pump performance ratings are 30 gallons per minute 39 00:03:46,489 --> 00:03:53,489 at 100 psi. The Type 6 also carries more 1 inch and 1 1/2 inch hose than the Type 7. 40 00:03:54,860 --> 00:04:01,010 Male Narrator: Once an engine arrives at the home unit it's time to train the crew. It's 41 00:04:01,010 --> 00:04:05,650 necessary for the crew to be able operate the engine safely on highways, rural, urban 42 00:04:05,650 --> 00:04:06,730 and mountain roads. 43 00:04:06,730 --> 00:04:11,220 Tavis Sorensen: For most Type 6 engines, the regular state government driver's license 44 00:04:11,220 --> 00:04:15,860 is all that's required. Some agencies and some local units have their own specific training 45 00:04:15,860 --> 00:04:20,130 depending on if it's an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens or anything specific 46 00:04:20,130 --> 00:04:24,720 to that nature. The Type 4 engines and Type 3 engines, the heavier vehicles, larger, are 47 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:30,409 commercial, so the state requires a class 'B' CDL and you'll need some endorsements 48 00:04:30,409 --> 00:04:35,620 so the airbrake endorsement, possibly the tanker endorsement required. And then also 49 00:04:35,620 --> 00:04:37,410 with your state medical certification. 50 00:04:37,410 --> 00:04:42,720 Male Narrator: Many agency employees attend engine academies or other engine operator 51 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:47,639 training courses. These programs are designed to expose students to all aspects of wildland 52 00:04:47,639 --> 00:04:52,520 engine operations. The students learn driving techniques, have the opportunity to perform 53 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:57,919 hands on pump training and troubleshoot engine maintenance problems. Students navigate various 54 00:04:57,919 --> 00:05:03,000 types of obstacle courses, simulating driving conditions that may be encountered during 55 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:08,330 fire response. The engines are tested to the maximum of their operating capabilities, negotiating 56 00:05:08,330 --> 00:05:13,790 difficult turns and climbing steep slopes. It's through these processes that agency drivers 57 00:05:13,790 --> 00:05:18,090 become proficient at operating their engine safely and effectively in the wildland fire 58 00:05:18,090 --> 00:05:19,050 environment. 59 00:05:19,050 --> 00:05:26,050 Female Narrator: The Type 5 engine has a tank size of 400 to 750 gallons. The minimum pump 60 00:05:27,470 --> 00:05:34,470 ratings are 50 gallons per minute at 100 psi. Even though they have the same hose and staffing 61 00:05:35,060 --> 00:05:39,199 requirements as the Type 6, they are much less common on the fireline. 62 00:05:39,199 --> 00:05:45,560 Male Narrator: When an engine is dispatched to a fire, it is important to understand the 63 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,650 capabilities of each type so you understand the most appropriate one for your fire. 64 00:05:49,650 --> 00:05:52,970 Rebecca Sorensen: I'm Rebecca Sorensen; I'm a Lead Engine Crew for the Boise District 65 00:05:52,970 --> 00:05:58,030 BLM. I'm an engine boss on a Type 4 with two crewmembers. So if you're thinking about what 66 00:05:58,030 --> 00:06:02,389 engine you want to use on a fire, thinking about ordering an engine, if you're considering 67 00:06:02,389 --> 00:06:05,750 a Type 6, they're highly mobile. They're not going to come with a lot of water so you're 68 00:06:05,750 --> 00:06:10,680 going to have about 400 gallons maximum there. But they can get anywhere, tight turning radius, 69 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,819 that sort of thing so if you want something that's going to go scout the fire; they're 70 00:06:13,819 --> 00:06:17,520 really good for that, that sort of position. And if you have a water source for them, a 71 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:21,610 water tender or some place they can draft, they can get that water a lot of places and 72 00:06:21,610 --> 00:06:22,840 they have a great deal of hose. 73 00:06:22,840 --> 00:06:26,229 Tavis Sorensen: The strengths of the Type 4 in a wildland environment would be it's 74 00:06:26,229 --> 00:06:31,819 one of the largest engines we have for water and capabilities. If you're remote and water 75 00:06:31,819 --> 00:06:37,100 is at a premium, Type 4 would be the better engine for that job. I would think some of 76 00:06:37,100 --> 00:06:42,800 the weaknesses with the Type 4 would just be the size of the vehicle, driving a CDL, 77 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:48,979 so keeping drivers behind the wheel is hard and difficult in some regions. The size of 78 00:06:48,979 --> 00:06:53,690 the vehicle is also tough when you're in the timber, a lot of low hanging tree branches 79 00:06:53,690 --> 00:06:57,789 and a lot of low hanging hazards make the taller vehicle tougher to drive. I think some 80 00:06:57,789 --> 00:07:03,669 of the limitations of a Type 4 or a Type 6 or even some Type 3s is two-wheel drive and 81 00:07:03,669 --> 00:07:09,250 four-wheel drive, it's common that a lot of engines are still two-wheel drive and if four-wheel 82 00:07:09,250 --> 00:07:12,789 drive is required we should specify that while we're ordering them. 83 00:07:12,789 --> 00:07:19,060 Female Narrator: The Type 4 engine is ideally suited for a range of fuel types and missions. 84 00:07:19,060 --> 00:07:25,349 With pump ratings of 50 gallons per minute at 100 psi, the Type 4 can deliver a lot of 85 00:07:25,349 --> 00:07:32,080 water to the fire. These engines are frequently equipped with options such as four-wheel drive, 86 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:39,080 foam, and extra personnel that can be utilized in a variety of fire operations. 87 00:07:39,300 --> 00:07:46,300 Male Narrator: Once you determine which type of engine is going to be appropriate for your 88 00:07:48,110 --> 00:07:52,199 needs on the fire, you should know what type of crew to expect and the qualifications they 89 00:07:52,199 --> 00:07:53,960 may be coming with. 90 00:07:53,960 --> 00:08:00,330 Tavis Sorensen: You can expect a lot of quals depending on the engine coming your fire, 91 00:08:00,330 --> 00:08:04,000 depending on the geographical region where they're from, you could have anything from 92 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:10,810 an engine boss and two firefighter type IIs, up to an IC3 and task force leaders and divisions 93 00:08:10,810 --> 00:08:14,020 with other engine bosses and other CDL drivers for the engine. 94 00:08:14,020 --> 00:08:18,379 Male Narrator: If all or part of the engine module isn't needed for an assignment, consider 95 00:08:18,379 --> 00:08:23,289 breaking the module down, utilizing individual crewmembers for other tasks on the fire. 96 00:08:23,289 --> 00:08:26,639 Rebecca Sorensen: People on engines look forward to getting out, they want to hike; they're 97 00:08:26,639 --> 00:08:29,919 capable of hiking so just ask them to do that. They don't HAVE to be tied to the engine, 98 00:08:29,919 --> 00:08:33,690 they don't necessarily want to be tied to the engine so when you come to a fire if people 99 00:08:33,690 --> 00:08:37,680 aren't asking, if you're overhead isn't asking what your quals are, they're kind of selling 100 00:08:37,680 --> 00:08:42,000 themselves short because you may have an EMT, you may have a 'C' sawyer, you have all kinds 101 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:45,540 of things that they're looking for and they see you as an engine module and don't consider 102 00:08:45,540 --> 00:08:47,050 that you have any other capabilities. 103 00:08:47,050 --> 00:08:51,310 Tavis Sorensen: We can park engines and put two or three engine modules together and form 104 00:08:51,310 --> 00:08:55,480 a small crew, put ten people together and get a lot of work done on a fire, rather than 105 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,180 ordering a different resource. 106 00:08:57,180 --> 00:09:02,730 Female Narrator: At 500 gallons, the Type 3 engine has a lower minimum tank capacity 107 00:09:02,730 --> 00:09:09,149 than the Type 4 but it has a higher performing pump and increased hose capacity. Another 108 00:09:09,149 --> 00:09:14,870 trait of the Type 3 is the minimum staffing requirement of three people. With the increased 109 00:09:14,870 --> 00:09:19,920 pump performance and staffing, this engine is well-suited for structure protection and 110 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:22,519 establishing hoselays. 111 00:09:22,519 --> 00:09:29,330 Male Narrator: Although each engine is designed for durability, they're often pushed to their 112 00:09:29,330 --> 00:09:34,570 mechanical limits, sometimes on a daily basis. With each use, there's potential for mechanical 113 00:09:34,570 --> 00:09:39,740 issues. While one cannot prevent these problems from happening, performing regular inspections 114 00:09:39,740 --> 00:09:44,279 and routine maintenance on engines, you can keep major mechanical issues to a minimum. 115 00:09:44,279 --> 00:09:49,320 Rebecca Sorensen: So speaking about the trucks, I mean they're versatile, they're durable, 116 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,810 they're incredible, they can go places that people wouldn't expect and we talk about you 117 00:09:53,810 --> 00:09:57,170 just have to treat them right, you know what I mean, that's how you're able to go out and 118 00:09:57,170 --> 00:10:01,120 do the job that you want to do, so if you abuse it, don't maintain it, don't catch things 119 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:05,250 early before they become bigger problems, then you're shut down and out of the game. 120 00:10:05,250 --> 00:10:09,890 Tavis Sorensen: With new technology in engines and the engineering of safety into a lot of 121 00:10:09,890 --> 00:10:14,550 the components, we've now had our capabilities increased by being able to use engines in 122 00:10:14,550 --> 00:10:19,850 different terrain than in the past we were unsure. We tilt test the engines now, in the 123 00:10:19,850 --> 00:10:26,149 past that wasn't always done. Using large fire apparatus manufacturers who build emergency 124 00:10:26,149 --> 00:10:31,510 vehicles, I think that we've become safer and use a better product than we did in the 125 00:10:31,510 --> 00:10:32,589 past years. 126 00:10:32,589 --> 00:10:38,050 Female Narrator: Type 1 and Type 2 are NOT classified as 'wildland' engines, they are 127 00:10:38,050 --> 00:10:43,700 considered structure engines. Because of this designation they are best suited to be used 128 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:49,600 in areas with paved roads and easy access. Tank capacities are generally lower than Type 129 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:55,339 3 and Type 4 engines but what these structure engines lack in capacity they make up for 130 00:10:55,339 --> 00:11:02,339 with extremely high capability pump performance. The Type 2 minimum is 250 gallons per minute 131 00:11:03,100 --> 00:11:09,610 and for the Type 1 it is 1,000. These structure engines are not typically agency owned and 132 00:11:09,610 --> 00:11:13,399 they are usually operated by municipal departments. 133 00:11:13,399 --> 00:11:20,149 Male Narrator: Innovative ideas come from the field, if you have ideas you'd like to 134 00:11:20,149 --> 00:11:26,670 share, the BLM has a website established where firefighters can provide input. In this module, 135 00:11:26,670 --> 00:11:30,730 we've shown you the design and construction process as well as some capabilities and Types 136 00:11:30,730 --> 00:11:35,329 of engines you may encounter out on the fireline. Now you should be familiar with some of the 137 00:11:35,329 --> 00:11:39,240 key features of various types of engines so the next time you work with one you'll be 138 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:46,240 confident in the power of the Mighty Engine! 139 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:56,390 [siren]