Fire Apparatus Operations

Skidding and Braking Techniques

• To regain control during skidding, avoid using the brakes, and steer continuously.
• Major braking should occur before entering a turn for optimal control.
• Use engine and auxiliary brakes when driving downhill to manage speed effectively.
• Brake usage should be limited to short bursts of 5-10 seconds to maintain control.

Fire Apparatus Weight and Forces

• Centrifugal force causes objects to be pushed outward while rotating.
• One-third of the fire apparatus's weight is distributed on the front axle.
• A 7% differential in weight is permissible between the left and right sides of the apparatus.

Driving Precautions and Signals

• Critical speed refers to the maximum speed at which a fire apparatus can successfully navigate a turn.
• Turn off sirens 200 feet from intersections blocked by traffic; stop 100 feet from the nearest vehicle.
• Opticoms emit visible light and infrared signals to control traffic at intersections.

Staging and Incident Management

• Level 1 staging involves the initial crew responding while other units must stage one block away.
• NFPA 1561 governs the staging process and provides guidance for managing incidents.
• A Staging Area Manager (STAM) is identified by emergency lights while managing Level 2 staging.

Incident Scene Management

• Apparatus placement should prioritize rescue potential and exposure risks.
• The front of the building is designated for ladder trucks, not engines.
• At structure fires, engines with preconnect attack lines should park past the structure.

Equipment and Apparatus Specifications

• Building collapse zones are 1.5 times the building height; bowstring truss constructions require larger zones.
• Minimum compartment space requirements include 120 cubic feet for specialized apparatus.
• NFPA 1901 outlines standards for fire apparatus, including the minimum pump rating of 750 gpm.

Firefighter Safety and Health

• Firefighters must wear ANSI approved Class 2 reflective traffic vests for safety.
• Employers are responsible for ensuring that personnel do not participate if they have consumed alcohol within the last 8 hours.
• To stay hydrated, firefighters should consume 8-10 ounces of water every 5-10 minutes of exertion.

Incident Response Procedures

• Prioritize traffic control at vehicle accidents for the safety of victims and firefighters.
• Most vehicle fires (25% of all fires) are common, indicating a high frequency compared to structure fires.

Maintenance and Inspection Practices

• Loose pump seals may seem minor until they compromise the ability to draft and prime the pump.
• Scrape corrosion from battery terminals with a wire brush; do not loosen radiator caps on hot engines to avoid burns.

Training and Compliance

• NFPA 1451 mandates evaluating vehicle training effectiveness every three years.
• Follow proper guidelines (FCSP: fuel, choke, switch, pull) when starting power units.

Aerial Device Operational Standards

• Aerial devices must undergo annual testing, including full lift, extension, and 90-degree rotation tests.
• NFPA 1002 outlines requirements for safe operation and driving practices for firefighters responding to emergencies.

Advanced Technologies in Firefighting

• The S.M.A.R.T.E.R project utilizes technology to monitor stress, heart rate, body temperature, and respiratory rate in real-time during emergencies.