CAFS is it worth it?

[KEA]

LHS: Thanks for adding all the additional information to bring your original one-line post to a better understanding of what you meant. Sorry I was so stupid that I couldnt figure out what you meant from your one line statement.

Thanks

[d308]

Just so everybody is aware we are looking at an additional tank of 100,000 gallons and a additional pumper. The ideas that I have may seem wierd to some but we must keep in mind that we respond on 1 sturucture fire every 5 years if that and that we respond on 50 to 100 groundcover fires a year so we do put some money into that as well. And also the water storage problem cannot be fixed with more storage because the main lines are 4" to 6". so the 100,000 gallon tank we are looking at would be set to fill the tankers at a very fast rate and would be for fire use only. These are just some of the ideas that where working on since about 1996 and are close to realizing most of them. The CAFS is part of the plan to reduce damage to the few sturucture fires we have and to help in preventing the groundcover fires from spreading across roads and highways.

Anyway just some info to help clear some of the confusion.

[jemar]

IN MANY SITUATION THIS CAN BE A GREAT TOOL!B-U-T THEIR ARE SOME SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF COOLING,THEN WATER AND A LOT OF WATER IS THE WAY TO GO.

[Firehose]

D308

Our community situation was very much like yours. To increase water storage, it cost us about $2.09 per gallon for additional elevated storage.
This along with some other things all went to improving the rating. This is now complete and we are waiting on a review.

We also purchased a new pumper equiped with CAFS. The CAFS portion of the new pumper did nothing for our rating. BUT, It has been priceless for effectiveness. With CAFS, we are much more effective in fast knockdown, greatly reduced water damage, as well as increasing the effective use of manpower. However, one the greatest advantages we have discovered is not included in the above. It has increased department pride much beyond conceivable expetations. Our firefighters all swell with pride when CAFS is mentioned. this increase in pride has ment an increase in new recrutes in the department.

That alone is worth the money!

Good Luck,
Firehose

[d308]

Firehose, Thanks alot that is the info I was looking for.

Again, Thanks D308

[mike021]

well hopefully our new CAFS makes our guys swell with pride and get new people to join!!

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Norwood Fire Co. No. 1
http://www.nfco1.freeservers.com