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Storage for tree climbing, surveying , and digging equipment

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Storage for tree climbing, surveying , and digging equipment

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Firefighting. In all other respects, fire engineers are firefighters. They put out fires using equipment, such as hoses, axes and pumps; rescue victims trapped in emergency conditions; and participate in drills that hone their skills. ... For firefighters, the job is never the same every day.

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outdoor terrain

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"What's all that stuff weigh?" - a popular question for Haddam firefighters, after "What does that do?" and "Why are your fire trucks yellow?"

Depending on what a firefighter is carrying, all that extra gear can weigh more than 70 pounds.

While most firefighters weigh "none of your business," Mike Sapia is a lean 150 pounds. Now imagine the Haddam firefighter packing 70 extra pounds on a hot summer day. Even a fit guy like Mike would pour sweat and suck down air, which is another incentive for firefighters to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Inside a structure fire, one rotation (breathing down most of an air bottle) has been compared to running two miles without a warm-up or taking any breaks. If you can't do that, overexertion, or worse, is a serious risk.

A structural firefighter's uniform is called Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), also called "bunker gear" or "turnout gear." "Bunker" comes from the days when gear was stored next to a person's bunk; "turnout" refers to the time-saving practice of "turning out" the pants over the top of the boots. This allows a firefighter to step directly into the boots and pull the pants and suspenders up in one move.

The total weight of a firefighter's PPE depends on the tools needed for the job, but basic PPE (helmet, hood, pants, coat, gloves, boots and air pack) weighs about 45 pounds. Add a thermal imaging camera, radio, box light and set of irons (Halligan bar and axe) and you're up to about 75 pounds.

While it's unlikely that a firefighter will bring every tool to advance a hose line or perform a search-and-rescue, there's a lot to carry. Some other things to consider: the weight of tools in pockets, water-soaked turnouts, a charged hose and encountering a person who needs help being evacuated. The weight of that victim requires considerable effort to move, on top of the weight of the PPE. Moving a downed firefighter places even more stress on rescuers.

Why so bulky? PPE is designed to protect from the heat of a fire while allowing firefighters to breathe safely in an IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) environment.

"Safety is our number one concern, so we wear clothing and gear designed to protect us from heat, flames and smoke," said Haddam Fire Chief Gary Klare.

A typical bunker coat consists of three layers. The outer layer is a fire-retardant material like Nomex or Kevlar with additional wear-and-tear resistive properties. The second layer is water-repellent material to keep water off the skin in case the firefighter enters an environment exceeding 212 degrees. At that temperature, water can turn to steam and cause serious burns. The innermost layer is a thermal protective material to insulate from intense heat.

Reflective striping appears on all PPE bunker coats, pants and helmets to make firefighters more visible at night and in thick smoke. A fire-resistant hood pulls over the head, ear and neck to create a seal around the mask. Insulated leather gloves are usually the last piece of PPE to go on.

Leather helmets are still used, but most modern helmets are plastic with an attached, fire-retardant neck and ear flap. Firefighters also store items on their helmets like flashlights, wedges to chock doors open and goggles for extra eye protection during vehicle extrications.

Boots are made of insulated rubber or leather with steel toes and shanks to protect against crushing and piercing hazards. A Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, (SCBA), provides a constant flow of positive air pressure into the mask. This prevents any contaminated air from making its way inside. There are several brands of SCBA on the market, including MSA, Scott, Interpiro and Draeger. Haddam switched to Draeger after extensive research and testing.

A Draeger air cylinder holds about 30 minutes of air (4,500 psi), though during a live fire, 15 minutes is more realistic. The cylinder is made of a light fiberglass composite, and can replaced quickly without taking the pack off.

New gear is equipped with Gemtor loops and harnesses that allow trained firefighters to lock into ladders or other fixed objects when working high off the ground. They're also helpful when removing a downed firefighter, but add about 5 pounds to the weight of the PPE.

To maintain the gear, Station No. 1 has a commercial washing machine. National Fire Protection Association guidelines call for washing all contaminants off of PPE immediately after exposure to carcinogens in a structure fire or any other hazardous materials. Many departments provide each member with two sets of gear so that one is always available during cleaning/drying cycles. Members of Haddam Fire are issued one set of PPE. A gear drier is being requested in this year's budget to get firefighters back into service more quickly, as wet, freshly washed gear is unavailable for use.

A full set of turnout gear runs about $3,000, not counting the SCBA which is about $6,000. Turnout gear is always a large item in the Fire Company's budget. The NFPA recommends that all gear is replaced no longer than 10 years after it's put into service, or sooner if rips, tears, or heat-related wear are found. HVFC Quartermaster Jason Lonergan sends gear out to a certified repair facility to extend the PPE's life whenever possible, but with intense training, not all gear makes it the full 10 years.

An aggressive replacement plan keeps Haddam firefighters in the best PPE for the worst conditions. Though heavy and expensive, PPE allows firefighters to do hazardous work in the safest way possible.

As for why are our fire trucks are yellow, I'm not exactly sure. I know that many departments changed colors because of an optometrist and volunteer firefighter named Stephen Solomon. In the 1960s, Solomon found that the color lime-yellow (or "safety yellow" like some apparatus in Middletown) and "school bus" yellow (Haddam's color) are more visible to the eye than red, therefore safer. But the U.S. Fire Service is steeped in history and many departments - including the FDNY - started switching to yellow only to paint them back. They didn't see a safety advantage and, well, fire trucks are traditionally red.

I guess in Haddam, we just dare to be different.

For more information on the activities of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. and ways you can get involved, visit our website www.HaddamFire.com, or look for us on Facebook.

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What's It Weigh? Firefighter gear, piece by piece

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"What's all that stuff weigh?" - a popular question for Haddam firefighters, after "What does that do?" and "Why are your fire trucks yellow?" Depending on what a firefighter is carrying, all that extra gear can weigh more than 70 pounds. While most firefighters weigh "none of your business," Mike Sapia is a lean 150 pounds.

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light as possible
movable
carrying wildlife
etc

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mobility

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Anders, M. "Backpack Basics." Boy's Life

Mark Anders describes the basics of backpacks.

Each back pack should be adjustable to fitting and size. There are external and internal builds to back packs. For longer term travels backpacks should be larger.

It's useful a because I know the sizes the backpack should be. There should be adjustments around waist and shoulders. Well fitting backpacks are made with internal frames. It gives a good description of what a backpack should be like.

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The outside layer is made from a fire resistant material called Nomex. The inner layer is a waterproof material that keeps the firefighter dry. The yellow and silver stripe is a reflective strip that allows the firefighter to be seen in the dark. These boots are made of natural rubber with metal toes and soles.

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Hammock and tent with separate poles and spikes.
- bendy poles
Water bottle pocket and water purifier

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Shultz softwater

Water purifying methods

4 ways of purifying are chlorine, filtering, boiling, and distillation. Filtering is one way and keeps the most about of water without losing any. Very effective.

I know a few ways we could make the water purifier possible. I think filtering is our best bet.

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It's extremely important to confirm your water has been purified or treated before drinking. If your water is contaminated and you don't have bottled water, there are various water purification methods that are used today, and each method has its merits and demerits. Filtering is good for basic water tasks such as sediment and chlorine removal, but in the long run reverse osmosis is the best option. At Schultz Soft Water we focus on reverse osmosis units because they require a lot less energy and time required to make water versus distillation.

When reverse osmosis is not available, there are 4 water purification methods that you can use to make your water safe for drinking.

1 - Boiling

Boiling water is the cheapest and safest method of water purification. Water sources and or channels of distribution may render your water unsafe. For example, parasites and germs are things you may not see by bare eyes, but their effects can be life threatening.

In this method, clean water should be brought to boil and left at rolling-boil for 1-3 minutes. For people living in high altitude areas, it is recommended to boil your water for longer than water boiled at lower altitudes. This is because water boils at lower temperatures in higher altitudes. Boiled water should be covered and left to cool before drinking. For water drawn from wells, leave it for compounds to settle before you filter out clean water for use.

2 - Filtration

Filtration is one of the effective ways of purifying water and when using the right multimedia filters it's effective in ridding water of the compounds. This method uses chemical and physical processes to purify water and make it safe for human consumption. Filtration eliminates both large compounds and small, dangerous contaminants that cause diseases with a simple and quick filtration process.. Since filtration does not deplete all the mineral salts, water that has been filtered is considered healthier compared to water purified using other methods. It's one of the effective water purification methods that utilize chemical absorption process that effectively removes unwanted compounds from water.

Compared to reverse osmosis, filtration is considered effective when it comes to selective elimination of much smaller molecular compounds such as chlorine and pesticides. The other factor that makes filtration less costly is that it does not require a lot of energy needed in distillation and reverse osmosis. It is an economic method of water purification because little water is lost during purification.

3 - Distillation

Distillation is a water purification method that utilizes heat to collect pure water in the form of vapor. This method is effective by the scientific fact that water has a lower boiling point than other contaminants and disease-causing elements found in water. Water is subjected to a heat source until it attains its boiling point. It is then left at the boiling point until it vaporizes. This vapor is directed into a condenser to cool. Upon cooling, vapor is reversed into liquid water that is clean and safe for drinking. Other substances that have a higher boiling point are left as sediments in the container.

This method is effective in removing bacteria, germs, salts and other heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic. Distillation is ideal for people who have access to raw, untreated water. This method has both advantages and disadvantages. A notable disadvantage is that it is a slow process of water purification. In addition, it requires a heat source for the purification to work. Although cheap sources of energy are being developed, distillation remains a costly process of purifying water. It is only ideal (effective and least costly) when purifying small quantities of water (It is not ideal for large scale, commercial or industrial purification).

4 - Chlorination

Chlorine is a powerful chemical that has been in use for many years to treat water for home consumption. Chlorine is an effective water purification method that kills germs, parasites and other disease-causing organisms found in ground or tap water. Water can be purified using chlorine tablets or liquid chlorine. As an off-the-shelf water purification product, chlorine is cheap and effective. However, caution should be taken when using chlorine liquid or tablets to treat drinking water. For example, people suffering from thyroid problems should talk to a medical practitioner before using this product. When using chlorine tablets, it is important to apply them in heated water, as they dissolve well in water that is at 21 degree Celsius or higher. Chlorine tablets kill all bacteria leaving your water clean and safe.

If you are looking for the best ways of treating your water, Schultz Soft Water is your best source of advice on best water purification methods and custom solutions to your water purification needs. Reverse osmosis is the best option, whereas filtering is good for basic water tasks such as sediment and chlorine removal. Reverse osmosis covers a larger spectrum of contaminant removal.

Contact our team of experienced water purification experts to give you the best water treatment solutions. We will help achieve better health for you, your family and guests.

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It's extremely important to confirm your water has been purified or treated before drinking. If your water is contaminated and you don't have bottled water, there are various water purification methods that are used today, and each method has its merits and demerits.

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All about water filters

Methods and instructions about how to filter water.

It teaches how to filter the water and what you need to do so. The charcoal method seems interesting.

Informs what materials are needed. Also how to do it.

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EXPLORE OUR SITE

All About Water Filters (AAWF) brings you all the best information about drinking clean, refreshing water. We've got huge categories on water treatment, water pollution, water filtration, and much, much more. Learn how you and your family can enjoy healthy, potable water in your home today.

Have you ever been in a situation where your county health department calls and says that your water may be bad?

Has your family all gotten a bit sick for no reason?

Have you ever come out on the other side of a draught to running rusty faucets?

If you answer, "Yes," to any of the questions above, then you may have been forced to filter water at home. If you haven't faced any of these situations yet, who's to say you won't in the near future?

JUMP TO A SECTION...

4. Boil your water.

4 Reasons Why You Should
Make a DIY Water Filter

Given the cost and sophistication of commercial home water filters, here are good reasons why you should DIY with regards to water filtration at home:

It is likely to be cheaper than commercial water filter products

You may be able to use materials that are present in your garage

You have the freedom to design your own water filter

You are only limited to your own budget and may expand on necessary designs at will at anytime

5 Easy Ways:
​ How to Make a Homemade Water Filter

Alas, not everyone is knowledgeable even with the basics of how to filter water (we're looking at you, kids) for drinks, let alone the concept of a homemade water filtration system. It is quite important for anyone to learn how to make a water filter especially for emergency situations.

To help you out, here's a guide on how to build a water filter. The following are five of the easiest homemade water filter builds available:

1. Bio-Filter

Bio-filter, as a homemade filter, is composed of three separate layers of gravel, sand, and activated charcoal. It is a streamlined method of filtering impurities in the water starting from the biggest up to the most minute impurities in the water.

Here's How To Do It:

1. Turn the water gallon container upside down.

2. Cut a hole at the top of the container. This is where you will pour your materials and water for filtering.

3. The first layer must be gravel. Gravel is basically pebble-like rock that acts as a filter for common debris found in water such as a small sticks, fallen leaves, and even tiny creatures that are either an animal or an insect.

4. The second layer filled with sand. Sand can further filter out smaller particles in the water that the gravel was not able to catch.

5. Lastly, third layer contains the activated charcoal which will remove minute impurities. Harmful pathogens and chemicals lingering in the water can be removed with carbon. As the last of three layers, passing through this point will render the water clean and free from impurities that the process intended to remove.

6. Ultimately, this is a DIY carbon filter.

There is no one-way of doing this and the design is solely at your disposal. In fact, you can improvise and not just rely on the materials mentioned, other than the gravel, sand, and the activated charcoal.

Just remember to cut a hole big enough to pour the soil and the water through in the end. You should also suspend it atop a catch basin.

If you have an infant, it's best to know how to distill water. You can never be sure of what water may actually contain when you give it to a baby; the best solution is to remove everything from the water and just leave the H and O! This video above shows you how an easy DIY stove top distiller works. All you need are some basic household materials. Just be sure not to touch that HOT COPPER PIPE!

While this setup is a little complicated, this can technically extract water from most liquids that you find. If you ever find that all you have left for drinking water in a swamp, then this may be the method for you. If you're feeling lazier than usual, you can skip the DIY and get a stove top distiller kit delivered to your doorstep instead.

3. Improvised Charcoal Filter

This is basically like the Bio-filter, minus the gravel. Instead of using activated charcoal, you will be using good-old coal. Pretty much, this is a great option if you are outdoors and making a complete bio-filter is not possible.

Just like a bio-filter, you place a layer of sand over a layer of charcoal. These are crushed inside the plastic bottle where you pour over water to be filtered.The charcoal is the main purifier in this setup.

However, unlike water treated via bio-filter means, using the improvised charcoal filter give water that is cloudy and not immediately available for drinking. It has to go through boiling first.

Check out our guide on charcoal filtration to learn more.

4. Boil your water

Something that DIY enthusiasts overlook quite a bit is the simplicity of boiling a pot of water.

Depending on the heat source you have and the amount of water you need to boil, you simply have to feel it out yourself. A large pot needs a larger fire.

What's important is that you bring the water to a boil and sustain the temperature for three minutes.

5. Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS)

If any of the already four mentioned methodologies of homemade water filtration don't work for you, consider the Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS)

As its name implies, SODIS requires heat and sunlight to work.The downside is that, depending on the water sources, the process may take long to filter the water.

The Process is Simple:

1. Expose the water you need treated in direct sunlight.

2. Make sure that the water is covered by a thin screen so new impurities cannot contaminate it.

3. Leave the water out for two hours if the source is clear.

4. Leave the water out for at least two days if the source produced cloudy liquid.

Keep in mind that the water you disinfect in this method may not be completely pure.

***Solar power can do much more than disinfect your water. This DIY guide has everything you need to know about kissing your water heating bills goodbye with nothing but the power of the sun.

In the end, using two methods to filter water is the best thing to do without mechanical or chemical help. It's also better to boil the water before drinking even if it's been filtered before.

READ MORE ABOUT DIY WATER FILTERS:

BONUS VIDEO

These DIY water filter projects can also be quite fun! Check out this setup in the video 🙂

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THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING MEDICAL ADVICE All the information, content, and material of this website are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

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Top 5 Easiest DIY Water Filters You Can Make At Home

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EXPLORE OUR SITE All About Water Filters (AAWF) brings you all the best information about drinking clean, refreshing water. We've got huge categories on water treatment, water pollution, water filtration, and much, much more. Learn how you and your family can enjoy healthy, potable water in your home today.

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The Rx system was developed specifically for storage.

This backpack was developed to be long lasting in the outdoor environment and extreme fire hazards. In order to carry water a backpack would need to be too large and too heavy for one person to carry. So the Rx backpack has a filterized system built into the water bottle compartment. This will save space for inner interior equipment. This fitted backpack is organized to be efficient. Camping equipment such as sleeping bags and tents have been innovated to be sealed and secured to the backpack. A versatile hammock gives you an option of sleeping in a protective tent or sturdy hammock . Flexible poles fold neatly in side to accommodate for a tent. These poles are neatly stored giving plenty of room for tools and equipment. The Rx is made with reliable materials and created to last. This safe and efficient design works to insure a quick and easy working environment.

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rescuing wild life, putting out fires, etc

Mark Anders describes the basics of backpacks.

Each back pack should be adjustable to fitting and size. There are external and internal builds to back packs. For longer term travels backpacks should be larger.

It's useful a because I know the sizes the backpack should be. There should be adjustments around waist and shoulders. Well fitting backpacks are made with internal frames. It gives a good description of what a backpack should be like.

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​ Your design team has one goal: to improve the utility, comfort and aesthetic of backpacks currently on the market. After collecting research, you will take some time to complete the ideation...