Integrating CAFS into fire operations
Published: 01 January, 2006
Understanding and becoming competent with foam technology presents a challenge since it is a broad subject for firefighters to absorb, understand and in which to become skilled, reports Dominic Colletti.
New technology is playing an ever-increasing role in fireground operations. For today’s firefighter, this means more areas of increased specialisation and the need to learn new skills and firefighting practices. One area that has evolved over the past 20 years is foam application. There are wider selections of agents, hardware and foam application strategies to choose from than ever before. Also, due to the development of Class A foam technology, foam has now worked its way into everyday firefighting operations such as nuisance, wildland and structure fires.
Strategy and action plan: Fire officers considering implementing Class A foam and Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS) should formulate a foam technology integration strategy and action plan. Without a plan that covers the end result - the return the fire department wants to see out of its investment in foam technology - there could be a lot of wasted time and money.
Important steps in the process include initial research and education on foam technology, equipment evaluation, specification and purchase. A key part of any plan is the development of a department-wide training and education programme along with new standard operating procedures.
To maximise foam technology’s positive effects, there is a lot to do. Important decisions and activities need to take place at all levels of the organisation and well in advance of foam discharge on any fire.
One recurring issue in most organisations is the need for fire administration to get all their personnel ‘on the same page’ with regard to understanding foam technology.
A typical organisation has individuals with various knowledge levels. In some cases, knowledge on foam has been acquired through informal information transfer, the ‘whisper down the lane’ approach. This is a problem since misinformation can override facts and data.
Education needs to occur on the basics of foam agents, their handling and fireground application. The training programme must clear up misinformation and remove myths. A good foundation in foam application principles and practices is required for success. An effective programme follows through to include hands-on foam application under controlled live-fire training conditions.
One of the foam training and education delivery challenges today is providing quality instruction for the growing number of fire departments implementing CAFS for structural firefighting. Here, fire officers and line firefighters need training in several subject areas.
These include, but are not limited to compressed air foam delivery rates for structure fire attack and nozzle selection. These mission-critical issues impact firefighter safety and could present significant problems on the fireground if left unaddressed.
A special expert on psychology appeared on CNN recently with the discussion topic being ‘stress.’ When asked why today’s average citizen is so stressed out, he said: “Too much choice causes stress.” It seems that people have more choice in their lives today than ever before.
Likewise, CAFS can add many choices to fireground operations. When CAFS equipment arrives at a working fire, having a SOP on how it will typically be deployed will reduce stress, increase firefighter safety and promote successful fire attacks.
When adopting new foam technology, the need to plan for and include a high quality training and education programme for all fire department members is essential. This cannot be overemphasised.
Where to learn about CAFS There are several good training manuals available on the use of foam. One training textbook that covers foam basics is ‘Foam Firefighting Operations 1’ written by Larry Davis and myself. It is an ‘awareness level’ easy-to-read text that provides a foundation of solid information.
It has been used by fire departments who are moving away from eductor and around-the-pump type Class B foam systems and into Class A/B foam agents and CAFS. It is available through Fire Protection Publications/IFSTA at www.ifsta.org
It may sound like there is a lot of training required when implementing CAFS. The good news is that it can be done efficiently when planned for and included in a fire department’s foam technology integration plan.
Is the time and expense associated with CAFS training worth the benefits? Yes it is. The payoff from the appropriate use of CAFS generating Class A foam is an increase in fire combat capability of up to five times compared to applying water alone. Implementing CAFS provides a ‘big bang for your bucks’.
CAFS & rural water supply Delivering adequate water supply in a rural fire environment can be a real challenge. Especially in remote communities where geographic and environmental limitations make water supplies for drinking and fire protection a precious commodity.
Whether a fire district covers a remote area or is located in a suburban location with only a partial water supply infrastructure and areas of no pressurised hydrants, CAFS technology will fit in well as a method to increase firefighting capability.
Adding to the need to use CAFS in rural and suburban locations that have limited water supplies is the proliferation of new homes in the US dubbed ‘McMansions’. Low-interest mortgage rates and escalating property values have made it possible for many families to live large in their own ‘McMansions’, a home usually sized from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet.
In rural fire environments implementing CAFS needs to be a priority since a given water supply can accomplish more effective fire suppression when turned into compressed air foam.
Simply stated, what CAFS apparatus do is take water supplies and create finished-foam streams that are much more effective than water alone at stopping structure and other ordinary combustible type fire.
