Originally Posted By: totegoat
After a call, I would run the engine up to operating temperature before parking it.
Already do that - I go for a drive after a call, both to get the engine to operating temperature and to calm myself down.
Originally Posted By: bepperb
A half mile? What's the difference between driving like a normal person and as fast as you can, 10 seconds? Are you kidding?
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Use a stopwatch (smart phones have them already on them) and take the drive at higher RPMs and see how long it takes to get there.
Then go back home and start the stopwatch and take it at 2,000-2,500 RPMs and see how long it takes get there.
If you only save a few seconds, it likely won't make a difference.
I try to maintain a reasonable speed and follow the speed limit, but sometimes the adrenaline and urgency gets to me, which means that I may drive a bit more aggressively than what is appropriate. Also, sometimes it's about beating the other guys to the truck if I haven't made a call in a while!
I'm used to letting the truck warm up for 30 seconds to a minute before driving off to make sure the oil is flowing properly, I'm more concerned about the cold (-15c or so) starts that don't really give me time to warm up the engine as I would prefer.
Originally Posted By: CT8
Use the recommended oil for your climate and think severe operating conditions. Shorter oil change intervals. That is how your tool is used and if the oil pumps when cold there is nothing else you can do. Block heater oil, pan heater etc??? The engine will still be cold until it is warmed up.
Yes, I am doing shorter OCIs and following severe service conditions. Thank you!
Originally Posted By: Old Mustang Guy
And thanks for your service as a volunteer. I was in public service for 32 years but I was paid. I'm impressed that people do it as a volunteer.
I feel that it is something that I can do to give back to the community. Plus I get to play with a fire truck and hydraulic tools!
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I ran for a number of years starting in the mid-eighties, until our area was annexed into a neighboring municipality.
We had devices known as Plectrons at the time and I can still vividly remember being toned out on many a night, with the aural alert from the dispatcher sending us to an accident, an alarm drop or a working structure fire. I can still play our tones vividly in my head.
I lived about as far from the firehouse as you do and I can tell you that the speed with which you can get out of bed, get your wits about you and throw some clothes on will dwarf the amount of time you spend driving to the firehouse.
Trying to drive fast for a very short distance will do nothing other than cause you to abuse your vehicle.
You also need to be aware of the possibility of other responders also trying to speed to the house.
If you arrive at the house, jump into your turnouts, and are sitting for several minutes with a truck pulled out ready to roll while awaiting other responding crew, then you've abused your vehicle for no reason at all.
My advice would be to move quickly but deliberately.
Finally, fire deaths are usually caused by a failure to raise a prompt alarm, not by a minute or two in delayed response time by a fire department.
You have to lay hose and pack up before even entering an involved structure in any event and you may even have to vent the roof before making an entry.
A room fire can be quickly dealt with, but when you see smoke rolling from under the eaves, the house is probably already lost anyway and any occupant who hasn't self-evacuated is likely already gone.
Thank you for your service. What you say is quite true. I try to drive at the speed limit to the fire hall - we have had a few members be given citations for exceeding the speed limit, and one member earned the "A**hole of the Year" award for overturning a vehicle while responding to a call. The tones sure do get your adrenaline going at 2AM in the morning - instantly awake!
Every night, I make sure I have a pair of sweatpants and socks ready to go in case of a call. We are lucky in that we have a relatively new truck with air packs built into the seats - we can pack up on the way to a call, jump out, grab a speedlay hose and be spraying water within 30 seconds.