Richardson Citizen's Fire Academy

Class 17, Week 3

We had dinner from Golden Chick. Four of us that had done Ride-Outs over the past week reported on our experiences. We were introduced to Captain Younger from Station 5, and he talked about their Engine #3 that was on site. It's an E-One HP78 Quint. Loaded with equipment and full tanks, it weighs about 63000 pounds. The model number indicates that the aerial ladder has a 78' reach from the ground. It's capable of pumping between 2000-2500 gallons per minute. It carries a 500 gallon water tank and a 15 gallon tank of class A foam. Equipment includes 1 3/4" and 3" ground hose and 1000' feet of 5" hose (for hydrant hookup). It also is stocked with a full set of ground ladders (16', 24' and 35') plus "A" frame ladders. It also has a smaller tank of Class B foam used for hydrocarbons such as gasoline.

We learned that fire requires four things: fuel, oxygen, heat, and a chemical reaction. Fires can be extinguished by removing any of those four things. For example, forest and brush fires often are left to burn out, but roadways are used and trenches are dug to create borders, removing fuel. Putting a lid on a pan in a kitchen fire removes oxygen. Water not only removes heat, but slows the chemical reaction. Fog and foam can also be used, and we learned that foam has many advantages. It permeates porous materials like wood very well. It "coats" very well, so can create an excellent defensive barrier (e.g. coat the wall of the house next door to keep a house fire from spreading). It is also very lightweight. Water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon and is incompressible. Filling an attic with foam will prevent a fire from spreading through that space, but also dramatically decreases the possibility of a roof collapse, which is very common when water is sprayed into an attic. A mixture of 0.2% to 0.5% of foam is all that's needed, and that's often mixed with air to create a larger foam surface area. Also, in more northern climates, foam is more resistant to freezing than water. We learned that moving a 5" hose full of water takes a lot of strength. Most modern fire engines are now equipped with CAFS (Compressed Air Foam Systems).

We all went out to the equipment room and found bunker gear to fit us. Pants, coat, boots, helmet, and gloves. A full set of gear weighs about 40 pounds, and keeps you really warm. Even though it was 70 degrees outside and we weren't doing anything very strenuous, it got really hot later. Imagine fighting a fire when it's 100 degrees outside. Most of the gear was hand-me-down stuff, and some of the pieces had names embroidered in them (I even recognized a couple names), so they duct-taped the coats and pants with our names so we could locate them easily next time.

Then we went outside to learn about pumps and hoses. We split into two groups. My group went to the quint to learn how to control the outriggers and the aerial ladder and its spray controls. We learned how to tap a hydrant and run a hose to the pumper. Then learned how to switch from the onboard tank to the city water supply and direct it to the aerial monitor. You have to extend, lower and adjust the outriggers before the aerial ladder can be moved. You have to rotate, then raise, then extend the aerial ladder to avoid undue wear and tear. We all got to climb on top of the quint and learn to work the controls.

Then we switched vehicles and went to the engine to get a chance to work the ground hoses. We each got a turn aiming and adjusting a smaller hose and a larger one while seated.

Richardson Citizen's Fire Academy

Class 17, Week 2

Dinner was provided by "Steve's Deli", which consisted of make-it-yourself sandwiches, chips and drinks. Since the weather was a bit bad, they switched week 2 and 7. We were *supposed* to be outside most of this session, but the change will keep us indoors instead. Not only that, but next Sunday's switch to DST will give us an extra hour of daylight outside.

We heard from Matt Garrett, from the office of emergency management. He had a lot of information from various agencies, and we got a lot of information that was provided by wwwKnowWhat2Do.com, including a DVD, booklet, and reference card. We got handouts and learned about the SNAP program. SNAP also provided us all with a first aid kit. They gave us a refrigerator magnet with the poison control number (1-800-222-1222) listed on it. The KnowWhat2Do philosophy is based on Think*Prepare*Act, and we learned about Richardson's plans along those three lines. We learned about Richardson's plans in all kinds of emergencies, and the likelyhood of them all. Matt advised us about our own home and car "kits", and how we should prepare ourselves for an emergency in which we lose services like water and power. He talked about water, food, camera, battery-operated or crank-up radio and flashlight, Leatherman, first aid kit, medications. If you have pets, don't forget their food and dishes for their water and food. If you've got kids, diapers, formula, wipes, etc. Whistle, filter masks, maps, Clorox wipes, space blanket... He mentioned that there is government funding coming soon that will help provide up to half the cost of a storm shelter (safe room), bringing the cost of such a thing from about $6000 to a little more affordable $3000.

Steve Jennings talked to us about the Trash Bash coming up on April 23 and passed out information about that.

We learned about the Ride Out program's rules and procedures, got information in writing, and were given the opportunity to sign up. We have to wear closed-toed shoes (tennis shoes), jeans, and our Academy T-Shirt. We were told about good optional "bribery items" to bring along. Station #2 likes Blue Bell ice cream. Station #6 likes chips and salsa and peanut butter. Go figure. I signed up for a Ride Out on Tuesday 3/13 from 9-5 at station #2. I'll get to spend the whole day at the station, work with the firemen, and will go along on any alarm calls they receive.

At 9pm we all convoyed down Greenville Aveue and got a tour of the 911 Communications Center. When we arrived, they informed us that they were handling two separate "in progress" calls upstairs, and we could come up, but we'd have to be very quiet until the excitement was over. So we hung around outside a glass wall and watched what was happening, and got a demonstration of the computer hardware and software on an extra workstation that was set apart from the main area.

Richardson Citizen's Fire Academy

Class 17, Week 1

We got Dickey's BBQ for dinner. Signed waivers and filled out contact information forms. Introduced to Chief Palomba, Chief Dossett, and CFA Alumni Association members that were there. We learned about the mentor program, the ride-out program, and found that we'd get shirts the following week that we should wear for all group pictures. Lots of pictures! During the last class over 1400 pictures were taken. At the end of the class, we'll receive a flash drive containing all the pictures. Signed up for announcements of photos available on Google. Since 1999, there have been 320 participants. In 2011, the RFD responded to 8,845 calls, 220 more than in 2010. In 1926, the RFD got its first fire engine - a Reo with 35 HP, a 24' ladder, capable of pumping 300 GPM. It cost $2500. In 1958, the RFD responded to 173 alarms. We learned why Fire Prevention Week is in October (the great Chicago fire was October 9, 1956). We learned why fire trucks are still red. We learned why fire hydrants are still sometimes called "Fire Plugs". We learned why Dalmations are associated with the fire department. Met at Firestation #4 and got a tour. We should dress comfortably next week. We'll be issued our "suits".

18) Pat's Matching Pairs

Pat's pulling socks and mittens out of the closet. There are six identical mittens (they can be worn either on the left or the rigth hand) and nine identical-looking socks in the closet.

How many pieces of apparel had to be taken out of the closet in order to be sure to find: 1) a matching pair; 2) 3 identical matching pairs; and 3) 4 pairs of socks?

17) Little Freddie

In a few weeks little Freddie will celebrate his tenth birthday. In 11 years Freddie will be half the average age of his parents. His mother is only 17 years older than her son. How old are Freddie's father and mother?

16) Albert the Fat One

Four members of the Knott family intended to cross a lake in a small rubber dinghy. They soon discovered that it wouldn't carry more than 200 pounds, and that's what Albert weighed all by himself!

The rest of the Knott family were considierably lighter. Gigi, for instance, weighed in at only 104 pounds. Nita's weight was six pounds less, and all four Knotts together did not weigh more than 494 pounds. But weight was not the only problem. Nita Knott didn't know how to row (although everyone else, including Mona) did.

After considerable debate, teh Knotts figured out a way to cross the lake safely. What was their solution?

15) Goodbye Mr. Fisk

It was wartime when the Fisks found out they were going to have a baby. Harry Fisk was called to duty - a call he accepted bravely. He did not leave, however, until he had made out a will.

He determined that the money in a savings account - $14,000 - was to be divided between his wife and his child-to-be. If the child were a boy, his wife was to give him twice the amount of her portion. If the child were a girl, the mother would get tiwce the amount the girl was to receive.

We can't begin to understand what was going on in Mr. Fisk's mind to leave such a will. And we never will find out because, as fate would have ti, Mr. Fisk did not return. Mrs. Fisk gave birth to fraternal twins. You guess it - she had a boy and a girl!

How was the money divided?

14) Summer Home

The Gooch family, the McCoy family, a bachelor, and a couple without children have decided to buy a summer home together. They divided the purchase price based on the sizes of their families adn how much time they would be spending in the house.

The summer house costs $264,000. The smaller of the two families - the McCoys - have two children and will carry one third of the cost. The oarger of the two - the Gooch family - will pay three times the amount of the bachelor's share and twice the amount the couple will pay.

How much will each party have to pay, and what equity in the house are they buying for their money?

13) Three Generations

Grandfather Hooper figured out the following: "My son Charley is 24 years younger than I am and 35 years older than my grandson, Tiny Tim. Together our ages add up to 100."

How old are they?

12) Brothers

Richard is 33 years old today. This is three times as old as his brother Philip was when Richard was the age that Philip is today.

How old is Philips?

11) Mr. Hooper Takes a Nap

Mr. Hooper goes to work by a private bus that picks up all the company's employees. He gets on at the first stop and has a long way to go, so he usually naps along the way.

Today, Mr. Hooper is particularly tired. He falls asleep when the bus still has twice as far to go as it has already gone.

Halfway through the trip he wakes up as the bus bounces over some bad potholes. When he finally falls asleep again, the bus still has half the distance to go that it has already traveled. Mr. Hooper wakes up at the end of the trip.

What portion of the total trip did Mr. Hooper sleep?

10) Waterlilies

The lake had only one waterlily in the beginning of June. But then it rapidly became covered with waterlilies. The area covered doubled daily. By the end of June, the lake was completely covered.

1. At what point was half the lake covered with waterlilies?
2. How long would it take for two waterlilies to completely cover the lake?

9) Apple Cider

How can you measure one liter of apple cider out of a barrel, if all you have available is a 3-liter and a 5-liter pitcher?

8) Egg Salad

Farmer Tuttle has many hens. He knows that 20 of them, housed in three coops, will hatch 30 eggs in 18 days.

How long will it take for 30 hens, housed in four coops, to hatch the same number of eggs?

7) Identical Twins

Andrea and Bonnie are identical twins. Well, identical except for one thing: Andrea always tells lies, while Bonnie always tells the truth.

What question could you ask of the two of them in order to tell who is who?

6) Number Please

What is the smallest five-digit number in which the digit in the 10's place is twice the digit in the 1,000's place (and neither digit is zero)?

5) A Fair Split

A large cookie is to be divided between two children. They are both anxious to have the cutting done fairly so that the other doesn't end up with a bigger piece.

How can the children be sure that they have received a true half of the cookie?

4) Duet

1. A farmer combined two compost heaps with three others. How many compost heaps does he have?
2. A large family contains seven sons and each one of them has one sister. How many people are in the family?

3) Allowance

On the way home from school Tom found out that he got only half the allowance that Mark got. (Mark is not much older than Tom.) Suzi is three years older and receives three times what Tom gets. Together, the three receive $144.

How much is each student actually getting?

2) Classmates

Bob, Tim and Lisa are classmates, but they differ greatly in their heights. Tim is 14 inches taller than Lisa. The difference between Tim and Bob's height is two inches less than between Bob and Lisa's. Tim at 6 feet 6 inches is the tallest in the class.

How tall are Bob and Lisa?