In my opinion,rear mounted pumps put crews in the path of traffic,not good.
If anything they improve safety on the fireground as well as the situational awareness of the pump operator. Park in the fend off position, and nothing states as pump operator, on a road you have to stand at the back the whole time you are operating the pump.
The cheaper hose reels do not release easy like the hanney ones,so by the time you get the hose out youve lost alot of energy.
If you get that tired pulling a hose reel, how about looking at your general fitness? I know that it's hard some times - try pulling hose from a 24 with the reels' gear box rooted.
The BA cylinders are bad for our backs,way too heavy when we could use lighter ones.
They're not 'bad' for our back, they are just heavy. If you are wearing your set correctly, the weight should be distributed over your hips rather than your back. Once again... personal fitness?
The Cabs are very high and the centre of gravity is more dangerous than a proper designed fire appliance.
The trucks are high because most of them are are 4x4, as already stated here. Look at the SAMFS pumps, even they have a few steps up into hte cab. You don't want NSWFB coach-style trucks do you?
I think a committee (1 staff and 4 vollies) within each region to design and determine where new appliances go within their own region would be a good idea. we are all adults and im sure those on the committee are mature enough to see their region as a whole and not be their to benefit themselves.
It doesn't matter how mature you are, but it is simply impossible for people from a certain brigade to see things from anothers point of veiw. I have never seen a running grass fire in a paddock, how can I possibly imagine what equipment/stowage/truck setup would be ideal? Its the same with people from rural areas commenting on pumpers. What there needs to be is a state committee made up of a number of people from as many areas as possible. Perhaps 20+? The problem then, just like on this board, is separating the people who know what they are talking about from the oxygen theives.
Yeh yeh thats right ,because once you become an officer of senior rank or a groupy all your brains get sucked out ,your years of experience evaporate into nothing more than unintelligeable,disjointed thoughts and your no good for anything other than sitting in a air-conditioned vehicle or base ,making dumbass decisions that will ultimately lead to the demise of the whole organisation!!
Yeah pretty much.
