Fire Engine Alternator Dies in the Backcountry. What do you do?

We were driving our fire engine and chase truck in the backcountry of the Helena Forest, Montana. Our engine electronics started going out, from our mobile radio (no communications) to the headlights. The volt meter inside the engine was going down quickly. We turned off all auxiliary electronics and turned the engine around to start heading back towards the closest town that was many miles away.
The alternator dies on a logging road and engine is non operational. Instead of calling a mechanic for an expensive service repair. We parked the chase truck next to the engine, hooked up the battery jump cables and charged the fire engine batteries for a bit. We started the engine then started the engine pump. The engine pump has its own alternator. The pump alternator is what we used to keep the diesel engine important electronics (fuel pump and oil solenoid) running. The volt meter inside the engine went from nothing to 12 volts. That was enough volts to drive the engine from the middle of nowhere to a certified mechanic. We had a new alternator in the engine the following day and back in service!
The first picture is the engine alternator, the second picture is the pump alternate, the third picture is the volt meter coming up to 12 volts.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10

One of the BIGGEST Shows in the Air

Pocatello Air Tanker Base has one if the biggest tankers in the nation refilling at our base to fight the Lodgepole Fire in Challis, Idaho. Our crew had a chance to drive to the base and check it out. The DC-10 Air Tanker is an American wide body jet air tanker, which has been in service since 2006. It's a converted DC McDonnell Douglas DC-10 airliner, that is now used in to fight wildland fires.  It can carry roughly 12,000 U.S. gallons of water or retardant in the exterior belly tanks. It takes roughly 30 minutes to fill up. The contents can be released in 8 seconds. It is an impressive aircraft.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10

Granite Mountain Hotshots

Watch "Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshots Tribute" on YouTube

This is a well put together tribute for our fellow firefighters. They will be missed.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10

Idaho National Guard Search and Rescue

The Idaho National Guard put on a search and rescue training for the:  B.L.M., U.S. Forest Service, Inkom Fire Department, and Power County E.M.S.
Class room training was done at the Pocatello Fields Office then moved on to live helicopter training at East Fork Nordic Center at Scout Mountain on Thursday, 10th.
The Idaho National Guard, out of Boise, flew in two Lakota helicopters for the live training session, that were equipped with a 250 foot side winch to lower and raise an individual. The students were briefed and practiced low level patient winch evacuation. Plus hot (helicopter rotors still moving) loading and unloading of patients from the helicopter while landed on the ground. The Lakota patient doors are located at the rear of the helicopter. That was personally unsettling for me due to the fact from my previous years as a fire helirappler to never walk near a helicopter tail rotor.
We learned great E.M.S unified tactics and proper protocols if we need to call the National Guard for assistance.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10

2 1/2 Mile Fire Went Gunny

We were performing a burnout out operation when the other side of fire had an ember cross the dozer line and created a spot fire that almost compromised our vehicle staging area.

The flames that were coming off the junipers were over 50 feet in height. I could feel the heat from the flame front that was approaching. I suddenly became their lookout and we luckily only had minor damage to an ATV from the flame front and nobody was hurt.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10

2 1/2 Fire

Donavin mopping up with little sleep from the night before.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10

Portneuf Medical Center gets a new helicopter!

Fort Hall Fire Department and Portneuf Medical Center invited us to see Portneuf new Augusta helicopter. We refreshed our landing zone and patient loading procedures.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.10

Defensable Space for Your Home

Charlotte Fire

The Charlotte Fire of 2012 destroyed over 60 homes near the city of Pocatello, Idaho.  After the fire shoock the community, I had many residence come talk to me about defensible fire space for their home.  I found a great video made by Cal Fire with some good advice that may help.

CAL FIRE Inspects for Defensible Space

Welcome!

I have been a wildland firefighter for over a decade and enjoy dealing with the community.  The majority of firefighters enjoy spending time with their community members sharing knowledge when they have questions.  This blog was created for all fire personnel and their community to discuss fire related topics that may be on their mind.  Please feel free to open a discussion and post replies.