Transformer Fire 20th st and Yale

About 16:15 or so I heard a report from possibly Engine 5 that they had heard an explosion somewhere near 20th st and McDowell. I grabbed my camera and headed there immediately. I did not hear the call, when I got there Engine 5 was there as well as Haz Mat 4, a rescue, and South Deputy. The police showed up shortly after I did but, not seeing anyone worth harassing they left. Channel 3 got there before me, a white unmarked van with a dish on top showed up and left, and the Fox 10 helicopter hovered about (slow news day). I left around 16:40.



Since it was about 102 in the shade and nothing much was happening I left.

Dryer Fire to House Fire

At aprox 11:15 I hear a call for a dryer fire near 51st street and Virginia. Engine 13 was called and arrived on scene rather quickly as their station is only about 3 blocks from where the fire was. They arrived on scene and immediately upgraded the call to a 3 in 1 house fire. Additional apparatus were called including Scottsdale Engine 601, Scottsdale Engine 603, Ladder 11, Rescue 11 (Rescue 13 had been dispatched on another call), LT 12, Squad 29, Battalion 2, Battalion 5, an unmarked in bad need of a paint job utility truck, and CR 41.

The fire had spread to the attic and the family of 4 evacuated. Battalion 5 was 51st st. command and from what I heard on the scanner it sounded like Ladder 11 was in some kind of trouble (for what I am not sure). The crews had fire control and par by about 11:40, I left about 11:45 and passed CR41 inbound.

Apartment Fire 2902 E. Fillmore

Alarm time aprox. 10:50. Ladder 11, Rescue 11, Engine 29, Squad 29 (heavy rescue), Battalion 2, and south deputy. Utility 29 was called but did not acknowledge till 11:10 (and was canceled) so Utility 10 was called around 10:59 and responded on scene at aprox 11:10. Also a CR van was called and an investigator.

The fire was on the second floor of an apartment complex. I had just turned on the scanner when I heard the call. I scrambled to get my shoes on, grabbed my camera and Garmin Nuvi 760 GPS. This is the second time I was able to use it to get to a fire and it saves me a lot of time.

I arrived on scene just behind south deputy at about 10:56. The fire was knocked down by then. I took a few pics and waited around till I heard they had fire control and all clear. 5 people were displaced. Police showed up at 11:05 and gave me a dirty look as I walked by them to leave. All clear was called at 11:10. Channel 3 news was on scene as well.

Nother Humat Valve!

3 in 1 House Fire 61st ave and Highland

New tactic. Since The PFD is so efficient and leaves me with practically nothing to post I will start posting all fires I go to regardless of lack of action.

So here is an attic fire in an apparently empty house. This afternoon I got there at 10 minutes elapsed time and it was all clear.


Look.....

humat valve... isn't it cute?

2009 Fire Season Starts

It looks like the 2009 fire season is well on it's way. After a long dry spell this winter I have been to 3 fires in the last week. However all 3 were out before I could get there, so no pics. Maybe next time.

I Want One!

Amazing New Water-Powered Jet Pack - Watch more Free Videos

The HUMAT Valve

Due to the insane number of visits to my blog by people searching for "humat valve" I am posting this entry:

The Humat valve is manufactured by Humat, Inc. which is located in Forest Hills Maryland. It was founded by Bob Hughes, Hurley Matthews, and Nick Borst to develop and market to the fire service products that improve water handling on the fire ground. How it got it's name I don't know.

The Humat 4-way Hydrant Valve, is used by innovating fire departments in every state and is relied on for training by leading fire schools. Using Humat valves is the most efficient method to get the most water on the fireground in the least amount of time. It is made of lightweight aluminum alloy for easy handling, heat treated for extra strength and hard coated to prevent corrosion and increase surface strength.

Here is an exploded view of one with storz connections.
And here is an exploded view with standard connections.
See the difference.

Here are some simple illustrations on how to use one:
Here as the features that can be found on the valves.

* Maximum Capacity. Main valve chamber has an interior
diameter of 5 1/2". The smaller chamber has an interior
diameter of 4".
* Minimum Training. Proficiency is quickly acquired to
incorporating Humat Valves into your attach procedures. 1/4
turn of the handle for full operation.
* Simplicity of Design. Only one manual control for complete
operation. The handle position immediately indicates
whether the interior butterfly valve is open or closed.
* No Reverse Twist. Operation is equally efficient with
smaller chamber in up or down position depending on
location of fire.
* Flow Never Interrupted. Water flow is increased from
hydrant pressure to pump pressure automatically with no
interruption of flow when pump pressure is activated.
* Versatility. Flanged couplings are available with virtually any
nonstandard thread or waterway size, including Storz type
couplings.

So there you are!