EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/27/2001
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed. / 5160
Page 1 of 4
FSM 5100 – fire management
Chapter 5160 – fire management equipment and supplies
/ Forest Service Manual
northern region (region 1)
missoula, mt
fsM 5100 – fire management
chapteR 5160 – fire management equipment and supplies
Supplement No.: R1 5100-2001-6
Effective Date: September 27, 2001
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: kathleen a. mcallisterActing Regional Forester / Date Approved: 09/06/2001
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Title and calendar year. Post by document; remove entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was 5100-2001-5 to FSM 5140.
New Document(s): / 5160 / 4 PagesSuperseded Document(s):
(Supplement Number and Effective Date) / 5160 (Supplement 5100-95-1, 11/08/95) / 3 Pages
Digest:
5161.31 - Establishes minimum standards for engine management in the Intermountain/Northern Regions.
Establishes optical and audio warning device standards in the Intermountain/Northern Regions.
5161 - FIRE MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENt
5161.31 - Pumps and Engines
Type 6, type 4, and type 3 engines are approved for use in the Intermountain/Northern Regions. These engines, as a minimum, must have a tank capacity of 300 gallons, be equipped with an approved foam concentrate metering system, and be staffed by a 3-person effective crew, 7 days per week.
Field units shall maintain engines that, when fire ready including crew, do not exceed 90 percent of the chassis manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). In addition, a completely equipped engine (fire ready) shall not exceed 90 percent of the chassis manufacturer's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). These standards are outlined in the USDA Forest Service Wildland Engine Guide.
Engines that meet the requirements and are adopted for procurement and use in Intermountain/Northern Regions are Models 52, 62, and 75. The Water Handling Equipment Guide (NFES No. 1275) describes these models in detail.
1. Type 4, and Type 6 Engine Standards. The Northern Region Model 52 is adopted as the standard for use in the Intermountain Region. Following are some characteristics of this model:
a. A 300-gallon (type 6), or 750-gallon (type 4) fiberglass or polypropylene tank.
b. The tank, pump, control panel, and utility boxes are pre-assembled, and installed on a chassis, equipped with a flatbed, as a complete package.
c. All configurations are designed to be operated by a 3-person crew.
e. These units may be equipped with a Wajax BB-4 single stage centrifugal pump and 18 hp motor.
Other pumps, which meet ICS Type 4, or 6 requirements, are available. Pump ratings for this unit should not fall below 79 gpm at 50 psi and 41 gpm at 250 psi.
2. Type 3 Engine Standards. The Pacific Southwest Region Model 62, and the Pacific Northwest Region Model 75 have been adopted as the standard for use in the Intermountain/Northern Regions. Some characteristics of this model are as follows:
a. A 500-gallon tank.
b. Pump rating of 300 gpm at 150 psi.
c. Pump driven by a Power Take Off (PTO).
3. Engine Staffing. The minimum staffing standard for engines within the Intermountain/Northern Regions is 3-persons, effective 7 days per week. The minimum crew configuration consists of the following:
a. Supervisory Fire Engine Operator, GS-462-7*
b. Fire Engine Operator (FEO), GS-462-6*
c. Senior Firefighter, GS-462-4/5
d. Firefighter, GS-462-2/3/4 (2 each)
*Must meet FSH 5109.17 qualification requirements for Single Resource Boss (Engine) and Initial Attack Incident Commander-ICT4.
4. Optical and Audio Warning Devices. Equip all wildland fire engines with optical and audio warning devices. The Intermountain/Northern Regions use the optical and audio warning devices standard as stated in NFPA 1906 (National Fire Protection Association Standard for Wildland Fire Apparatus). Forest Supervisors may approve equipping other wildland fire vehicles with optical and audio warning devices. Examples of other wildland fire vehicles include Fire Management Officer; Assistant Fire Management Officer; Patrols, and other vehicles assigned to resources with initial, or extended attack responsibility.
The following policy shall be adhered to for use of optical and audio warning devices in the operation of wildland fire engines and other wildland fire-related equipment:
a. Operate vehicles used for fire emergency purposes with optical, and audio warning devices in compliance with agency policy, and state laws. Only operators having successfully completed special training, and certification may activate optical, and audio warning devices during emergency responses. Refer to FSH 7109.19 (Fleet Equipment Management Handbook) for training requirements.
b. Use optical and audio warning devices to warn the public of the presence of emergency vehicles. Do not depended on these devices to clear the right-of-way. When operating optical and audio warning devices, the responsibility to assure that the right-of-way is clear lies with the equipment operator and not the general public.
c. Confine use of optical and audio warning devices to responses of an emergency nature. This refers to actual fire or life-threatening situations. Resources identified to respond on initial and extended attack are considered to be responding to an emergency, and may activate optical and audio warning devices if all of the above criteria are met. Activate only the rear-facing amber lights when the emergency vehicle cannot keep up with the normal flow of traffic.
d. A qualified automotive technician/mechanic must install optical and audio warning devices according to manufacturer's specifications.
e. Blue lenses, strobes, or lights are not approved for installation/use on Wildland Fire Apparatus within the Intermountain/Northern Regions.