By Bryan Hoffman on November 16, 2009

Structure collapse rescue training. Click for more.
The Park City Fire District hosted a 40-hour Structure Collapse Rescue training program conducted by Tech Rescue Training of Salt Lake City. Under the watchful eye of a Tech Rescue instructor, members of the PCFD Urban Search & Rescue Team, Chris Pruyn, Darren Nelson, Scott Rapshus, and Justin Jolley, use the basic principles of leverage and inclined planes to move a 5,000 lb. section of jersey barrier. Other topics covered from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Urban Search & Rescue Field Operations Guide included FEMA procedures, vertical and horizontal shoring techniques, and the location and extrication of victims of structural collapse. (photo by Mark Hoffman)
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Posted in Firefighter Training | Tagged Firefighter Training
By Bryan Hoffman on September 1, 2009

The Ranger. Click above for more pics.
Backcountry Rescue Vehicle
One of the great assets of the Park City area is the numerous trails that allow those who live in, and visit, Summit County to enjoy nature. These trails have challenged Park City Fire Service District in accessing patients and those who need help. To overcome these challenges, the Fire District maintains several vehicles for back country rescue. The Pinebrook Fire Station maintains two snowmobiles during the winter and one four-wheeler during the summer. The bulk of the back country rescue gear is kept at the Holiday Ranch Loop Road Fire Station. This equipment includes two mountain bikes and an off-road vehicle called “The Ranger” (see photo, click for more).
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Posted in Equipment | Tagged Equipment, Vehicles
By Bryan Hoffman on April 28, 2009

Custom-built KME Predator rear mount pumper
The Park City Fire District recently took delivery of a new custom-built KME Predator rear mount pumper for Station 38 in lower Deer Valley.
This engine was specifically designed for the narrow streets and the steep hills in the Old Town area of Park City. It has a short overall length and wheel base, giving it a tight turning radius. The pump is a 1500 GPM S series Waterous with a Foam Pro 2002 foam injection system. The power plant is a Cummins ISL 425 HP in front of a 5-speed Allison World automatic transmission. The body has rescue style deep compartments with a fully enclosed heated pump panel. It has a 500 gallon booster tank, 1000 ft. of 5 inch and 600 ft. of 2 ½ inch hose. This engine has 2 pre-connected speedlay trays with 200 ft. of 1 ¾ inch attack lines. An extended front bump provides room for 150 ft. of 1 ¾ inch attack line. The rear has 300 ft. of pre-connected 2 ½. All the hose is protected from the weather by custom designed compartments.
Posted in Equipment | Tagged Equipment, Vehicles
By Bryan Hoffman on April 28, 2009

Firefighters training on a live fire
Over 30 training fires started
During the week of April 21-25, the Park City Fire District was able to participate in live fire training exercises. Over 30 fires were started in the former Kids Kampus (or Miss Billie’s) Preschool at 4120 N. Highway 224. These were small one room fires intended to train firefighters in a new tactic called “Positive Pressure Attack”. This involves coordinating interior fire attack with horizontal positive pressure ventilation from the exterior. In these scenarios, firefighters were placed inside of the room while the fire was developing. They would then observe the effect of proper ventilation on fire conditions. A separate firefighting crew would perform the coordinated attack and extinguish the fire. An immediate review of each fire revealed significantly increased visibility, ease of approach to the fire, and the quick removal of heat and smoke from the fire room. This training experience will help the PCFD to do their job more effectively and improve firefighter safety at the same time.
Posted in Firefighter Training | Tagged Firefighter Training