Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow
One of Yogi Berra’s famous sayings was, “The future isn’t what it used to be.” As the fire service goes kickin’ and screamin’ forward, there are many changes lying ahead, and we probably have some clues as to what they will be, though we do not know for sure.
One of the more discussed changes that has now cracked the eggshell open is electric fire apparatus. However, not much has been discussed about the changes in fire stations to accommodate the switch from diesel to electric.
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This may not be on your radar, but if your stations are less than 35 to 40 years old, then you will likely have electric fire apparatus in your stations. Most certainly, if you are building a new station, you might as well plan on electric fire trucks. From a firefighter health perspective, electric fire apparatus in the station is an incredibly significant advancement. The elimination of fossil fuels is much healthier than trying to capture and remove the carcinogens they produce. There is no need for diesel exhaust removal systems.
A few months ago, the mayor of Charlotte (NC) stated she wanted the fire department (from which I am retired) to purchase an electric fire truck and put it in an all-electric station. No fossil fueled engines were to be on the property except for the firefighters’ personal vehicles—and I am sure there will be incentives to minimize their parking on the property. Moreover, she stated that the funding for the truck and for the station would not come from the fire department budget but from other sources. Whoa. This declaration is a prime example of the commitment to green energy by many of those in governing positions.
Several questions immediately came to mind as this relates to the station. What is the backup power plan in case the grid fails? Currently, all stations in the department have backup generators to power the entire station. What happens when the electric apparatus is in for repair/maintenance and all the reserve apparatus are nonelectric? What happens when the electric apparatus is at the training academy all day or deployed on an extended incident requiring a company move up from another station to maintain coverage in the area? These are among the questions to be answered.
From a firefighter safety perspective, there are station design considerations. The fire wall ratings probably need to be increased as electric fire trucks burn much hotter than diesel-powered fire trucks. The station sprinkler system will need to provide more capacity. The bottom line—basic life safety codes for the station will be more robust than current standards.
Based on current knowledge, it is wise to include additional conduit sleeves for electrical lines and a dedicated electrical room large enough to house the equipment needed for an all-electric station. Of course, there is a need to include in the feasibility studies for a new station or station renovation the current capacity of the electrical grid. Is it large enough to power the station? Most rural areas currently do not have the capacity.
It is important to include the outside stakeholders in your electric station/electric fire truck procurement process. They must have a full understanding of the often-overlooked needs. The procurement process must include a vision of emerging electrical needs, such as a landing zone for larger drones, possible use of UVC light for decontamination, sensory devices throughout the station (motion, smoke, HVAC, etc.), parking lot charging stations for firefighters’ personal vehicles, solar panels that track the sun, information monitors throughout, and so on.
A natural reaction to all of this is that it will not happen anytime soon. However, keep in mind that the $550 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed last year includes the following: $65 billion for power distribution; $65 billion for high-speed internet; $11 billion for safety; and $7.5 billion for electrical vehicle infrastructure. As the late-great Senator Everett Dirksen (R-IL) is attributed to saying, “A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon, you’re talking about real money.”
One of the more frequent sayings about firefighters is that there are only two things they dislike—change and the way things are. I suspect this will continue to be applicable and, as we reflect on the evolution of fire apparatus through the generations, we realize “the future ain’t what it used to be.”
ROBERT TUTTEROW retired as safety coordinator for the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. His 44-year career includes 10 as a volunteer. He has been very active in the National Fire Protection Association through service on the Fire Service Section Executive Board and technical committees involved with safety, apparatus, and personal protective equipment. He is a founding member and president of the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.).
