Mod 3: Equipment

Vehicle Machinery Level I

EquipmentTool Cache

PPEFire SuppressionStabilization and Lifting EquipmentExtrication Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective EquipmentHeadgear – NFPA,UIAA, CEFootwearGloves – Fire Protection / Extrication StyleHeadlamp Eye ProtectionTurn Out Gear or Extrication suitSCBA

Personal Protective EquipmentHeadgear

Three point suspensionHigh adjustabilityVentilation propertiesApproved protective shellLightweightNarrow profile

LightingLightweightVariable settings

Personal Protective EquipmentFire Helmets shall be

worn where fire hazard has not been completely mitigated or managed.

Helmets should be in compliance with NFPA standards.

Personal Protective EquipmentGloves

Provide dexterity Weather and environment

appropriate Reinforced to Protect palm

and fingers Fire Protection required

where fire hazard has not been mitigated or managed.

Blood Born Pathogen Protection is a desired feature due to the high probability of exposure

Single purpose gloves vs. multi purpose gloves.

Cut Rating (5)

Personal Protective EquipmentFootwear

Provide ankle supportWeather and environment appropriateNon slip sole with aggressive treadFire ProtectionToe Protection

Eye ProtectionImpact ResistantFog Resistant

Personal Protective EquipmentTurn Out Gear or

Extrication Suit are ensemble of Choice to provide cut resistance as well as fire protection.

Personal Protective EquipmentSCBA shall be worn

during fire suppression operations and personnel in full fire PPE shall be in standby positions during extrication operations.

Fire SuppressionAppropriate

apparatus shall be in place as well as fire suppression capabilities to address the potential volume and type of fire.

Due to the potential variables, multiple resources should be in place.

Stabilization EquipmentVertical Stabilization and Lifting

Struts and JacksCribbing

Horizontal StabilizationChain AssembliesWenchesStraps

SupportWreckers

Stabilization EquipmentStruts and Jacks are

designed to capture the load and either lift or pressurize to prevent movement of the vehicle.

These devices may be pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical.

Engineering capacities of these devices should be known and utilized to safely configure and apply such devices.

Stabilization EquipmentHydraulic components

utilize hydraulic fluid and pumps to pressurize or lift the load. Most of these elements do not provide a secondary mechanical capture and must be used in conjunction with cribbing or other elements to capture any progress of the load.

Stabilization Equipment

Stabilization EquipmentMechanical components

may be extended into place and pressurized utilizing lateral tensioning devices such as chain or strap assemblies or integrated levers / cranks.

These systems may require additional elements to provide lateral stability.

Stabilization Equipment

Stabilization EquipmentPneumatic

components typically combine mechanical elements with pneumatic elements and can be pressurized into place or utilized to chase or lift the load.

These systems may also require lateral stabilization components.

Stabilization Equipment

Stabilization EquipmentCribbing may be

manufactured or timber components and engineering capacities and configurations should be known to safely configure and apply.

Cribbing systems may include wedges, step chocks, and specialized pieces.

Box Cribbing

24000 #

54000 #

Stabilization Equipment

Stabilization EquipmentAirbag components

include:AirbagsHosesAir SupplyRegulatorControllerAccessories

Stabilization EquipmentAirbags may be utilized to stabilize or lift a

vehicle.There are three basic types of airbags:

High Pressure – utilize 90 – 145 psi operating pressure. Minimal inflation heights.

Medium Pressure – utilize 8-12 psi operating pressure. Medium inflation heights.

Low Pressure – utilize 7 psi operating pressure. Maximum inflation heights.

Stabilization Equipment

Stabilization EquipmentAirbag capacities are based on the relationship

between surface contact and pressure. This may be roughly calculated with the following formula:Surface contact area X internal pressure = capacityWith most airbags this results in decreased lifting

capacities as the airbag height increases.Stacking airbags increases both lifting height and

lifting capacity.There are significant design variables with

airbags that greatly impact this relationship as well as the applications for the airbags.

Stabilization Equipment Airbag operations require an air

supply which is typically an SCBA cylinder or apparatus cascade system.

The air supply must be regulated to the operating pressure of the airbags.

Hoses carrying the air supply should be color coded to differentiate airbags. Different pressure airbags utilize

different pressure hoses. An airbag controller is required to

inflate and deflate the airbags. Shut off valves can be placed at

the airbags to allow disconnection of hoses.

Stabilization EquipmentSome air bags have

specialized accessories that allow connecting one airbag to another, point loading, and inflation and deflation procedures that work in conjunction with pneumatic struts.

Stabilization EquipmentHorizontal stabilization

equipment includes:Cribbing/ChocksChain AssembliesStrap AssembliesWinches

This equipment may be utilized to provide lateral stability to vehicles as well as vertical stabilization devices.

Stabilization EquipmentChain Assemblies are comprised of:

ChainHooksMaster LinksChain ShortenerCome-A-Long

These components can be utilized to tension oblects or to move objects.

Stabilization EquipmentChain for rescue

applications is typically grade 80 or grade 70 chain.Grade 80 is a heat treated

alloy steel chain that can be identified by embossing that contains the number 8.

Grade 70 is a heat treated carbon steel that can be identified by embossing that contains the number 7.

Chains should also be equipped with an ID tag that identifies the WLL (working load limit).

Stabilization EquipmentTwo types of hooks

for rescue applications:Sling Hooks typically

possess a latch and are designed to attach to a built in lifting point.

Grab Hooks are designed to attach to links of chain.

Stabilization EquipmentMaster Links also

known as oblong rings are designed to be connecting points between the chain and the pulling device.

Chain Shorteners are used to adjust the length of the chain

Stabilization EquipmentCome-A-Longs

typically have a capacity of 2-3 tons and are available in two different types:Cable Hoist – utilizes

a steel cable.Chain Hoist –

utilizes a chain.

Stabilization EquipmentStrap Assemblies are

comprised of a webbing strap, ratchet strap, and hooks.

These assemblies may be used in conjunction with chains, links, and tow clusters.

Stabilization EquipmentWinches are typically

fixed or mobile units that are mounted to fire apparatus and utilize an electric motor to pull the steel cable.

Stabilization EquipmentWhen the load of the

vehicle involved or the placement of the vehicle exceed the stabilization capacities of emergency responders, supporting agencies such as wrecker should be utilized.

Wreckers provide much greater capabilities for lifting and stabilizing heavy or precariously positioned vehicles.

Stabilization Equipment

Extrication EquipmentExtrication tools perform cutting and

spreading operations that are intended to remove the vehicle from around the victim or to gain access to specific elements of the vehicle.

These tools should be thought of as systems which operate on various power sources:PneumaticElectricHydraulicGas

Extrication EquipmentPneumatic tool systems consist of:

Air source (cylinder)RegulatorSupply hosesTools

Air Chisels Whizzer or Cut Off Saw

Extrication EquipmentAir Chisels are effective

tools for cutting sheet metal and shearing or cutting minor structural elements such as bolt heads.

Operating pressures are based on manufacturer’s recommendations for metal type and tip application.

Different tips perform different cuts.

Extrication EquipmentWhizzer Saws are

effective for making small cuts in confined areas.

Whizzer saws utilize abrasive blades and produce high degree of sparks when cutting ferrous metals.

Fire suppression capabilities must be in place.

Extrication EquipmentElectric Equipment will require a power source

which is typically the generator system from the apparatus or a portable generator when accessing a remote location beyond the reach of the cord reels.

The primary electric tool is the reciprocating saw.An effective reciprocating saw is adequately

powered and equipped with an appropriate Bi Metal blade.

Adjustable speed settings also allow for more effective cutting and blade usage.

Extrication EquipmentReciprocating saws can

very effectively cut glass, structural posts, and body panels or sheet metal.

Reciprocating saws can also be effective at cutting interior components such as seats, plastic panels, and other cosmetic features.

Battery powered saws are an option but will have limited operating times.

Extrication EquipmentHydraulic cutting and spreading tools

generate tremendous force and are designed to remove metal elements of the vehicle from around the patient.

Hydraulic extrication tool systems utilize a hydraulic reservoir and a manual pump, an electric (AC/DC) motor, or a gas powered pump.

Hoses are required for remote operating systems.

Extrication EquipmentNFPA Grade Cards

NFPA 1936 Requires all manufacturer’s tools to undergo

specific testing regimen. Cutters must complete 12 consecutive cuts on

progressive dimensions and types of material. Material categories A – E. Dimension categories 1 – 9.

Spreaders must provide LSF, LPF, HSF, and HPF. All tests are conducted by sanctioned laboratories. Max Force numbers are theoretical calculations. KNOW YOUR TOOLS!!!

Extrication EquipmentManual Hydraulic tools

utilize either an integrated pump or a remote pump with hoses.

These tools are lightweight and easily operated with a single valve controlling opening and closing operations.

Manual Hydraulic tools have moderate operating force and typically provide limited extrication applications.

Extrication EquipmentElectric Hydraulic tools

utilize either a battery with an integrated electric pump or a remote electric pump with hoses.

The battery version is a relatively new innovation and offers portability and no hydraulic hoses, but is limited by battery operating time.

Remote electric pumps are typically mounted on the apparatus and hard wired to the apparatus generator.

Extrication EquipmentGas Powered pumps

may be portable or mounted on the apparatus and require hoses to carry hydraulic fluid to the tool.

Both electric and gas powered pumps are available with multiple ports to allow simultaneous operation of multiple tools

Extrication EquipmentHydraulic hoses have

various design features but they all require a hose that carries fluid to the tool and a hose returns fluid to the pump.

Couplings also have many variables but recent trends have incorporated single connection couplings that allow hot swapping of tools without diverting hydraulic flow.

Extrication EquipmentHydraulic tools

typically utilize a mineral based hydraulic fluid that is non hazardous.

Fluid selection should be based an manufacturer’s recommendation.

Extrication EquipmentHydraulic tools include

cutters, spreaders, rams, combi-tools and specialized tools.

These tools have different capabilities and the design features that should be known to apply them correctly.

Improper application of the tools can result in catastrophic tool failure.

These tools also require consistent maintenance based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Extrication EquipmentDesign features for cutters

include opening dimension, speed of operation, cutting force, operating pressure, and weight.

Cutters are designed to shear metal and can be applied to hinges, body panels, and posts and structural elements.

Cutters capable of cutting boron and high strength steels will be indicated as such.

Utilizing under powered cutters to cut high strength steel may result in catastrophic tool failure.

Extrication EquipmentDesign features for spreaders

include opening dimension, speed of operation, spread and close force, operating pressure, and weight.

Spreaders are design to separate two elements. They are used to pop doors, spread cuts, and displace vehicle components.

Spreaders also have tip attachments that incorporate chains and other specialized accessories.

Extrication EquipmentDesign features for rams

include travel dimension, speed of operation, spreading force, operating pressure, and weight.

Rams are designed to displace vehicle components.

Rams are also equipped with various heads and extensions that can be changed out for specific applications

Extrication EquipmentDesign features for

combi-tools include opening dimension, speed of operation, cutting and spreading force, operating pressure, and weight.

Combi-tools are designed perform cutting and spreading operations but are typically less powerful than a single purpose tool

Extrication EquipmentSpecialized tools and

accessories include anchoring elements such as rocker braces and specific application tools such as mini cutters.

These accessories have limited applications but can be very useful in maximizing tool function or accessing confined areas of the vehicle.

Extrication EquipmentThere are a myriad of

support tools for extrication:Basic hand toolsRotary SawsTorchesExtrication BlanketsLightingSeat belt cuttersWindshield sawsCable cuttersWrenches and Sockets

Extrication EquipmentPatients will require

EMS equipment that is based on mechanism of injury and presentation.

Immobilization devices and c spine management may require additional removal of vehicle components to accommodate appropriate application.