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Fire Shelters
Hey all. Looking for input and ideas. We are trying to convince our rural board that we need fire shelters for each our members. Living out here in the plains of Colorado, these grass fire move very fast. Cost it the biggest factor but it's worth for one life. Secondly, they think that only those that fight big forest fires need these only. Tell me your thoughts and is there a company you would recommend. I am a firm believer of them but I can't persuade them to purchase them. Thanks for all input, whether it's good or bad.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Seth Yahraes on
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Well grass fires spread fast, and can spread to forests. Sh*t happens out there, and you dont want to get caught without proper protection. I think everyone should have them. Sadly, the way politicians and local governments are it takes someone to get hurt or killed before they pull their heads outta their butts to realize that they shoulda payed for the shelters, not the lawsuit.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Along the coast just north of Santa Barbara, you can find Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). Wildland fires are commonplace and include rolling hills of annual grasses. Chief officers on the fire were trapped and overrun by a grassfire and made the decision to try and outrun the fire. They all perished.
Remember the Orange County FD crew that was overcome by flames fanned by extreme winds? Just show those that question whether or not you need these by having them watch the following:
TCSS,
CBz
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Permalink Reply by Paul Acosta on
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That was incredible. Thanks for the information.
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Permalink Reply by douglas hudson on
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this is for the rural board and to whom it may concern i m with the ordway fire dept and have fighting fires
for the last 13 yrs and in that time i have become red carded for several areas in colorado. and if you could see and experienc what i have seen or any other fire fighter that has seen in a grass fire or even high vegitaion with grass and trees, and just watch the fire move i can tell you, you will never determan were it will go. So paul my idea is to take a couple board member on a call one day or night and let them see what its realy like just to be out in the middle of some were and see how fast the fire moves. Then maybe they will say ok here is your fire shelters. Look how many firefighters we lost in the haymon fire and i really think that you should show them the video that Captian busy posted. And if they still dont then go get my dad they will listen to him maybe.
thank you
FF douglas hudson
Ordway Vol-fire Dept
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Bro, if you deal with grass or brush fires you'ed better have them with you on the call. We equip our people with Structural PPE as well as wildland. There is no excuse for safely protecting your people. Look into fed an state grants. The new fire shelters are spendy but are for a reason. How much is your life worth?
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Here's a curve ball for you. We were awarded a grant but it's half matching and they won't post the money for them. We're trying so hard to put together wildland packs and it's been difficult to do. I'm trying to find another way to get the money and even considered askng the public for donations to get the cash. I want these for my guys. They totally deserve the best.
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Permalink Reply by Rusty Mancini on
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Paul, educating your board might be the answer your looking for! Show them some videos, some aren't convinced unless they get a wake up! Safety for your members is the key factor.
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paul
If getting donations form the town of brush then thats what needs to be done, if the town knows what there donating for. If i still know the people of brush then you will have know problem getting donations for this. I know this because we had to do the same thing up here in ordway and the people here are very supportive of ower fire dept . So hopfuly the people of brush are the same way.here is a web sit that might help its www.wildlandwarehouse.com . this is for you packs and fire shelters, if this dont work the try and get ahold of the forest service and see what they have some times they donate those kind of things
your friend
FF Doug Hudson
Ordway VFD
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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Better safe than sorry. Good luck on getting them hope it works out in your favor
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100% agree with you on that. I'll see if I can get a laptop to the next meeting.
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Permalink Reply by Wyld_fyr on
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Everyone needs a shelter. Its the law on any wildland fire. This is one of my biggest pet peeves! Anyone who thinks that a shelter is just a "nuicance." Yes the new generation ones are the size of a loaf of bread, they are cumbersome, and add more weight to your already heavy as heck pack, but I wouldnt want to not have one when I trully needed it. And that your agency would worry about the cost, yes they are expensive, but like you said whats the cost of life? Contact NIFC if you need help in changing the minds of your agency, I am sure they would send literature on them. Also try the USFS.
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Permalink Reply by truckeewads on
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Absolutely! Your PPE is not complete without it....period. Captain Busy is right on...show them the video, site some specific burnovers that had succesfull burnover deployments and those that did not. If that does not convince them I would not allow your members to respond to any more fires without them....see what response that gets you. Can't pick and choose what PPE your members get when it is a package deal in my opinion.
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