APR343's Videos (My Firefighter Nation) - My Firefighter Nation

Portugal-Historical fire apparatus at display

2013-08-25T13:59:19.953Z

The video provides a sequence of pictures taken during an unusual gathering of historical fire apparatus that were once operated (and are still owned) by a number of Volunteer FDs in Northern Portugal. The 2010 exhibition was hosted by the VolFD of Famalicão and shows an assortment of rigs dating mostly from the 1930 to 1950 period. Back then it was usual for the frequently under-financed local volunteers to buy a plain chassis (often in 2nd hand…) and to have it tailor-made to their needs, either by a local body manufacturer/car repair shop or by its own members, at the fire-house maintenance shop and therefore not two rigs are identical. Besides the more classic old-time open cabin pumpers (with benches or individual chairs for the crew and carrying no water) pics of ambulances, utility vehicles and more recent rigs (including a few imported from the US) can also be seen. Ladder trucks were not operated except in the larger cities (Lisbon, Oporto and very few other) where one FD at least (owned, financed and managed by the Municipal Council) was manned by professional firefighters, using state-of-art equipment.

(Author/Posted by: Manuel A.A. Fernandes)

RSB Portugal-combined operation of escape sleeve + hooks ladder

2013-08-17T21:50:40.543Z

Video displays the combined operation of an Escape Sleeve with the Portuguese-style Hooks Ladder. Footage shows a training episode, probably dating from the 1970’s decade, performed at the HQ of RSB-the fully professional municipal FD of Lisbon, Portugal (note the old style leather helmets which were standard issue at the time).
The escape sleeve (a 1808 Swiss patent) was adopted by the RSB in 1838 and was discontinued by this FD in the 1990’s decade. Made of canvas and measuring 79 feet (with 3, optional, exit ports) the sleeve was used for evacuating residents from burning buildings, out of a window or a balcony. It was carried in all Engines and required 5 or 6 men for operation (1 FF would carry on his back the upper portion), using a conventional ground ladder (spring-type, by sections) or a Hooks Ladder.
The Portuguese Style Hooks Ladder, which can be seen in this video, was traditionally made of wood (with iron hooks) and may be probably considered as a variant of the pompier ladder that was once used in the USA and in Europe. It measures 14 feet and is folded by the middle for transportation purposes. It was carried in all Engines as well as in Rescue and Utility units on a time when ladder trucks were expensive and rare pieces of apparatus in Portugal... It is less used these days (although mandatory part of Cadets/Probies training) and modern models are made of aluminum.
(although video was reproduced from internet copyright by RSB may apply)

Fatal urban gas explosion and fire in Lisbon, Portugal.

2013-08-16T22:35:41.263Z

On a weekday morning (2nd of July 2013) an ignited gas leak inside a street-facing upholsterer artisanal shop originated one fatal casualty plus several injured, among passing by citizens, while also setting several vehicles and adjacent buildings on fire. First due engine (with a crew of 4 or 5) had to face challenging fire-ground conditions, including the need to simultaneously evacuate apartment residents and to control the spread of fire alongside a narrow residential street... Municipal (black helmet) and Volunteer (yellow helmet) Firefighters used the traditional Portuguese style “hooks ladder” (a variant of the pompier ladder) to reach upper floors and balconies, either because no aerial trucks responded in the initial moments of the incident or on account of the ladder operation radius requirements(see operation of 2 hooks ladders in another video: http://youtu.be/xNFd0_5bM_c )

(footage extracted from YouTube; copyright may apply)

Bring back the Mack

2011-05-18T22:43:52.234Z

1958 Mack B model Rescue - Wyndmoor Hose Company, No. 1