In the past, the main task of firefighting was to extinguish fires and rescue people. Currently, with the reform of the fire service in China and the transformation of fire brigades, the fire rescue service has become a multi-functional and complex organisation, tasked to not only to fight fires but also fight a variety of hazards, such as building collapse, petrochemical accidents, traffic accidents, floods and water incidents, meteorological disasters, geological disasters and earthquakes.
In order to better complete these comprehensive emergency rescue tasks, relevant departments in China are making efforts to build a “1+N” rescue force. “1” is to integrate existing forces and build a comprehensive emergency rescue and mobile detachment, which is directly under the Ministry of Emergency Management. This new rescue service will be effective and fast responding to all domestic emergency calls as well as representing China in carrying out cross-border rescue missions. “N” is to build 27 national professional rescue teams specialized in water, mountain, earthquakes and air operations, based on the specialist skills of fire brigade in seventeen provinces. They will also establish regional rescue forces in 31 provinces, cities and autonomous regions to form an emergency rescue network covering urban and rural areas. Gradually, this rescue force will be capable of responding 24/7, to all levels of regional and all-hazard rescue tasks as well as becoming more competent in undertaking cross-regional emergency rescue missions for major disasters.
The increased tasks and new firefighting functions have created a higher requirements for new fire fighting equipment and also brought opportunities and challenges to the fire equipment industry. The strategy for developing fire rescue equipment is to focus and select the newest high technology, intelligent, integrated and multifunctional products. At the China Fire 2019 Exhibition, a multifunctional first-response fire rescue truck was launched by China Fortune Technical International Co. Ltd (CSG). It immediately attracted visitor’s attention and showed the market demand to meet the fire services reform needs. The reason why CSG China invented and launched this multifunctional first-response fire rescue truck was to meet the demands of the current transformation of emergency fire rescue services, said by Mr. Liu Shujie the President of CSG China.
New Missions Required New Equipment
Mr. Liu said that especially after the reforming of the fire services and the firefighting forces transformation into a comprehensive fire rescue team, current equipment needed updating. After receiving an emergency calls, a fire engine will be dispatched, however, even though the fire engine carries rescue tools, it would be difficult for firefighters to deal with all accidents from typhoons, to rescue because of lack of specialized apparatus. Therefore, it was not easy to carry out the all-hazard rescue mission with the restriction of single functional firefighting equipment in use in past years. As we know good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a task, the firefighter can’t complete the all-hazard rescue mission without advanced equipment. Mr. Liu, who was a firefighter, an expert in rescue equipment market and a member of China Fire Protection Association, is savvy about the importance of equipment and has invented a multi purpose truck.
A Pioneer Must Be Fast Response and Move Quickly
Time is critical when responding to emergencies. It requires the fire/rescue team to move rapidly and undertake the rescue as soon as possible. Therefore, when designing the new truck it must be suitable to cross all kinds of terrain with the capability to undertake rescue in an all-hazard situations. Under the guidance of fire departments, CSG China was fully engaged in the research and design of this pioneer fire truck together with experts and scholars from relevant institutes.
The Beijing Warrior chassis was selected, this chassis is certified to military standards, and equipped with a technology-leading power supply, warning lighting, communication equipment, and an emergency power supply. The truck was trialed over a million kilometers undertaking environmental adaptability tests, in the mountains, high temperature areas, hot and humid areas, desert and highland areas. It can be started smoothly at a temperature of -41C and its wading depth can be up to 800mm. The maximum gradient it can reach is 60 degrees and the maximum safe speed can be up to 135km/h.
Mr. Liu went to Suizhou Hubei, which is known as a city specializing in truck modifications and one of the bases of China Emergency Rescue Industries. He selected Hubei Sitong Special Purpose Vehicle Co. Ltd, (SPV) which is managed people experienced and passionate about car modification. They carried out safety protection modification for the Beijing Warrior chassis, installed a reinforced anti-collision bumper, both front and rear, reinforced the roof frame, and installed a folding window protection net, improved the reversing monitoring system and also installed a warning light system. They kept the five seat configuration and set breathing apparatus in the rear seats. Multi-hazard rescue equipment storage units and rescue tools storage rack were installed. At this point, the off-road vehicle was a ready-to-go multi-purpose first-response fire/ rescue truck. Even though the car is only 4.5 meters long and 1.8 meters wide, with the height about 2 meters, don’t underestimate it. It will act as a pioneer in all-hazard rescue with the capability of fast response and multifunctional use. Fully loaded with personnel and equipment it is 3.3 tonnes and has a speed of 130 kilometers per hour.
The appearance of this truck looks like a warrior wearing armor, fierce and strong, showing the military genes and heroic spirit, to respond to any fire. The blue and red colors also embody the colors of fire rescue flag.
Multipurpose Is Applied to All-hazard
The positioning of the multipurpose first-response fire rescue truck is differentiated from regular off-road fire trucks, as it is equipped with six sets of cutting-edge equipment for fire suspension and search, road rescue, communication and lighting, mountain rescue and water rescue, making it a fully functional all-hazard appliance.
The truck is equipped with an advanced communication command system and emergency support system. It is currently carrying 360-degree HD/IR panoramic image acquisition system, 5G high-definition image transmission system, image recorder, digital walkie-talkie, dual-band dual-mode relay station (portable/car) and high-power amplifier. The truck was also installed with a Beidou communication module but also could do ad hoc network communication so as to ensure the effective communication at the site of the emergencies. Moreover, the vehicle-mounted solar power supply was installed this 4000 watt high power inverter from 12 volts to 220 volts and a 1300 watt high power external power supply regulator. It is also equipped with emergency tool kits, emergency medical kits, and emergency food packs.
In regards to fire suppression and searching, this truck is equipped with four portable compressed air fire suppression devices, one backpack-type foam fire extinguishing system and one mobile foam fire extinguishing device. The combination of the devices provides multiple solutions to fight fires, which can help firefighters deal with fires and rescue. The portable compressed air fire suppression device can reduce the fire temperature from 1000 °C to 100 °C within 30 seconds in a 150 cubic meters room, it can restrict the spread of fire and suppress explosions by controlling the temperature. It can quickly switch among the three functions to ensure firefighters are protected. The system uses a compressed air power source for positive pressure foam, which has the advantages of a stable foaming effect, environmental protection and long stream throws. It can be applied to combat Class A and Class B fires. Firefighters can set their hands free when carrying this system, making it easy to climb through narrow spaces. The mobile fire extinguishing system has a high-fine mist foam fire extinguishing technology. With an independent power source, it can automatically mix the fire extinguishing agent and create a fine mist foam liquid. Fire temperatures can be reduced and fires effectively extinguished for class A, B, C, E, and F fires. For search and rescue purposes, the truck is also equipped with detection devices, air respirators, oxygen generating smoke hood and warning barrier.
The truck is equipped entry and rescue tools such as a battery cutting saw, a battery chainsaw, a battery shearing and expanding ram, a backpack-type door breaker, a universal unlocking tool set and a glass shear breaker. With the new technology in battery devices, firefighters don’t have to take other accessories like cables and pipes. It’s safe and efficient. These batteries can be under working status for one hour and the peak force and reach to 100 tons.
In terms of ladders, the truck is equipped with a portable all-terrain multi-function telescopic folding ladder on the roof and a vehicle-mounted 360-degree folding telescopic ladder. The ladders are imported from Little Giant Overhaul, a company specialized in firefighting ladder systems in the United States. The ladder is integrated with most of the functions that regular ladders have and can be applied to most fire and rescue occasions. This portable multi-function telescopic folding ladder can be folded, hung, placed cross gaps and setup on uneven surface. It has rafter hooks, adjustable non-slip rubber feet and high-visible reflective labels. It is made of high-strength aluminum alloy and weighs only 27.3 kg but can bear up to 170kg. It makes the truck a small and practical ascending fire rescue vehicle and can assist the firefighters reach to the height of a three-story building for rescue.
The truck also has mountain and water rescue equipment which includes, a portable electric lift, a vehicle-mounted electric winch, a folding stretcher, rope and a mountain rescue equipment set. For lighting the truck has, AIRSTAR lighting balloons, installed to achieve the 360-degree shadowless illumination in a range of 1,000 square meters. Furthermore, portable 360-degree scene light and other firefighters’ flashlights are installed for them to enter the dark area to rescue.
For more information, go to www.bjcsg.cn
About the Author
Jay Shujie Liu is China Fire Protection Association Director.
