Station 4 Apparatus
The ability of our department to safely and effectively perform a rescue is accomplished through a coordinated process. Engine companies save lives by locating the fire, containing it to the fire compartment, and preventing the fire from moving down halls and up stairs in the process of extinguishing the fire. Truck companies, however, are presented with a multitude of “must do now” tasks that are ongoing until the incident commander declares the fire under control and the last unit is ready to leave the scene. Truck company responsibilities are accomplished with 3-4 person crews.
1. Search and rescue.
2. Ventilation
3. Forcible entry
4. Raise ladders
5. Provide access/check fire extension
6. Operate aerial platform/ladder
7. Perform all elevated rescues
8. Operate elevated master streams
9. Assist with overhaul
10. Loss control
Another responsibility is Hazardous Materials investigation, and mitigation. The Arvada Fire Protection District (AFPD) has 28 firefighters trained to the level of Hazardous Materials Technician/Specialist. A Hazardous Materials Technician is an individual that has successfully completed 120 hours of Hazmat training, including knowledge base and practical exercises. They must then pass a state exam and maintain competencies for that level of certification. 12 of the 28 are stationed out of Fire House Four, which is the Hazmat station. The additional 16 are stationed out of many other firehouses in the District.
In 2000, AFPD had all of the Station Four firefighters become Hazmat Technicians and members of the Adams Jefferson Hazardous Materials Response Authority (AJHMRA). As other firefighters, both career and volunteer, become Hazmat Technicians, our department team and the county team becomes larger and more capable of handling these incidents.
AFPD and AJHMRA also have many technically advanced pieces of equipment used in detection of the WMD agents, to include nerve gas, blister agents, some biological agents and radiological products. Arvada may not be a prime target for a terrorist attack, but parts of the Metro area have a higher possibility of attack. Should something happen, the AJHMRA could and would be requested to assist with the situation. Just as the AJHMRA would request other metro Hazmat teams to assist if something would happen in the three counties protected by the AJHMRA Team. With unpredictability of the local and world terrorist we are continuing to prepare for the possibilities that may confront us in the future.
AFPD and AJHMRA also have many technically advanced pieces of equipment used in detection of the WMD agents, to include nerve gas, blister agents, some biological agents and radiological products. Arvada may not be a prime target for a terrorist attack, but parts of the Metro area have a higher possibility of attack. Should something happen, the AJHMRA could and would be requested to assist with the situation. Just as the AJHMRA would request other metro Hazmat teams to assist if something would happen in the three counties protected by the AJHMRA Team. With unpredictability of the local and world terrorist we are continuing to prepare for the possibilities that may confront us in the future.
The Arvada Fire department is one of many fire departments that adhere to a National Standard for Dispatching. This is known as Priority Dispatch. With this standard we are able to decrease the danger to the community by obtaining information from a caller, to determine if the response should be an emergent response, or non-emergent response.
Truck Company and Hazmat responsibilities are just a fraction of the duties that Station 4 performs. As one of the busier stations, we provide services to the community that exemplifies 4 pillars, loyalty, training, attitude, and discipline.
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