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TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Protective Gear

TURNOUT GEAR

TURNOUT GEAR 		A firefighters duties can lead them into a wide array of dangerous environments. The firefighters main suit of armor is reffered to as "Tournout Gear". Consisting of boots, bunker pants, coat, gloves, hood, and helmet, this system protects the firefighter in many ways. Reflective material located at various locations makes the firefighter more visible in dark environments such as the scene of vehicle accidents at night. Flame retardant and insulating materials in the coat, gloves, and bunker pants provide limited protection to heat and flames. A nomex hood is worn over the firefighters head to protect his hair, ears and neck from burns. The helmet obviously protects the head but usually has integrated eye protection. A firefighters boots are not only waterproof but have steel plates in the soles to protect from sharp objects. The only area of the firefighters body that is not protected by this system is the face, which becomes protected by the mask of the SCBA, "Self Contained Breathing Apparatus". The protective gear of the modern firefighter enables access to environments that an uprotected person would be unable to survive in.

SCBA "Self Contained Breathing Apparatus"

SCBA 		The other key piece of equipment a firefighter needs to survive the extreme temperatures and deadly byproducts of fire is the SCBA. The super-heated air can quickly destroy a persons resperatory system and the suffocating smoke displaces the oxygen a human needs to survive. The SCBA system uses compressed air stored in a tank worn on the firefighters back to supply the firefighter with breathable air. The air travels from the tank into the firefighters mask. The mask is designed to keep the smoke out and to deliver fresh air when the firefighter takes a breath. Our SCBA systems have integrated alarms that indicate when a firefighter is low on air, in harm, or has become unconcious. The SCBA system allows firefighters to search for victims and perform extinguishment in environments they would otherwise be unable.


Apparatus

Ever wonder what the numbers on our firetrucks mean?

Here we will break down how these numbers identify important information about each vehicle.

The first two numbers indicate what district the truck belongs to. For example, all of our trucks at High Ridge start with "64".

The third number designates which engine house the apparatus is based at. For example, 6414 is based at Engine House #1, 6424 at Engine House #2, and so on. Generally, a zero indicates an administrative vehicle.

Finally, the last number tells you what kind of vehicle it is. As a general rule:

0 = Pumper
1 = Pumper
2 = Ladder Truck or Aerial Apparatus
3 = Tanker
4 = Pumper/Rescue

5 = Pumper/Rescue/Ladder
6 = Rescue Vehicle
7 = Ambulance
8 = Brush Truck
9 = will indicate either a utility truck or specialized equipment.



6414 -RESCUE PUMPER

6414 		Stationed at House #1, 6414 is a 1995 Pierce Pumper with a 750 gallon tank and a 1,250 gallon per minute water pump. This truck carries all the equipment necessary to perform almost any rescue, from water rescue to rappelling to vehicle extrication. 6414 also has a diesel powered generator and a 6,000psi SCBA, "Self Contained Breathing Apparatus", fill station on board.


6424 -RESCUE PUMPER




6424 		Stationed at House #2, 6424 is a 2002 American LaFrance Pumper with a 750 gallon water tank and 1,500 gallon per minute pump. It has seating and SCBA to accomodate 4 firefighters. 6424 has a few specialized items that make this truck a part of the HRFD team. It has an onboard foam system that allows the use of firefighting foam on flammable liquid fires or to contain the vapors from flammable liquids to reduce the chance of ignition. It also has an extendable mast lighting system that can be raised to approximately 25' to illuminate a large area. 6424 is a Rescue Pumper and carries a wide variety of vehicle rescue, water rescue and general rescue tools. This apparatus also has a hydraulic operated generator that is powered by the vehicles engine therefore it does not require refueling.



6434 -RESCUE PUMPER

6434 		Stationed at House #3, 6434 is a 1996 Pierce Pumper with a 1,000 gallon water tank and a 1,250 gallon per minute two stage water pump. With a full compliment of rescue tools, 6434 is designated as a rescue pumper but it carries enough water to be a tanker. This trucks specialties are drafting (sucking water from a water source such as a pool, lake or stream.), and hauling water. 6434 has ladder racks that lower hydrualically so the ladders may be stored above the truck but lowered for easy removal.


6444 -RESCUE PUMPER

6444 		Stationed at House #4, 6444 is a 1985 Pierce Pumper with a 750 gallon water tank and a 1,250 gallon per minute pump. 6444's smaller size allows it to travel into areas that the larger pumpers can't. You may have noticed that the cab of this pumper does not have four cab doors and that the rear seats are not completely enclosed. Today, firetrucks are manufactured with fully enclosed seating posistions for optimal safety. Although it is over 20 years old, this truck is in great condition.



6413 -2,500 GALLON TANKER

6413 		Stationed at House #1, 6413 is a 2002 American LaFrance Tanker. It carries 2,500 gallons of water and has a 1,500 gallon per minute pump. Besides the massive amounts of water it carries this truck has a 3,000 gallon portable tank that can be deployed on the scene when hydrants or other water sources are not nearby. 6413 can fill this portable tank in under a minute with any one of three hydrualically controlled water chutes that come out of the side of the truck. After dumping it's water in the portable tank at the scene, 6413 will go to a water source to get more water and return. Meanwhile, trucks at the scene will draft water from the tank until a tanker returns to refill the tank. As well as serving as a tanker this large truck carries rescue and drafting equipment.


6415 -65' LADDER TRUCK

6415 		Stationed at House #1, 6415 is a 1989 Pierce Ladder Truck with a 65' TeleSquirt arial device. The firefighters of HRFD refurbished and equipped this truck after it was purchased by the district in 2004. The specialty of this truck is the ability to use the elevated ladder for rescues, access to elevated areas or structures, and fire suppression. Wth the use of the remotely controlled 1000 gallon per minute nozzle at the tip of the ladder, 6415 can provide a firestream with extra reach.

6416 -RESCUE / BRUSH UNIT

6416 		Stationed at House #1, 6416 was designed and built by the firefighters of HRFD saving taxpayers money and providing a better service. 6416 is a compact unit with a wide variety of equipment and the ability to travel off road with a 4X4 chassis. This truck carries 150 gallons of water and a gas powered pump that allow it to fight wildland/brush fires. It also carries a genterator, small jaws of life rescue tool, medical supplies and various wildland fire tools.


6418 -BRUSH UNIT

6418 		Stationed at House #1, 6418 is a 3/4 ton 4X4military surplus pickup that has been refurbished and equipped as a brush/wildland unit by the firefighters of HRFD. 6418 has a gas powered water pump, generator and a 250 gallon water tank. Click here to see photos of the refurbishment!

6498 -BRUSH UNIT

6498 		Stationed at House #1, 6498 is a 1973 CJ5 4X4 Jeep. 6489 can access fires in very rough terrain and aid in slowing the progression of the fire. It is equipped with a gas powered water pump, 55 gallon water tank, chainsaw, and wildland fire hand tools. This is another vehicle that we recieved from government surplus. Our firefighters completely refurbished, painted, and equipped it for firefighting.


6419 -COMMAND / DIVE UNIT

6419 		Stationed at House #1, 6419 was purchased by the district as a retired snap-on tool truck. The firefighters completely gutted the interior of the vehicle and gave it a new paint job themselves. Then they added a communications center and dive equipment section to the interior. This vehicle can be used as a command center at a large incident to help coordinate the efforts of many agencies. With a full compliment of rescue dive equipment it can also be dispatched to underwater rescues, recoveries, and swift water incidents. Building this vehicle themselves the firefighters made the most of the taxpayer's dollars. Click here to see photos of the refurbishment!

6499 -RESCUE BOATS

6499 		Stationed at House #1, 6499 is actually two pieces of equipment. It carries two water rescue boats. The bottom boat is a Lowe 1982 18' jonboat powered by a 50 horsepower outboard. This boat is equipped with sonar, lifevests, first aid, and search/recovery equipment. The top boat is a 15' inflatable zodiac that can be powered by the 40 horsepower motor that is stowed on the front of the trailer. The Zodiac is more suitable for swiftwater operations due to the fact that it is difficult to overturn and innability to sink while inflated. The jonboat and trailer were customized by the firefighters of HRFD.


6479 -TRENCH RESCUE UNIT

6479 		Stationed at House #1, 6479 is a 16' enclosed trailer that carries equipment and supplies used in rescue operations in the event of an earthen trench collapse.

6406 -UTILITY UNIT

6406 		Stationed at House #1, 6406 is a standard ford 3/4 ton 4X4 truck equipped with emergency lights, siren and snow plow equipment.


HRFD SAFE HOUSE

Safe House 		The High Ridge Fire Protection District's Safe House is used to teach children and adults about fire safety and severe storm preparedness. Lessons learned from using the safe house may prevent fires, and help those who find themselves endagered by fire and severe weather survive. Educating the community is the first step in a firefighters duty to protect lives and property.

Engine Houses

HRFD STATION #1
2842 High Ridge Boulevard

Constructed in 2001, the High Ridge Fire District's House #1 is the Headquarters of the district. It has a mainenance facility that the firefighters use to maintain equipment and apparatus. House #1 also has a large basement area that can be used for community events or a disaster relief location. House #1 is the home of 6416, 6414, 6415, 6413, 6418, 6489, 6419, and 6499. HRFD House #1 is located in High Ridge on High Ridge Boulevard.



HRFD STATION #2
1434 Gravois Road
(Murphy Area)


Originally constructed in 1979, House #2 was completely renovated in 2004 by the HRFD firefighters saving the community a large sum of tax dollars. HRFD House #2 is the home of 6424. House #2 is located in the Murphy area on Highway 30 Just east of Little Brennan.

HRFD STATION #3
6969 Wild Cherry Drive
(House Springs Area)


The engine room of HRFD House #3 was originally constructed in 1979. In 1986 living quarters were added. House #3 is the home of 6434. House #3 is located in the House Springs area on Highway 30 just west of Highways MM & W.

HRFD STATION #4
4560 Four Ridge Road




Constructed in 2002 HRFD House #4 is the home of 6444. House #4 is located in High Ridge on Four Ridge Road just north of Miller Road.

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