Fire Truck Driving!

Hmm, Might be able to help a little here.

I don't know what a Telma is (anything like the Cat Brakesaver?), can't help you there.

As far as Jakes go, I CAN help you there. Learned how to drive on log trucks in high school, so I got a lot of "sink or swim" experience with Jakes. Jakes alter the valve timing of an engine, bumping the compression, providing more braking power. Not sure EXACTLY how this works, but that's the principal anyway. As far as not using them in the rain, that's not entirely accurate either. Jakes CAN CAUSE A SKID if used improperly, but if you're careful with 'em you'll be fine. Best thing I can tell you is, if it's rainy or slick, start 'em on low and work 'em up, and be ready to flip 'em off quick if you start breaking traction. I'm leery about using the jakes when bobtailing in slick weather, but I've used 'em coming off Donner loaded on glare ice too. Be careful and don't panic.

Exhaust brakes are a little different. There's basically a flapper valve in the exhaust that closes progressively, bumping compression in the engine (as with jakes). Mercedes and the new Detroits use these. They work OK, but not great. Also be aware there's a lag with exhaust brakes (they are air actuated), they take a second or two to come on, and a second or two to shut off (as opposed to Jakes, which are instantaneous). I'd be a little more careful with these on slick roads than Jakes, but with the same precautions you'll be fine.

Air brakes are fun, aren't they? They are different than the hydraulic brakes in your car, but trust me, once you get used to 'em they're no problem. Big thing to remember, as you talk about mountain roads, is to use "stab braking". If you need to use the brakes (and bear in mind, if you've picked the right gear your jakes will take you down a grade without needing brakes), get on them, haul it down some, and GET OFF THEM. DO NOT!!! ride the brakes in something that heavy, or you'll burn' em up and have none. If you are overusing the brakes you'll start smelling them, and this is your only warning before you're in trouble. If you ignore that and start smoking 'em you're in real trouble. Best advice I ever got here was from the guy who taught me, when he said "You can always grab another gear going downhill, but it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to drop a gear on a hill." Start a gear or two lower coming off a grade than you think you need to, if the jakes are holding you back too much you can always grab another gear. A safe rule of thumb is drop off a grade a gear lower than you use to climb it (Don't know what kind of trans you guys use, but if you climb the hill in 7th gear, try 6th dropping off).

I don't know what kind of weight you're talking with a firetruck, but the best thing I can tell you is be careful and take your time. A wrecked firetruck and a crew of dead firemen can save no one, ya know? The other thing I'd recommend here, too, is see if you can talk one of the veteran guys into taking you out for a ride a few times, watch how he does it. Switch seats, and have him comment on what you're doing, AND LISTEN!!! I learned from an old school log trucker, and the lessons I learned there (coupled with the experience I've gained by myself) have kept me alive out here. Good luck man!!!

 

NEVER let your duals off...if you do, you're going over. If you're going to ride a line, ride the center line, because you can always move over. If you ride the outside line, there is only so much before you're in trouble.

On the dry pavement, let your jake brake do most of your slowing down. Give yourself plenty of stopping room to let your jake do the work. This puts less work on your actual brakes and saves them. When stopped, give yourself a car length so that you can get around the person in front of you if you catch a run.

Always practice due regard for the safety of others, even when the road is empty of only you. You never know when someone might pop out, or when someone is out doing something stupid. It doens't matter if its 100% their fault, you'll still get nailed for failure to practice due regard. All you are is a big lawsuit waiting to happen, so treat it as such.

Remember when driving, you've got anywhere from 8-16K+ lbs sloshing around behind you. A lot of the times, tanks are baffled...but it doesn't mean you can run balls to the wall. Only take suicide lane when you ABSOLUTELY have no other way around traffic and it's a TRUE emergency, not just a maybe call. Regardless of what your officer or anyone riding with you tells you...use all of your noise to your advantage. Electric siren, Federal Q Mechanical, and Air horns all have their place and you should use them all. Wear hearing protection, you'll be sorry if you don't down the road.

Always do your 360 degree walk around before pulling out of the station and make sure that all the doors are closed, nothing is hanging off, and no ones equipment has been left anywhere.

Greatest job in the world, hands down. Thanks for volunteering like so many of us out there. WE do it because we wish to help our neighbor.

 

Telma info - http://www.telmausa.com/TELMATECHWEB/DOC/PDF/Drivers-Manual.pdf
Most modern firetrucks have ABS and combined with TELMA provide for very efficient braking/handling response. I found the response during deceleration and turning to be more predictible than engine/transmission retarders or exhaust and Jake brakes(similar technology)
You can google the technology questions and find those. Most of the rest just comes with experience(as you said) behind the wheel in different conditions.

I drove almost every type of modern firetruck in my 10 years as a volunteer and professional firefighter. From brushtrucks and ambos with onspot chains to Telma and Jake equipt wagons, baffled and smooth-bore 5,000 gal. tankers( one with Fuller 10 speed), ladder and tiller trucks, hazmat/squad wagons and even AARF rear engine Oshkosh T-1500 and T-3000 crash/rescue airport firetrucks. Each vehicle has different handling, braking and acceleration characteristics. Take the time to learn as much as you can about every vehicle you are going to be operating. You should have many hours driving non-emergency in any vehicle before driving on responses. You should know where every control is blindfolded and be able to operate them without looking. NEVER take your eyes off the road. Always use a backup man. Learn to feel/hear your speed and pay attention for any sudden changes in the vehicle's operation or instrumentation. Throw the cool bravado sh1t out the window. When you're driving, SAFETY IS PRIORITY #1. If there is a chance you may be driving, ALWAYS do PTI. Being new, you should be in there every chance you get, going over EVERYTHING. Know your routes in your sleep, because that's what you'll be doing when the call comes out in winter, on the twistiest road in your area. Never drive beyond the capabilities of the equipment or your abilities. Pay attention to brake fade. Never be afraid to call OOS if something is becoming unsafe on your truck. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LIVES OF EVERYONE ON THAT PIECE!

SAFETY FIRST, SAFETY LAST, SAFETY ALWAYS!

The fire service is VERY unregulated when it comes to operating commercial vehicles. It never ceased to amaze me at how an 18 year old who just started driving a honda civic 2 years before could after a few times around the first due and MAYBE a 40 hr EVOC class be turned loose in a 12+ ton rocketship(many are spec'd w/500+ HP)w/ 3-8 passenger firefighters. Although the worst drivers I've ridden with had been doing it for years and through a combination of complacency for equipment limitations and what I can only describe as a Deathwish Adrenaline Junky's complete disregard for safety and rational(like the one cops exhibit when chasing the guy who stole $30 dollars from a liquor store at 100+ miles per hour through traffic. WTF RIGHT?). ALWAYS wear you seatbelt when the ride is in motion.

The point being, not everyone is cut out to drive trucks but that doesn't stop them from doing it and in the fire service there is no DAC, no DOT, no regulation except inter-departmental(usually managed on the buddy system) and I've seen the results( the last department I worked for operated about 100 vehicles that would otherwise be considered commercial[diesel,air brakes,passenger carrying etc.] and AVERAGED 3 accidents per month). Many were attributed to driver error. But since municipal fire departments are self-insured, no worries right? Taxpayers pay the bills. ANYWAY.

Did I mention WEAR YOUR SEATBELT! It saved my life in 08. AND WEAR YOUR SCBA! It saved my life many times. Even after the fire's out there are poisonous gases coming off of EVERYTHING! Keep it on during overhaul until everything is vented and cooled. AND WEAR THOSE GLOVES ON MEDICALS! Sorry I got off topic. Take your time with the driving thing and remember this:

YOU CAN'T HELP ANYONE, IF YOU DON'T GET THERE SAFELY!
Enjoy your new career(lifestyle), learn as much as you can and NEVER think you know it all. Because it's the one thing you don't know or underestimate that will kill you.

 

Excellent post gearjammer! Thanks brother!

 

as a former fire fighter/engineer... also remember center of gravity and the surge in the tank...remember 90 percent of fire engines dont have baffels in the tank so that water is going to be like a wave machine... and if you do drive a tanker remember thats a whole nother deal not like the engine..as stated also make sure you know the route for say low bridges or powerlines or even branches...also check the ground when you do pul up to a scene.check for power lines overhead that might fail in a fire..check for soft ground...You will do fine just dont let the adrenaline get to you..I know its hard but the people on the road sometimes panic and you never know which way they may go...Good luck

 

youll do good avenger.. good post

 

Remember that air horns use the same air reservoir as the rest of the system. We had one knucklehead on our department who yanked on the air horn the whole way down the road....needlessly. and when he had exhausted the air tanks, had to stop and wait for the truck to air back up. Only took about a minute, but still....kinda embarassing to sit on the side of the road with lights going waiting for the brakes to air back up.