| Unlike buying a Dodge off the lot, purchasing a | | | | up with all the younger guys. At 45 years young, |
| Fire Engine requires a committee designated to | | | | he is considered one of the older firefighters. It |
| the design process because each truck is hand | | | | requires high physical stamina to fight a fire. While |
| built to specifications. The committee designs the | | | | in a fire, firefighters work at their peak Level of |
| truck around what equipment will be placed on the | | | | performance, under high stress for many hours. |
| truck. | | | | Good physical and mental health is essential to |
| The Fire Truck Committee needs to know what | | | | deal with the stress because you often get a call |
| the truck is utilized for, ie: a rescue truck, engine | | | | in the middle of the night, taking you from |
| pumper, ladder truck, wildland truck, where the | | | | sleeping to emergency mode in 60 seconds. This |
| tools should be placed to be effective and | | | | makes firefighting one of the top five most |
| efficient, the right size pumps, what types of | | | | stressful jobs. In addition to being one of the top |
| gauges are needed and where the gauges need | | | | ten most dangerous jobs, it puts firefighters at a |
| to be placed. It requires working with the | | | | high risk for heart attack. |
| manufacturers throughout the entire process to | | | | The most frustrating part of Ken's job is dealing |
| see it through. The design of the fire truck needs | | | | with the public who are not involved in the |
| to be made to meet the specific needs of that | | | | accident and who don't move out of the way for |
| fire department. | | | | the fire truck to get through. Personal vehicles are |
| Ken Carpenter, Fire Engineer, in Boulder Colorado, | | | | now manufactured with improved sound sealing |
| works with the folks at Sutphen Fire Trucks, | | | | which, in addition to people talking on cell phones, |
| Pierce and other fire truck manufacturers to | | | | listening to loud stereos and/or their kids, they |
| design the trucks for Rocky Mountain Fire. | | | | don't notice that you are running "emergent" and |
| Through years of experience working on the | | | | they simply keep driving. |
| engines as a mechanic with the City of Boulder, | | | | Fire tools are basically used to rescue people who |
| Ken knows what it takes to design a good fire | | | | have been in an accident. Just ask Tools of the |
| engine. "By engine, I don't just mean the motor | | | | Trade Editor, Rick Schwolsky what that is like. |
| itself" says Ken. The Fire Engine consists of | | | | Ken's favorite tool is the Fire Truck itself but here |
| pumps to spray water, gauges to run the pumps, | | | | is a list to show you just what's on it: |
| different nozzles and adapters to attach hoses, | | | | 1. Jaws of Life - Hydraulic Spreader by Hurst - |
| tools for breaking apart cars to save people | | | | this is used to pry doors off of a vehicle that has |
| who've been in accidents and breaking into burning | | | | been crushed in an accident - to extricate victims. |
| houses to put out the fire. All of these are | | | | 2. Hydraulic Ram - used to take off the steering |
| organized in such a manner so that they are | | | | wheel or floor of a vehicle |
| quickly accessible because to a firefighter, time is | | | | 3. Hydraulic Cutters - used to cut the frame of a |
| not money, it is someone's life. | | | | car or remove the roof. |
| "The most satisfying aspect of my job is helping | | | | 4. Stihl Utility Chain Saw |
| people, says Ken. I like to take what is out of | | | | 5. Stihl Gas-powered Circular saw |
| control and help get it back into control." Ken | | | | 6. Stihl Gas-powered Rescue Saw for cutting |
| began his fire career as a volunteer in January of | | | | through roofs. |
| 1995. At the time, he was employed as a | | | | 7. Various Axes, Pike poles and prying and Cutting |
| mechanic for the City of Boulder . He enjoyed his | | | | Tools - Ken's idea was to put it on a swing out |
| volunteer work so much that in August of 1999, | | | | rack |
| he was hired on as a full-time firefighter. He | | | | 8. SCBA's - Self contained breathing apparatus |
| quickly was promoted to Engineer and is currently | | | | 9. Nozzles, adaptors - tools to spray large |
| in charge of maintaining the fire trucks. With 15 | | | | amounts of water |
| engines, that is no small job. | | | | 10. Pump - 1500 gpm 'Waterous' from St. Paul, |
| Ken has always been mechanically inclined. He | | | | Minnesota |
| took apart his bicycles as a kid. He then moved | | | | 11. Intake pump to get water from ponds |
| on to taking apart cars and motorcycles. His | | | | 12. Ice and Water rescue equipment including |
| process now originates in his head, with | | | | climbing helmets and a boogie board for water |
| mechanical ideas. He then moves onto paper and | | | | rescue. |
| working with the manufacturer, implements the | | | | 13. Station tools include battery operated Makita |
| designs to work on the Fire Engines. This process | | | | drills, Craftsman air compressor and various hand |
| is what he likes most about his job. | | | | tools. |
| The most challenging part of Ken's job is keeping | | | | |
