Fire, Rescue, & EMS Equipment
This is an sampling of the several types of equipment we use at Eureka Fire Protection District. These are the tools we use every day to do our job...saving lives and property.
Cardiac Monitor
The Zoll 1400 is our multi-function cardiac tool. Using this, we can monitor the EKG or heart rhythm of a patient. We can also deliver life saving electrical therapy whether that be a large jolt of electricity, defibrillation, or subtle charges to stimulate the heart muscle, as in pacing. The monitor also records all of the events that happen with it during a call. This makes our life easier so that later on, we don't have to try to scrounge up what happened.
AED
This is a Heartstream AED. This one is on our rescue pumper 2424. AED's have proven to be effective in delivering early defibrillation to victims of cardiac arrest. AED's are showing up everywhere from police cars and fire trucks to airplanes and subway stations. The Automatic External Defibrillator is designed to be used by the layman, not neccessarily someone with medical training.
Thermal Imaging Camera
This is the Argus Thermal Imager by MSA. We carry two of these units, one each on 2414 and 2424. We hope to purchase another in the near future. These thermal imaging cameras allow us to find drastic temperature differentials where the naked eye fails or cannot be used. In a hot, smoky environment, a fire victim will stand out against the hot background. This enables us to reach victims and remove them to safety much faster. These cameras can also be used to find hidden fires or hot spots behind walls. This helps to prevent additional property damage.
Gas Detector
This is a Biosystems PhD+ 4 Gas Detector. This device allows us to monitor air quality in an environment where the atmosphere may be harmful to life and health. It is capable of monitoring oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and the lower explosive limits for some flammable gasses. We utilize this piece of equipment on any calls involving a carbon monoxide detector alarm, any natural gas leak, confined space entry, or anywhere we need to assure the safety of the atmosphere in which we are working.
"Jaws of Life"
These are the rescue tools
commonly referred to as the "Jaws of Life." This equipment is designed to
extricate people out of mangled machinery and crushed vehicles. The tools on
the bottom are the spreaders and the cutters. They are connected to a
hydraulic power unit that supplies the pressure for these tools to operate.
The spreaders have a spreading force of 18,000 lbs., and the cutters can
generate a force of up to 60,000 lbs. We also have hydraulic rams that extend
up to 60 inches long. High pressure airbags are used to lift heavy objects a
short distance while blocks of wood we call "cribbing" are used to support or
shore up whatever we are working on. Its entirely possible for every one of
these pieces of equipment to be used on a vehicle rescue.Water Dumps
The photo here shows the Newton Dump system installed on pumper / tanker 2424. There are 3 separate square water dump chutes on the rear of the truck. We can dump out of either side or the rear. Controls for the chutes and valves are in the cab at the engineer's seat and at the rear of the truck. These remotely operated valves enable us to unload water faster during an incident that requires us to sustain a heavy flow of water.
