Contact: 

Alice Forbes, Branch Chief, FAM Equipment and Chemicals, (530) 226-2727 or aliceforbes@fs.fed.us

Why was the decision made?

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) made the decision based on a recommendation from the Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT) in October, 2000 based on the finding that quick connect hose was a superior system to the current threaded hose in use for Wildland firefighting. The following were the findings presented to NWCG:

Efficiency and performance:

• There is a 20% increase in efficiency;
• It is easier to deploy;
• Reduces training time (virtually foolproof, no cross threading);
• Reduces weight in hose packs and vehicles.

Saves money:

• Fewer fittings are required – 1"and 1½" are interchangeable;
• There is no need for male or female couplings;
• 12 fittings (adapters, couplings, reducers, increasers) are no longer needed at an annual savings of $130,000 per year.

Additional information can be found at www.nwcg.gov and going to the Fire Equipment Working Team page.

 

1. Who made the decision?

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) comprised of representatives of the federal fire agencies, states, DOD and FEMA, made the decision. It was not a single agency decision. The decision was made at the October, 2000 meeting of the NWCG based on a recommendation from the Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT).

 

2. When was the survey undertaken?

The National Fire Equipment System (NFES) subcommittee of FEWT undertook a survey in 1998/99. The survey was widely circulated and over 300 responses were received from federal, state and local agencies. A summary of the responses may be found on the www.nwcg.gov, fire equipment working team web page.

 

3. When will the decision be implemented?

NWCG has tasked the Fire Equipment Working Team (FEWT), through the NFES subcommittee, to develop an implementation plan for the conversion to quarter turn coupling hose. The implementation plan will be presented as a recommendation to the June, 2001 NWCG meeting for their concurrence and decision.

 

4. How will quarter turn hose conversion affect cooperators at the state and local levels?

The implementation plan will take the needs of cooperators into account. The committee is looking into initially ordering all lengths of quick connect hose with adapters. Since there is only one adapter needed per hose lay, there should be adequate adapters in the system to meet the needs of the agencies to insure that we will continue to be effective and efficient in the arena of wildland fire suppression.

It is anticipated that the conversion to quarter turn may take up to five years to implement throughout all the federal agencies. The draft plan will be shared with our cooperators seeking their input into the implementation process. The Canadian experience was total conversion in all the provinces and territories took a period of 10 years for full implementation.

 

5. Who performed the study of the issue on Quick Connect hose?

The USDA Forest Service San Dimas Technology and Development Center (SDTDC) undertook a study looking into Quarter Turn technology. (NOTE: SDTDC performs all the certification and testing for all federal agencies for water handling equipment including pumps and hose.) They maintain the federal wildland fire specifications, as well as a qualified products list of approved equipment. Research was done into all aspects of quarter turn couplings including: forged vs cast; gaskets; coupling time and motion study (which was accomplished in concert with engines off the Los Padres National Forest); as well as progressive hose lays and compiling the comments of those firefighters who participated in the study. A cost analysis was also included in the study. This information was then used in concert with the survey results to make the final recommendation by FEWT to NWCG to adopt the quarter turn couplings for wildland fire hose.

6. What about the concern of incompatibility currently being expressed by some state and local agencies that feel that they cannot afford to convert their hose?

The implementation plan that is under development will take into account the issues of some cooperators at the state and local level maintaining a threaded hose configuration on their engines. It is necessary to keep in mind that many of the state and local agencies with whom we work in wildland fire suppression have already converted to quarter turn technology. The use of adaptors will be necessary in those areas who decide to remain with threaded hose.

7. How long is the implementation of the transition going to take?

It is anticipated that the conversion for the federal wildland firefighting agencies will take a minimum of three years and more likely five to ten years. This change will not occur overnight as no agency could afford to make that happen. This will be a gradual transition as old, worn out hose is replaced.