PAGE 28
October, 2018
1ST Responder Newspaper - SE
FLORIDA
EMERGENCY WATERCRAFT If you have photos you would like to see in our Emergency Watercraft feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue (BSFR) has taken delivery of a new fire boat named "FIREBOAT 6", whose main mission is the protection of Port Everglades and the surrounding area. Port Everglades is a seaport in Fort Lauderdale, located in Broward County.
(L to R): Elisa Mello and Patrick Murphy.
S. BOISVERT
Fire Cadet Program a Success for Pinellas Park Fire Department Pinellas Park, FL - The first graduates of Pinellas Park Fire Department's new Fire Cadet program were sworn in recently during a special ceremony at PPFD Headquarters. Elisa Mello and Patrick Ryan Murphy are the first candidates of the department's Fire Cadet program. This new initiative helps fill a critical need for trained and qualified firefighter/paramedics by taking certified paramedics through the fire academy to become certified firefighters. Elisa and Patrick were accepted into the Fire Cadet Program this spring and following
JUMP TO FILE #092818115 graduation from the SPC Fire Academy, were sworn in as fulltime Firefighter/Paramedics with PPFD. FF/PM Mello has been a paramedic since 2015 and has worked with AMR (American Medical Response) and Sunstar Paramedics. FF/PM Murphy worked with Liberty Ambulance in Jacksonville before joining Sunstar as a paramedic in 2015. - SUZANNE BOISVERT
Port Everglades is one of South Florida's foremost economic centers, as it is the gateway for both international trade and cruise vacations. In 2017, Port Everglades was ranked the third busiest cruise port in the world, accommodating more than 3.8 million passengers. It was also the busiest container port in Florida and 10th busiest in the United States, moving more than one million 20-foot equivalents (TEU's) annually. FIREBOAT 6, a 33-foot-long, 7ton vessel that replaces the 15year-old Metalcraft, went into service in mid-July, and is assigned to Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue's Port Everglades Fire Station. The ship, capable of pumping 500 gallons-perminute, can reach speeds up to 50-knots (58 MPH). Fires can be fought with a maneuverable monitor/turret, or hand lines can be deployed if firefighters must make an aggressive offensive shipboard fire attack. A previously purchased Boston Whaler vessel that Fire Rescue crews were using at the Seaport since the decommissioning of the Metal Craft will be relocated farther north of Port Everglades in Deerfield Beach and will respond to offshore operations in the northern area of Broward County.
FIREBOAT 6, paid for in large part using $510,000 in grants from the Port Security Grant, has been designed by Safe Boats International in Bremerton, Washington. Harris Henbest, district chief of marine operations for BSFR, says the department is very pleased to have this new boat, as BSFR takes a forward-leaning stance to replace the existing fireboat.
"The number one reason we chose to augment our marine response capability by adding an additional fire boat was that we recognized the gap in the number of marine rescue incidents which occur offshore and the lack of fire department vessels available to respond to those incidents. With the support from our Sheriff Scott Israel and Fire Chief Joseph R. Fernandez, we were able to make this vision a reality. The advanced capabilities of this vessel will not only make protecting Port Everglades easier, but safer for our residents and visitors as well," said Henbest.
Speed was a concern because BSFR's territory stretches many miles offshore into the Atlantic Ocean and due to great distances, response times can be elongated. Most rescues are managed with the assistance of Broward Sheriff's Office Aviation assets, as well as assets from the United Sates Coast Guard. The new fire boat allows firefighters to get to the scene quicker and due to the very
manageable size of 33-feet, also maneuver in tighter operational areas such as harbors, canals and rivers.
FIREBOAT 6 is equipped with radiological detection equipment which affords the ability to aid in early recognition and discovery of radiological isotopes, which in the wake of 9/11 has been a major concern to public safety professionals guarding areas of high density nautical traffic, such as sea ports. In addition, FIREBOAT 6 has Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) capabilities which enhances nighttime rescue operations and provides for a larger envelope of safety, as well as side scan sonar for search and rescue operations.
BSFR FIREBOAT 6 design and capabilities: -Overall length: 33-feet -Speed: 50-knots in fully loaded condition at 100% vessel power from 3-300HP Mercury outboard engines -Pumping capacity: 500-GPM -Monitors: One 500-GPM turret -Medical: Full ALS capabilities -Transport: 2 back-boarded patients -Vessel Capacity: 25 people -Hoist: Davit Arm with electric winch -Rescue: Equipped with 15-person throw raft -Search: Side scan sonar -Operating crew: Minimum 3 firefighters - MICHAEL KANE
CIRONE PHOTOS
Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue Holds Annual Open House
Tallevast, FL - When Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue holds its annual open house there is one thing you can always count on...a beautiful day weather wise, along with an actionpacked learning experience. Other agencies partner with Southern Manatee to make this event a huge success. Almost all the activities are hands-on for the children which is a great learning tool, along with materials that can be brought home.
FIREBOAT 6 approaches a vessel in distress off shore of Port Everglades.
BSFR