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Public Safety Category
Training and preparation key to firefighting with new technologies
By DENISE FEDOROW | The Municipal
As solar roofs become more popular and the technology within the industry evolves, it creates some challenges for firefighters. According to an article published by the International Association of Fire Fighters, photovoltaic systems, commonly known as solar systems, were reportedly being installed every four minutes in the U.S. eight years ago. That number was expected to increase to one every minute or less. The IAFF article stated, “Solar panels can pose a significant risk to firefighter’s safety with electrocution a real threat. In an emergency, every second counts, and PV systems are a challenge to how fast a fire can be put out.”
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While the fire officials The Municipal spoke to separately acknowledge the challenge, they said training and preparation is the solution. Sean Doran, fire captain and public information officer for California’s Orange County Fire Authority, explained a newer type of solar roof is a Tesla roof, which has integrated PV roof tiles, unlike traditional solar panels that extend from the roof and are pretty visible. “This becomes your roof,” he said. According to Doran, the OCFA services 23 cities and some unincorporated areas,
ABOVE: In Arizona, Glendale Fire Department members fight a fire. Fire Captain Anthony Valverde said firefighters on any roof is a dangerous act as roofs are prone to collapse in a fire. (Photo provided by Glendale Fire Department) including the cities of Mission Viejo, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Within that service area, there are currently 35 Tesla roofs, but there are work orders for 300 more this year. “It’s just a different system, but it’s (solar) here to stay. It’s just another new technology we deal with,” he said. Meanwhile, in Arizona, Captain Anthony Valverde, public information officer of the Glendale Fire Department, didn’t know the number of solar energy systems in his
