New Vehicles Will Use Foam, Air and Water to Fight Fires

Fight fire with foam. It’s the new strategy that Ledyard Fire Company District 1 is taking after the approved purchase of two new vehicles.

Both will use a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) using an on-board air compressor and on-board foam which mixes with water, said Chief John Doucette.

The vehicles, a 2012 Ferrara Igniter combination engine tanker with a 1,000-gallon water capacity and a 2012 Ford F550 Quick Attack with a 300-gallon capacity, will feature a CAFS system increasing firefighting capabilities by five to seven times. 

“For a residential structural fire that takes 15 minutes to put out, the system will reduce that to five minutes after on-scene arrival,” Doucette said. 

The also has CAFS. 

Fighting fires with CAFS means less damage to homes and businesses as less water is needed. 

CAFS allows water molecules to stick to walls rather than immediately evaporate or collect in low areas and basements. 

It also allows for easier structural fire cleanup as foam can be swept out of a room or left to evaporate.

CAFS results in less water pollution than traditional firefighting methods. 

Fighting fires with CAFS allows for easier detection of arson as less evidence is washed away. 

Hoses filled with CAFS have a much lighter weight.

“Only one person is required to handle the nozzle and it frees up another person to move the hose around,” Doucette said.

This is especially important for volunteer fire departments as large fires are often fought by 10 to 15 volunteers today versus 20 to 25 in the past.

Less people are volunteering because people’s lives are getting busier and more are working a second job. 

The $554,000 combination engine tanker is a five person cab and looks like a full-size fire truck. 

It replaces a 1989 Ford Engine and a 1991 E-One Tanker, which will be sold at auction. 

A traditional engine and traditional tanker would cost $500,000 to $600,000 each. 

The $200,000 quick attack vehicle is a four person cab with air packs built into three seats. It will handle brush and car fires and provide access to areas that are not fire truck accessible. 

It replaces a 1989 Ford F-350 Brush Truck which was recently sold to the Cassalot, AR Fire Department for $10,000. 

“While the upfront cost is high, in the long run it will save the town money as we are removing vehicles in our fleet reducing replacement and maintenance costs,” Doucette said.

All three vehicles were beyond their National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommended 20-year life span and replacing the vehicles is safer than retrofits and repairs.

The proceeds of the sale of the older vehicles will be added to the town’s capital fund. Ledyard and Gales Ferry fire departments take turns every five to six years in purchasing necessary vehicles. 

The department should be receiving its new quick attack vehicle at the end of July while it could take up to nine months for the combination engine tanker to arrive. 

Ledyard Fire Company District 1 is seeking volunteers and those interested should visit www.ledyardfire.org, call 860-464-9222 or visit the station at 11 Fairway Drive.