Dec. 18, 2007 - An answer to Mr. Reynolds' question
Mr. Reynolds wants to know why the dangerous job of cutting a hole in the roof hasn't been mechanized in order to make the job of firefighting safer.
A lot of brain cells (not mine, I can't spare any) have been employed to ponder this attractive proposition, but even this first image holds a clue as to why technology hasn't caught up to Mr. Reynolds' question.
Our intrepid probationary Firefighter (You can tell he's on probation because of the yellow shield on his helmet) is cutting a hole around a roof jack. That specific decision wasn't made until the officer got up on the roof, assessed the situation, and told the new kid exactly where to cut the hole. You just can't make that kind of determination from street level.
The next photo reveals the remarkable variety of building design that exists in the world. Old Joe down at the equipment shop is a crafty fellow, but even he can't build a "one machine fits all" contraption that will be able to meet the needs of whatever roof we might need to cut a hole in.
This photo shows a very special kind of hole. Its called a trench cut. The usual type of hole is used to allow heat, flame and smoke to escape the building, but this hole has the additional task of preventing a large fire from spreading to other parts of the building.
Those parallel boards you see are called ceiling joists. When cutting a hole, it is important that you don't cut through these boards. If you do, the roof becomes a lot weaker (We're standing up there, don't forget) and the roof will be a lot more expensive to repair. The best way to protect the joists is to cut the hole by hand.
This photo presents yet another obstacle to mechanization. How are you going to get a machine past those wires to access the roof? Even if you do solve this specific problem, there are an infinite number of variations that no known technological wonder will ever be able to account for. The only fully versatile way we know to get a cutting tool to that roof is to throw a ladder from the sidewalk and climb up there with a saw.
 Some fires are way in the back, far beyond the reach of any sort of boom truck. Carrying a ladder down between this row of homes is simple, fast and effective.
Let's assume that we've built the perfect cutting machine and we have a fire at a building that is perfect for the use of this splendid tool. This photo reveals that there is very often an access problem at fires that nothing short of a flying machine would ever address. The fire engines and their hoses quickly clog the street at nearly every fire, making it impossible for even the smallest of vehicles to get anywhere near the fire building. A modern problem is still best solved with Biblical aged technology. Two guys and a big ladder can negotiate these tight quarters every time.
 Firefighters face the difficult challenge of saving lives and property using the simplest and most versatile tools that are available.
We train our newest people in this honorable trade.
Firefighters are proud of what they do. We consider it an honor and a privilege to serve and protect.
If you can build a device that will make our job safer, faster, better and more cost effective, we would love to put it to work.
be safe,
Hec @ 19
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