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Author Topic: Fire brigade minor incidents unit  (Read 2746 times)

Offline playmofire

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Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« on: April 30, 2009, 19:59:12 »
I've always been a bit unsure about the thinking behind Playmobil's idea of the G-Wagen fire car 3181 (http://www.collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3181.htm) and the fire trailer 3178 (http://www.collectobil.com/catalogue/items/3178.htm).  Certainly, the 3181 could carry a crew of four (the minimum for firefighting) and some equipment and tow the trailer, but it is over scale and if the RC unit is used it can only carry a crew of two.  The trailer is a nice bit of design (I've seen it favourably commented on by German firefighters on the web), but it comes equipped neither for firefighting nor rescue.  Despite these shortcomings, I've ended up over the years with three trailers and two of the 3181s(!), and here's a first custom on one of the trailers, a minor incidents unit or, if you like, a small fires unit.

In some areas, the pattern of fires is such that either all the time or part of the time a full size fire engine and crew are not necessary to provide adequate fire cover.  For example, on a Friday and Saturday night in the commercial district of Copt Hewick Volunteer Fire Brigade's patch fires tend to be nuisance ones - litter bins, trees, park benches, and so the plan is to have first attendance for these as a 3181 and the minor incidents unit.  Of the other two trailers, one will be converted to a rescue function and one to an environmental/salvage function.  But here is the first, the minor incidents/small fires unit.

The first photo shows the original interior of the trailer, with the second and third showing the changes made by introducing partitioning into compartments on the right side and by fitting a slide out tray for a portable pump and a fire extinguisher rack on the left side.
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Offline playmofire

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2009, 20:10:05 »
Now a detailed look at the left side (sides are determined looking at the vehicle from the rear, btw). 

The general, external view shows the roof ladder fitted to the storage compartment cover and the trailer's blue light and one of the lengths of suction hose fitted on the top.

Next an interior view showing the storage compartments, the portable pump and the three fire extinguishers used for dealing with the smaller fires.  More serious fires are dealt with either by using a water supply from a hydrant or by using the portable pump to pump water from a pond or stream.  (The pump can also be used to supplement the pressure in the hydrant system where this is too low for effective firefighting, e.g. at the top of a hill.)

Next the pump slid out ready to be dismounted and put into use, and finally a detail shot of the three fire extinguishers.
« Last Edit: April 30, 2009, 20:53:19 by playmofire »
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Offline playmofire

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2009, 20:16:30 »
Still on the left side, the upper and lower storage drawers showing some of the equipment carried.  In the second photo, the blue hose nozzles on the right are clipped into a two-way fort connector.

Next a detail shot of the contents of the upper storage drawer and, then, one of the contents of the lower storage drawer.  The hydrant, foam branch and hose branch are clipped in a three-way fort connector when in the storage compartment.
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Offline playmofire

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2009, 20:43:05 »
On the right side, a single 7m ladder is carried on the compartment cover with a second length of suction hose on the top of the trailer. 

Inside, one can of foam concentrate is carried (the yellow can) and one can of foam to form light water foam, a mixture which greatly increases the "killing" ability of water on fire, an important feature when relying on only hydrant or any standing water supplies if a fire is more serious than first thought.  Three warning cones complete the equipment carried on the right side.

The storage compartments are accessible from either side, and in the first picture of these a three-way fort connector can be seen securing a hammer, axe and small hand shovel.

The last picture shows the lower storage compartment; the hydrant in the front is held together with a branch and a foam branch in a three-way connector.
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Offline playmofire

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2009, 21:01:42 »
The rear view shows the original hose reels which are retained, the two suction hoses mounted on the top using and the trailer's blue warning light.  For the suction and the blue light, two-way connectors are used to hold them in place.

On the top of the trailer, a petrol can is carried for refuelling the portable pump, fitting neatly between the feet of the giraffe light base, which is also retained.

The giraffe light can be used on the trailer or off.

Thank you for taking the time to read this thread and I hope you found it interesting.  The two 3181s are being modified to carry more equipment, and I hope to complete these in the next few months.
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Offline Little Jo

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2009, 08:55:17 »
Again a great equiped vehicle.  :wow:
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Offline Bill Blackhurst

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2009, 12:17:35 »
Excellent custiom fire equipment trailer Gordon  :wow:! I can't wait to see your rescue equipment trailer storing the air bags  ;D! Your customization details are first class  :)9!

Bill
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Offline Jimbo

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2009, 12:50:41 »
Wow Playmofire, That is an excellent piece of work! :wow:
Your attention to detail is fantastic :yup:
Well Done.

Jimbo
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Offline Gepetto

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2009, 16:34:33 »
Amazing, simply amazing! :wow: :wow:



Gepetto
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Offline kaethe

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Re: Fire brigade minor incidents unit
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2009, 16:34:53 »
gordon, i know very little about firefighting equipment other than watching the rigs as they roll down the street or seeing them at the marina running their water rescue drills and hose/ladder drills, (sorry, i do not know the correct terminology), so reading your explanations of units has been very enjoyable and quite an education.  thank you, and i love your attention to all of those little details.  kaethe
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