Here are the answers to questions we have received:

5/30/08

I see a fdc on most commercial buildings throughout town.  What does this sign mean and what is the purpose of the fdc?

Answer from Firefighter Alan Holmes:

The FDC signs stands for Fire Department Connection, this connection gives us the ability to directly add water to sprinklers if we need to, they are always located street side, and need to be accessible so that we could readily connect to it.

5/28/08

What do you do if a truck will pump 1,000 gallons a minute but the hydrant you're hooked to will only deliver 750 gallons per minute?

Answer from Captain Forrest Cox:

If the hydrant will only deliver 750 GPM, but we need 1000 GPM, we would have to set up a secondary water source.  In our computers we have a list of every hydrant in Aberdeen, and it shows us the GPM's that each hydrant will deliver which we calculate during our hydrant testing each year.  Using this list, we could choose a different near by hydrant that would supply the 1000 GPM.  If this is not an option, we would perform a water shuttle.  When this happens a tanker or several tankers would fill up at a lake, pond, stream etc and bring that water back to the location and deposit the water into drop tanks that the initial apparatus would be pumping from, this would make up the difference for the lower GPM's in the hydrant.

5/16/08

How often do you wash fire hose and what is the purpose of washing hose?

Answer from Deputy Chief Richard Allred:

Hose is washed any time its been in extreme conditions, like a structure fire.  The purpose of washing hose is to inspect it for any damage, and also to protect the integrity of the fabric.

5/9/2008

How long is the service life of a fire truck?

Answer from Chief Phillip Richardson:

Approximately 20 years.  Usually a truck will be "on the frontline" meaning it is one of the first choices for calls for about 10 years.  After that it will be a reserve truck or "second out"  for another 10.

3/30/08

How much does it cost to outfit a firefighter with turnout gear, bunker boots, helmet, gloves, nomex hood, pager, and what ever else he may require?

Answer from Deputy Chief Richard Allred:

Outfitting a firefighter costs between $8000 and $10000 per firefighter.  The turnout out coat and pants cost approx $2000, boots around $200, helmet $200, gloves - our firefighters are issued two sets of gloves, a pair of structure gloves, and a pair of extrication gloves for use at car accidents, the combined cost is around $80.00, a nomex hood $35.00, pager $500.  There is also the cost of portable radio's for each firefighter, it is important to for each to have their own, the cost $1200, and the last main piece of equipment a firefighter needs is SCBA, this is their means of breathing in a hazardous condition, or in a fire, the cost for a complete SCBA is around $5400.

3/23/08

What is the worst fire the Department has ever had or been involved in since the Department was established?

Answer from Deputy Chief Richard Allred:

The worst fire the Department has been involved with would have to be the Ellerbe Mills Fire where the Assistant Chief of Ellerbe lost his life.  The Aberdeen Fire Rescue Department has had many fires throughout the years from large warehouse fires to small yard fires.  In the 40's the Aberdeen Hotel had a large fire, and in the 80's the Purolator plant also had a large fire.

3/16/08-

Is the AFD and other town departments prepared for a natural disaster like a tornado, and how would the AFD work with other town departments.

Answer from Captain Forrest Cox:

Yes, the Town of Aberdeen is ready to handle a natural disaster, such as a tornado, or many other disasters.  Preparing ahead of time is the key to this. The Town has an Emergency Operation Plan; this plan is a layout or guideline already put in place to handle any disaster, including natural disasters, which meets the requirements of FEMA planning guidance. Here at the fire department we train on a daily basis so that should a disaster occur we are ready to respond, and give the community our best efforts.  We also work closely with the other departments within the town, and our mutual aid stations so that our combined efforts will help ensure a fast move towards recovery in an emergency. Many steps have been taken to make sure that we are prepared to handle any emergency that may come our way.

2/26/2008 -

How many gals. of water do you have on the fire trucks?

Answer from Firefighter Holmes:

We have 4 different apparatus which carry water: We have two Engines, both carry 1000 gallons,  Our Ladder Truck carries 400 Gallons, and the Brush Truck carries 250.  To give you a bigger picture - the Engines carry enough water to fill approx 27 bathtubs each, the Ladder can fill approx 11, and the Brush Truck close to 7 bathtubs.