Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Foam & Foam Systems
Work Smarter, Not Harder
By Larry Marcum
Folding ladders, Class A foam and lightweight hoses all need to be components of the modern WUI apparatus....
No Contest
By Timothy J. Paulus
Multiple studies all indicate that using compressed-air foam instead of water alone greatly improves fire extinguishment and firefighter safety....
Looking Back in Order to Move Forward
By Ronny J. Coleman
The fire service always has suffered from budget woes. Learn from history to craft new strategies for justifying investment in cutting-edge technology — such as Class A foam....
Making the Case
By Thomas Wieczorek and Leonard Matarese
What city managers and mayors need to know about compressed-air foam systems....
What Chiefs Need to Know About CAFS
By Keith Klassen
The use of compressed-air foam ultimately will fail if it is not supported all the way to the top of the organization. Explore what chief officers need to know about, and how they can support, the use of CAF....
Light in the Dark Continent
By Bill Ballantyne
If a country lacking in almost every area of the fire service, by our standards, could realize so great a return by implementing foam or CAFS, how much more could we benefit from this technology back at home, where we already have so much?...
Take Retrofitting to Another Level
By Keith Klassen
The durability of compressed-air foam systems allow them to be used again and again....
What You Don't Know Can Hurt You
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
Last month, I received a call from an assistant chief who was looking for help and information to support his pitch for the use of Class A foam in his department. "This stuff will save firefighters' lives, you know," he told me....
A Penny Saved
By Keith Klassen
Actually, many, many pennies, when departments retrofit apparatus with foam systems, rather than purchasing new equipment....
Break Out the Bubbly
By Neal Brooks
Without question, the use of Class A foam has become more popular, given its advantages in knockdown time, firefighter safety and environmental impact compared with untreated water. Nevertheless, there are many departments that still are wondering whether Class A foam is right for them....
Steady as She Flows
By Keith Klassen
Keeping your CAF system healthy is imperative. Here's how to do it....
Class A Delivery
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
An alternative to compressed-air foam systems for the delivery of Class A foam is a high-pressure foam system....
Suppression Ratings See Unscheduled Maintenance
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
Mike Waters, vice president of risk-decision services, discusses the process for the proposed changes to ISO's Fire Suppression Rating Schedule....
Training with Class A Foam & CAFS
By Keith Klassen
Firefighters must understand how and why Class A foam works in order to be able to use it to its best effect. Many firefighters, even those who have used foam, do not understand how it makes water work better. ...
Beyond the Status Quo
By Garry Briese
When it comes to CAFS and Class A foam, the fire service has a profound responsibility to change. ...
New Thinking Requires an Open Mind
By Janet Wilmoth
This is FIRE CHIEF’s third Focus on Foam supplement and I believe it is the best one yet. In this issue, a visionary of the fire service speaks out on re-thinking fireground operations. In addition, training instructors and industry leaders announce a collaborative effort to create a generic resource by gathering all available media on Class A foam in order to define its role in structural firefighting and wildland fires. ...
A Compelling Argument
By John Lund
There are no good reasons to avoid using foam -- but there are many to justify its use. ...
Foam Academy Opens in Arizona
By Janet Wilmoth
The three-day International Class A Foam and CAFS Academy was held this week in Glendale, Ariz., with more than 100 participants from six countries in attendance....
Chemguard, Williams Form Alliance
Chemguard and Williams Fire & Hazard Control have released the first in their collaborative line of high-performance firefighting foam concentrates. ...
Doing More with Less
By Mary Rose Roberts (maryrose.roberts@penton.com)
More fire departments turn to foam to more effectively fight fires, especially when water is scarce....
Waterous, Elkhart, Phos-Chek Band for CAFS Academy
Three industry manufacturers jointly have develop the 2010 International Class A Foam and CAFS Academy, which will be held Feb. 18–20 in Glendale, Ariz....
Factory Approved
By Keith Klassen
A rural Arizona department found a way to extend its water supply through CAFS technology and hands-on education....
Affirming Foam
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
Knockdown time, firefighter safety and the environment are among the reasons to embrace this highly effective tool....
Letters to the Editor
Reader responds to March 2009 issue, one article at a time....
Foam Factors
By Rod Carringer
Understanding the basic mechanics of finished foam will help you choose the best system for your department....








