A Ford Motors executive and paid-on-call firefighter developed an app for the fire service that lets users program their department’s nozzle settings into the application instead of referring to plastic data cards with mathematical formulas often attached to the interior of bunker gear.

“As an example, one of the plastic cards explain the friction loss and the pump pressures that are necessary when operating fire hose in different conditions,” said Alan Jacobson, who works in Ann Arbor, Mich., at the Pittsfield Township Fire Department. “Young firefighters carry pocket cards to help them calculate that quickly. It is a fairly complex math problem to solve it precisely.”

It’s the perfect application for an app because users can punch in numbers, and it will automatically calculate the precise answer, Jacobson said. For example, the app has embedded calculation tools used to determine discharge pressure for firefighting pumps, foam application rates and amounts, critical application rate/flow estimation, and pressure and flow rates for smooth-bore nozzles.

Specifically, the app has a Fire Pump Discharge Pressure Calculator that calculates friction loss formulaically and determines proper pump pressure and estimated reach while the foam application calculator lets the user enter area and depth of spill information, along with concentration and type of foam being used. It then calculates the amount of concentrate and water needed.

“Most firefighters don’t encounter a lot of spills every day, so for an oil spill in the road and at a certain size and you need to figure out if you have enough foam to put on top of it,” Jacobson said. “These calculations most firefighters don’t have memorized. They’d do it by trial and error. This application would quickly let you solve that problem.”

In addition, the app offers a Critical Application Rate Calculator that determines the minimum flow rate to extinguish fire in less than 10 seconds, while the Smooth Bore Tip Calculator lets users enter nozzle tip size and either pressure or flow rate. The calculator then solves for pressure or flow, Jacobson said.

Even if used in training and not on the fireground, the app can help firefighters understand and learn about calculations and the equipment needed, Jacobson said.

“Even as a training application, to be able to put different scenarios in and get the feel for appropriate size hoses and nozzle tips is a good way to be able to do that,” he said.

The app is available on Apple and Android devices. It costs $2.99.