One of the nation's oldest nuclear weapons sites also has some of the oldest firefighting gear, according to an independent panel that critiques safety issues at U.S. Energy Department sites.
"The staff has concerns regarding the management of aging apparatus in the fire department fleet," wrote John Mansfield, the chairman of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
In a January letter to Ines Triay, the Energy Department's assistant secretary for environmental management, Mansfield said SRS was the only facility among all sites evaluated where every major piece of equipment had exceeded its life expectancy.
"The first-line engines are 17 years old, one engine is 20 years old and the reserve engine is 31 years old," the board's report said, adding that the site's only ladder truck, which is 20 years old, spent 119 days in the shop during the past three years.
"Within three years, the entire fleet of engines, ladder truck, ambulances, and hazardous material and rescue vehicles will have exceeded SRS's 10-year life expectancy," the report said, urging an expedited program to replace the aging equipment.
Site officials say they are moving quickly to address the issue and hope to buy two new fire vehicles by the end of the fiscal year.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the site's primary contractor, is in the process of acquiring two new fire trucks, spokesman Will Callicott said.
"We expect to have them here at the site this calendar year," he said.
The initial purchases of a fire engine and a new ladder truck will be followed by other acquisitions, he said.
The safety board's report also noted that fire protection upgrades will be needed in K area, where the new Pit Disassembly and Conversion Facility will be located.
Workers at the specialized facility will take apart plutonium "pits" from dismantled nuclear warheads and convert the material to an oxide form, which will be blended into commercial nuclear reactor fuel at the separate Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility.
"Significant fire protection upgrades in support of this project will be necessary and will be the subject of future staff reviews as project details are developed," the investigators wrote.
Although firefighting equipment was out of date, the contractor-managed fire protection program at SRS was found to be "well staffed and implemented," the report said.
Age alone does not render equipment obsolete or unusable. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Heavy equipment lasts longer than personal-use equipment. I knew a man who, until his death a few years ago, drove an Army surplus jeep from WWII. It was more than 60 years old. This is just another way to waste scare taxpayer dollars. We're already deep in debt. Think about it before wasting more money, please.
If you only knew....These contractors at the plant are only out for the money, why would an out going contractor (WSRC) spend any money on Fire Trucks when they could pocket the cash! Then leave the new guys (SRNS) to fix the problem. Not only is the greed of these people outrageous, they just don't care, these trucks have been a problem back to 2005. I feel sorry for the Firemen having to work with junk!
Cry me a river. Let's see - $500 million/year for an insane plutonium fuel project which benefits special interests, $1.6 billion in 'stimulus" spending and a site budget around $2 billion per year and there's no money for fire equipment?! Ha! This is mismanagement of public funds at its worst. The big government-corporate alliance at SRS needs to be disassembled. Working people are being milked by this operation and it's time to cut off the tap.
edwardc- Hey Eddie- YOUR WRONG-
NFPA CODE 1901
According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s Fire Service Needs Assessment, researched by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and published in December 2002, 16 percent of all fire engines (pumpers) are 15–19 years old; 21 percent are 20–29 years old; 13 percent (more than 10,000) are more than 30 years old. The report concludes that more than half of all fire engines are more than 15 years old.
Significant changes in NFPA Standards (1901, 1906, 1911, 1912, 1914 and 1915) in the past 13 years have resulted in dramatic new safety improvements in fire apparatus. The recent release of the 2003 edition of NFPA 1901 noted a new section, Annex D, referencing apparatus replacement or refurbishment. This document now outlines the basic requirements for a first-line response apparatus vs. reserve apparatus. In addition, Annex D provides guidelines on items to be refurbished and updated.
Every fire department has a responsibility to provide safe apparatus and equipment for its personnel to safely perform their responsibilities to their community. The apparatus should be compliant with national standards and must also adhere to state and local requirements.
Fire departments should audit their fleets in comparison to the following new definitions:
Definition of first-line fire apparatus: First-line fire apparatus must be manufactured to NFPA 1901, 1991 (2003 editions) and must be maintained apparatus in accordance with NFPA 1912 and 1915.
Definition of reserve fire apparatus: Reserve fire apparatus is defined as apparatus manufactured to applicable NFPA 1901 editions, after 1979 and prior to the 1991 edition. Such apparatus must have been upgraded to include as many of the features as possible found in 1991 or newer units and as outlined below.
Definition of obsolete apparatus: Apparatus built before 1979 and/or not manufactured to meet NFPA 1901.
Fire departments should be aware of legal issues that could impact the decision-making process of in-service apparatus. NFPA 1901 Annex D is not mandatory; however, it establishes a new datum point for age of apparatus and updating guidelines.
The fire department assumes full liability of retaining known deficient apparatus in service. To knowingly operate or approve of the operation of a vehicle that could kill or injure the public or a fire fighter severely exposes the fire department officials to liability.
The fire department should complete these steps for apparatus retention:
1. Carefully evaluate: A certified EVT should inspect the apparatus and collect all pertinent information.
2. Test existing apparatus to determine deficiencies and required updates.
a. Always use a third-party testing agency for aerial testing
b. Pumper testing should be done by a third party to assure validity of test results
c. A third-party testing company should identify deficiencies and recommended corrections.
3. Carefully analyze all your alternatives: Secure all costs and financing options in your refurbish or replacement plans. If you decided refurbishing is your best alternative, also double check and compare the cost of a new apparatus.
4. Use NFPA standards in the purchasing, operating and maintenance during the entire life cycle of an apparatus.
5. Know your legal responsibilities of operating vehicles that do not meet NFPA standards.
The complete version Annex D can be found in the 2003 edition of NFPA 1901. Also, a new one-hour video, “Apparatus Refurbishment or Replacement,” is forthcoming from Primedia (FETN and Fire Chief magazine; watch http://firechief.com for more information). The IAFC is featuring a session on Aug. 12, “Using NFPA 1901 Annex D for Fleet Replacement” at Fire-Rescue International in New Orleans. For more on FRI, visit www.iafc.org.
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