Motorsports Fire/Rescue

[Sfrsc4]

Every motorsports race track in this country is in somebodys fire district. Who provides protection for this special risk group? My orginization (Speedway Fire/Rescue), provides protection for about 9 different tracks, and other events. I would be happy to share views, SOP's, and training oppertunities to any or all interested parties.
E-mail me at: Sfrsc4@aol.com
Thanks, Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue


[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited 01-26-99).]

[Jeff Bixby]

Very interested in how you guys (& gals) do business. I am extremely interested in special rescue and auto extrication. Any chance of seeing how your teams operate and what specialized equipment you have come up with? What tracks does your team operate at? Any special tricks your teammates have innovated in the arena of high speed collisions?

[Resc10]

Thats pretty cool. I'm a real big motorsports fiend... LOVE IT... I would be interested in what tracks you work at, any innovations or techniques you guys use, etc., etc. or really any other info. e-mail Resc10@AOL.com thanks.

[SCCARESCUE]

Hello Roger. I am the chief of the Fire Rescue Team at Watkins Glen International Raceway. We have a large group of very dedicated and well trained volunteer Fire rescue people. We are the recipients of the Amkus Gold Star Award. We cover the track every day of the season. I would be happy to share ideas and information. I wonder if there is enough interest to get a regular forum going here?

------------------
Dan Martelle

[LadderCo13]

Hello, I'm a member of the Fire Crew on The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Fire Department.
Currently we cover 2 Major races, The Indy 500, and The Brickyard 400. We will have another major event in the near future, Formula 1 Racing. They are constructing the new track for Formula 1 on the grounds of the motorspeedway as I write this post. The track is located in the Town of Speedway. The town has its own paid fire department which is first due to the track in case thier needed. They are backed up by the Indianapolis Fire Department if needed. I'm glad to see there is a interest in motorsports emergencies. I'm looking foward to hearing how other racing facilities handle thier fire and ems protection. BE SAFE ALL...

[This message has been edited by LadderCo13 (edited 02-18-99).]

[This message has been edited by LadderCo13 (edited 02-18-99).]

[Sfrsc4]

I have gotten many replies to my original posting, but I know that their are a lot more active firefighters out there that work at racetracks. Don't be shy, say hi. The more interest we can generate in this special field, the better trained and informed we can be, and that can only help everyone involved. The upcomming season has started for some, and will soon be starting for the rest of us. Stay safe! Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue

[ashes]

Hello from Bristol Tn., home of the World's Fastest Half-Mile track, the Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bristol hosts two race weeks a year.During these weeks the city of Bristol goes from 22000 to over 140000 people.Our fire dept has four stations and in July our shifts will go to 13 per shift. My station is first due to the speedway. During the race we have an engine assigned to the standpipe system at the grand stands.We do not work the pit fire crews or help man the track fire crews, The volunteer fire depts man these duties simply because we don't have the manpower to do this.We have 2 FF/Paramedics assigned to a brush unit to patrol the campgrounds outside the track. The Bristol race is really something to see...and most of the time is fun to work....be safe

[Lt621]

We don't have any major racing facilities in our area. However, we do have a smaller dirt track facility that usually provides 4-5 hours of racing every Friday night. We don't take any apparatus to the track. The track pays two firemen to come out , and they provide us with a 4-wheel drive pick-up loaded down with different types and sizes of extinguishers. The track also pays two persons from EMS who man a reserve med unit at the racetrack.

[natemarshall]

You may want to contact the West Metro Fire District in Lakewood Colorado which has teh Bandimere Speedway which features dragsters and jet cars, which produce some unique challenges.

------------------
Shadow

[Mondello]

Here in Ireland we have one road course called Mondello Park near the capital Dublin. The safety services are provided by a volunteer team running a squad vehicle and crewed by 4 extrication/medical crew and a doctor. The vehicle carries two Holmatro mini pumps , comb-tool, cutter, power ram, cribbing, ropes, 10 ton porto-powers, extinguishers and hand tools.It also has airway management kit, intubation , IV , chest drain kits and semi - auto defib. All told they cover about 60 days a year at events plus 5 extrication days, CPR refresher, defib refreshers and one night a month. The EMT level crew also have US National Registry con-ed and recerts.

[INDY FIRE]

It's been a year since anyone has posted in this forum. Is there anything new to report for NASCAR, IRL, CART or FORMULA 1? Any new tools on the market to make life easier?

[Sfrsc4]

Wow, I can't believe that this posting lasted this long, I was sure it was collecting cybercobwebs in the cellar by now.
There has been no earth shattering new developments that I am aware of yet. Then again, our training is just about to take place, with who knows what kind of new information will be brought back from FDIC, or anywhere else. Stay tuned to our website at http://www.speedwayfire.8m.com for updates after our training Saturday March 11, 2000.
<A HREF="http://www.speedwayfire.8m.com"> http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/uploads/f&r6.gif
</A>

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited March 09, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited March 10, 2000).]

[billy]

NFPA is currently gathering info. regarding the fire/rescue operations at speedway events. Probably the info. will put into a standard soon. Dan Jones, Chief of Chapel Hill, NC FD is a key person regarding this.

How many groups receive formal training for covering such events? What does the training consist of? Who performs it? Is EMS care included? What equipment have you folks rigged to make life easier?

What fire eqt. do you carry. Has anyone built a simulator (maybe LP fired) to practice with?

[Sfrsc4]

I had heard rumors that NFPA is working on some kind of standard for Motorsports operations. I do hope that they get a lot of background to base this on. A national standard will be difficult to practice in all places, but I do feel that something is necessary.
Besides open pan fires, I have not heard of any simulators for racecar fires. I have seen old racecar chassis used for extrication practice, and that is definately a great idea. The hard part of a propane simulator is that it is real difficult to duplicate an alcohol fire like that. You just have to use the real thing there.
On our rigs, we carry a great selection of hand portable extinguishers, and various hand tools. In addition, we have a large mounted unit in the back of each truck as well, for those rare "Big Ones". For rescue purposes, we use the "Power Hawk" rescue tool, since it requires no set up time, and takes little storage space.
For more information on our operations stop by and see us. <A HREF="http://www.speedwayfire.8m.com"> http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/uploads/f&r6.gif
</A>

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited March 10, 2000).]

[billy]

Roger,

Please contact Chief Jones and provide some input on the NFPA standard. He is very approachable.

[billy]

What type of training props have you developed for race car rescue? Some that would be handy are: seats, helmets, steering columns, roll cages, plus more. Let's hear it race fans, what would advance the field of race car rescue?

[Sfrsc4]

Hey Billy, how about a little help with Chief Dan's e-mail address if you could? Thanks.
Some of the other "props" we use for our trainings include but are not limited to: tow trucks, and their drivers, seat belts, full race cars, and there owners, custom built tools for special use (ie. can openers for roofs, hooked chains for hood pins, etc.). The more "safety" oriented parts of cars we can use for training, the better prepaired we will be for our job. Not to mention the dangerous end of the cars too, that is why we have the parts of cars displayed, and full cars, so see, or not to see where these parts belong. Pit Crew Chiefs, and mechanics who built the cars are a most valuable asset in both training evoloutions, and even at an incident. <A HREF="http://www.speedwayfire.8m.com">
http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/uploads/f&r5.gif </A>



------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue
http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[billy]

Sorry Roger, as I don't have his email address. Please try contacting Chapel Hill FD direct or searching on the web. Maybe a phone # or email address will show. I'll continue to look for contact info.

Do you by some chance have a training curriculum that you can share with us?

[Sfrsc4]

As embarassed as I am to say it, I don't have a written lesson plan to share with anybody. What I can do is share what took place in some of our trainings in the past.
Haveing as much equipment on hand as possible surly makes for great preparation. This would include fire extinguishers, race cars, junk cars (for cutting, and burning hands on excersizes) race car parts, in particular safety equipment. Seat restraints, steering wheels, and posts, cooling fans (for helmets), helmets to go along with that (that shows how radio wires, and cooling vents are hooked up). With the race car owner/driver/crew person, on the whole race car, they can point out the location of fuel and electrical shut offs. How the driver restraints are operated, including window nets, arm restraints, belts, etc. The more of the different classes of cars you work with, the more informed you can be before the knowledge is needed to be applied.
Last year, we broke into smaller groups and worked stations for practicing different things. Cordless saws was one station, fire extinguishers was another, extrication, cribbing, EMS, scene safety, size up, IC, rig orientation. Then after all went through all of the stations, we set up scenarios with the two junk cars. During that time, we lit them up and had "crews" go in like it was a real response. That was probably the best training we have had in years.
This year, we had less new personell, so we went through the stations as one big group, but accomplished just as much. This year we also left out the IC portion of the training, just to show the importance of it.
One nice thing Speedway Fire/Rescue takes for granted is probably the same as a lot of professional Departments. We have regular crews assigned to the same rigs most of the time. As a Captain, and rig driver, when I have a different member (Probie, or just a substitute) I run them around the rig to re-aquaint them with the tool stowage and inventory at the begining of the shift.
Like any good fire department, the ability to take knowledge and apply it to a givin situation, is invaluable. Teamwork must be stressed. The Incident Command system must be in place, and practiced. Communication is very important. But Most of all....SAFETY OF THE RESPONDER is never to be forgotten!

I have posted a brief summary of this years training on our website. Pictures will be on line soon.
<A HREF="www.speedwayfire.8m.com"> http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/uploads/f&r5.gif </A>

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited March 12, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited March 12, 2000).]

[billy]

Hey Roger,
I did locate a toll free # for the Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce. Try calling them and asking for a website with email links or a local phne #. Call 888-968-2060.

Contact Chief Dan Jones @ CHFD.

[DD]

Indiana has a Fire Fighter Certification category of Motor Sport Emergency Responder.
The prerequisite is Fire Fighter II Certification for at least one year. It is authorized by Indiana Code 22-14-2-7 and 655 Indiana Administrative Code 1-2.1-65.


I picked up a copy of the November/December 1999 issue of the Industrial Fire World Magazine at the FDIC in Indy week before last. It contained an article "Hide In Plain Sight" in which it detailed an overturned tanker fire in Cheshire, UK. The tanker and it's contents of Methanol were burning. The Cheshire Fire Brigade made very good use of thermal imaging, both on the ground and aerial from a chopper. Is anyone using TIC's at race tracks to find Methanol fires?

[billy]

Can anyone help me by supplying a copy of the Indiana FF curriculum regarding motorsports?

Good question about thermal imaging! Sounds like a good idea. Lets hear from those with experience!

[Sfrsc4]

I too would like to see the qualifications for the Motorsports quals. I had volunteered to make some for the State of Iowa, but I have not accomplished that.

The TIC idea is a great one too. Unfortunatly the cost of a TIC is WAY out of our budget. We use WD-40 sprayed into a suspected fire area to find alcohol fires. I am in the prosses of posting pics on my website, and some of those are alky fires. Check back later in the week, as it is very time consuming to get all of that done right. Thanks.

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue
http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[billy]

Does anyone practice using wheeled extinguishers during training? There is some technique required, thus important to train.

What about the recip saws, will they cut everything you need to cut? What blade do you use?

[Sfrsc4]

As a matter of fact, we were planning on using the "wheeled" units. The biggest differance is they are semipermantly mounted in the rigs. However, we did not actually use them, since over the winter they were vandilized, and discharged. I just finished recharging 400 pounds of PKP into several of the units, so we were not about to use them again.

As for the cordless saw, I am not sure which blade we use, since it is different almost every time I get to use it. We haven't found a bad blade yet. There isn't much we have found that can't be cut. I think they are regular commercial demolition blades, 6 or 8 inches, and I am not sure of which pitch. We cut A, B, and C posts, roll bars, doors, windows, pipe, springs, roofs, and even Carbon Fiber with no problems.

PS, I am still putting the pics on the website of our training. Sorry it is takeing so long.



------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue
http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[LMRCap1]

Our department use to contract to Milan Dragway in MI. We would only do the big races though and whenever they had jet cars and alcohal cars running. What a differant experiance. I also used to work for the private ambulance service that covered Flat Rock speedway which contracted their fire service to a track safety company. Both were fun to work but still enjoy sitting in the stands watching the action.

Les Hartford
Maybee, MI

[billy]

What specific topics do you feel should be included in a motorsports ff/rescue training symposium? Try to be specific. How long should the program be? What are prerequisites?

[Sfrsc4]

Well, there are a lot of usfull stuff on the Firefighter 1 test, so that would be a good start. Even some of the "Building Inspections" part of FF1 is a good idea. If you ever walk around the grandstands, or consession stands (as you should) you know what I mean. A working knowledge of Incident Command system is good. Proficency at hand portable fire extinguishers is number one priority. Scene safety, and size up is required. Fuel characteristics is manditory. Knowledge of commercially avalible tools (hand operated) and their safty features, and uses. (Custom built tools need to be covered in house) First responder type EMS protocals should be manditory too, at least good first aid training (CPR-D is part of FF1 cert.). These things are definate manditory training items. I think there are more, but I am sure I am overlooking them due to experiance complacency.

What I am not sure about is how to mandate training on the vast differences of different classes of cars, and how to properly extricate victims. Staging, and response of rigs needs to be addressed too, but with every track, and even with different events that changes. Most events we work, we are "Self dispatched", so I don't think that a national standard would work there either. I do believe that a spotter (dispatcher) would be helpful in a lot of situations. Most of our crew that don't have two way radios, use scanners, so the OIC can relay orders to personell operating at an incident (going back to IC structure), but some basic hand signals need to be addressed. SCCA has a set of hand signals, and we tried them, but many of those are not used because they aren't applicable to our situations.

I am going to post this for now, I am going to come back and add more to another reply when I think of more. I sure am looking for help here with this too.

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue
http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[DD]

Billy;

The following is a direct copy &paste from the Indiana Administrative Code.

655 IAC 1-2.1-65 Motor Sports Emergency Responder
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 65. (a) The minimum training standards for Motor Sports Emergency Responder certification shall be as set out in this section and sections 66 through 74 of this rule.
(b) The candidate shall have been certified as at least a Firefighter II or First Class Firefighter for one (1) year. (Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-65; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3402; errata filed Oct 3, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 20 IR 332)

655 IAC 1-2.1-66 Competitions, arenas, and vehicles
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 66. With respect to competitions, arenas, and vehicles, the candidate shall identify and describe the following:
(1) Types of motor sports competitions.
(2) Types of motor sports arenas, including the general requirements for each.
(3) Types of motor sports vehicles used in competition.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-66; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3402)

655 IAC 1-2.1-67 Emergency protection
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 67. The candidate shall identify and describe the minimum equipment requirements to provide adequate emergency protection at a motor sport event, including the following:
(1) Fire extinguishment equipment, mechanisms, agents, and proper uses.
(2) Extrication equipment.
(3) First responder medical equipment.
(4) Materials used for safe cleanup of track.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-67; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3402)

655 IAC 1-2.1-68 Physical condition assessment
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 68. With respect to physical condition assessment, the candidate shall be able to:
(1) quickly assess the driver's physical condition;
(2) determine if the driver is in any immediate danger;
(3) assess the driver's level of consciousness and airway patency; and
(4) support the driver until he or she receives definitive medical care.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-68; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3402)

655 IAC 1-2.1-69 Personal safety
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 69. The candidate shall identify and describe the requirements for personal safety while performing the following:
(1) Firefighting.
(2) Motor sports response.
(3) Extrication.
(4) Medical evaluation.
(5) Track cleanup.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-69; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3402)

655 IAC 1-2.1-70 Extrication
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 70. With respect to extrication, the candidate shall explain and perform the extrication and removal of the driver from a variety of common motor sports vehicles. (Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-70; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3402)

655 IAC 1-2.1-71 Common fires and fuel sources
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 71. With respect to common motor sports fires and fuel sources, the candidate shall identify and describe the following:
(1) Common types of motor sports fires.
(2) Petroleum mixtures or compounds.
(3) Engine lubricants.
(4) Manmade compounds.
(5) Electrical and mechanical ignition sources.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-71; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3402)

655 IAC 1-2.1-72 Safety warning devices and radio communication
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 72. The candidate shall:
(1) identify and describe visual and audible safety warning devices; and
(2) explain the proper use of radio communication.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-72; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3403)

655 IAC 1-2.1-73 Incident command, priorities, and stabilization
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 73. With respect to incident command, priorities, and stabilization, the candidate shall do the following:
(1) Explain the incident command structure and responsibilities.
(2) Explain the role of the motor sports responder in the safe operation of any motor sports event.
(3) Explain safe response to an incident, including the following:
(A) Evaluate the scene for fire and medical issues.
(B) Survey of spectator areas for injuries.
(C) Cleanup of debris.
(Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-73; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3403)

655 IAC 1-2.1-74 Placement of emergency apparatus; personnel safety
Authority: IC 22-14-2-7
Affected: IC 22-14-2-7

Sec. 74. The candidate shall explain the safe placement of emergency apparatus in a variety of scenarios and necessary safety precautions applicable to working personnel, participants, and spectators. (Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education; 655 IAC 1-2.1-74; filed Jul 18, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 19 IR 3403)

I forgot to give the address of the Public Safety Training Institute, it is: http://www.state.in.us/sema/psti.html


[This message has been edited by DD (edited March 18, 2000).]

[Sfrsc4]

Thank you DD. That sure is helpful. It doesn't look like I was too far off the mark trying to remember this on my own.

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue
http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[billy]

I'm asking...Please submit a list of topics that should be included in a motorsports safety/ff/rescue training program.

Try to be generally specific and include any references you can.

Later some proposals can be developed for a minimal standard.

[AZEMT]

I know that in the Phoenix area tracks (Firebird and PIR) the Safety Safaris are from Rural/Metro. I race a 310+mph jet dragster around the country for a living and have met alot of safety crews in the process. Although weve never needed the assistance its nice to know their available if we need it. You can check out our page at WWW.INVADERJET.COM (http://WWW.INVADERJET.COM)

[billy]

Who can provide some contact info. for the Safety Safari folks?

[DD]

I think that Al's Emergency 1 is a rapid response vehicle with a warp drive. The jet is for the areas with slower, congested traffic. Look at his invader jet site.

[SCCARESCUE]

Hi everyone! Sorry I have not checked this in a while. Here are some thoughts:

The committee looking into the need for a standard for motorsport facilities has been busy. The committee is a virtual "who's who" of veteran race track responders and managers. Interests of both sides of the issue - fire and motorsports - are well represented by respected people. However, as with any standard, it will take time to develop and even longer to implement. Rest assured that everyone will have a chance to respond to any proposals they may develop.

Training is an issue we use at my track. we host a 2 day seminar on safety. In addition, my fire crews have 5 days of live fire/live rescue training BEFORE we hit the track each season. All attend - even the veterans. We use real cars and real fuels and real agents to solve the various problems. Last year we used over 1000 lbs of Purple K in training alone. If you use the agents in training, and train well, with good scenarios, you will use far less agent during the season - as your people will know how to use it, when to use it and how much to use. We use Sodium Bicarb, Purple K, and Cold fire as our main agents. Portland cement is used for metallic fires.

Rescue equipment for a race track is the same stuff for the street, with a few exceptions: On the track we must deal with new alloys and welding materials, Carbon Fiber, Lexan windshields. There are few "specialized" tools - just stuff you find every day. Dewalt 18v cordless stuff - drills, circ saw and reciprocating saws are very useful. Coarse tooth, short saws are great for fiberglass and carbon fiber. Face masks are needed for carbon fiber cutting.

enough for now!! I am off to the races in Charlotte - lets get some other guys in here!!

Dan Martelle

------------------
Dan Martelle

[billy]

Thanks Dan for your reply. Who is serving on the committee, and how should they be contacted?

[Ladder Man]

Any new developments guys and gals? It has been a few months since anyone has posted anything here.

[Sfrsc4]

Sorry, I haven't posted anything in a while either. It has been a busy season, as usuall. We havn't had too many big incidents to critique, nor any new tactics or procedures to try. I am sure that after the season winds down in the next month or two, more will be posted here, and elsewhere.

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue
http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[rasafety300]

I do not know if anyone is watching this thread. NFPA 610 a guidline has been out for a couple years and is in the process of bei8ng revised. Chief Jones is no longer chairing the committee but remains on it and very active. The new chair is a firfighter, race car driver and also on a motorsports safety team. We would love to have input from all for improvements. Our biggest dissapointment has been lack of interest since it was published. Presently I serve as secretary of the committee.

[pevrs114]

Virginia Department of Fire Programs offers a program called Motorsports Emergency Response Training (NFPA 610). There are a number of Busch and Nextel tracks in Virginia, and I understand the training is pretty good.

You can contact the VDFP at www.vafire.com or (804) 371-0220 and see if they can give you some curriculum information, or even schedule taking the class from them. Those people in states nearby very well may be able to travel to take the course.

[lddsmdcd]

I am taking a class and must figure out an Emergency Action Plan for a racetrack. I have never been to a racetrack and need some help. My project is the INDY but just an idea. I am taking a homeland security program.


As embarassed as I am to say it, I don't have a written lesson plan to share with anybody. What I can do is share what took place in some of our trainings in the past.
Haveing as much equipment on hand as possible surly makes for great preparation. This would include fire extinguishers, race cars, junk cars (for cutting, and burning hands on excersizes) race car parts, in particular safety equipment. Seat restraints, steering wheels, and posts, cooling fans (for helmets), helmets to go along with that (that shows how radio wires, and cooling vents are hooked up). With the race car owner/driver/crew person, on the whole race car, they can point out the location of fuel and electrical shut offs. How the driver restraints are operated, including window nets, arm restraints, belts, etc. The more of the different classes of cars you work with, the more informed you can be before the knowledge is needed to be applied.
Last year, we broke into smaller groups and worked stations for practicing different things. Cordless saws was one station, fire extinguishers was another, extrication, cribbing, EMS, scene safety, size up, IC, rig orientation. Then after all went through all of the stations, we set up scenarios with the two junk cars. During that time, we lit them up and had "crews" go in like it was a real response. That was probably the best training we have had in years.
This year, we had less new personell, so we went through the stations as one big group, but accomplished just as much. This year we also left out the IC portion of the training, just to show the importance of it.
One nice thing Speedway Fire/Rescue takes for granted is probably the same as a lot of professional Departments. We have regular crews assigned to the same rigs most of the time. As a Captain, and rig driver, when I have a different member (Probie, or just a substitute) I run them around the rig to re-aquaint them with the tool stowage and inventory at the begining of the shift.
Like any good fire department, the ability to take knowledge and apply it to a givin situation, is invaluable. Teamwork must be stressed. The Incident Command system must be in place, and practiced. Communication is very important. But Most of all....SAFETY OF THE RESPONDER is never to be forgotten!

I have posted a brief summary of this years training on our website. Pictures will be on line soon.
<A HREF="www.speedwayfire.8m.com"> http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/uploads/f&r5.gif </A>

------------------
Roger Ellis, Capt. Speedway Fire/Rescue http://speedwayfire.8m.com
ICQ#: 61722026

[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited March 12, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Sfrsc4 (edited March 12, 2000).]

[techrescue]

Doesn't the Indy Racing League have a traveling team? Anybody have any info about them?

[N2DFire]

Doesn't the Indy Racing League have a traveling team? Anybody have any info about them?

Yes they do & Yes there is ;)
http://www.indycar.com/tech/101/safety_team.php
http://www.indycar.com/pro/101/safety_team.php
http://www.indycar.com/101/safety_team.php

Traveling team of 15 persons - having worked NASCAR events before this sounded kinda low so i did more looking.


It would appear that in IRL - each race team is responsible for their own pit area fire suppression (at least at first).
http://www.indycar.com/tech/101/pit_stop_rules.php

[techrescue]

Has anybody here ever worked with them? Sounds like an interesting job.

[SCIBR10]

I just retired with 30 years on my department as a Relief Engineer at a California Type 1 & 2 station January 31st here in San Diego. I would love to be involved with a Fire/Rescue team at a track setting. California Speedway is the closest to where I live, but I'm mobil too. Thanks for any responses to this.

Stephen
Bajahuskys@yahoo.com

[Chasselber1]

NHRA has the Safety Safari. They have a core group of full timers that travel and alot of part timers. You get a schedual in the winter for the next season and select the events you want to work. I usually try and work the races in PA, NJ, and VA and try to get a Vegas race also. They have 4 trucks all Chevy/GMC 3500 duallys. 1 oil down truck with some fire extinguishers, and 3 fire/rescue trucks which have coldfire exitinguisher skid units, plus various other fire extinguishers and equipment. 2 of the trucks have hurst rescue tools.

[SCIBR10]

How does one apply for the Safety Safari? It sounds like my kind of operation and I have the freedom to travel right now. Steny

[Chasselber1]

I sent an email to the HR department. It's a great time. Being on the starting line when a top fueler launches is earth shaking!

[N2DFire]

Might check out these folks

http://www.trackrescue.com

I had looked into applying with them but had too many irons in the fire (still do really) but it sounds like fun.

[HSFDChief600]

Looking for specific truck ideas. What do most folks use? What type pump? Types of extinguishers? Any pictures would be great.
The track Im at uses an older F150 (to small) 4X4 with a 200gal tank with a small pump. We use abc extinguishers, PKP, and water. Im trying to get our track manager to buy some additives to drop in the tanks.

Our track has been closed for 2 yrs due to an asshat running it poorly. In that time all the equipment sat dormant. It took some effort to get the pumps back operating and had to do some work on the extrication tools.

[Guardian6]

Hey all,

Reading thru this post and everything sounds awesome! I was a volunteer at RIR in Richmond, VA for the Busch/Nextel series races in May and September for several years. Henrico Co Fire and Rescue provided more of the on track support for the raceway in addition to the RIR "Safety Staff" that do a good portion of the extrication. They use Holmatro portable rescue tools. Volunteers, like myself, did the majority of EMS/Suppression for the off track work....fans, parking lots, and camp site.
Maybe there is someone on here that actually works for Henrico County that would be better able to provide info on what they do at RIR! I would be interested in what comes out of the meetings as to whether there will be a "national standard" or a further revising of NFPA 610.

[Chasselber1]

I'll be heading up to Maple Grove raceway for the NHRA National meet next week and I'll grab some shots of the trucks we use.

[BoxAlarm187]

Henrico Co Fire and Rescue provided more of the on track support for the raceway in addition to the RIR "Safety Staff" that do a good portion of the extrication. They use Holmatro portable rescue tools. Volunteers, like myself, did the majority of EMS/Suppression for the off track work....fans, parking lots, and camp site.

Good to hear from you, Guardian.

For NASCAR events, all of the on-track safety fire/extrication personnel (riding in the red track safety trucks) are employees of Henrico and Chesterfield. They perform all fire suppression & extrication that occurs. Halmatro has a truck kept next to the media center with extra tools on it if needed. The ambulances in the corners are staffed by local volunteer EMS personnel, most of them have been working the same position for 5+ years at every event.

All of the pit, infield, and garage firefighters are employees of Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover Counties.

Henrico Fire provides all of the fire & EMS coordination for both the inside and outside track activities. The outside activities (grandstands, parking lots, etc) for fire suppression and ALS providers come from Henrico Fire, supplemented by EMS volunteers from across the Commonwealth.

As for the IRL events (which will no longer be held at RIR), IRL brought their own on-track safety team with them, the Henrico guys were back-up for them.

Hope this helps...