Saw and Equipment Checks

[Andyboyfire]

How often do you guys start up your saws and equipment at you departments? Do you guys run them up every morning, once a week?

[pasobuff]

In my 1st department, we used to do full equipment checks once per week - this was a volunteer dept. After equipment was used at a call it was also checked over for needed repairs, etc.

[firefightinirish217]

In my 1st department, we used to do full equipment checks once per week - this was a volunteer dept. After equipment was used at a call it was also checked over for needed repairs, etc.

That's how mine did it, it was a paid dept. We cleaned the entire station on Friday, and with that went equipment/battery checks on every apparatus, reserve apparatus as well. This included checking fluids in saws and starting them all. All battery operated recip. saws had there batteries charged as well. All other equipment was checked, i.e. SCBA's, radio battery (radio check was done every morning), tools, etc. Also, equipment/battery checks were done after every incident it was used at.

[rm1524]

Manned stations - the fuel level (and oil on saws) is checked every day and everythings is checked and ran weekly.

Un-manned stations - Everything is checked and ran once a week by a crew out of station1.

[zzyyzx]

Daily, we do a visual inspection and fuel check and a brief cleaning.
Weekly, run it up and do a full check and detailed cleaning.
After each use it gets a detailed inspection and repaired as necessary.

[PaladinKnight]

Every shift at 1330 to 1400 unless deployed, then soonest available.

[GTRider245]

I run my saw, fan and generator every morning on my paid department, for a few reasons:

1. Even running daily, the equipment can be stubborn to start in the cold months. I couldnt imagine only cranking everything once a week.

2. If it were to be needed at a call, and it it didnt work, the first question asked would be, "Well, did it start this morning?" I dont want to have to say I dont know.

To each thier own though.

[Andyboyfire]

I run my saw, fan and generator every morning on my paid department, for a few reasons:

1. Even running daily, the equipment can be stubborn to start in the cold months. I couldnt imagine only cranking everything once a week.

2. If it were to be needed at a call, and it it didnt work, the first question asked would be, "Well, did it start this morning?" I dont want to have to say I dont know.

To each thier own though.

That is why I asked, I was amazed to find out how many departments do not start they equipment each day, most major cities start them once if not twice daily at the change of tours.

[RFD21C]

Gas equipment started everyday here. Trucks are checked bumper to bumper every morning after line up. If can be started, it is started. If can be turned on, it is turned on. Not only is it a good habit. It is also a CYA thing. I dont want to have to answer the question did it start this morning with I dont know cap i didn't try it.

[dirtfire]

While the dept. only requires the exhaustive check pre week, I run everything in, on, or around the engine at the start of my 48. Who knows what has happened to the equipment during the last shift or 2?? Better off well prepared and 100% sure of your equipment than hoping it still runs. I guess I need to check though, I may be the only one or one of few who does this here...

[jakesdad]

Saws, generators, gas meters, TIC, Hurst tool generator and all SCBA's checked and operated and all hooks and halligans are checked for cleanliness and rust and cleaned and oiled accordingly at the start of each tour ( 9 am & 6 pm).

Even if you are in the middle of a 24 and you know for certain that the equipment was fine at the start of it - at the change of tours it all gets checked again.

Not saying its the right or wrong way, it is just the way its done where I am.

[len1582]

Every day.

[RFDGloWorm]

Every day.

+1...gotta know for yourself that your tools will be able to perform.

[nameless]

I'm on the everyday bandwagon. I don't like the idea of not checking the equipment after another shift has been on duty. for those working 10s and 14s

[GTRider245]

It literally takes ten minutes to run a fan, saw and generator. I dont see how there could be any serious opposition to not starting equipment daily.

[TruckSixFF]

We check/start up both of our K-12s, Vent-Master chainsaw, smoke fans, extrication tools (spreader,cutter, both rams) and let them run for about 5 mins. We also check that we have water in both of our PW cans, make sure the emergency lights work, our fuel is full, we also have an ALS inventory check sheet every morning, and we also fill up our on board water jug with water and ice every morning. I also like to make sure my tools are at my seat for example if I am the "irons" posistion I make sure my portable is charged and ready to go in my radio strap, my irons are on the floor by my seat, and my rabbit tool is working properly. All of this gets doen every single shift.

[fvfdstation4]

Every day, when i work at my career FD. Its stupid not to it takes 10 minutes if that to start and check the tools.

[TruckSixFF]

Every day, when i work at my career FD. Its stupid not to it takes 10 minutes if that to start and check the tools.

Yupp something as simple at 10-15 mins could end up saving someones life. It needs to get done.

[Firemedic 61]

I'm for checking ALL of your equipment EVERY shift. You never know when the equipment gnome will strike! I'm sure we can all recall an instance at the end of a shift when the on coming crew can't get something to start, even though we ran it with no problem. Now, with that being said, we are only aloud to start our 2 cycle saws twice a week at the request of our city's mechanics. They feel that running the saws every shift is the leading cause of repairs.

[fvfdstation4]

I'm for checking ALL of your equipment EVERY shift. You never know when the equipment gnome will strike! I'm sure we can all recall an instance at the end of a shift when the on coming crew can't get something to start, even though we ran it with no problem. Now, with that being said, we are only aloud to start our 2 cycle saws twice a week at the request of our city's mechanics. They feel that running the saws every shift is the leading cause of repairs.

Yah! i can see their point starting them 365 times a year at minimum would be hard on the plugs i would imagine.