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MTDC Fire, Aviation, and Residues Programs

MTDC Fire, Aviation, and Residues Programs. Aerial Ignition Projects. Project Leader: Wes Throop. Helitorch. Prototype Fabricated Flight Characteristics Testing Completed Modifying Tip to Improve Shutoff and Flow Hope to Field Test During Spring Burning Season Est. Completion: Early FY06.

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MTDC Fire, Aviation, and Residues Programs

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  1. MTDC Fire, Aviation, and Residues Programs

  2. Aerial Ignition Projects Project Leader: Wes Throop

  3. Helitorch • Prototype Fabricated • Flight Characteristics Testing Completed • Modifying Tip to Improve Shutoff and Flow • Hope to Field Test During Spring Burning Season • Est. Completion: Early FY06

  4. Northern Helitorch Suspension Mods • Modified Suspension to Enhance Safety and Improve Flight Characteristics • Successfully Flight Tested • Installed on All Three USFS Northern Helitorches • Currently in Use By R-9

  5. Evaluate Northern Helitorch • Attended Operational Demonstration • Waiting for Burning Opportunity to Complete Evaluation

  6. Evaluate Raindance R2 Aerial Incendiary Machine • Australian Design • Uses “Cups” Molded Together in a Belt Instead of Spheres • Waiting for Example to Test

  7. Evaluate SEI Blue Dragon • Flight Testing Revealed Problems With Machine & Sphere Manufacturing Process • SEI Modified Machine and Sphere Manufacturing Process • Waiting for Burning Opportunities to Retest

  8. Evaluate SEI Red Dragon • Bench Tested at MTDC • Problems Encountered: • Frequent Jamming • Water Leakage • Must Disassemble Machine to Un-jam • Cannot Visually Confirm Spheres Are Feeding Properly • SEI Redesigning Machine to Correct Problems

  9. Evaluate PSD Emergency Procedures • Had Different Makes & Models of Operators Try Current Emergency Procedure – Some Could Not Jettison Machine • Fabricated Adapter Plate with Jettison Capability • Next Steps: • Field Test Adapter Plate • Evaluate Harness Attachment Hardpoints

  10. Aerial Ignition Website • Available to Forest Service & BLM Employees • Working On: • Adding Additional Content • Making Pages Accessible to Visually Impaired • Allowing Access to Other Agencies

  11. Batch Mixer • Field Tested With Good Results by Lassen NF • Operator’s Manual and Drawings Available From MTDC

  12. Ground Ignition Projects

  13. ATV Helmet for Fire Application • Project Leader: Mary Ann Davies • Investigating Helmet vs Hardhat Requirements for ATV Burning Operations • Researched Testing Standards for Hardhats & ATV Helmets • Procured Pit Crew Helmets for Field Testing • Working With WO and OSHA

  14. Terra Torch • Project Leader: Wes Throop • Designed to Use Two 55 Gallon Drums as Fuel Tanks • No CDL Required for Use • Currently Working on Design • Est. Completion: FY07

  15. Adapt Plastic Sphere Dispenser to ATV • Project Leader: Gary Kees • Project Goal: Adapt Plastic Sphere Dispenser for Use on ATV or UTV • Waiting for Development of ATV/UTV Policy • Will Evaluate New Generation PSD Machines as They Become Available

  16. Ground Ignition Hand Launcher • Project Leader: Wes Throop / Gary Kees • Tested 2 Prototype Vendor Systems – Mixed Results • Researching Different Methods of Propelling Sphere • Developing Sphere Injector for Use With Sling Shot • Completion: End of FY06

  17. ATV Torch • Project Leader: Wes Throop • Prototype Fabricated • Working on Electrical System Improvements • Est. Completion: Early FY06

  18. Evaluate ForesTech Flares • Project Leader: Wes Throop • New Flare Designed to be Used in Existing Fire Quick Launcher • Undergoing Field Testing – Results Favorable So Far

  19. Alternative Drip Torch Fuel • Project Leader: Wes Throop • Project Goal - Evaluate Biodiesel, Vegetable Oil, and Other Alternative Fuels for Drip Torches • Field Tested Vegetable Oil and Pre-Mixed Fuels – Results Mixed • Will Evaluate Biodiesel and Other Fuels • Completion Date: End of FY 06

  20. Fuel Transport Projects Project Leader: Wes Throop

  21. Safety Can Improvement • Worked With Vendor to Improve Existing Safety Can • Improved Can Now Available From Safe T Way as the Safety Transport LM Can

  22. Fuel Transport Guide • Provides Guidance to Field • Allowable Tanks & Containers • Marking, Labeling, Placarding • Shipping Papers & Emergency Response Info • Licensing & Training • Estimated Completion: 1st Quarter FY 06

  23. New Projects • Fuel Transport Training • Fuel Transport Web Site • Est Completion: FY 06

  24. Smokejumper Projects Project Leader: Pat Wilson

  25. FS-14 Upgrades • Project Goals • Increase Forward Speed • Lower Descent Rate • Increase Stability • Project Status: Ongoing

  26. Smokejumper Emergency Procedure Training • Based on Video of Various Malfunctions Rigged Into Parachutes During Dummy Drops • Est. Completion: End of FY06

  27. Smokejumper Helmet & Face Mask • Light Weight With Integrated Mask • Will Meet Snell Ski and Snowboard Standard. • Undergoing Field Evaluation • Est. Completion: End of FY06

  28. Wireless Spotter Helmet • Allows Spotter Unrestricted Movement Inside of Aircraft • Est. Completion: End of FY06

  29. New Projects • Updated Smokejumper Spotter Training • Estimated completion End of FY07 • Improved Padding for Smokejumper Protective Suit • (Tech Services)

  30. Fire Shelters Project Leader: Tony Petrilli

  31. Large Size Fire Shelter • For People Over 6’1” • Large Shelter Now Available • Large Practice Shelter Available Soon • See Tech Tip 0551-2325-MTDC For More Information

  32. Continual Improvement Process Design Upgrades • Single Floor Piece • 3/4 Inch Pipe in Handles • Binding Tape Removed • New Line of Stitching • Recycle Symbol Added to Plastic Liner • PVC Bag Pull Strap Attachment Reinforced (See Tech Tip 0651-2322-MTDC for More Information)

  33. Other Ongoing Improvements • Improving Material Strength • Refining Toxicity Protocols • Refining Material Strength Standards • Researching Ways to Make Shelter More Self-Supporting • Continuing Field Testing

  34. Interagency Fire Shelter Advisory Board • Board Purpose: • Provide Project Direction • Involve Stakeholder Groups in Management Decisions • Ensure MTDC Specialists Receive Leadership Support & Guidance • First Meeting - 02/06 in Boise

  35. Alternate Folding & Packaging • New Project (Tech Services) • Improved Ways to Fold and Protect Shelter

  36. Firefighter Protective Clothing and Accessories Project Leader: Tony Petrilli

  37. Fireline Pants/Gloves Questionnaire

  38. Questionnaire Participants • All Agencies • 45 states

  39. Pants Overall Fit • Male = 2.85 Avg. • Female = 2.79 Avg.

  40. Gloves Overall Fit • Male = 2.60 Avg. • Female = 2.50 Avg.

  41. Fireline Pants Improvements in Response to Questionnaire • Relaxed Fit • Increased Seam Strength • Improved Waist & Cuff Adjusters • Added Additional Inseam: • 30” - Short • 33” – Regular (Was 34”) • 36” – Long (New Size)

  42. Redesign Firefighter Gloves • New Project (Tech Services) • Worldwide Search for Gloves That Are (or Could Be) NFPA 1977 Compliant

  43. Prototype Fireline Pants Trials • 5 Different Fabrics • 200 Pairs Sent Out for Field Evaluation • In Year 1 of a 2 Year Study • Low Rate of 1st Year Evaluation Returns

  44. Fireline Pack • Improved Fire Shelter Sleeve to Reduce Entry of Dirt • Added ID Tag Window

  45. Effects of DEET on Nomex Clothing • Application of DEET to Nomex Clothing Led to Failure of Flame Resistance Test • See Tech Tip 0551-2327-MTDC for More Information

  46. Chainsaw Chap Care • Tech Tip (0451-2324-MTDC) Available • New User Instruction Sheet to Accompany New Chaps. • Chaps Now Covered by NFPA 1977 • Additional Testing Reinforced the Initial Finding That Greasy Grimy Chaps Offer Less Protection Than Clean Chaps

  47. Hardhat Temperature Testing • Project Leader: John Smith • Request from Field to Determine Color Effect on Temperature Inside Hardhat • Testing Showed Temperature Difference of Up to 20 Degrees Between Black and White • For More Information See Tech Tip 0651-2312-MTDC

  48. Helicopter Rappel Equipment and Procedures Project Leader: Tim Lynch

  49. Rappel Website • Current Information • Rappel & Cargo Let Down Equipment • Rappel Anchors • Information to be Added • Model Specific Powerpoint Presentations • Safety Bulletins • Safecoms

  50. New Equipment Designs • Bell 407 Snub Strap • Extendable Spotter Tether • Raptor Knife Sheath • Personal Gear Bag • 300’ Cargo Letdown Line & Accordion Pack

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