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2074707 
Technical Report 
The Iron Fireman And Other High Tech Tactics 
Lahey, JW 
1984 
NIOSH/00153093 
130 
5 
47-49 
Advances in high technology fire fighting are reviewed. The Iron Fireman is a robot hose holder, mounted on a cart with treads. It can work effectively up to 1,000 feet from its operator and can deliver 500 gallons per minute to a fire. The device will fit through an average doorway, can climb stairs and is battery operated. This device is seen as useful for chemical fires, burning buildings, brush fires, and any fire situation where close proximity is dangerous. In the future the Iron Fireman may be equipped with infrared heat sensing and closed circuit television capability. A newly developed airborne pump has a nozzle and fluid tank to be mounted on a helicopter. This system can push out 350 to 3,000 gallons of extinguishant to 120 feet. It has potential for forest fires and fires in high rise buildings. Other applications of a helicopter are roof top evacuations and infrared sensing of hot spots in a wilderness fire, as well as transport. Firefighters in Phoenix, Arizona are aided by a computer which makes available data on the structure, including building plans and information on any hazardous contents. Interior sprinkler systems and construction details are then at hand for the firefighter. Data on commercial buildings is being collected and stored, with priority given to structures such as hospitals and warehouses or storage facilities. Many specialized vehicles are now available to the firefighter, such as an aluminum body truck used for airplane fires. The author concludes that high technology is providing many safety benefits to the firefighter.