Exercise 1. Learn the following words and word-combinations. Exercise 3. Answer the questions

Text G Water Tender

Exercise 3. Answer the questions.

1. What other synonyms of the name “ladder” do you know?

2. Why is the aerial considered the workhorse of the fire department?

3. What functions do ladder companies perform?

4. What kind of ladders does a standard ladder truck carry?

5. Is it possible for some ladder trucks to have pumps?

6. What kind of special tools does normally a ladder truck carry?

7. What equipment does NFPA Standard’s list include?

8. What can optional equipment include?

9. How can you define a “quad”?

10. What type of unit is called a “quint”?

11. What is the main feature of the aerial ladder apparatus?

12. Why does the aerial apparatus have a continuous walkway?

Exercise 4. True or False? If the statement is wrong, correct it.

1. Ladder trucks are also called “pumpers”.

2. Ladder truck is often considered the workhorse of the fire department.

3. Ladder companies perform only forcible entry, nothing else.

4. All ladder trucks are designed to carry only ground ladders due to the lack of

5. compartment storage place.

6. The Standard’s list of recommended equipment includes a lot of tools such as

7. a metal ceiling cutter, a water vacuum cleaner, a body bag and so on.

8. “Quads” and “quints” are interchangeable words.

9. The aerial ladder can perform a lot of functions.

10. Aerial ladders are not hydraulically powered.

11. Aerial ladder’s walkway is no longer than 20 m.

12. Aerial ladders are called only to structure fires.

cross-country vehicle – вездеход

draft water – производить забор воды

first aid kit – комплект для оказа-ния первой помощи, аптечка

for the sole – с единственной целью

overlap – частично покрывать; перекрывать

pumping capacity – мощность насоса

rapid connection – быстрое подсоединение, стыковка

rural area – сельская местность

smoldering stubs – тлеющие пни

terrain – почва, грунт

ultimate – максимальный, пре-дельный; последний

upwards of – свыше

wildfire – лесной пожар

Exercise 2. Read the text.

A water tender is a specialized firefighting apparatus designed for the sole purpose of transporting water from a water source to a fire scene. Water tenders are capable of drafting water from a stream, lake or hydrant.

This class of apparatus does not necessarily have enough pumping capacity to power large hose lines (like a fire engine), though it utilizes a smaller pump to draft from bodies of water. Water tenders are used when there is not a working fire hydrant within reach of other fire equipment, or a water tender gives a possibility to supply the fire engine(s) with a very rapid connection. Most water tenders are designed to carry loads of 1000 gallons (approx. 3800 L) or more. In the US, 1000 gallons is the requirement in the NFPA standards. Some may carry up to or even upwards of 5000 gallons (more than 20 000 L) of water - with a trailer even more.

Typically water tenders support engines and/or trucks like aerials in fires.

Water tenders can be used also in chemical accidents, to clean highways after collisions, or pump water in floods. Some water tenders carry fire fighting equipment and crew resembling more an engine. These water tenders are able to operate relatively independently. As the most ultimate solutions some water tenders really combine a fire engine and water tender. This kind of unit may have seats for up to six firefighters, a water tank of more than 3000 gallons (approx. 11 000 L), and basic equipment for fire fighting and rescue. This kind of solution is known, for example, in rural areas, where a fire engine (with rescue equipment) and water tender is supported by a combined fire engine/water tender unit in overlapping fires or accidents.

Very light water tenders are sometimes used in wildfires. For example, a small tank of 265 gallons (1000 L) has been carried by a cross-country vehicle to extinguish smoldering stubs on rough terrain.

A water tender carries typically also some fire fighting equipment. There are various national standards and recommendations on equipment to be carried on water tenders. Some water tenders may carry various kinds of hoses and spray nozzles utilized in forest, building, or industrial fires. In addition, tools like axe, flashlights, chemical portable fire extinguishers, a water extinguisher, a SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus), a first aid kit, adapters, and a hydrant wrench can be required.

Some tenders carry also foaming agents, and extinguishing powders or gases. Sometimes these materials are carried in larger amounts on very specialized, separate units like hose trucks, powder trucks, carbon dioxide extinguishing trucks etc. Specialized Airport Crash Tenders are used at airports to carry larger amounts of water and foaming agents.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27