Austin, TX- Working Fire 6-2-111 (Photos)

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Today, I managed to catch an oppurtunity to photograph a firescene in the City Of Austin. Although it was out and being overhauled by the time I arrived, I still managed to get some shots. I don't usually buff fires, unless they are nearby and I am already out. I don't think I've photographed a fire scene since 2006. Down here they have fires every day, but it's not news unless it's a big fire.

Upon arrival of first due Engine 34 and first due truck Quint 38, heavy fire upon arrival from the attic area. CAFS knocked the fire down dead cold in it's tracks. Please note it's almost 100 degrees out during this fire.

All photos by me.

[Guest Photounit]

Nice work Seth...... How receptive are they to you buffing fires?

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Nice work Seth...... How receptive are they to you buffing fires?

Thanks Bill. Wasn't much to see once I got there. I was on scene only about 5 minutes.

Everybody was working, nobody paid much attention to me, since all hands were either doing overhaul or salvage. It's Austin, so everyone is really laid back and unless I got in the way or it was a big fire or incident or unusal or high profile location, I don't think anyone would say anything or mind.

I am only one of two buffs in the Austin area that I know of or have seen in the 3 years I've lived here, so not many fires get "buffed", or even get news coverage. There are a lot of fires and incidents to buff everyday, so if you roam the city you'll most likely get something to buff. When I visit firehouses to photograph apparatus, firefighters are really cool and hospitable. They don't know at first really what a fire photographer or buff is, but once they know they think that it is pretty cool.

This fire only got an extra engine and truck because of the tempature, otherwise it was an everyday no big deal bread-and-butter type fire for them.

Now that I have the HomePatrol Scanner in my car, I hope to catch more fires.

[FF402 133]

Looks like they love their Quantums! It looks like they took down the fence to get to the exposure pretty quick.

And what is Jollyville FD? Were they mutual aid?

[Task Force 7 65]

Looks like they love their Quantums! It looks like they took down the fence to get to the exposure pretty quick.

And what is Jollyville FD? Were they mutual aid?

Yes, they would have been there as a mutual aid company. It's in the N.W. part of Austin. I believe this was an area that was, or still is unincorporated.

The Jollyville Fire Department provides fire protection and rescue services for approximately 24,000 people living in an area of 10 square miles. The department operates out of one station that functions in a primarily residential area. Jollyville residents have an ISO rating of 2 and a State Farm Insurance rating of 2. The department enjoys 8 pieces of state of the art apparatus and responds to an average of 3-4 calls per day, maintaining on average a 2-3 minute response time. The membership has grown to include 19 volunteers and 18 paid firefighters. The paid firefighters staff 2 engine companies, 24 hours a day.

http://www.jvfd.org/

Seth, Great job on the photos!!

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Thanks, Pete.

Austin FD used to love the Quantums because the tilt of the cab made maintenece easy, it was easy to get in and out of the very spacious cab lots of room for firefighters and equipment, the A/C was strong,and great visibilty for the driver.Plus the engine and cramp angle only worked in the Quantum at the time. After last year's Contender's that were delivered (4) you will see Pierce Impels for Engines, Pierce Velocity PUC's for Quints, and a Pierce Velocity Heavy Rescue. Pierce is also reportedly going to try and phase out the Quantums, and are pricing them VERY HIGH. Also, you may see aluminum aerials.I will post photos later.

As far as Jollyville,from what I am told, their "paid firefighters" are atually paid volunteers, who man the station in shifts.Most go on to be career firefighters in other departments. It technically is in a grey area between Travis County and Williamson County. They do have very mixed first due but with the area exploding in population, I strongly see both Cedar Park and Austin annexing the currently unincorporated area in the next few years. (In fact, their two assitant Chiefs work for Austin FD and Lake Travis FD, both adjacent career departments) Austin just built a large new station right down the road, which opened last year. Austin-Travis County EMS and Williamson County EMS also covers this area Austin PD also covers this area in Adam sector.. Also, calls are dispatched by the communication center it comes in to (Williamson County or Austin Travis County CTECC). Austin FD dispatches for ALL dpeartments in Travis county Listening to the radio and seeing them on scene, it is my suspicion that they "buffed" the fire. Austin still beat them to the fire. Their ISO rating is only in theory, they have a strong hydranted district plus stuff on paper. Confused?

There was a foot between the fence and exposure side B. It caused the fence to become involved. Firefighters also pulled off the planks of a nearby fence to gain safe access to the exposure. The part they knock down they repaired easily on scene, and the part they burnt up is the neighbors problem.

[firemoose827 324]

Hey Seth, great shots.

From the looks of it the fire started on the ground and burned into the eves? Dont know if you chatted with anyone there but thats what it looks like from the "V" pattern and the one pic of the firefighter poking at something on the ground covered in foam, couldt tell if it was an engine or a second BBQ (one right behind him). Looks like a great stop, could have been worse.