
High-rise cart
DISPATCHES
While not altogether a new idea, the Winter Haven, FL, Fire Department modified the high-rise cart concept to increase the department’s efficiency during incidents.
The Winter Haven Elevated Emergency Load (WHEEL) cart carries hacksaws, bolt cutters, rope, hose, nozzles, and other equipment normally brought into a building by firefighters—who can better expand their energy fighting the fire.
Constructed of lightweight aluminum and rubber sealed for water resistance, the high-rise cart is a compact, two-wheel, portable unit. The cart costs $150 to manufacture, and weighs between 25 and 50 pounds empty.
In field operations, the cart can be quickly maneuvered in tight places by one firefighter, and easily carried up and down stairs by two firefighters grasping the top and bottom handles. The cart is durable enough to be bumped upstairs by one firefighter if necessary.
The design allows for rapid access to hand tools housed in the WHEEL’S top compartment (screwdrivers, channel lock pliers, aluminum pipe wrench, hacksaw and bolt cutters all rolled up in a portable vinyl tool pouch). This top compartment also carries a 25-foot plastic foot runner. For small fires, the cart contains a 25-foot garden hose with a “jiffy” connector for fast connection to sink faucets.
The middle compartment is designed solely for the storage of rope and related hardware. The fire department carries 150 feet of ⅝-inch life rope in a protective vinyl bag, one length of 75-foot nylon hoisting rope and two harnesses with two winged figure eights.
The bottom compartment is the largest of the three and houses the heaviest load. It carries hoses and hose accessories including a 10-foot section of 3-inch hose to be connected to the standpipe. This hose is preconnected to a lightweight gated 2 1/2 to 1 1/2-inch wye. The wye is preconnected to two 100-foot lines of 1 1/2-inch lightweight hose special ordered for the WHEEL (50 feet of this 1 1/2-inch hose weighs approximately five pounds). Preconnected to these two lines are two automatic nozzles. A 2 1/2 to 1 1/2-inch lightweight rudder is also included in this compartment.
Mounted on the outside of the WHEEL is a pry axe and two combination spanner wrenches.
Side latches open the two piano hinged doors which expose all three compartments and swing out of the way for quick access to compartments.
The bottom door drops down to provide a ramp for the hose to lay out.
The fully loaded cart weighing less than 100 pounds, is mounted on the tailboard using seatbelts to firmly secure it in place.
The designed slant on the top of the WHEEL is double reinforced and allows the engine’s hose to play out harmlessly and unsnagged if it comes in contact with the WHEEL.
The WHEEL has provided:
- Firefighters with “work
- energy” that is needed to extinguish the fire.
- Time efficient advancement of fire equipment.
- A package of functional inventory fire equipment; no vital pieces are forgotten, nor is precious time wasted.
- A reduction of workrelated injuries.
- Improved innovative thinking.
The fire department is considering placing WHEELS in the lobbies of high-rise and large floor-area buildings. In the top fold-over lid would be stored floor plans, alarm system designs, elevator keys and special access keys for fire department use only. The WHEEL would be locked to insure inventory functionability.
The fire department has also designed and completed a cart similar to the WHEEL for.the advancement of air bottles to further enhance firefighter efficiency.