WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 1

table of contents
daily inspections …................... 3
annual vehicle services ............ 4
fire hydrants …........................... 5
pump tips …............................... 6
mark III pump …......................... 7
mark III troubleshooting …....... 10
fuel mix ratios …........................ 13
compass …................................. 14
water handling equipment ….... 16
chainsaw troubleshooting ….... 18
mechanics info …...................... 19

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2 equipment WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 3

SANTA FE COUNTY FIRE EQUIPMENT

daily inspections

Engine boss should have appropriate daily inspection checklists

Daily inspections mean EVERY DAY. This means on a fire as well

Air Cleaner: (vehicle and pump) These need to be inspected/changed daily

depending on use. Check mounting brackets, inlet hose connections, and fittings.
Inspect gasket and sealing surface areas

Do not forget grease fittings on the pump and hose reels. Do not over lubricate the
pump head.

Fill out a work order for the Fleet Mechanics for the vehicle's service:

3000 miles for gas engines and

5000 miles for diesel engines

Oil and filter change

Lubrication
Fluids check

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annual vehicle services

must be performed at the beginning and end of each
season.
• pre-inspection road test: drive the vehicle and check brakes,
parking brakes, steering, starter, transmission, clutch, and gauges for
noises or problems
• wheel bearings and hubs: check wheel seals for leaks or damage.
Perform any manufacturer maintenance
• axles and differentials: check proper level, leaks, damage and
change fluid, if needed
• transfer case and transmission: check level, leaks, damage and
change fluid, if needed
• drive lines and U joints: clean, inspect and lubricate
• steering components: check fluid levels, lubricate, check for leaks
and damage
• brakes: examine brake lining and drums, pads and rotors, wheel
cylinders, master cylinder, brake booster, lines and cables. If
applicable, check air compressor, hoses, lines, belts, “S” cam shaft,
and bushings for wear. Repair as needed
• engine/vehicle general condition: check engine, pump and chassis
for overall condition. Remove dirt and oil buildup. Remove seeds, dirt,
weeds. If it isn't working properly, it's broke, or it looks bad, fix it.
• cooling system: examine radiator, hose connections, coolant
recovery tank and water pump for leaks. Check fan belt for wear and
adjustment. Clean external radiator core of any dirt and debris. Check
condition of coolant. Change if needed.
• frame and suspension: visually inspect springs, mounts, shocks,
hanger and repair as needed
• exhaust system: visually inspect.
• air conditioning system: recharge if needed. Check owner's manual
for additional services.

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 5

fire hydrants

steps to refill engine using a hydrant:

caution: always treat a hydrant with extreme caution.

• Make sure hydrant is closed before removing caps. NEVER stand
directly above (body over top of hydrant) or in front of hydrant caps
when removing or turning caps, fittings and valves

• Attach thread adapter and reducers as needed

• Attach 1 1/2" Ball Valve or 1 1/2" Gated Wye

• Slowly open hydrant completely using 5-sided hydrant wrench

• Slightly open ball valve or gated wye to bleed off any rust, debris or air

• Close ball valve or gated wye

• Attach anti-siphon device to hydrant using appropriate hose and

fittings. If not available, use the air gap method

• Slowly open the ball valve or gated wye and fill engine

• Slowly close ball valve or gated wye

• Close hydrant valve. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN

• Remove all fittings and devices and recap hydrant.

air gap method

Never insert the fill hose into the tank. Always maintain the air gap, meaning there
should always be an open flow of water between the hose and the rising level of
water.

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pump tips
• It takes 1psi to raise water 2 feet

• Place pump as close to water source as possible

• Protect the pump from sand, gravel or dirt by using a screen protector
or putting the foot valve in a collapsible bucket

• Use a "Check and bleeder valve" near the pump on the discharge side,
especially when pumping uphill

• Protect streams and water sources from gas, oil and foam when using
pumps. Build a containment dam around the pump to contain spills

• Gravity is the most trouble-free, yet most overlooked water delivery

system

rules of thumb
• The bigger the nozzle, the greater the friction loss and the greater the
rate of flow of water

• Friction loss is greatest for 3/4" hose, less for 1" hose and least for
1-1/2" hose

• The minimum effective stream of water for firefighting purposes is 25

psi at the nozzle.

pump pressure = friction loss + nozzle pressure

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 7

mark III pump

instructions:
engine lube and fuel
24:1 ratio. Thoroughly mix and shake can before pouring into pump

to start pump:

• Attach quick connect fuel line to fuel can

• Attach other end of the fuel line to Mark III pump fuel port

• Open air vent on fuel can

• Connect foot valve strainer to suction hose. Fill suction hose with water
and connect to pump intake side. Use spanner to tighten the suction
hose.

• Be sure foot valve is submerged in water so it is not sucking air. If

needed, place a shovel or bucket underneath foot valve where it rests.
Check foot valve often and remove moss or debris that can collect on
the foot valve. Do not lift foot valve out of water while pump is running.

• Fill pump with water, then replace priming cap; tighten firmly

• Connect discharge hose, nozzles, etc. to pump. Remember, hand tight

only on the discharge side.

• SETUP... From the discharge outlet:

◦ Short piece 1 1/2" hose to
◦ Check and bleeder valve to
◦ 1 1/2" gated wye to
◦ one side of wye connect hand primer, other side is beginning of
hose lay

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• Close choke shutter if engine is cold

• Move throttle lever to START AND WARM-UP position

• Give starter rope several quick, steady pulls

• Open choke slowly when engine starts - allow engine to warm up 1-2
minutes before full throttle

to stop pump:

• Move throttle lever to STOP position

• Allow pump to run for approximately 1 minute with the throttle in STOP
position

• Press and hold the stop switch until engine is fully stopped

• To fully purge fuel line and pump of remaining fuel, disconnect the quick
connect fuel line from the fuel can and allow pump to run and exhaust
itself of the remaining fuel in the line. Should only need to be done at
the end of a shift or assignment

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 9
important things to remember

• Do not run engine at full speed until properly warmed up.

• Do not run engine with pump disconnected.
• Do not run pump without water.
• Do not use suction hose without the foot valve strainer.
• Do not run pump at half speed, if less pressure is needed,
adjust with bleeder valve.

flooding
To clear a flooded engine, close fuel supply valve, remove spark plug and rest it on
top of cylinder head with ignition cable attached. Then with both choke and throttle
in the fully open position, pull starter rope several times until excess fuel is
exhausted. Before reinstalling spark plug, clean and dry.

automatic cutout switch

This device will stop the engine instantly and thereby eliminate overspeeding
whenever the pump runs out of water or is improperly primed, etc. If the switch
cuts out during normal operation, always find the cause first before resetting.
Some symptoms of this could be:
not primed properly,
sucking air through a loose intake connection,
foot valve clogged with debris, etc.

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10 equipment WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE

MARK III TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

A – Engine doesn't start E – Doesn't develop
normal power
B – Starts momentarily, F – Overheats
then stops
C – Runs irregularly or misses G – Backfires
D – Does not idle properly

A B C D E F G POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY

X X Fuel supply tank empty Refill tank
X X Fuel supply valve closed Open supply valve
X X Air vent on fuel tank closed Open air vent
X X X Defective fuel supply hose Replace
Dirty fuel strainer screen Remove and clean, or
X X X
replace
X X X Leak in fuel supply system Tighten or replace fittings
X X X X X Carburetor mounting loose Tighten mountings
X X X Water or dirt in fuel system Drain, flush thoroughly
Engine flooded Close fuel valve, remove
spark plug, open choke &
X X
throttle, pull until excess
gas exhausted **
Wrong gas in fuel mixture Drain, flush thoroughly,
X X X
replace **
Wrong oil in fuel mixture Drain, flush thoroughly,
X X
replace **
Not enough oil in fuel mix Drain, replace with correct
X X
mix **

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 11
Too much oil in fuel mix Drain, replace with correct
X X X X X X
mix **
Engine not warmed up Allow longer warmer up
time
X X Air filter dirty Remove, clean in gasoline
Idle mixture screw Close idle screw, then ½
X X maladjusted turn counter-clockwise to
reset **
Spark plug fouled or Clean or replace
X X X X X X X
defective
No spark Check stop switch or
X
broken cable points **
Stop switch or cable Check switch and/or
X
shorted replace **
Weak or intermittent spark Check points, coil and
X X X X X X
condenser **
X X X X Breaker points worn or dirty Clean and/or replace
X X Defective condenser Check or replace **
X X X X Wrong type spark plug Plug must have 1/8” gap
Ignition timing incorrect Inspect points, clean or
X X X X X
replace **
X X X Excessive carbon deposits Clean or replace muffler **
X X Cooling system dirty Clean fan housing
X X Muffler blocked or dirty Replace
Main adjustment screw Close main adjustment
maladjusted screw, then turn 1 ½ turns
X X
counter-clockwise to reset
**
** Pump may need additional work, refer to manual

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notes

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 13

fuel mix ratios

Formula:
# of oz of fuel / ratio of oil = oz of oil to mix
ie: 128oz fuel / 24 = 5.5oz oil per 1 gal of fuel for 24:1ratio

16:1 24:1 32:1 40:1 50:1

US GALS Ounces of Oil

1 8.0 5.5 4.0 3.0 2.5

2 16.0 10.5 8.0 6.5 5.0

3 24.0 16.0 12.0 9.5 7.5

4 32.0 21.5 16.0 13.0 10.0

5 40.0 26.5 20.0 16.0 13.0

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compass

orienting to a map
When comparing a map to the ground it represents, it is useful to align the map
with the ground features. Orienting the map makes it easier to identify distant
features. Using a compass makes orienting a map easy.

• First set the compass to north

• Turn yourself, the map, and the compass until you are roughly facing
north
• Align the edge of the compass with the north arrow on the map
• Slowly turn the map and compass until both are pointing north

following a straight line

The compass is used to follow a straight line through the woods. It is applied to
tracing a boundary line, or finding a property corner, making a sketch map, or
conducting a forest inventory. Being able to follow a course through the forest can
help you move quickly from one place to another.

• Set the declination on the compass

• Rotate the bezel of the compass until it aligns with the bearing that you
would like to travel
• Holding the compass level at eye level, tilt the sighting mirror until you
can see the face of the compass, roughly 45 degrees in the mirror.
• Use the guide line on the sighting mirror to align the sight with the index
marks on the compass base. The guide should pass the center of the
pivot point for the needle
• Slowly rotate yourself and the compass until the needle aligns with the
arrow printed on the bezel
• Check your alignment one more time and sight through the notch at the
top of the sighting mirror to some recognizable object
• Walk to that object and repeat the process

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 15

triangulation

The compass can also be used to accurately locate your current position on a map.
Using triangulation you sight two or more objects that are identifiable on the map,
and visible from the ground. Mountain tops, radio towers or other distinct features
work well.

• Orient your map as described above.

• Identify at least 2 prominent land marks on the map and visible from the
ground
• Align your compass as described above sighting the landmark. This
time, instead of turning yourself and the compass, turn the bezel to
align the needle with the arrow
• Read the bearing to the landmark
• Open the mirror all the way and place the compass on the map
• Set the left or right edge of the compass base on the landmark on the
map
• Turn the entire compass until the needle aligns with the guide
• After checking your alignment, draw a line on the map through the
landmark and past the point on the map where you think you are
• Repeat this procedure with the other landmark
• The intersection of the lines is your position

declination

Declination represents the difference between true north, and magnetic north.
True north and magnetic north are about 1300 miles apart. Magnetic north
translates to a difference of 10.5 degrees east of true north in southern New
Mexico and to 11.5 degrees in northern New Mexico. The easiest way to adjust for
declination is to use a compass that has a mechanical adjustment feature built in.
Otherwise you should draw a sketch of the declination for reference.

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water handling equipment for a 1 mile hose lay

QUANTITY ITEM REMARKS

DESCRIPTION

2 Mark III pump kits

20 gal Pump gas
53 rolls 1 1/2” hose
27 rolls 1” hose
30 1 1/2” gated wye
30 1 1/2” to 1”
reducers
30 Forestry nozzles
3 Hose clamps
Mopup kits As needed
Wet water or foam As needed
Inline Ts As needed
Port-a-tanks / As needed
blivets

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 17

extra items to be ordered if garden hose needed:

QUANTITY ITEM REMARKS

DESCRIP
TION

60 rolls 3/4” hose

30 1” gated As needed
wyes
30 1” to 3/4”
reducers
30 3/4”
nozzles

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18 equipment WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE

chainsaw troubleshooting checklist

chain won't turn – check for:
• Chain brake engaged
• Chain tension too tight
• Burred drive links
• Pinched bar groove
• Chain off sprocket
• Bar sprocket nose frozen
• Inadequate bar/chain oil
• Debris in bar groove or sprocket

chainsaw won't start – check for:

• Ignition switch on
• Saw gas in fuel tank
• Choke on / saw flooded
• Air filter clean
• Plug wire on
• Plug clean, gapped and has spark
• Exhaust screen clean

cutting crooked – check for:

• Low rakers on one side
• Cutters filed differently
• Damage to rakers on one side of chain
• Uneven bar rails

slow cutting – check for:

• Chain on backwards
• Dull chain
• Rakers too high
• Clutch slipping
• Bar groove too wide

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE equipment 19

fleet manager phone numbers

dennis patty (c44) 505.690.7648

clyde hill (c41) 505.690.7649

gene brommer (c42) 505.690.9363

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20 equipment WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE

notes

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