San Bernardino County Fire has a new fire boat in service on Lake Arrowhead. The fire boat boasts some incredible life-saving, emergency response and fire fighting capabilities.
Equipped with twin 300 horsepower outboard engines, this boat can respond to emergencies faster than any other fire boat that’s previously been stationed on Lake Arrowhead. Other systems include but are not limited to:
- Forward looking infrared (FLIR) allows for tracking heat signatures.
The command console of the new fire boat. - Surface radar system tracks other surface contacts during low visibility or night operations.
- Forward, side, and rear sonar visually identifies subsurface contacts and terrain.
- GPS overlays on topographical maps provides precision navigation when responding to incidents.
All of these systems and more are interfaced with the operator through a system of touch screens placed right at the fingertips near the steering wheel.
This fire boat gives the San Bernardino County Fire Department a sharper edge when performing boat and dock rescues, working with the sheriff’s department on dive operations, and fighting structure fires which take place at or near the lakes edge. The front of the boat opens in the same fashion as a military landing craft allowing emergency crews to work with dive teams or to perform beach landings during rescue operations.
A mid-ship mounted V8 engine provides the horsepower needed to pump 3000 gallons per minute through the boats water system. That system feeds the nozzles where various diameter fire hoses can be hooked up. The hoses can then be used to fight a fire on the water or, the hoses can be ran up the shoreline to structure fires near the lake’s shore. A survey is currently underway to determine, address by address, which houses can effectively be reached by the boat for future firefighting operations.
The V8 engine also powers the deck gun. Effectively a gigantic water cannon, this can be used to deluge fires within range of the gun. While the wind can greatly affect the water stream, the gun has the capability of reaching hundreds of feet away from the boat depending on conditions.
This boat also is equipped with a Skyhook system, basically a digital anchor (yes, apparently there’s an app for that now). When needed during rescue operations, the boat uses GPS to provide station-keeping and effectively “locks the boat” in a specific location regardless of the wind conditions or current in the water. It works as an autopilot system. The operator pushes a button near a joystick once the boat is positioned. The system then disengages the twin motors and operates them independently to compensate for any factors affecting the boats location. For example, if the wind starts pushing the boat back, the motors power up independently and push the boat back forward. If the current begins carrying the boat to the left, the motors are automatically reconfigured and engaged to push the boat right. These adjustments are made every second and the boat is very steady as it’s controlled by the Skyhook. Interestingly, the deck gun generates an incredible amount of rearward thrust on the boat and this system can actually compensate for that as well. The Skyhook system allows the operator to leave the helm and assist in rescue or fire fighting operations.
The boat was budgeted as a normal addition to the local fire fighting equipment and vehicles. There will be no special taxes or any additional requirements from the community to help pay for this life saving vehicle.
The crew that operates the boat has undergone and continues to undergo intense technical training on it’s systems as well as working with other agencies on tactical water rescue operations.
The fire boat is currently docked at the marina in Lake Arrowhead. It is positioned for fast deployment and operations based out of station 92 on Highway 173 near the hospital.
Special thanks to San Bernardino County Fire, Jack Dejong, Battalion Chief, and the crew of Station 92 for their efforts on bringing these advanced tactical rescue and firefighting operations to our mountain communities.
Keep watching our website for an in-depth video tour of the boat and it’s capabilities and crew interviews coming soon.