Editor's note: Expert Insights are sponsored blogs submitted by manufacturers and suppliers serving the fire service industry.
The Thermite® firefighting robots have made a big splash in the firefighting industry. These robots produced by Howe & Howe Inc. have changed the way fire departments respond to all kinds of incidents. Thermite® robotic firefighters are one of the most capable, durable firefighting robots on the market. Designed to mitigate life-threatening situations, these tools provide fire suppression, situational awareness and intelligence gathering to first responders. Operated by remote belly-pack controllers, users are provided a real-time video feed allowing them to traverse hazardous terrain and push obstacles from their path while withstanding extreme elements. Thermite® robotic firefighters are critical equipment to have on any fire department’s side in high risk, dangerous environments.
We sat down and talked with firefighting industry veterans and Thermite® customers Chief Wade White and Captain Richard Diede, who have incorporated these units into their department’s response procedures.
Q: How did your fire department initially feel about adding Thermite® robot firefighting robots to your inventory?
A (Capt. Diede): When our department was initially contemplating getting a robot, I was certainly skeptical. I thought there is just no way they’re going to take away our proven traditional firefighting tactics and techniques. Then I started researching to figure out how it can benefit my operations in the wildland arena. I’m currently a wildland supervisor, in charge of bulldozers, excavators, and the heavy equipment so it fits into my mentality because it’s a tracked machine. As I started to have more conversations about its capabilities, the more excited I became. I realized that our fire department could benefit from these machines. I’m an outside-the-box thinker, so typically speaking, I’m not the one that stays in line with everybody else. The Thermite® makes things more efficient, easier, and safer.
Q: Why the Thermite®?
A (Capt. Diede): My experiences with Howe & Howe have been amazing. The product development, the ease of conversation, and the changes have been good processes. The customer service has been amazing, bar-none.
Q: How does Thermite® keep your team safe and how has it changed your strategy for firefighting?
A (Chief White): This machine has been great as far as enhancing our strategy in fighting fires. It also helps keep our firefighters safe. When we’re at a large commercial structure fire and pivot from an offensive operation to a defensive operation, we utilize ladder pipes, but what we lose are those interior attacking capabilities. The Thermite® RS3 has provided us the ability to go inside with a 2,500 gpm nozzle and fight fire on the inside as well as hitting it from the outside with our ladder pipes.
Q: How has the Thermite® helped approach battling a fire?
A (Capt. Diede): We don’t usually slow our operations down. Everything is at an emergency pace. We’re going in as if there are people inside no matter what type of building it is. We have found that vacant buildings often have homeless encampments which can deteriorate structures further. I’ve been to structures that have burned three, four, five, even six times, and every time we go there, the building is more and more compromised. Our mentality doesn’t change. There still could be people inside that building. We’re going to make an aggressive attack to go in and may discover that the building is collapsing around us. For me once you get to a specific spot in the fire and having the Thermite® in your arsenal, you’ll be able to utilize it as the building is collapsing around you. This remarkable tool goes into the building and puts water where firefighters typically would.
Q: Was it difficult to learn how to use the Thermite®?
A (Capt. Diede): In the beginning I was a skeptic, just from looking at the machine. We are a traditional fire department. I thought the last thing we’re going to use is a robotic firefighting device, but as time goes by, I’m finding more and more uses for it. Once we got it, we found its capabilities, and learned how to use it for a lot more things, like simple stuff from just loading hoses on it and bringing them back to the fire engine at the end. Even when we need more water, we hook it up to a fire engine have the Thermite® drag the supply lay right down to the fire hydrant. Most of the time at the scene the traditional firefighting is happening inside the structure, and like most departments you’re probably very resource poor. The Thermite’s laying the supply line, doing a lot of that type of work and setting itself up for success. Then when the building transitions from more of an interior firefight to a defensive operation, you have all your folks outside and this thing’s ready to go to work inside.
Q: Can you give us examples of the way you have used it, use cases or missions of the robot?
A (Capt. Diede): What we’re finding the best-case scenario for us is any structurally compromised building, we switch from offensive to defensive operations, we’ll utilize the Thermite®. It’ll come inside where the building’s likely going to collapse and we’re worried about having any type of firefighter injuries inside, and then also if we’re having difficulty penetrating lower-level fires, we’ll use that machine to go inside while the building is compromised.
Q: In your opinion, how do you see the Thermite® family of products advancing the capabilities of fire departments in the future?
A: (Chief White): The fire services industry is known to be very traditional. But, I believe the more we utilize this machine and display it’s many capabilities, it will show just how good it is for firefighter safety. I think the entire industry is going to realize this and agree that having a Thermite® in their arsenal is great opportunity to provide both operational effectiveness and safety.
The Thermite® line of robotic firefighting vehicles provide any fire department unsurpassed mobility with maximum standoff. Learn more about the full lineup of Thermite® vehicles and their capabilities online at www.howeandhowe.com/Thermite.
