Firefighters in Biloxi have been training for several weeks on four new fire trucks that employ compressed air-foam systems designed to help improve firefighting.
Three of the four $420,000 trucks replace fire trucks that were claimed by Hurricane Katrina.
Although they appear to be typical fire trucks, the new vehicles employ a compressed air-foam system, or CAF system, that uses high-pressure compressed air to add foam to water used in fighting fires. The system can be used to extinguish structure fires and woods fires, and to help protect structures near fires.
Said Biloxi Fire Chief David Roberts: “This system reduces the heat quicker, minimizes the risk of rekindling, and minimizes the amount of water used, which reduces the amount of water damage to a structure.â€
The new trucks – built by fire truck manufacturer E-One and paid for with federal and city funds — are now in service at the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center, and at stations on Point Cadet, Back Bay and on Popp’s Ferry Road.
Photos now online
To see photos of firefighters training this morning with the water and foam system,
click here.