A new invention might save fire-fighters' lives
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382021)
Rockingham, Australia
March 6, 2020 11:08pm CST
Chris Probert, a former volunteer fire-fighter from Western Australia, has been given a $25,000 grant which will enable him to take the next step in producing a bushfire shelter. Called a Shadrach, the shelter has been tested in a Perth furnace factory and withstood external temperatures of 800C. Inside, temperatures varied from about 35C at floor level to 45C at the top.
There are three layers of heat resistant fabric. A frame at the rear of a fire truck slides out and the fabric tent drops down around the crew. Although the Shadrach hasn’t been tested with a person inside, simulations indicate that the likely body temperature rise would be within acceptable levels. A raw egg on a tray half a metre above the floor stayed runny after 12 minutes which was also reassuring
Although trucks are fitted with various safety measures, fire-fighters are still at risk during a bad burn-over. It will be great if the Shadrach fulfils its early promise.
Photo is of what we were seeing a few years ago when a bushfire was getting a bit close for comfort.
13 people like this
14 responses
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
7 Mar 20
those are the kinds of inventions that need to be supported! love it! saving firefighters!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382021)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar 20
@DocAndersen I guess they're not cheap to manufacture.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
8 Mar 20
@JudyEv there is something similar in the US, but the company is struggling to sell it
1 person likes this
@besweet (9831)
• Ireland
8 Mar 20
@JudyEv I watched a movie once, don't remember the title or the story. I just remember that the fire fighters were trapped in the fire and tried to use these blankets as shelters and unfortunately they weren't enough. I was feeling sad in my heart with that scene. Because I know it is what can happen in reality also. Hope it works really.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
8 Mar 20
Firefighters are real heroes. They deserve all the facilities possible, in order to do their jobs.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
9 Mar 20
@JudyEv and that is why they deserve everything and a lot of appreciation.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
7 Mar 20
I agree that it would be great if that invention would help the firefighters in their job when there is a bushfire. I can imagine the heat generated by the fire when it is burning a big area. It would be like inside an oven.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
7 Mar 20
@JudyEv I have no experience with bushfires but from what I read it is very hot and once the fire gets around you it would be difficult to escape.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382021)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Mar 20
@Alexandoy The fire trucks do have some safety features but if the truck rolls over or gets caught then sometimes the firefighters perish.
@snowy22315 (208890)
• United States
7 Mar 20
Anything to make the lives of firefighters better is good in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
8 Mar 20
The invention may revolutionize the forest fire suppression.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21891)
• Thailand
7 Mar 20
Good luck to that, your firemen need really something like this.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21891)
• Thailand
9 Mar 20
@JudyEv your country might take the first step and other countries might follow
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Mar 20
They will have to do extensive testing before actual use n the field.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222302)
• United States
7 Mar 20
This sounds like the next step up in providing safety for the firefighters.
1 person likes this
@simplfred (20641)
• Philippines
7 Mar 20
Seems like an amazing protection for the fire-fighters. That guy deserves more fundings for his ideas.
1 person likes this
