Fire!

[jkrohn]

The city of Belview Minnesota hosted a drill this morning inviting over a dozen fire departments from SW Minnesota to partake in a training exercise while disposing of two separate old grain elevators. Being an EMT and friends with several of the fireman, I had some pretty good access to the scene. It was an impressive site. Here are a few of the images. More can be found here (http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2FPicture%20Library%2FBe lview%20Fire) if you are interested.

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_0850_sm2.JPG


Grants via the State of MN and the Federal Homeland Security have allowed our rural departments to update equipment over the last few years. Several area communities sport some impressive fire apparatus
http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_0830_sm.JPG

Couldn't help but remind one and bring back some bad memories of 8 years ago...
http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_1310_sm.JPG

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_1065_sm.JPG

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_9223_sm.JPG

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_8990_sm.JPG

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_1100_sm.JPG

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/IMG_0852_sm2.JPG

The fire was so hot, it was difficult standing a block away. The fire departments did a great job. Only the elevators they wanted burned were destroyed. All other buildings that they worked hard to protect in the area were not damaged. A well planned and executed drill.

Thanks for looking!!
John

[jgrussell]

Great series!

[fireplug]

You guys have to draft? I see a hydrant out in the distance in one of those photos...do you have a photo of the set up?


Cool pictures though. Looks like it was fun.

[jkrohn]

You guys have to draft? I see a hydrant out in the distance in one of those photos...do you have a photo of the set up?


Cool pictures though. Looks like it was fun.

Yes, they hauled in water. Belview is a town of about 600 people tops. Their water supply would have never kept up with what was needed for keeping things safe from the fire of two elevators. Two locations were set up. 3 drop tanks at one and 4 at the other with 3 pumpers at each location. I am an EMS type so you have now tapped my knowledge of the setup. I do know however that they would have drained the Belview water tower in minutes had they hooked up to the hydrants. The setup they were using at the old gravel pit to pump water filled the tankers in a couple minutes. It actually made sense (at least to me... :) Here are a couple photos with a little more detail. Lots more photos can be found here (http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2FPicture%20Library%2FBe lview%20Fire&View={15D93A6E-9312-475E-89ED-DB79971141F4}).

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/_w/IMG_1248_sm_JPG.jpg

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/_w/IMG_0922_sm_JPG.jpg

http://www.johnandgrrr.com/Picture%20Library/Belview%20Fire/_w/IMG_0864_sm_JPG.jpg

John

[dkopicki]

Love the 2nd to last one of the 1st post!