Engineering and Mining Journal - Whether the market is copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, lead/zinc, PGM, diamonds or other commodities, E&MJ takes the lead in projecting trends, following development and reporting on the most efficient operating pr
Issue link: https://emj.epubxp.com/i/109221
FIRE SAFETY "With the Oshkosh Striker, we're blazing a new trail," said Jamie Stagg, IOC Superintendent, Emergency Services and Security. "Our engineering team evaluated a wide range of traditional fire apparatus, including aerial ladders and platforms that can operate at heights. But when we considered our number one fire protection priority—the mine site itself, with its rugged road and no water supply—we decided to go with the Striker." The Striker's large water-storage capacity, combined with its maneuverability and capability to operate at heights in and around the mining operations, make it uniquely qualified for this application. As aircraft firefighting vehicles, Strikers are specifically designed to perform under demanding conditions, featuring proprietary technologies such as the Oshkosh TAK-4 independent suspension system, Snozzle high-reach extendable turret (HRET), and Command Zone advanced electronics for enhanced maneuverability, firefighting power and reliability. The Striker on duty at IOC features a 17,034-liter (4,500-gallon) water tank, a Snozzle HRET, a foam system, a dry chemical system, a structural firefighting package (with pre-connected hand lines), and a robust winterization system for temperatures that can plummet to -40ºF. The Striker also is equipped with the Eagle Eye Driver's Enhanced Vision System (DEVS) that combines a moving map display with an infrared thermal imager for better visibility and situational awareness in poor conditions. In addition, the Eagle Eye system, through its wireless data link, allows for critical information exchange in real time between the Striker's crew and its command center for efficient communications during an emergency. "Around our processing plants, the roads are paved and have accessible fire hydrants, but then you transition to eight kilometers of gravel roads to reach the mine site," said Stagg. "In the springtime, when the winter snows thaw, those gravel roads in and around the mine can be slippery and difficult to navigate. With rough terrain and 320-ton haul trucks [at the mine], the Snozzle will allow us to quickly respond to any type of emergency while keeping our Emergency Services and Security team out of the line of fire. That's why we believe the Striker is the ideal truck for our application." www.e-mj.com FEBRUARY 2013 • E&MJ; 49