parrothead600
Contributor
One of my buddies is a diver for the local Sherriff's Dept. When I dive with him, he will take my tank the the Fire Dept. & fill it for me, but I'm sure that they wouldn't want to bother with it for me or the public.
tank fills at firehouses?
- Thread starter Jeepman3sk
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tincan715
Registered
It would be politically unwise (and in some cases illegal) for a public agency such as a fire department to offer a service that competes with commercial businesses. My wife works for a public transit agency that often receives requests to run a shuttle for a public event or something of that nature - but they can't do it because it would take business from a private charter bus company. I expect that a fire department willing to help out a private individual with a fill will want to keep it way under the radar.
Filled many bottles at the firehouse. But that was on an AF base. Closest shop was 30 miles away and recreation rented tanks. A couple of us would take the empty tanks over during the week and fill them. One of us was PSI certified to do visuals. So weessentially took care of the tanks and in return we got to tag along on trips to the coast for free.
Fire guys let us use the compressor as long as they weren't filling their tanks. But we were checked out on the compressor and we did the work.
A local VFD has agreed to fill mine and the instructors tanks in exchange for OW certs for new guys.
Fire guys let us use the compressor as long as they weren't filling their tanks. But we were checked out on the compressor and we did the work.
A local VFD has agreed to fill mine and the instructors tanks in exchange for OW certs for new guys.
Slamfire
Contributor
When I was a kid in mainland Honduras my dad and I would usually get fills at firehouses or at industrial gas suppliers. At the time there were no diveshops in the mainland. I think the closest diveshops were in the Bay Islands. I don't recall exactly how much he paid for the fills, but it was not a big deal. Firehouses gave a better service than the industrial gas places. We would go to the firehouse and a fireman would fill the tank up right in front of us and to the right pressure. No waiting.
The industrial gas place would have us drop the tanks and come back some days later to pick them up filled. It was quite common for us find out all tanks where filled only up to 2250 psi -- LP steels and Al 80's rated to 3000 psi. Back in those days of diving without BCD's and with J-valves, Al 80's where my favorites. I would get pissed off whenever I got a tank filled up only to 2/3's capacity. You could complain at the industrial gas place, but they would tell you leave the tank and come back another day, which was not really an option when you're about to head out for the weekend.
When I moved to Canada I had to get certified to get my fills. No more social circles of scuba divers, firemen, red cross rescuers, etc. I had to get a little piece of plastic that in theory vouched that I should not kill myself while diving. But that is another story.
The industrial gas place would have us drop the tanks and come back some days later to pick them up filled. It was quite common for us find out all tanks where filled only up to 2250 psi -- LP steels and Al 80's rated to 3000 psi. Back in those days of diving without BCD's and with J-valves, Al 80's where my favorites. I would get pissed off whenever I got a tank filled up only to 2/3's capacity. You could complain at the industrial gas place, but they would tell you leave the tank and come back another day, which was not really an option when you're about to head out for the weekend.
When I moved to Canada I had to get certified to get my fills. No more social circles of scuba divers, firemen, red cross rescuers, etc. I had to get a little piece of plastic that in theory vouched that I should not kill myself while diving. But that is another story.
fire_diver
Contributor
The problem with filling civilian tanks has nothing to do with competing against local business. It's all about CYA. All it would take is for someone to claim injury from "bad air" that they got from a fire dept, and they would probably never have to work again in thier life after the lawsuit.
Yes, FD compressors are tested regularly, and the cost of changing out perfectly good filters several times a year is nothing compared to the cost of trucks, fuel, salaries, etc. Compare that to an LDS that is on a shoestring budget and trying to make everything stretch. I fill all my tanks at my dept, and I would fill for friends too on the down-low.
Yes, FD compressors are tested regularly, and the cost of changing out perfectly good filters several times a year is nothing compared to the cost of trucks, fuel, salaries, etc. Compare that to an LDS that is on a shoestring budget and trying to make everything stretch. I fill all my tanks at my dept, and I would fill for friends too on the down-low.
superstar
Contributor
My uncle was the mayor in the city I live in and when I asked him if the fire dept can fill my tanks he said yes because the equipment belongs to the taxpayer and its the fire chiefs job to manage it. When I talked to the fire chief he said no and made it clear to me that the equipment is his and he can do what he wants with it. He also told me they are so understaffed, underfunded, under etc, etc, etc, and would not have time to fill my tanks. The best part is he is telling me his underfunded sob story in a brand new firehouse with all brand new trucks and two other firemen in the house are just sitting there watching cable tv waiting for a fire call as the city jacked up my taxes to pay for it. Can you tell I'm bitter with city hall.
An old high school friend of mine is a firechief at a fire house not so far away and he fills our tanks and is happy to do it for us. I think it all boils down to if the fire chief is your friend.
An old high school friend of mine is a firechief at a fire house not so far away and he fills our tanks and is happy to do it for us. I think it all boils down to if the fire chief is your friend.
Or if your sense of entitlement makes the fire chief reluctant to fill tanks for those that believe it is their duty to fill your tanks.
superstar
Contributor
He might as well use the ladder truck to trim his trees as well.
fire_diver
Contributor
I want you to think real hard about your statements and attitude towards your fire dept. Fire dept gear gets used hard, and often. It breaks and needs repair and yes, even replacement often. I hope you never need the services of them, but if you do, it's because of EVERYONES tax dollars that ensure your dept is fully staffed, fully trained, and has equipment that wont breakdown in the middle of thier response.
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