ABOUT US
Robert S. Roy
Developer of the Air-Kwik Firefighting System
 While a captain for the Los Angeles City Fire Department, I saw the potential advantages to adding firefighting capability to the many pick-up trucks that were used for details, deliveries, and making inspections.
The idea for an air powered firefighting system came to me after driving upon a small fire in a large older home in the Hollywood area in the early eighties. I was returning to my station from a captain's meeting alone in a department pick-up truck. It was equipped with only a small fire extinguisher. I radioed dispatch and told them to send a full structure assignment, advising them that I was on the scene of a large two story dwelling with a fire confined to one room on the first floor.
Even though, the first engine arrived in less than five minutes, the fire had spread dramatically. I will never forget the helpless feeling I had, as I frantically searched in vain for a garden hose or some source of water. Instead of being a hero, I helplessly watched the fire spread to the second floor and attic.
It was after that fire, when I thought, if a breathing apparatus cylinder can be used to power air tools, why couldn't one be used to propel water in a big oversized extinguisher. I had always wanted to try it, but never had the opportunity until several years later, after becoming the chief of a small town volunteer department in Washington. Once again, I was confronted with the helpless feeling of being the first on the scene and unable to do anything until the volunteers arrived with an engine.
It reminded me of my earlier idea to pressurize a tank of wateror foam with an SCBA cylinder. Well I traded my sedan for a pick-up truck, and with the help of my best friend and fellow firefighter, built my first air powered firefighting unit out of a 80 gallon propane tank and welding regulator.
I was so impressed at how well it worked, that I wanted to share my idea with the fire service. So here I am today, after much research and many refinements, offering the "Air-Kwik" firefighting system. |
