PAFD Captain Rocky Hull at the SLAC Fire Station (Photo by Diana Rogers)

By Linda DuShane White

To adhere with Department of Energy (DOE) requirements, SLAC has its own fire station. Station 7 of the City of Palo Alto Fire Department (PAFD) provides fire services under a Stanford University contract. Captain Rocky Hull, a firefighter for 26 years, is a fervent advocate for safety. Enthusiasm for his profession shines through as he speaks of the high level of skill required of firefighters and the continuous training they must undergo.

Hull has worked as a firefighter, engineer and captain with the PAFD for over 22 years. After being at SLAC for two years, he will tell anyone who will listen that he is impressed with how the people at SLAC work to have a safe environment. "They take the time to make sure things are put away, that hazardous materials are stored properly, that their machinery is off when they’re gone, that they wear their safety equipment, and this all adds up to fewer accidents," Hull said. "It’s not the same in the rest of the world." In the last two years there have been 250-300 inspections at SLAC with almost no violations. "I would like to personally compliment everyone here at SLAC for making my job safer," he added.

Firefighters are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week through three eight-hour shifts. Duties comprise emergency medical services, working with the SLAC medical office, handling hazardous material spills as well as fire suppression. At the station, a 3-bed dormitory accommodates duty staff.

Scheduling is done at Station 7 daily for the entire PAFD Suppression Division. A report is generated delineating drills, training, assignments, vacation and sick leave schedules. A thorough equipment check is carried out and, on most days, there is training on topics such as fire suppression, confined space rescue techniques (used if a person is caught in a tunnel, for example), and medical techniques including triage training for major emergencies.

There are two vehicles at Station 7. Engine 7 is a Class A Triple Combination Pumper—a fire engine, not a fire truck. Fire trucks have ladders while fire engines have hoses and spray water. Engine 7 is prepared for almost any emergency. It has several compartments carrying items including protective gear, air packs, maps, pump, hoses, water, a high voltage protection wand (to make sure power is off), a radiological monitor, rope harnesses, anchors, air bags, special lifting equipment, medical supplies, air monitoring systems, defibrillators, C-spine equipment and a medical bag.

The second truck is a Wild Land Engine Type 4 Patrol Unit, special to SLAC, which can go off-road. It is used on the often rugged grassy areas on and around SLAC.

The Fire Department works closely with SLAC fire alarm techs. "I really can’t say enough about them," says Hull. "They are a real asset to us. They do an excellent job." Any alarm from SLAC comes directly to the Fire Station and, for backup, to PADF Communications. There is a screen in Station 7 showing exactly where the alarm is coming from. Response time is about 4 minutes. Hull says, "Our priorities are life safety first, and then property conservation." They also interact frequently with SLAC’s Safety and Security, MCC and the Medical Department.

Hull appreciates being at SLAC. "This is a really great place. When I came up here I didn’t know what to expect. There is a lot of cool stuff that happens at SLAC, a lot of great stuff that goes on that you never really hear about unless you have this contact. You walk in there and see this accelerator, it’s a pretty amazing thing."