Firefighting

[d_Guy]

Last Hussar's thread, here:
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,19832.0.html
was so enjoyable (and I am still delving into the subject) it caused me to think of my Walther diecast fire trucks.

My notebooks from the late 1970's have a large number of notes on various designs for firefighting games and the thought that one day I'd build one or more of them. After I retired, I slowly acquired the models and built a 1-4 player cooperative game which has provided a good deal of entertainment.

I may have mentioned it here but don't think so. As this forum is my more-or-less hobby home I thought I'd record it here.

The Engine(Pumper) Companies:


The Squad and Ladder Companies:


Typical Companies (and civilians that are used to provide rescue tasks):


The Strategic Boards (twelve altogether) that can be assembled to make anything from a small community to a substantial urban area:


The Tactical Boards (dozens) are used to represent a single fire-ground:


The "enemy" (fire) is AI driven.

[fsn]

That's a bit different! Very nice.

Where's the Dalmatian?  Thought they were mandatory?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Love it

[Orcs]

They look really good. That's an interesting subject for a game. What made you think of this?  Were you in the fire department?

[d_Guy]

Thanks gents.

A few companies still have Dalmatians (my hometown department had one who always rode on Engine One).
IIRC they were much more prevalent pre-motorized since they liked running with the horses and helped clear the streets.

But, yes, I need to add one.

They look really good. That's an interesting subject for a game. What made you think of this?  Were you in the fire department?

I had a couple firefighters in my family and did two short stints as a volunteer. I had basic training BUT would NEVER call myself a firefighter (to do so would smack of "stolen valor"). With one exception, my experience was limited to brush fires (and very few of those).

When I was nine or ten I read a book about the Great Chicago Fire and have been hooked on the subject ever since.

[Last Hussar]

How does it work - random incidents, and you have to deploy pumps to control them?

[paulr]

Looks really interesting

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Like it !

[ronan]

I also like it !

[toxicpixie]

Cracking, Bill!

As you say it's 1-4 players and AI driven I bet it's a good one to play solo during lockdown?!

[Techno]

Looks excellent, Bill. 

Cheers - Phil

[DaveH]

Nice work, makes a change to have a game about saving lives.

[jimduncanuk]

Does the game accommodate local bobbies escorting fire vehicles through certain town districts and also local mobs of hooligans bricking said crews as they fight the fires. That happens here a lot, certainly in early November.

[d_Guy]

Thanks for all the new comments and questions!

How does it work - random incidents, and you have to deploy pumps to control them?

The total population of your assembled city determines your resource budget for apparatus, personnel and number and type of stations. Once these are deployed a strategic event deck drives the game. Most event cards are blank but an alarm card gives a specific neighborhood. A die roll then gives structure type (which varies by neighborhood type).

Turns are 6 minutes (Strategic) and 1 minute (tactical).

At the tactical level you deal with fireground management (apparatus positioning, external attack, etc), ladder ops (ventilation/containment) and hose ops (water sourcing/hose line positioning). These work in combination to attack the fire each tactical turn.

Nice work, makes a change to have a game about saving lives.

Thanks, I like that focus as well.
The search/rescue ops occur simultaneously with the other tactical ops. Life saving is the major way you gain victory points (although limiting damage provides a few as well).

Does the game accommodate local bobbies escorting fire vehicles through certain town districts and also local mobs of hooligans bricking said crews as they fight the fires. That happens here a lot, certainly in early November.

The event deck has a few cards that can throw a wrench into overall operations. Things like A broken water main, high winds, snarled traffic, etc. riot and rebellion could be added but for now my fantasy world is one of civic virtue and united effort against a relentless inhuman foe. 

@Pixie
It is, imho, a near ideal solo game but has been packed away since last fall. Have not had much hobby time during the Great Lockdown since I've been doing major reorganizing (and minor remodeling) of the house.

[toxicpixie]

Shame Bill! Though I've been buried under a New small baby or equally busy with household chores