The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has conducted an operational trial of Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS) on standard response appliances over the last four years with positive results. Realising the benefits CAFS as an effective extinguishing capability the  QFES Brisbane Region is exploring the benefits of using CAFS on off road appliances for Wildfires, Aerial Appliances for Building Fires as well as alternative branches and hose lines for standard response appliances.

CAF Systems mix air with foam concentrate to generate foam and can propel compressed air foam further than standard foam nozzles. CAFS are used during external offensive fire attack and are an extremely efficient as a surface cooling medium. This has been validated through research and operational experience. Research has also indicated that the temperature of the internal gases are also reduced by the cooling effect. Combined with a fliptip nozzle, this technology enables the firefighter to employ CAFS in the same manner as traditionally employed methods then seamlessly change the method of attack without the need to carry different nozzle types. Additional aerial appliance capabilities have been identified which further increase operational capacity. The Combined Aerial Pumper Appliance (CAPA) is a combination of an urban pumper and an aerial appliance to provide telescopic ladder platform capability. This paper explores the benefits, experiences and results of using CAFS and CAPA in providing improved attack capability to ensure the needs of the community are met during emergencies.