Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow

Interschutz, a trade show for fire and emergency services, is held once every five years in Germany, usually in Hannover. The majority of the vendors are European based. Because of COVID, this year’s show was the first since 2015 and there were not as many exhibits as in previous years.

PPE in Europe is an interesting study, as it often is ahead of the U.S. market. For example, Europe was the first to use leather boots and mask-mounted SCBA regulators, establish cleaning protocols, and procure cleaning equipment. And, their helmets are far more functional and integrate with the rest of the PPE ensemble in ways not possible with U.S.-style helmets.

One of the first items that got my attention was a positive pressure respirator by Tiki. The company designed the unit for hospital workers, but it probably has application in the firefighting world. Imagine being dispatched to a COVID-related call and being able to don simple, lightweight respiratory protection without the weight and bulk of an SCBA. The electronic unit does not require a cylinder. It has a filtration system (inhale and exhale), has a 1- to 2.5-hour duration, and is reusable (photo 1).

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The cleaning equipment for PPE was by far the largest ever displayed at Interschutz. There were multiple variations of washer/extractors, drying equipment, and machines for cleaning PPE elements other than pants and coats (photo 2).

Many of the drying machine configurations would handle these elements. Of particular interest was a company, Decontex, which uses liquid CO₂ to clean PPE. Though very expensive, it appears to do a great job of cleaning and gear is dry when the 30-minute cleaning process is complete. Moreover, it is suitable for cleaning the entire ensemble of helmet, hood, coat, gloves, pants, and b

E-ONE—Carrollton (VA) Volunteer Fire Department HR100 aerial ladder quint. Cyclone cab and chassis; Cummins X12 500-hp engine; 100-foot aerial ladder; 12-foot jack spread; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; 300-gallon polypropylene water tank; HiViz LED lighting BG2 scene/warning LED lights; Whelen warning light package. Dealer: Sean Doney, Matheny Fire & Emergency, Hagerstown, MD.

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Lincoln Fire & Rescue on Thursday unveiled three new vehicles to replace aging equipment, KLKNTV.com reported.

LFR said the new fire engines and ambulance will increase firefighter safety and lower response times, the report said.

The new equipment was paid for with LFR’s federal COVID-19 relief money. Each engine cost about $611,000, and the ambulance cost $286,000, according to the report.

The new vehicles are being fitted with hoses, tools and communications devices before they are placed into service sometime in the next three to five weeks, the report said.

Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department’s Engine 4 rolled over onto its side shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday while being turned off of Boundary Street onto Robert Smalls Parkway, YourIslandNews.com reported.

It appears the right wheel struck the concrete curb taking out a large chunk, the report said. Centrifugal force and weight of 43,000 pounds combined to roll the department’s newest truck. There were no other vehicles involved, according to the report.

Two firefighters were on board at the time. Both were strapped in and were uninjured, according a fire official, the report said.

Baldwin has committed to spending $1 million to buy two new fire trucks, NowHabersham.com reported.

During a called city council meeting on Wednesday, the council approved the purchase of a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) and custom pumper truck. The total cost of the vehicles, with interest, is $1,061,666.14, the report said.

The QRV is a 2020 International 4×4 with a Class A pump. According to a Baldwin fire official, this vehicle’s purpose is to respond to fires of a smaller nature such as grass fires along GA 365, US 441, the railroad right of way, and the airport, according to the report. It can also provide house fire protection until a fire engine arrives on the scene. The QRV design is smaller than a normal fire truck, which allows it to access areas other trucks can’t, the report said.

Baldwin city council members also agreed to buy a 2021 Ferrara Igniter Custom Pumper for $695,000, the report said. The council intends to finance the truck through a lease-purchase agreement with the Georgia Municipal Association. If the lease agreement is approved, interest will be added in, bringing the total cost of the truck to $806,666.14.