Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019
BY CHRIS Mc LOONE
It’s never easy to put into words what the FDIC International experience is. This year, I have to say I would sum up my experience with one word: traffic.
During the course of three days’ worth of exhibits, I find myself traversing the show floor many, many times. According to my fitness tracker, my average number of steps on the exhibit days was 18,814. And, for all of them I found myself stuck in traffic. I’ve been doing this routine for a while now, and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how long it takes to get from place to place. But, every time I went to make my way to another location, the number of people in the aisles slowed me down more than normal this year—which is a great thing.
No doubt this year saw even more products than last year designed with reducing firefighter exposure to carcinogens in mind. Whether wipes, clean cabs, particulate-blocking personal protective equipment (PPE), or others, there is a concerted effort industrywide to help firefighters reduce their exposure to harmful contaminants or decon themselves after exiting a contaminated atmosphere.
1 MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)
The exhibits continued to perfectly complement the hands-on training and classroom instruction firefighters received all week. After using and discussing many of the products on the floor, firefighters got to see them up close and personal during the exhibits and got to talk to, many times, the product managers who helped develop the products.
In terms of my own observations, technology continues to be a focal point of the industry, making our fire apparatus smarter and improving the quality of technology we carry with us to help locate victims or our own crews. PPE manufacturers continue to enhance their product offerings for comfort and protection—which is not an easy combination to master while maintaining maximum breathability.
2 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)
I did notice a lot of “buzz” around aerial products this year, as many manufacturers worked to enhance existing product lines as well create new ones. More and more, fire apparatus builders are working with their vendors to help end users build rigs that m
- 412
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 16, 2019
Packed Aisles Mark Successful FDIC International 2019
BY CHRIS Mc LOONE
It’s never easy to put into words what the FDIC International experience is. This year, I have to say I would sum up my experience with one word: traffic.
During the course of three days’ worth of exhibits, I find myself traversing the show floor many, many times. According to my fitness tracker, my average number of steps on the exhibit days was 18,814. And, for all of them I found myself stuck in traffic. I’ve been doing this routine for a while now, and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of how long it takes to get from place to place. But, every time I went to make my way to another location, the number of people in the aisles slowed me down more than normal this year—which is a great thing.
No doubt this year saw even more products than last year designed with reducing firefighter exposure to carcinogens in mind. Whether wipes, clean cabs, particulate-blocking personal protective equipment (PPE), or others, there is a concerted effort industrywide to help firefighters reduce their exposure to harmful contaminants or decon themselves after exiting a contaminated atmosphere.
1 MSA unveiled LUNAR, a wireless, cloud-ready device designed to keep firefighters connected on a fire scene and allow person-to-person ranging, GPS locating, and thermal imaging. (Photo courtesy of MSA.)
The exhibits continued to perfectly complement the hands-on training and classroom instruction firefighters received all week. After using and discussing many of the products on the floor, firefighters got to see them up close and personal during the exhibits and got to talk to, many times, the product managers who helped develop the products.
In terms of my own observations, technology continues to be a focal point of the industry, making our fire apparatus smarter and improving the quality of technology we carry with us to help locate victims or our own crews. PPE manufacturers continue to enhance their product offerings for comfort and protection—which is not an easy combination to master while maintaining maximum breathability.
2 OnScene Solutions developed the SafeTSystem for transport of breathing air bottles by personal carry or by wheeled cart. (Photo courtesy of OnScene Solutions.)
I did notice a lot of “buzz” around aerial products this year, as many manufacturers worked to enhance existing product lines as well create new ones. More and more, fire apparatus builders are working with their vendors to help end users build rigs that m
- 366
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 16, 2019
On the morning of Friday, July 12, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue crews responded to a 911 call reporting a residential fire in the area of Westcott Bay on San Juan Island.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the home to have smoke emanating from vents under the home. The owner of the home had evacuated with his pets and there were no injuries.
- PUB DATE: 7/16/2019 1:42:25 AM - SOURCE: Journal of the San Juans
Read more
- 534
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 16, 2019
A nearly century-old barn owned by a family in the Bald Hills area is still standing after hay within the structure spontaneously combusted Thursday evening, charring and damaging support beams inside.
Firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 13847 148th Ave. SE at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11.
- PUB DATE: 7/16/2019 1:42:23 AM - SOURCE: Nisqually Valley News
Read more
- 439
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jul 16, 2019
A damaged gas line sparked an explosion that leveled a home in a Murrieta neighborhood, leaving at least one person dead and 15 others injured.
The explosion was reported before 12:15 p.m. in the 23500 block of Wooden Horse Trail, where crews initially responded due to a ruptured gas line, Murrieta Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief David Lantzer said.
- PUB DATE: 7/16/2019 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCAL-TV CBS 9 Los Angeles
Read more
- 366
- Article rating: No rating