In the fire service, there exists a split between a traditionally younger, more tech-friendly group of firefighters who readily adopt modern electronics and change and an old-guard group who may be more resistant.

Neither one is right or wrong, but the impact of this split is that some people may not have a real appreciation for one of the hidden killers of modern electronics and thus may not be able to make educated choices about the products that are particularly well-suited for use on their emergency vehicles. This hidden killer is TEMPERATURE.

The interior of a modern emergency vehicle often more closely resembles a scene from a techie science fiction movie than a passenger vehicle because of all the screens and electronic devices that are installed in it. These electronic components have revolutionized the way firefighters respond to incidents and the types of data first responders have access to while on scene, thereby increasing apparatus and crew efficiency while decreasing the need for excess staffing.

All modern electronic devices have one thing in common: Each of them has been engineered with its own kind of system to shed heat and reduce the operating temperature as the device consumes power. Laptops and power-hungry radios have fans, cell phones have vent ports, and scene lights have heat sinks. Paying attention to thermal (heat) management allows emergency responders to optimize the performance of their technology for a much longer time than if they were to choose devices and mounting locations without considering the impact that temperature would have on performance.

EFFECTS ON MOBILE COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Laptops slow down as they get hot. They become less stable, and the processors are less efficient as the temperature rises. Many laptops and portable computers are equipped with variable-speed fans that blow across the motherboard to keep temperature under control.

Consider this: When computer systems get too hot, they can be programmed to shut down to prevent damage to internal components. This is great for preserving the technology, but it is not desirable while using the device in the middle of an incident. When choosing a mounting location for a laptop, consider mounting the device in an area with nearby airflow and as far away from direct sunlight as possible. When charging, try not to set the computer on or cover it with any bunker gear or other items in the cab.

EFFECTS ON HEADLIGHTS OR OTHER SEALED ELECTRONIC DEVICES

For the past 40 years, the only choice for fire apparatus headlights has been a “sealed-beam” halogen fixture that was not particularly effective or configurable. As many firefighters have learned in hazmat class, a sealed enclosure subjected to heat will experience an increase in internal pressure as the gas inside expands. Similarly, the inverse applies to a hot sealed enclosure when it is rapidly cooled. Fire apparatus headlights are simply pressurized vessels that are subjected to frequent and extreme temperature and pressure Read more

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