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Posted: Dec 1, 2018

In The News

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED announced that its jet-style fire helmet, the Cairns® XF1, has received third-party certification as compliant with NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (2018 ed.). It is also compliant with NFPA 1951, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents (2013 ed.). The Cairns XF1 incorporates a number of optional user features, including a protective visor; an integrated communication system; and LED lights that, because of their placement on either side of the helmet rather than at the top of the head, improve visibility without blinding others on scene. Like all other Cairns helmet models, the XF1’s soft goods are removable, washable, and replaceable—all without requiring tools.

MSA SAFETY INCORPORATED

TFT’s new H2knOw is a series of videos designed to teach the fundamentals of firefighting water flow. The series explores important topics and delivers fact-based results that are measurable and grounded in physics. The series uses a flow test device with a programmable logic controller. With this device, viewers can see information like flow pressures and nozzle reactions from the other parts of the system and how they react when circumstances change. The H2knOW series is about helping firefighters with information—facts that allow them to do more without increasing the risk. The first series is currently online with videos that cover “How a Nozzle Works.” New videos will be added monthly. For more information, go to H2knOw.tft.com.

TFT

The Fulshear-Simonton (TX) Fire Department has taken delivery of the first of two newly purchased purpose-built high-water/flood rescue trucks from ACELA TRUCK COMPANY. Both trucks will be outfitted in the future to do year-round double duty as brush/wildland trucks and can be quickly and easily adapted for other departmental operational or logistical needs as required. With 47-inch tires, 23 inches of ground clearance, all-wheel-drive drivetrains, waterproof alternators and starters, and deep-water fording kits, the Acela Monterra-based specialized flood rescue trucks can navigate 50 inches of water while safely carrying up to 17 seated passengers with ample room and payload for pets, personal property, or rescue gear.

KME FIRE APPARATUS announced the delivery of 10 custom pumpers and seven 101-foot tractor-drawn aerials (TDAs) to the Orange County (CA) Fire Authority. The new trucks will join more than 100 KME apparatus currently in service at the Orange County Fire Authority.

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Posted: Dec 1, 2018

Alexis Combination Vehicle Delivered to Illinois Department

Alan M. Petrillo

The McNabb (IL) Fire Protection District was seeking to purchase a combination vehicle that could be used as a quick-attack pumper, a brush truck, and a first-response rescue vehicle in its primarily rural and agricultural protection area. McNabb firefighters scouted out a number of types of vehicles from several manufacturers and eventually determined that Alexis Fire Equipment was the apparatus maker they wanted to work with.

Alan M. Petrillo

“We went with Alexis because of their sales team as well as their location and the service they provide,” says Bradley P. Popurella, chief of McNabb. “One concern we had was that if any issues developed with the vehicle, we wanted a company that understands the issues facing a small, rural fire department, which Alexis does. Plus, the Alexis factory and service center is only one and a half hours away from us.”

DEMO UNIT ADDRESSES NEEDS

Popurella says he had been talking with Stan Froelich, the Alexis sales representative, about the specifications for a combination vehicle and that Froelich mentioned Alexis was finishing up building a demo unit that had the hallmarks of what McNabb seemed to be looking for. “We went out with Stan and toured the Alexis plant and were able to see the truck he told us about as it was being built,” Popurella points out. “We found they had put together exactly what we needed, so we decided on the Alexis truck.”

Scott Morris, vice president of Alexis Fire Equipment, says that the McNabb Fire Protection District was a past Alexis customer for equipment but not apparatus. “We had come up with a design that had a new personnel carrier behind the cab called Attack Zone, where the firefighters can be seated, belted, and protected by a roll cage and gates,” Morris says. “We had started building a demo incorporating the new personnel carrier when the McNabb firefighters started talking with us. They liked the feature that had the firefighters safely protected while still able to use a hoseline discharge adjacent to them.”

Alexis Fire Equipment built this quick-attack/brush truck/first-response rescue truck for the McNabb (IL) Fire Protection District.

1 Alexis Fire Equipment built this quick-attack/brush truck/first-response rescue truck for the McNabb (IL) Fire Protection District. (Photos courtesy of Alexis Fire Equipment.)

The McNabb quick-attack truck has a Darley 1.5 AGE pump with a 20-hp gasoline engine for pump-and-roll capabilities, a 300-gallon water tank, and a 10-gallon foam tank.

Read more

Posted: Dec 1, 2018

Alexis Combination Vehicle Delivered to Illinois Department

Alan M. Petrillo

The McNabb (IL) Fire Protection District was seeking to purchase a combination vehicle that could be used as a quick-attack pumper, a brush truck, and a first-response rescue vehicle in its primarily rural and agricultural protection area. McNabb firefighters scouted out a number of types of vehicles from several manufacturers and eventually determined that Alexis Fire Equipment was the apparatus maker they wanted to work with.

Alan M. Petrillo

“We went with Alexis because of their sales team as well as their location and the service they provide,” says Bradley P. Popurella, chief of McNabb. “One concern we had was that if any issues developed with the vehicle, we wanted a company that understands the issues facing a small, rural fire department, which Alexis does. Plus, the Alexis factory and service center is only one and a half hours away from us.”

DEMO UNIT ADDRESSES NEEDS

Popurella says he had been talking with Stan Froelich, the Alexis sales representative, about the specifications for a combination vehicle and that Froelich mentioned Alexis was finishing up building a demo unit that had the hallmarks of what McNabb seemed to be looking for. “We went out with Stan and toured the Alexis plant and were able to see the truck he told us about as it was being built,” Popurella points out. “We found they had put together exactly what we needed, so we decided on the Alexis truck.”

Scott Morris, vice president of Alexis Fire Equipment, says that the McNabb Fire Protection District was a past Alexis customer for equipment but not apparatus. “We had come up with a design that had a new personnel carrier behind the cab called Attack Zone, where the firefighters can be seated, belted, and protected by a roll cage and gates,” Morris says. “We had started building a demo incorporating the new personnel carrier when the McNabb firefighters started talking with us. They liked the feature that had the firefighters safely protected while still able to use a hoseline discharge adjacent to them.”

Alexis Fire Equipment built this quick-attack/brush truck/first-response rescue truck for the McNabb (IL) Fire Protection District.

1 Alexis Fire Equipment built this quick-attack/brush truck/first-response rescue truck for the McNabb (IL) Fire Protection District. (Photos courtesy of Alexis Fire Equipment.)

The McNabb quick-attack truck has a Darley 1.5 AGE pump with a 20-hp gasoline engine for pump-and-roll capabilities, a 300-gallon water tank, and a 10-gallon foam tank.

Read more

Posted: Dec 1, 2018

FDSOA Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium

Richard Marinucci

The expenses associated with fire apparatus are second only to those for personnel in most departments.

I say most because fire apparatus expenses would be the biggest cost in many volunteer departments.

Besides the cost, reliability and functionality are extremely important. Organizations, regardless of size or type, cannot deliver quality service if they don’t arrive in the moments that matter with the proper resources for the emergency. This would include personnel, equipment, and apparatus. Obviously, the apparatus must get personnel to the scene safely, but the work is not done once the operation starts. Fire trucks are essential to successful operations and the safety of firefighters.

I would hope that what I stated above is obvious and you are wondering why it needs to be stated. It reinforces the importance of apparatus and, therefore, stresses the value of gaining the most information as possible regarding vehicles—from purchasing to maintenance and everything in between. Making good decisions requires information and knowledge. Gathering the information for vehicles involves various sources, and one of those should be the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Annual Apparatus Symposium. Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) are partners in the symposium.

This conference is unique in that it brings together subject matter experts from the industry, including fire department personnel, apparatus manufacturers, and suppliers (and others with an interest) to discuss the latest trends and various needs in the apparatus world. It is a chance for detailed discussion along with topical workshops that provide the valuable information to help those with responsibilities for fire trucks to make good choices.

Fleet management includes specifications to maintenance and everything in between. It also involves leadership and knowledge of current standards and regulations. A quick look at the agenda for the FDSOA Apparatus Symposium will show you that all aspects are covered. Besides the scheduled workshops, there is ample opportunity to network and share experiences with a wide variety of experts and interested parties. There are sessions on specification writing and newer topics such as “clean cab designs.” Those who participate will get ideas to save money and produce more reliable and functional apparatus. There is no other single place to discuss fire trucks in detail with so many interested parties. Whether you are in the market, developing specifications, looking for ideas for your apparatus committee, or hoping to improve your routine preventive maintenance or other truck repairs, there are sessions to help you.

The 31st annual FDSOA Apparatus Symposium will be held in Orlando, Florida, January 20-23, 2019, at the Wyndham Hotel. There are preconference sessions on Sunday, and the conference will conclude with nationally known body language expert Janine Driver on Wednesday. If you have any responsibility in the procurement or maintenance of your department’s fleet, you should attend.

For more information, visit the FDSOA Web site at Read more

Posted: Dec 1, 2018

FDSOA Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium

Richard Marinucci

The expenses associated with fire apparatus are second only to those for personnel in most departments.

I say most because fire apparatus expenses would be the biggest cost in many volunteer departments.

Besides the cost, reliability and functionality are extremely important. Organizations, regardless of size or type, cannot deliver quality service if they don’t arrive in the moments that matter with the proper resources for the emergency. This would include personnel, equipment, and apparatus. Obviously, the apparatus must get personnel to the scene safely, but the work is not done once the operation starts. Fire trucks are essential to successful operations and the safety of firefighters.

I would hope that what I stated above is obvious and you are wondering why it needs to be stated. It reinforces the importance of apparatus and, therefore, stresses the value of gaining the most information as possible regarding vehicles—from purchasing to maintenance and everything in between. Making good decisions requires information and knowledge. Gathering the information for vehicles involves various sources, and one of those should be the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) Annual Apparatus Symposium. Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment and the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) are partners in the symposium.

This conference is unique in that it brings together subject matter experts from the industry, including fire department personnel, apparatus manufacturers, and suppliers (and others with an interest) to discuss the latest trends and various needs in the apparatus world. It is a chance for detailed discussion along with topical workshops that provide the valuable information to help those with responsibilities for fire trucks to make good choices.

Fleet management includes specifications to maintenance and everything in between. It also involves leadership and knowledge of current standards and regulations. A quick look at the agenda for the FDSOA Apparatus Symposium will show you that all aspects are covered. Besides the scheduled workshops, there is ample opportunity to network and share experiences with a wide variety of experts and interested parties. There are sessions on specification writing and newer topics such as “clean cab designs.” Those who participate will get ideas to save money and produce more reliable and functional apparatus. There is no other single place to discuss fire trucks in detail with so many interested parties. Whether you are in the market, developing specifications, looking for ideas for your apparatus committee, or hoping to improve your routine preventive maintenance or other truck repairs, there are sessions to help you.

The 31st annual FDSOA Apparatus Symposium will be held in Orlando, Florida, January 20-23, 2019, at the Wyndham Hotel. There are preconference sessions on Sunday, and the conference will conclude with nationally known body language expert Janine Driver on Wednesday. If you have any responsibility in the procurement or maintenance of your department’s fleet, you should attend.

For more information, visit the FDSOA Web site at Read more

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