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Posted: Sep 1, 2018

Product News




REV Group EZ Trac

REV Group EZ Trac® hydraulic all-wheel drive (AWD) system is an option for fire apparatus manufactured by the REV Fire Group, which includes the E-ONE, KME, and Ferrara brands. The EZ Trac System provides the performance of hydraulic power while maintaining factory ground clearance, overall height, and the turning radius of a typical two-wheel-drive vehicle. Benefits include a steerable hydraulic drive assist system to simplify and overcome traction and mobility issues without sacrificing ride quality, safety, and control; a lower center of gravity, making the vehicle safer—less likely to overturn and easier to handle; the ability to engage and disengage on the go at speeds less than 20 mph with the flip of a cab-mounted switch; and 800 to 1,200 pounds lighter than conventional drive systems and experiences no windage loss in freewheel mode.
www.revgroup.com




Command Light

Command Light has partnered with three vehicle camera systems manufacturers—INTEC, Safety Vision, and Zone Defense—to introduce unprecedented heights to 360-degree vehicle camera views. Any of these systems can be mounted to select Command Light towers to enhance visibility, and with the light tower’s spotlight effect and up to 360-degree rotational capability, fire command staff won’t miss a thing. With an optional tower-mounted camera, commanders can survey both fire and curbside activity from the pump panel, record firefighter actions for review and training (an optional feature), and ensure safety as crews move in and around the apparatus. Command Light partnered with INTEC Video Systems to provide two high-end camera options: the CVC500AH and the VSC510. Command Light also partnered with Safety Vision and Zone Defense to offer departments two vehicle camera system options, popular on mobile command units.
www.commandlight.com, 800-797-7974




LENTRY

LENTRY® All-Terrain LED Model 1STARX, with all-terrain legs for instant-on, remote, outdoor lighting, is the most affordable and convenient of the three-legged emergency scene LEDs made by Ventry Solutions, Inc. This easy-to-use, self-contained unit has the advantage of height (eight to nine feet) plus light weight (just 60 pounds). The efficient V-Star LED is 20,000 lumens, only 240 W, and runs for seven hours per 0.6 gallons of fuel. Lentry Light 1STARX is ideal for run time, light output, and compact size. See all features and benefits at
www.ventry.com/fe-shop, 888-257-8967




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Posted: Sep 1, 2018

Yakima bar fire causes $300,000 worth of damage; firefighters say its deemed suspicious

Investigators are trying to figure out what caused a fire at a Yakima bar that lead to $300,000 worth of damage. Firefighters responded to the Lewisville Tavern at 301 North Sixth Avenue at around 3:15 this morning. According to a press release, the fire that started on the outside of the building and then spread to the attic is deemed suspicious.
- PUB DATE: 9/1/2018 5:16:59 PM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima
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Posted: Sep 1, 2018

September 2018 Recent Fire Apparatus Orders

Compiled by Ron Heal

Alabama

E-ONE—BASF Corporation, McIntosh, industrial pumper. Cyclone II X short cab and chassis; Cummins X15 600-hp engine; Hale 8FG 3,500-gpm industrial pump; UPF Poly 1,030 tank; 500-gallon foam cell; Williams Hydro-Foam 1 x 3 Ranger 3 monitor electric foam system; FireCom wireless intercom. Sold by Thomas McLendon lll, Sunbelt Fire Inc., Fairhope, LA


Florida

Toyne—Port St. Joe Fire Department top-mount pumper. Kenworth T370 2-door cab and chassis; Paccar PX9 380-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank. Sold by Royce Horton, Tactical Fire, Winder, GA. Delivery in March 2019.


Illinois

Custom Fab & Body—Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, Round Lake, pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 800-gallon tank; Command Light CL602A light tower; Smart Power 20-kW generator; deck gun plumbing with Akron Apollo 3423 monitor; Zico outside arm ladder rack. Sold by Gary Bogenschutz, Custom Fab & Body, Marion, WI. Delivery in June 2019.


Indiana

Pierce—Center Township, Vanderburgh County, McCutchanville Fire Department, Evansville, PUC pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; Pierce 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; Will-Burt NS3.0-4500OPT light tower; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by Tim Learned, Global Emergency Products, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in March 2019.

Pierce—Pike Township Fire Department, Indianapolis, 100-foot platform aerial. Velocity cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by Garry Davis, Global Emergency Products, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in February 2019.

Pierce—Lawrence Fire Department pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; SetCom intercom headset system. Sold by Garry Davis, Global Emergency Equipment, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in March 2019.


Kansas

VT Hackney—Olathe Fire Department squad. Ford F-550 4-door cab and chassis; 6.7L V8 Power Stroke 300-hp engine; 10.8-foot Hackney 7-compartment walk-around rescue body; Federal Signal Rearview color cam

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Posted: Sep 1, 2018

September 2018 Recent Fire Apparatus Orders

Compiled by Ron Heal

Alabama

E-ONE—BASF Corporation, McIntosh, industrial pumper. Cyclone II X short cab and chassis; Cummins X15 600-hp engine; Hale 8FG 3,500-gpm industrial pump; UPF Poly 1,030 tank; 500-gallon foam cell; Williams Hydro-Foam 1 x 3 Ranger 3 monitor electric foam system; FireCom wireless intercom. Sold by Thomas McLendon lll, Sunbelt Fire Inc., Fairhope, LA


Florida

Toyne—Port St. Joe Fire Department top-mount pumper. Kenworth T370 2-door cab and chassis; Paccar PX9 380-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank. Sold by Royce Horton, Tactical Fire, Winder, GA. Delivery in March 2019.


Illinois

Custom Fab & Body—Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, Round Lake, pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 800-gallon tank; Command Light CL602A light tower; Smart Power 20-kW generator; deck gun plumbing with Akron Apollo 3423 monitor; Zico outside arm ladder rack. Sold by Gary Bogenschutz, Custom Fab & Body, Marion, WI. Delivery in June 2019.


Indiana

Pierce—Center Township, Vanderburgh County, McCutchanville Fire Department, Evansville, PUC pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; Pierce 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; Will-Burt NS3.0-4500OPT light tower; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by Tim Learned, Global Emergency Products, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in March 2019.

Pierce—Pike Township Fire Department, Indianapolis, 100-foot platform aerial. Velocity cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 525-hp engine; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by Garry Davis, Global Emergency Products, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in February 2019.

Pierce—Lawrence Fire Department pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; SetCom intercom headset system. Sold by Garry Davis, Global Emergency Equipment, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in March 2019.


Kansas

VT Hackney—Olathe Fire Department squad. Ford F-550 4-door cab and chassis; 6.7L V8 Power Stroke 300-hp engine; 10.8-foot Hackney 7-compartment walk-around rescue body; Federal Signal Rearview color cam

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Posted: Sep 1, 2018

Anticipating and Accepting Reality for Fire Apparatus Purchases


The dictionary defines reality as realism, the truth, and actuality. It can be an accurate and verifiable statement of fact that can, when necessary, be substantiated with documentation.

In the fire truck world, reality is not always addressed objectively by some apparatus purchasing committees (APCs) or some firematically oriented members of the authority having jurisdiction. Pundits, commentators, and some so-called industry experts can be equally as guilty.

In the apparatus purchasing process, personalities, pride, and traditionalism can cloud the judgment of decision makers. The oft-heard statement that the fire service is “200 years of tradition unimpeded by progress” is no longer relevant and, in my opinion, repeating it is detrimental to the goodwill, morale, and discipline of the occupation—whether it be career or volunteer oriented. The “good ole days” are gone. They will never return but should never be forgotten, because all parties can learn from prior mistakes and errors in judgment.

Look at the title “Fire Department.” Some organizations now call themselves Fire-EMS, Fire-Rescue, Fire & Emergency Services, or various combinations thereof. Changing a name to accurately define the occupation is innocuous, although it does reflect reality. Not changing the name is equally inoffensive. The name on the door is not going to affect the proficiency of the organization on the fireground or at the incidents it responds to.

On the other hand, purchasing a new fire truck is a different story. Purchasing one that reflects the personal preferences of decision makers who live in the past and yearn for those “good ole days” is disgraceful. Buying a rig just because it is bigger and better than the neighbors’ is equally shameful. Buying one that does not adequately address the actual day-to-day operations and fireground functions is doing a disservice to the taxpayers who pay for it and the firefighters who staff it. That is reality. Reality is the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts.

Accepting Reality

Accepting reality can be troublesome for many departments. The following statements in italics are common when specifying a “first-due” engine company. The realistic responses in rebuttal are typical and reflect the growing pains of smaller cash-strapped communities and volunteer entities where increasing nonfirematic responses and shrinking staffing are becoming the norm.

We need a 10-person cab in case we get a big crew like on meeting or drill night. The volunteers: “Studies over the past several years show our membership is declining. We’re lucky to get all the rigs on the road. During the week, we often only have one responding.” Career departments: “We’ve never had more than three or four people assigned to the engine, and it’s doubtful the city will increase staffing. We’re lucky the city doesn’t reduce what we have.”

Everyone is buying rigs with large horsepower motors. “Our district doesn’t have any hills. We shouldn’t buy a big motor just because our neighbors have one.”

We’ve always had multiple preconnects. You can never tell when you’ll need them. “Our analysis of past incidents where attack lines have been used shows a single line has been pulled on 95 percent of them. Two

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