By Alan M. Petrillo

Depending on your department, you’re operating your aerial with a clean, uncluttered ladder or platform; one that’s carrying as many pieces of equipment as it can safely; or a configuration somewhere in between. And in some departments, there is relatively atypical equipment being put at the ends of aerials.

1 A bracket to hold a Stokes or rescue basket is a popular feature on Ferrara Fire Apparatus platforms. (Photos 1-2 courtesy of Ferrara Fire Apparatus.)

Paul Christiansen, aerial sales manager for Ferrara Fire Apparatus Inc., says that a rescue pulley system is becoming a popular feature at the tips of ladders and platforms. “With our system, one part attaches at the tip of the fly section and the other half at the turntable section, allowing firefighters to do a high-angle rope rescue,” Christiansen says. “We also have done a few aerials with thermal imaging cameras at the tip, where the image shows up on a monitor located at the pedestal, at the pump panel, or in the cab.”

2 Ferrara Fire Apparatus offers a bracket to mount a parapet ladder on its platforms as well as a rescue pulley system.

Ferrara also has installed the Command Light L-CAS (laser collision avoidance system) at the tips of ladders, Christiansen notes. “There are two green beam laser assemblies at the tip, and each laser has three beams,” he says. “When the ladder is a long way from the building, the beams are far apart and projecting onto the side of the building; but as the tip moves closer, the beams get closer together and merge into a single point when the tip is near the building. It gives the operator depth perception and is used mostly at night when there is limited visibility.”

3 Pierce Manufacturing installed TST Eagle2 Eye sensors on the bottom and sides of this platform built for the Community (TX) Fire Department to warn the operator when the platform is approaching an obstruction. (Photos 3-6 courtesy of Pierce Manufacturing Inc.)

Tim Smits, senior manager of national sales and product support for Pierce Manufacturing Inc., says Pierce has been putting a lot of LED lighting and cameras at the tips of ladders and on platforms. “The camera system can be as simple as a backup-type camera or an INTEC camera (INTEC Video Systems Inc.) that can give a 360-degree view of the scene,” Smits says. “We’ve even put an INTEC on a telescopic pole mounted on a platform

By Bill Adams

Part 1 described the development of custom fire apparatus cabs.

Part 2 described how safety standards developed for the commercial trucking industry were adopted by reference in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. All fire apparatus manufacturers that build their own cabs and chassis were invited to explain how their products are constructed. Their responses follow my questions.

1 Cab skins, including doors, are constructed from 3⁄16-inch aluminum plate. Also shown is the engine tunnel sidewall, which is constructed from ¼-inch aluminum plate and welded to the front wall, floor, and vertical roof support posts. (Photos 1-5 courtesy of E-ONE.)

Describe your Cab Substructure.

Mark Bartlett, engineering manager, Spartan Motors: “Cab designs are an extruded aluminum substructure platform, using a dual-roll-cage design with aluminum flat panel outer skins.”

Dave Reichmann, national sales manager, Rosenbauer: “Extruded aluminum design, using 6061-T6 extrusions. Our 3⁄16-inch-thick extruded design creates an extremely safe environment for our customers.”

Yoseph Setiadi, operations manager, Sutphen Hilliard, Ohio, facility (cab and chassis plant): “The Sutphen cab is designed similar to a roll-cage design. While strength is a very important design factor, weight is also a great design consideration. We want to design a cab that results in a lower center of gravity for the overall truck. We have chosen aluminum as the primary material used in the construction. The frame construction all around the cab uses extruded 6061-T6 aluminum, which is stronger than the 5052-H2 aluminum we typically see on a sheet metal part.”

2 The 3⁄16-inch cab sidewalls and cab roof are welded to the perimeter roof extrusions. Slots are CNC-machined into extrusions for wiring.

Joe Hedges, product manager, E-ONE: “E-ONE cabs use a combination of 6061-T6 and 6063-T6 high-strength aluminum extrusions and 0.188-inch 3003-H14 aluminum plate to create an extremely durable structure. The cab foundation features a wishbone style floor substructure that measures 3.0 inches × 2.25 inches with a substantial 0.435-inch wall thickness. The cab also features two centrally located 3.0-inch × 3.0-inch × 0.188-inch wall vertical posts that support a 3.0-inch × 3.0-inch × 0.375-inch wall roof crossbeam. The vertical posts are also welded to the 0.25-inch engine tunnel side plates that extend all the way forward to the front cab wall. At the rear of the cab are two 6.0-inch × 1.438-inch rear wall extrusions that are also welded between the floor substructure and roof extrusions. The roof structure consists of a perimeter extrusion measuring 4.125 inches high × 7.5 inches wide with an internal grid of 1.5-inch × 3.0-inch x 0.188-inch wall rectangular tubes to suppor

By Bill Adams

Part 1 described the development of custom fire apparatus cabs.

Part 2 described how safety standards developed for the commercial trucking industry were adopted by reference in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. All fire apparatus manufacturers that build their own cabs and chassis were invited to explain how their products are constructed. Their responses follow my questions.

1 Cab skins, including doors, are constructed from 3⁄16-inch aluminum plate. Also shown is the engine tunnel sidewall, which is constructed from ¼-inch aluminum plate and welded to the front wall, floor, and vertical roof support posts. (Photos 1-5 courtesy of E-ONE.)

Describe your Cab Substructure.

Mark Bartlett, engineering manager, Spartan Motors: “Cab designs are an extruded aluminum substructure platform, using a dual-roll-cage design with aluminum flat panel outer skins.”

Dave Reichmann, national sales manager, Rosenbauer: “Extruded aluminum design, using 6061-T6 extrusions. Our 3⁄16-inch-thick extruded design creates an extremely safe environment for our customers.”

Yoseph Setiadi, operations manager, Sutphen Hilliard, Ohio, facility (cab and chassis plant): “The Sutphen cab is designed similar to a roll-cage design. While strength is a very important design factor, weight is also a great design consideration. We want to design a cab that results in a lower center of gravity for the overall truck. We have chosen aluminum as the primary material used in the construction. The frame construction all around the cab uses extruded 6061-T6 aluminum, which is stronger than the 5052-H2 aluminum we typically see on a sheet metal part.”

2 The 3⁄16-inch cab sidewalls and cab roof are welded to the perimeter roof extrusions. Slots are CNC-machined into extrusions for wiring.

Joe Hedges, product manager, E-ONE: “E-ONE cabs use a combination of 6061-T6 and 6063-T6 high-strength aluminum extrusions and 0.188-inch 3003-H14 aluminum plate to create an extremely durable structure. The cab foundation features a wishbone style floor substructure that measures 3.0 inches × 2.25 inches with a substantial 0.435-inch wall thickness. The cab also features two centrally located 3.0-inch × 3.0-inch × 0.188-inch wall vertical posts that support a 3.0-inch × 3.0-inch × 0.375-inch wall roof crossbeam. The vertical posts are also welded to the 0.25-inch engine tunnel side plates that extend all the way forward to the front cab wall. At the rear of the cab are two 6.0-inch × 1.438-inch rear wall extrusions that are also welded between the floor substructure and roof extrusions. The roof structure consists of a perimeter extrusion measuring 4.125 inches high × 7.5 inches wide with an internal grid of 1.5-inch × 3.0-inch x 0.188-inch wall rectangular tubes to suppor

By Bill Adams

Part 1 described the development of custom fire apparatus cabs.

Part 2 described how safety standards developed for the commercial trucking industry were adopted by reference in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. All fire apparatus manufacturers that build their own cabs and chassis were invited to explain how their products are constructed. Their responses follow my questions.

1 Cab skins, including doors, are constructed from 3⁄16-inch aluminum plate. Also shown is the engine tunnel sidewall, which is constructed from ¼-inch aluminum plate and welded to the front wall, floor, and vertical roof support posts. (Photos 1-5 courtesy of E-ONE.)

Describe your Cab Substructure.

Mark Bartlett, engineering manager, Spartan Motors: “Cab designs are an extruded aluminum substructure platform, using a dual-roll-cage design with aluminum flat panel outer skins.”

Dave Reichmann, national sales manager, Rosenbauer: “Extruded aluminum design, using 6061-T6 extrusions. Our 3⁄16-inch-thick extruded design creates an extremely safe environment for our customers.”

Yoseph Setiadi, operations manager, Sutphen Hilliard, Ohio, facility (cab and chassis plant): “The Sutphen cab is designed similar to a roll-cage design. While strength is a very important design factor, weight is also a great design consideration. We want to design a cab that results in a lower center of gravity for the overall truck. We have chosen aluminum as the primary material used in the construction. The frame construction all around the cab uses extruded 6061-T6 aluminum, which is stronger than the 5052-H2 aluminum we typically see on a sheet metal part.”

2 The 3⁄16-inch cab sidewalls and cab roof are welded to the perimeter roof extrusions. Slots are CNC-machined into extrusions for wiring.

Joe Hedges, product manager, E-ONE: “E-ONE cabs use a combination of 6061-T6 and 6063-T6 high-strength aluminum extrusions and 0.188-inch 3003-H14 aluminum plate to create an extremely durable structure. The cab foundation features a wishbone style floor substructure that measures 3.0 inches × 2.25 inches with a substantial 0.435-inch wall thickness. The cab also features two centrally located 3.0-inch × 3.0-inch × 0.188-inch wall vertical posts that support a 3.0-inch × 3.0-inch × 0.375-inch wall roof crossbeam. The vertical posts are also welded to the 0.25-inch engine tunnel side plates that extend all the way forward to the front cab wall. At the rear of the cab are two 6.0-inch × 1.438-inch rear wall extrusions that are also welded between the floor substructure and roof extrusions. The roof structure consists of a perimeter extrusion measuring 4.125 inches high × 7.5 inches wide with an internal grid of 1.5-inch × 3.0-inch x 0.188-inch wall rectangular tubes to suppor

Globe Manufacturing Company launches ATHLETIX™, turnout gear like nothing you’ve ever experienced. New material technology enables the all-new athletic design with stretch fabrics that allow closer, body-contoured fit to provide unprecedented range of motion with less bulk, more flexibility, and lighter weight.

Firefighters informed and inspired ATHLETIX™, a step-change in firefighter personal protective equipment. We interviewed hundreds of firefighters to get a 360-degree view of their experience wearing turnout gear and shared our findings with our supplier partners to develop the technology that enables this all-new design.

Globe ATHLETIX™ won the 2016 International Achievement Awards (IAA) Award of Excellence and Best in Category for Advanced Textiles by Industrial Fabrics Association International. IAA recognizes excellence in design and innovation in the specialty fabrics and technical textiles industry.

At FDIC, attendees are invited to experience the unprecedented range of motion that is possible with the new ATHLETIX™ turnout gear in a virtual reality experience for firefighters in the booth.

“At Globe, we are celebrating 130 years of innovation this year,” said Rob Freese, senior vice president of marketing at Globe Manufacturing Company. “When we previewed ATHLETIX™ at FDIC last year, we were continuing our ‘voice of the customer’ process that inspired this revolutionary change in turnout gear design and capability. With the certified garments at the show this year, Globe is delivering turnout gear that firefighters want and that enhances their performance. We are proud to continue delighting our customers after 130 years.”

Globe will continue its partnership with the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund at the Globe booth. Try the new gear for yourself in the virtual reality experience and Globe will make a donation to the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund in your name.

Terry Farrell was a father, a husband, a brother, and a dedicated firefighter who lost his life on September 11, 2001, during the World Trade Center attack. Among the 343 heroes who died that day, he was in Tower Two when it collapsed. A decorated member of Rescue 4/FDNY and chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department, Terry was a devoted firefighter who embodied the spirit of courage and giving. The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund was established in his memory to assist firefighters and families across the nation with financial, educational and medical support, and to provide equipment donations for fire departments in need.

Also at FDIC, Globe will sponsor the International Networking Event and International Lounge and encourages all of its partners who keep first responders safe all over the world to take advantage of these resources.

The nation’s largest firefighter training conference and exhibition is being held April 24-29 at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Globe’s booth (#2411) is located in Hall D at the Indiana Convention Center.

About Globe

Firefighters need to be prepared to perform at the maximum of their ab