By Carl Nix

As thousands of firefighters are preparing to attend FDIC International this month, I started thinking back on some of the FDICs I have attended during my 32 years in the fire service and the information I learned thanks to this conference.

For 90 years, FDIC has been a gathering place for firefighters to share their wisdom and experiences with each other while receiving the latest training in fire safety and equipment. The training given to firefighters at FDIC throughout the years has contributed greatly to protecting the lives of civilians and firefighters worldwide.

Whenever I had the opportunity to attend FDIC, I was impressed with the advances in technology that were being applied to self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), turnout gear, fire helmets, fire apparatus, and thermal imaging cameras (TICs). The use of thermal imaging technology in the fire service has been available only since the late 1990s - a relatively young technology to the fire service compared to SCBA. Not until the late 1990s did TICs become accessible to fire departments in the United States and only to some departments that had the funds to acquire this new technology.

The first TICs were large, heavy, and bulky and certainly nowhere near as technologically sophisticated as the TICs today. The first adopters were the truly progressive fire departments that jumped at this new technology, and very soon other departments followed.

1 In today’s fire service, it is common to see a TIC on every apparatus. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Fire departments quickly saw the value in thermal imaging and began to deploy TICs for specific operations such as search and rescue and overhaul. Soon fire departments found more consistent uses for TICs that included fire attack, size-up, and hazmat. Fire departments quickly realized the powerful capability and versatility of this tool. The evolution of thermal imaging technology was underway, much like the evolution of SCBA. When the SCBA was first introduced to the fire service, it was a revolutionary concept, much like the introduction of TICs. SCBA gave firefighters the ability to breathe in dangerous environments, and TICs gave firefighters the ability to see in dangerous environments. Both technologies are the perfect combination for firefighters to safely survive and maneuver in smoked-filled environments.

As technology evolved, so did the design of the TIC. Today, the fire service is afforded a range of handheld TICs, with most models now weighing three pounds or less and incorporating technology that yields clear, crisp imagery that shows cool scenes and high-temperature environments. A hands-free TIC integrated into a firefighter’s SCBA is also available to the fire service. The ability to make TICs even smaller, more integrated, and more capable will most certainly increase in the coming years.

TICs today are powerful, multipurpose devices capable of providing a wealth of information to firefighters. It is common to see a TIC on every apparatus. The fire service needs to make the next move toward securing a TIC for every firefighter. The technology is too important and too enabling not to eventually be standard equipment for every on-duty firefighter. Every firefighter has an SCBA; why doesn’t every firefighter have his own TIC? In past years, the price of a TIC was affordable only to large fire departments. Toda

By Alan M. Petrillo

Gloves are a major element in a firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) envelope, and PPE manufacturers have evolved firefighting gloves into specialty areas of operations, from structural to rescue to wildland to specialty rescue.

Structural Firefighting Gloves

Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, says Lion makes six types of structural firefighting gloves, primarily made of leather with CrossTech barriers and various types of thermal protection. “Our most dexterous glove is the Lion Primus, a leather glove made with a combination of cow and sheep leather,” Lehtonen says. “It’s a 3-D glove pattern with a forchette area in between the fingers, made from sheep grain leather, which is softer and more flexible. It has a gauntlet-style cuff and is offered in regular and cadet sizes and in two extra-small and four extra-large versions. The Primus gives a better fit to the firefighter’s hand, which means better mobility.”

1 Lion’s Primus structural firefighting gloves have a 3-D pattern with a forchette area on the fingers and a gauntlet-style cuff and are made from more flexible sheep grain leather. (Photos 1-4 courtesy of Lion.)

Lion also makes the Lion Commander and Commander Ace structural firefighting gloves, Lehtonen points out. “The Commander is a long-standing model we offer where we enhanced the cut of the glove in three pieces for where the fingers and hand bend to give the glove more flexibility and dexterity. It’s offered in both wristlet and gauntlet style.”

Lehtonen adds, “The Commander Ace has the Commander’s design and performance but shortens the cuff to interface better with a turnout coat sleeve. It also has extra thermal protection on the back of the hand.”

2 Lion’s Commander structural firefighting gloves are crafted so that the fingers and hand bend to give the glove more flexibility and dexterity.

Tony Moore, regional sales manager for Fire-Dex, says his company makes the Dex-Pro structural firefighting glove, which, he notes, “the market is calling a driver’s glove because it has excellent dexterity.” Moore says the Dex-Pro has an ergonomic thumb pattern sewn separately into the palm of the glove to give it a 360° range of motion and maximum flexibility.

“This 3-D glove’s palm back and sides allow for a proper grip with the firefighter’s thumb,” Moore says. “And the dropped position of the pinky finger reflects its actual location on the firefighter’s hand. The palm is rolled back over the finger to eliminate the seam at the end of the finger, and the forchettes, which are the side panels, are precurved for each finger, giving them a natural form.”

Read more 279 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Apr 4, 2017 Hand Protection Evolves to Cover Variety of Fire Service Tasks By Alan M. Petrillo Gloves are a major element in a firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) envelope, and PPE manufacturers have evolved firefighting gloves into specialty areas of operations, from structural to rescue to wildland to specialty rescue. Structural Firefighting Gloves Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, says Lion makes six types of structural firefighting gloves, primarily made of leather with CrossTech barriers and various types of thermal protection. “Our most dexterous glove is the Lion Primus, a leather glove made with a combination of cow and sheep leather,” Lehtonen says. “It’s a 3-D glove pattern with a forchette area in between the fingers, made from sheep grain leather, which is softer and more flexible. It has a gauntlet-style cuff and is offered in regular and cadet sizes and in two extra-small and four extra-large versions. The Primus gives a better fit to the firefighter’s hand, which means better mobility.” 1 Lion’s Primus structural firefighting gloves have a 3-D pattern with a forchette area on the fingers and a gauntlet-style cuff and are made from more flexible sheep grain leather. (Photos 1-4 courtesy of Lion.) Lion also makes the Lion Commander and Commander Ace structural firefighting gloves, Lehtonen points out. “The Commander is a long-standing model we offer where we enhanced the cut of the glove in three pieces for where the fingers and hand bend to give the glove more flexibility and dexterity. It’s offered in both wristlet and gauntlet style.” Lehtonen adds, “The Commander Ace has the Commander’s design and performance but shortens the cuff to interface better with a turnout coat sleeve. It also has extra thermal protection on the back of the hand.” 2 Lion’s Commander structural firefighting gloves are crafted so that the fingers and hand bend to give the glove more flexibility and dexterity. Tony Moore, regional sales manager for Fire-Dex, says his company makes the Dex-Pro structural firefighting glove, which, he notes, “the market is calling a driver’s glove because it has excellent dexterity.” Moore says the Dex-Pro has an ergonomic thumb pattern sewn separately into the palm of the glove to give it a 360° range of motion and maximum flexibility. “This 3-D glove’s palm back and sides allow for a proper grip with the firefighter’s thumb,” Moore says. “And the dropped position of the pinky finger reflects its actual location on the firefighter’s hand. The palm is rolled back over the finger to eliminate the seam at the end of the finger, and the forchettes, which are the side panels, are precurved for each finger, giving them a natural form.” Read more 287 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Apr 4, 2017 Hand Protection Evolves to Cover Variety of Fire Service Tasks By Alan M. Petrillo Gloves are a major element in a firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) envelope, and PPE manufacturers have evolved firefighting gloves into specialty areas of operations, from structural to rescue to wildland to specialty rescue. Structural Firefighting Gloves Karen Lehtonen, vice president of innovation and product management for Lion, says Lion makes six types of structural firefighting gloves, primarily made of leather with CrossTech barriers and various types of thermal protection. “Our most dexterous glove is the Lion Primus, a leather glove made with a combination of cow and sheep leather,” Lehtonen says. “It’s a 3-D glove pattern with a forchette area in between the fingers, made from sheep grain leather, which is softer and more flexible. It has a gauntlet-style cuff and is offered in regular and cadet sizes and in two extra-small and four extra-large versions. The Primus gives a better fit to the firefighter’s hand, which means better mobility.” 1 Lion’s Primus structural firefighting gloves have a 3-D pattern with a forchette area on the fingers and a gauntlet-style cuff and are made from more flexible sheep grain leather. (Photos 1-4 courtesy of Lion.) Lion also makes the Lion Commander and Commander Ace structural firefighting gloves, Lehtonen points out. “The Commander is a long-standing model we offer where we enhanced the cut of the glove in three pieces for where the fingers and hand bend to give the glove more flexibility and dexterity. It’s offered in both wristlet and gauntlet style.” Lehtonen adds, “The Commander Ace has the Commander’s design and performance but shortens the cuff to interface better with a turnout coat sleeve. It also has extra thermal protection on the back of the hand.” 2 Lion’s Commander structural firefighting gloves are crafted so that the fingers and hand bend to give the glove more flexibility and dexterity. Tony Moore, regional sales manager for Fire-Dex, says his company makes the Dex-Pro structural firefighting glove, which, he notes, “the market is calling a driver’s glove because it has excellent dexterity.” Moore says the Dex-Pro has an ergonomic thumb pattern sewn separately into the palm of the glove to give it a 360° range of motion and maximum flexibility. “This 3-D glove’s palm back and sides allow for a proper grip with the firefighter’s thumb,” Moore says. “And the dropped position of the pinky finger reflects its actual location on the firefighter’s hand. The palm is rolled back over the finger to eliminate the seam at the end of the finger, and the forchettes, which are the side panels, are precurved for each finger, giving them a natural form.” Read more 227 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Apr 4, 2017 Wingspread VI By Robert Tutterow By now most of you have heard, and hopefully read, the recently released Wingspread VI report. The report contains 14 “Statements of National Significance to the United States Fire and Emergency Services.” If you have not read it, please do. It is the output of a diverse group of approximately 40 people from the American fire service who looked at the industry’s challenges and opportunities. I was fortunate enough to be a recorder for this event and hope to provide some perspective beyond the report. About the Report The Wingspread report gets its name from the Wingspread Conference Center located in Racine, Wisconsin. The center was developed around the former home of the Johnson Wax family designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The self-contained campus includes a small hotel-type facility to house participants. This report marked the 50-year anniversary of the first report. It has been published once every 10 years since it started in 1966. The conference started at the same conference center, hence its name, and was held there in 1966, 1976, and 1986. In 1996, the conference was in Dothan, Alabama, and in 2006, it was in Atlanta, Georgia. The previous five conferences received very little publicity except for a short time after each report was released. For the most part, they were very general in nature and without any controversy. However, the 2016 report is a radical departure from the previous reports. It was put together by a larger group. It has the capacity to be distributed through multiple outlets, thanks to electronic and social media. But more importantly, it was decided that if the report was to have any impact, it must address key issues that are potentially controversial. Another major departure of this report from previous reports is that it contains an action plan for each statement. Each plan identifies who is responsible for taking the action steps to address the challenges and opportunities. This could be a national group or several national groups. It could be a state or regional group. It could be each local fire and emergency service. Or, it could be each member of a fire and emergency service organization. Tough Topics Most of us are familiar with how difficult it is to reach consensus about “thorny” issues we face in this business. The U.S. fire and emergency services have always been very fragmented. There is no single governing or leading organization. They are services that rely on volunteers as well as people who choose the profession as a career. You can imagine the angst that ensued from some of the participants as the report was developed. For example, in this column I am using the term “fire and emergency services.” There was general, if not unanimous, consensus that the term “fire service” was no longer adequate to address the service level provided in most jurisdictions, nor was it a term that will adequately address the service into the future. After several possible terms and votes through a process of elimination, the group decided that “fire and emergency services” was the most appropriate term to use. Another issue that remained contentious until the final draft of the document was whether to use the word “should” or “must” in the action plan. In the end, mainly because there is no enforcement authority, the group decided that “should” was the better word to use. But this was not a unanimous decision. 1 Read more 263 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious6301630263036304630563066307630863096310NextLast Theme picker Filter News Catagories Categories News (193) RSS Expand/Collapse Washington News (11847) RSS Expand/Collapse National News (11518) RSS Expand/Collapse WFC News (109) RSS Expand/Collapse Legislative Announcements (7) RSS Expand/Collapse Flag Lowerings (15) RSS Expand/Collapse Memorial Information (24) RSS Expand/Collapse Sections (6) RSS Expand/Collapse Emergency Medical Services (1) RSS Expand/Collapse Fire Administrative Support (17) RSS Expand/Collapse Fire Mechanics (19205) RSS Expand/Collapse Fire Training Safety & Officers (25) RSS Expand/Collapse Public Fire Educators (4) RSS Expand/Collapse HazMat Committee (0) RSS Expand/Collapse Filter to see National, Washington or WFC News, or filter to the Section News you are looking for! 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