By Wesley D. Chestnut

For many years, fire trucks have been predominantly some shade of red in color with flashing lights, bells, whistles, and sirens.

At face value, it’s arguable that fire trucks haven’t changed. However, as most member companies of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) can attest, these vehicles have indeed advanced technologically because of innovations; changes in standards such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus; or government regulations. But has anyone thought about what a fire truck might look like or be able to do in the future?

Recent Technological Advancements

Many of you can probably remember when fire trucks were equipped with mechanical engines and manual transmissions. Gauges on the pumps gave indications based on mechanical means of sensing information to provide the readout. Not too long ago, you could purchase an apparatus without antilock brakes.

Today, fire trucks are equipped with computerized engines with sophisticated after-treatment devices and automatic transmissions. Although the changes related to the engine were aided by emissions regulations set forth by the government, the use of computerized technology has brought efficiencies to the engine and the vehicle. The engine can now tell you when something is wrong with relatively accurate and specific information.

As it relates to safety of the occupants, there are two areas in which fire trucks have advanced. First, the use of advanced air bag systems to increase the protection of the occupants during a vehicle crash has been implemented in these vehicles. Second is electronic stability control (ESC), which uses computerized technology to apply the vehicle’s brakes, assist steering, and disengage the throttle to reduce the chance of a vehicle crash.

With all the technological advancements throughout the years (too many to list here), some may wonder how else the fire truck could advance. What could a fire truck of the future look like? How might it function? Below are three advancements that may be implemented in fire trucks sooner than we think.

Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication

It might be hard to imagine a vehicle being able to communicate with another vehicle, but it is becoming a reality. If you stop to think, the engine in the fire apparatus can “talk” to the transmission. The engine can also “talk” to pump controls. So, is it impractical to think a fire truck would not be able to talk to other fire trucks or passenger cars?

Many of you may have heard of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, more commonly known as V2V. This crash avoidance technology has been reviewed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for more than a decade. The system relies on communication from nearby vehicles to alert drivers of potentially dangerous situations that might lead to a crash. These systems are composed of devices, installed on vehicles, which use short-range radio communication to exchange messages identifying vehicle information such as speed, direction, and braking status. The logic in these systems uses information received from other vehicles to determine if a warning is needed to alert the driver of a potential danger.

One of the concerns in motor vehicle accidents involving fire trucks is when they occur at an intersection - more specifically, when the fire truck is struck by a passenger car even after appropriate maneuvers and driver signa

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 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 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