Richard Marinucci

The fire engine is the most essential and versatile apparatus for a vast majority of fire departments.

It is also a great source of pride, as it should be. Sometimes this appears to take precedence in organizations, as there is much debate about look and appearance. For years, there has been a debate on the color (red vs. green for safety reasons), color schemes, reflective striping and marking, and even the proper shade of red. There is little standardization, and changes in department administration can mean a significant change in how the apparatus looks. Obviously, this is very important and, while some of these observations are presented with tongue in cheek, it is not meant to diminish anything that a department views as important to its operation. But in the end, an engine has the basic responsibility to deliver water to the fire.

Getting Water on the Fire

Every fire department, from largest to smallest, must figure out the best way to get water on the fire. In addition to the scrutiny that some place on color schemes and markings, there must be an understanding of the capabilities of water delivery as required by individual departments. This would include how much water is needed, how quickly you would like to establish a supply, needed devices and appliances, and whether delivery is sustainable until crews extinguish the fire. In addition to the engine’s mechanical capabilities, staffing, equipment, and training will determine water delivery competence. And, departments must maintain the engines so they operate at their intended efficiency and effectiveness. An honest appraisal of this proficiency will help establish the best strategy and tactics to use.

Equipment to Carry

What is needed on an engine? That would depend on what you want it to do. Sometimes there is a tendency to overstock and overspec the vehicles with the thought that you have to be ready for any potential event. This makes sense only if all the other aspects of water delivery and other intended services match. Personnel must train and maintain their skill levels through repetition. All the components of the vehicle and carried equipment, including hose, appliances, nozzles, special rescue devices, ladders, forcible entry tools, and anything else that someone determines is essential, must be maintained so that they perform as intended when needed on an emergency. Obviously, this takes time, and organizations need to know that they will be able to perform these important functions. Equipment failures are more than embarrassing to departments - they negatively affect outcomes during emergency actions. This can contribute to injuries or worse.

Know First Dues

Departments should know the hazards in their communities and the potential fire load for any given event. A fire engine provides the basic service, but staffing must match the capabilities. Many communities lack staffing according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, and rely on mutual aid to address large incidents. Yet, their vehicles are sometimes equipped as if they have a full complement of firefighters on board. If an organization is responding with one or two people on an engine, the personnel are limited in what they will be able to do until help arrives. They should consider deck-mounted deluge guns that require minimal staffing. They should consider larger tank capacities for water, as

The Red Cross is helping a family of 10 after fire destroyed their home on Northwest 11th Avenue Monday night. Six adults, four children, and several pets escaped, according to Red Cross officials. The house was fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene at about 9:40 p.m. Firefighters had to use water tankers to haul water from three miles away to fight the fire, because there were no hydrants nearby, according to Clark County Fire & Rescue officials.
- PUB DATE: 3/7/2017 11:01:48 AM - SOURCE: Northwest Cable News

By Chris Mc Loone

When considering the types of apparatus fire departments run all the time and some of the apparatus police departments often buy, the similarities are striking, particularly on rescue-type vehicles.

It stands to reason that some of the equipment used by both agencies would also be similar or, in some cases, the same. Such is the case with the Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm® rescue tool. This device was originally designed for use by rapid intervention teams (RIT), but according to Bruce Johnston, director of marketing and product management at Hurst Jaws of Life, Inc., voice of the customer (VOC) research revealed that it also met other needs. “After conducting extensive VOC research,” he says, “we discovered that the StrongArm tool could fill many critical needs faced by firefighters on tactical rescue or rapid intervention teams, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams.”

1 The Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm can cut, lift, spread, and replace crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, and axes. (Photos courtesy of Hurst Jaws of Life unless otherwise noted.)

The Tool

According to Johnston, the tool is a lightweight (25 pounds without power pack), 31-inch, battery-driven hydraulic multipurpose rescue tool. “Customarily, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams have had an arsenal of tools to choose from in the field, but StrongArm does it all,” he says. “It provides one powerful, yet portable, tool that lifts; cuts; spreads; breaches metal or wooden doors; cuts through chains and 3⁄8-inch rebar, security bars, locks, and 2x4 wood; and is IP54-protected.” In addition, Johnston says the tool is powerful enough to pry open automobile doors.

Johnston adds that the tool is designed to operate in heat and smoke environments. “With a Picatinny rail and four-position handle, it replaces crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, axes, and much more,” he says. Each tool comes with two sets of tips (door opener and combination), two lithium ion batteries, and one charger. It comes in two colors: blue for fire department use and black for law enforcement use.

2 The StrongArm tool being used to lift in a RIT scenario.

Research and development for the tool had actually already occurred during the development phase of the company’s eDRAULC® line of electric-hydraulic tools. “The eDRAULIC rescue tools operate with an internal hydraulic pressure that generates the same force as the power-unit-driven tools,” says Johnston. “Using electric-over-hydraulic force eliminated the need for power units, hoses, and reels. This eDRAULIC innovation provided much of the research and development needed for the StrongArm rescue tool. That, combined with the VOC research, birthed the StrongArm tool. Prototypes were put through their paces with the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and Charlotte Fire Department Training Academy.”

Johnston adds that Hurst will continue to develop the StrongArm product line to provide additional rescue tools that answer unmet needs in the first responder community. “We’re conducting VOC research interviews now,” he says. “Stay tuned!”

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1 The Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm can cut, lift, spread, and replace crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, and axes. (Photos courtesy of Hurst Jaws of Life unless otherwise noted.)

The Tool

According to Johnston, the tool is a lightweight (25 pounds without power pack), 31-inch, battery-driven hydraulic multipurpose rescue tool. “Customarily, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams have had an arsenal of tools to choose from in the field, but StrongArm does it all,” he says. “It provides one powerful, yet portable, tool that lifts; cuts; spreads; breaches metal or wooden doors; cuts through chains and 3⁄8-inch rebar, security bars, locks, and 2x4 wood; and is IP54-protected.” In addition, Johnston says the tool is powerful enough to pry open automobile doors.

Johnston adds that the tool is designed to operate in heat and smoke environments. “With a Picatinny rail and four-position handle, it replaces crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, axes, and much more,” he says. Each tool comes with two sets of tips (door opener and combination), two lithium ion batteries, and one charger. It comes in two colors: blue for fire department use and black for law enforcement use.

2 The StrongArm tool being used to lift in a RIT scenario.

Research and development for the tool had actually already occurred during the development phase of the company’s eDRAULC® line of electric-hydraulic tools. “The eDRAULIC rescue tools operate with an internal hydraulic pressure that generates the same force as the power-unit-driven tools,” says Johnston. “Using electric-over-hydraulic force eliminated the need for power units, hoses, and reels. This eDRAULIC innovation provided much of the research and development needed for the StrongArm rescue tool. That, combined with the VOC research, birthed the StrongArm tool. Prototypes were put through their paces with the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and Charlotte Fire Department Training Academy.”

Johnston adds that Hurst will continue to develop the StrongArm product line to provide additional rescue tools that answer unmet needs in the first responder community. “We’re conducting VOC research interviews now,” he says. “Stay tuned!”

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1 The Hurst Jaws of Life StrongArm can cut, lift, spread, and replace crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, and axes. (Photos courtesy of Hurst Jaws of Life unless otherwise noted.)

The Tool

According to Johnston, the tool is a lightweight (25 pounds without power pack), 31-inch, battery-driven hydraulic multipurpose rescue tool. “Customarily, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and SWAT teams have had an arsenal of tools to choose from in the field, but StrongArm does it all,” he says. “It provides one powerful, yet portable, tool that lifts; cuts; spreads; breaches metal or wooden doors; cuts through chains and 3⁄8-inch rebar, security bars, locks, and 2x4 wood; and is IP54-protected.” In addition, Johnston says the tool is powerful enough to pry open automobile doors.

Johnston adds that the tool is designed to operate in heat and smoke environments. “With a Picatinny rail and four-position handle, it replaces crowbars, halligan bars, wire cutters, axes, and much more,” he says. Each tool comes with two sets of tips (door opener and combination), two lithium ion batteries, and one charger. It comes in two colors: blue for fire department use and black for law enforcement use.

2 The StrongArm tool being used to lift in a RIT scenario.

Research and development for the tool had actually already occurred during the development phase of the company’s eDRAULC® line of electric-hydraulic tools. “The eDRAULIC rescue tools operate with an internal hydraulic pressure that generates the same force as the power-unit-driven tools,” says Johnston. “Using electric-over-hydraulic force eliminated the need for power units, hoses, and reels. This eDRAULIC innovation provided much of the research and development needed for the StrongArm rescue tool. That, combined with the VOC research, birthed the StrongArm tool. Prototypes were put through their paces with the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and Charlotte Fire Department Training Academy.”

Johnston adds that Hurst will continue to develop the StrongArm product line to provide additional rescue tools that answer unmet needs in the first responder community. “We’re conducting VOC research interviews now,” he says. “Stay tuned!”

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