By Jim Salmi

Aerial platform trucks provide the department with an extremely powerful tool for rescue, ventilation, and extinguishing fires.

All Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) member companies are concerned with firefighter safety, and those that produce products that lift people into the air are particularly sensitive to promoting safe practices. This article will discuss the issue of platform safety, focusing on the aerial device itself and its operational characteristics.

Emergency Vehicle Standards

Because of their tremendous capabilities and working heights, elevating platform devices are highly engineered products that must be strong but lightweight. As a result, the vehicles on which the aerial platform devices are installed are complex and require skill and training to use them effectively. The key parameters regarding structural safety factors, truck stability, and many more key requirements are covered in detail in the 2016 edition of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. The latest edition includes several changes that affect aerial platform design. The FAMA Apparatus Safety Guide is also an excellent source of information regarding aerial apparatus safety.

Preparation and Training

As a young engineer, I was involved in the design of tower cranes and marveled at the operators’ ability to lift heavy construction materials at great heights and precisely place the material to the workers above. The operators appeared to be experienced and well-trained, understood the equipment, and had tremendous skills. Much like the tower crane operator, the aerial platform operator should have this level of understanding, training, and skills.

Because of the versatility and capability of platform aerials, it is critical that you read and understand the operator’s manual. You should complete a comprehensive study of the manual and have a thorough knowledge of operating instructions, control systems, load capacities, safety precautions, and limitations. It is important to understand the capabilities of your unit, because vehicle capabilities change as technology develops and also change from manufacturer to manufacturer.

The experienced operator should avoid complacency and always keep focus on the task at hand. If you are new to the truck, make sure you find the original manual information to review and work with an experienced trainer to understand the device.

Platform operations

Fireground scenarios naturally create a stressful environment; use your training and practice time to become confident in your abilities at the scene. Give your undivided attention to the aerial during operations; if distracted, stop operations.

In recent years, the technologies used in platform control systems have advanced considerably. These advancements can improve both the controllability and the safety of a platform. For example, it is very common to have joysticks that have ramping characteristics that smooth out abrupt starts and stops. However, the ramping feature may be different from truck to truck, and older units will likely not have the feature at all. It is important to understand the control system of the specific truck.

Another example of technological enhancement is controlling platform speeds based on aerial position. An extended platform rotating at high elevation angles moves at a relatively low speed. However, with the extended ladder rotated at low angles at the same speed, the platform will move with high speeds relative to the ground. This can be as high as 10 feet per second. At these speeds, use extr

By Bill Adams

According to the dictionary, La-la-land is “a euphoric dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of life.”

Some apparatus purchasing committee (APC) members and some chiefs have been accused of visiting, if not temporarily residing, there. I’ve been there. In the apparatus purchasing world, they’re the ones who beat their chests while loudly proclaiming they will purchase whatever damn fire truck they want-period. Sometimes they get away with it; sometimes they don’t. Occasionally, an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will make a purchasing decision based on formal bidding protocols rather than the APC’s and the chief’s wishes. Then when such a rig comes in, nobody is happy.

Inexperience

An APC worked assiduously drawing up specifications for a new pumper-their first in 15 years. None of the members had ever served on a purchasing committee. However, their enthusiasm, youthfulness, and years of firefighting experience led them to believe they could go it alone when writing their purchasing specifications. They did a pretty good job of doing so-pretty good, but not 100 percent. Soliciting vendors’ input wasn’t considered for fear of it being biased. Seeking outside professional help would be too embarrassing. Asking the advice and guidance of more experienced in-house firefighters or from neighboring departments was beneath them. After all, they were the new breed and it was “their turn.” Always being first on the attack line, being the best chauffeur in the house, and making “firefighter of the year” for the past five years do not automatically qualify one as being the most knowledgeable spec writer on the planet. Not knowing the “ins and outs” of purchasing, especially in a regulated bidding environment, could lead to some very disappointed gung-ho firefighters and one lousy rig that no one wants.

Competitive Bidding

In some competitive bidding environments, there is little to no legal oversight. One example is when an independent volunteer fire company makes a purchase. It can buy whatever it wants with little to no accountability. A regulated competitive bidding environment is one subject to legal oversight. The fire department may be part of or answers to a political subdivision. It is subject to formal rules, regulations, and the written law when dealing with tax monies. Temporary residents of La-la-land and the inexperienced can be found in both environs. They can receive a rude awakening in the latter. The intent of this article is to assist purchasers who have to, or choose to, adhere to competitive bidding rules.

APCs can be blindsided by not understanding the ramifications of using four simple words: exception, option, alternate, and clarification. They should be aware of what could happen when the words are used in bidding verbiage such as: “Exception to the Bid,” “Optional Bid,” “Alternate Bid,” and “Bid Clarification.” Some bidding protocols allow their use; some don’t. Some may give discretion to the purchasing authority whether to allow them.

It would be in the APC’s best interest to seek guidance from the AHJ, or it might be unpleasantly surprised at a bid opening. In the spec writing and bid process, clarity is paramount. Specification terminology and verbiage should never be subjected to interpretation by bidders and buyers. To ensure both are on the same page, APCs should define in their specs exactly what each term means and whether or not they will be allowed or considered.

Exception to the Bid

An exception is defined as an exclusion or an omission. For whatever reason, a bidder cannot or will not provide what a purchaser specifies. The bidder may not be capable of providing it or just doesn’t

By Bill Adams

According to the dictionary, La-la-land is “a euphoric dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of life.”

Some apparatus purchasing committee (APC) members and some chiefs have been accused of visiting, if not temporarily residing, there. I’ve been there. In the apparatus purchasing world, they’re the ones who beat their chests while loudly proclaiming they will purchase whatever damn fire truck they want-period. Sometimes they get away with it; sometimes they don’t. Occasionally, an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will make a purchasing decision based on formal bidding protocols rather than the APC’s and the chief’s wishes. Then when such a rig comes in, nobody is happy.

Inexperience

An APC worked assiduously drawing up specifications for a new pumper-their first in 15 years. None of the members had ever served on a purchasing committee. However, their enthusiasm, youthfulness, and years of firefighting experience led them to believe they could go it alone when writing their purchasing specifications. They did a pretty good job of doing so-pretty good, but not 100 percent. Soliciting vendors’ input wasn’t considered for fear of it being biased. Seeking outside professional help would be too embarrassing. Asking the advice and guidance of more experienced in-house firefighters or from neighboring departments was beneath them. After all, they were the new breed and it was “their turn.” Always being first on the attack line, being the best chauffeur in the house, and making “firefighter of the year” for the past five years do not automatically qualify one as being the most knowledgeable spec writer on the planet. Not knowing the “ins and outs” of purchasing, especially in a regulated bidding environment, could lead to some very disappointed gung-ho firefighters and one lousy rig that no one wants.

Competitive Bidding

In some competitive bidding environments, there is little to no legal oversight. One example is when an independent volunteer fire company makes a purchase. It can buy whatever it wants with little to no accountability. A regulated competitive bidding environment is one subject to legal oversight. The fire department may be part of or answers to a political subdivision. It is subject to formal rules, regulations, and the written law when dealing with tax monies. Temporary residents of La-la-land and the inexperienced can be found in both environs. They can receive a rude awakening in the latter. The intent of this article is to assist purchasers who have to, or choose to, adhere to competitive bidding rules.

APCs can be blindsided by not understanding the ramifications of using four simple words: exception, option, alternate, and clarification. They should be aware of what could happen when the words are used in bidding verbiage such as: “Exception to the Bid,” “Optional Bid,” “Alternate Bid,” and “Bid Clarification.” Some bidding protocols allow their use; some don’t. Some may give discretion to the purchasing authority whether to allow them.

It would be in the APC’s best interest to seek guidance from the AHJ, or it might be unpleasantly surprised at a bid opening. In the spec writing and bid process, clarity is paramount. Specification terminology and verbiage should never be subjected to interpretation by bidders and buyers. To ensure both are on the same page, APCs should define in their specs exactly what each term means and whether or not they will be allowed or considered.

Exception to the Bid

An exception is defined as an exclusion or an omission. For whatever reason, a bidder cannot or will not provide what a purchaser specifies. The bidder may not be capable of providing it or just doesn’t

By Bill Adams

According to the dictionary, La-la-land is “a euphoric dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of life.”

Some apparatus purchasing committee (APC) members and some chiefs have been accused of visiting, if not temporarily residing, there. I’ve been there. In the apparatus purchasing world, they’re the ones who beat their chests while loudly proclaiming they will purchase whatever damn fire truck they want-period. Sometimes they get away with it; sometimes they don’t. Occasionally, an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will make a purchasing decision based on formal bidding protocols rather than the APC’s and the chief’s wishes. Then when such a rig comes in, nobody is happy.

Inexperience

An APC worked assiduously drawing up specifications for a new pumper-their first in 15 years. None of the members had ever served on a purchasing committee. However, their enthusiasm, youthfulness, and years of firefighting experience led them to believe they could go it alone when writing their purchasing specifications. They did a pretty good job of doing so-pretty good, but not 100 percent. Soliciting vendors’ input wasn’t considered for fear of it being biased. Seeking outside professional help would be too embarrassing. Asking the advice and guidance of more experienced in-house firefighters or from neighboring departments was beneath them. After all, they were the new breed and it was “their turn.” Always being first on the attack line, being the best chauffeur in the house, and making “firefighter of the year” for the past five years do not automatically qualify one as being the most knowledgeable spec writer on the planet. Not knowing the “ins and outs” of purchasing, especially in a regulated bidding environment, could lead to some very disappointed gung-ho firefighters and one lousy rig that no one wants.

Competitive Bidding

In some competitive bidding environments, there is little to no legal oversight. One example is when an independent volunteer fire company makes a purchase. It can buy whatever it wants with little to no accountability. A regulated competitive bidding environment is one subject to legal oversight. The fire department may be part of or answers to a political subdivision. It is subject to formal rules, regulations, and the written law when dealing with tax monies. Temporary residents of La-la-land and the inexperienced can be found in both environs. They can receive a rude awakening in the latter. The intent of this article is to assist purchasers who have to, or choose to, adhere to competitive bidding rules.

APCs can be blindsided by not understanding the ramifications of using four simple words: exception, option, alternate, and clarification. They should be aware of what could happen when the words are used in bidding verbiage such as: “Exception to the Bid,” “Optional Bid,” “Alternate Bid,” and “Bid Clarification.” Some bidding protocols allow their use; some don’t. Some may give discretion to the purchasing authority whether to allow them.

It would be in the APC’s best interest to seek guidance from the AHJ, or it might be unpleasantly surprised at a bid opening. In the spec writing and bid process, clarity is paramount. Specification terminology and verbiage should never be subjected to interpretation by bidders and buyers. To ensure both are on the same page, APCs should define in their specs exactly what each term means and whether or not they will be allowed or considered.

Exception to the Bid

An exception is defined as an exclusion or an omission. For whatever reason, a bidder cannot or will not provide what a purchaser specifies. The bidder may not be capable of providing it or just doesn’t

By Alan M. Petrillo

Technological advances have pushed wireless communications faster and farther than many have anticipated, and use has been more deeply integrated into the fire service.

Wireless headsets, wireless hotspots on apparatus, and wirelessly controlled equipment are some of the ways wireless has made a big footprint with fire departments.

Wireless Headsets

Bob Daigle, product manager for airline, fire and marine systems, and wireless for David Clark Co., says that most fire service customers like the idea of wireless communications for drivers, officers, and aerial operators. “We launched our wireless products about five years ago and see a trend upward in fire departments moving toward more wireless communication,” he says.

David Clark Co. offers a wireless gateway with two antennae that can be installed anywhere on a vehicle, along with two belt stations-the U9910-BSW, which transmits and receives all system audio to and from the gateway and the user’s headset, and the U9913 belt station, an intercom-only model. Up to four belt stations can be connected to one gateway.

“We use the Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT) protocol for wireless because we have found it to be the most reliable for this type of application,” Daigle points out, “especially over Bluetooth, because it is less susceptible to drop out.” David Clark Co. makes a number of wireless headsets to mate with the gateway, including a behind-the-head style that simplifies use when the user is wearing a fire helmet.

1 A pump operator wears a David Clark Co. wireless behind-the-head style headset that simplifies use when wearing a helmet. (Photo courtesy of David Clark Co.)

With David Clark Co.’s new digital systems, Daigle says, “you can program individual interface requests, assign frequencies to certain users, and integrate cell phones and tablets. The power button on the digital unit toggles through four selections that include intercom, auxiliary sound sources, and assigning different radios. It’s very versatile, so the fire department can craft the system to its particular needs.”

Jim Roberts, president of Setcom Corp., says his company’s move into wireless technology five years ago “was well received, and since then we have made four iterations on the product to continue to increase the quality of the sound the user hears and transmits.” He notes that version four of the Liberator Wireless Headset “has added features that make sense and don’t contribute to user confusion.”

The Liberator Wireless Headset has a motion sensor in the headset that turns the unit off when it is not in motion. When the user picks up the headset again or begins to move, the unit automatically turns on. “It also has a cell phone feature,” Roberts notes, “and can communicate over a mobile radio, a truck intercom system, or a handheld portable radio. It uses a Bluetooth module for its primary communications link.”

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