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Richard Marinucci |
The fire service is asked to provide great service on every incident. To do this requires talented people, ongoing training, leadership, and the right tools for the job.
All of these must be in alignment to deliver on the promise of the best possible service after each and every request. While a breakdown in any does not necessarily mean failure, it does mean that a department will not meet the optimum goal. To put it another way, if you want to have a championship team, you need talent to start, coaching and practice, and the latest equipment. How successful would a team be playing with sports equipment that it had been using for 20 years? What would the results be if the equipment were not maintained to the highest standard? I am sure the team would not be competing for championships and most likely would not even be close.
There are a few things to consider regarding apparatus and equipment. They include age and serviceability, ongoing maintenance, affordability, space considerations, new products, and matching apparatus and equipment to the other resources, including personnel. To put it another way, not every sports player uses the same equipment as everyone else. There are choices to make and various options to evaluate to work toward optimal performance. Those in the highest level of any sport know that it could be little things that make the difference between winning it all and being an also-ran. In situations that require quick action and flawless performance such as a critical rescue, it may be the “little” things that determine the outcome.
Apparatus Replacement
One thing many departments struggle with is determining when to replace apparatus. They are looking for some clear method so they can work with their policymakers on funding replacements. The simple answer is that apparatus should be replaced when they need to be replaced. While this is obvious, the considerations should be when the apparatus cannot perform as expected because of limitations. This could be while operating, and it could also be the amount of down time an organization is experiencing. If the vehicle is in the shop too much, it can’t be available as often as necessary. If parts are becoming a challenge to find, it may be time to replace. Ultimately, it comes down to evaluating the level of service expected. The bigger your expectations, the greater the need for newer, more reliable apparatus.
Equipment Replacement
A similar thought process needs to go into equipment replacement. When do you replace and when do you repair the various equipment you carry? It is the same answer as above-when it no longer functions to the optimum required. But, organizations receive more assistance with some equipment through National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, and the like. For example self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and bottles have an established shelf life and require periodic testing. Departments should replace helmets and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with the most applicable standard.
But with much of the equipment, things are not quite that simple. First, departments must maintain all equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations. Some of these will suggest times to replace as opposed to repairing something. There may be other reasons to replace that individual departments establish. It can be when repairs become more difficult or parts are harder to obtain. In