Indianapolis, IN (April 20 2016) – INNOTEX®, one of the top five turnout gear design and manufacturing firms in North America at the Fire Department Instructors Conference International (FDIC) in Indianapolis, unveils today their latest NFPA 1971 turnout gear, INNOTEX ENERGYTM.

As designers race to keep up with high-performance turnout gear, INNOTEX ENERGYTM innovates on two pivotal features: enhanced mobility and evaporative cooling. The gear’s technology increases firefighter’s comfort by reducing heat stress and enabling an increased ability to move. With INNOTEX ENERGYTM, INNOTEX® seeks to balance ergonomics, durability and design appeal.
During the development of INNOTEX ENERGYTM, protection without compromise, unprecedented comfort, increased durability and added usefulness were the four key guiding design principles for the firm.

An INNOTEX® advisory group of firefighters, distributors and industry experts was formed. Together, they came up with a list of 75 recommendations rated by importance for the firefighter.

From the synthesis of these recommendations, INNOTEX ENERGYTM was born incorporating a long list of new improvements, including the following innovative features each with pending patents:

• AirflowTM – a three-dimensional padding system with air channels that manage perspiration while eliminating the sealed-envelope effect area when wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

• Pockets – complete with a utility hook, glove pouch and glove strap with an integrated safety release system.

• Dual metabolic zones – optimized outer shell and thermal barrier properties that increase total heat loss (THL) in high-perspiration zones.

• DuraHemTM – a rounded hem edge made of polymer coated aramid designed to increase durability.

INNOTEX® General Manager, Claude Barbeau, explains:
“We are particularly proud of the integrated Airflow technology that was inspired by technical features found in hiking backpacks. Each improvement from our new line was tested in professional training centres and by several fire departments nationwide. We are confident that INNOTEX ENERGYTM is advancing the level of sophistication of turnout gear while maintaining that rugged powerful look that firefighters seek.”

INNOTEX ENERGYTM turnout gear is available as of today. Visit innotexenergy.com for more details.

About INNOTEX®
INNOTEX® specializes in the design and manufacturing of turnout gear, providing for hundreds of municipalities, some of the largest North American and international fire departments, including the military. Innovation, quality and confidence are the firm’s cornerstones and protecting firefighters is their singular objective.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 21, 2016) - Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) delivers the performance, readiness and reliability that fire and emergency vehicle customers demand. Those three factors are what continue to make Cummins engines and Cummins Onan generator sets the leading power choices for first responders in North America. The ISL9 is the most popular engine in the fire service. This year, Cummins is showcasing the new 2017 L9 engine at FDIC International Booth 4501, along with a Cummins Onan 10 kW diesel generator for vehicle idle reduction.

2017 L9
With emergency vehicle tailored ratings from 270 hp to 450 hp and 720 lb-ft to 1250 lb-ft of torque, the 2017 L9 will continue to lead its class with the highest power-to-weight ratio. This design includes an integrated fire pump governor interface, and no derates for emissions-related faults. The L9 is built on a legacy of over 5 million C and L Series engines built and 27 years of continuous improvement, for total confidence. The new Single Module(TM) aftertreatment package offers further reliability improvement and weight savings for the 2017 L9. With further enhancements in reliability on an already proven heavy duty design, the L9 will continue to be an engine that firefighters and rescue crews can depend on.

2017 Single Module Aftertreatment
The new Single Module aftertreatment system is up to 30 percent lighter and up to 70 percent smaller than current aftertreatment solutions. The Single Module is a customer-voice-driven design that combines the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems into a single canister. Simple and optimized Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) dosing with the UL2 Urea Dosing System eliminates the need for engine coolant lines to and from the DEF injector, reducing installation complexity and allowing for easier serviceability. The injector's proprietary atomization nozzle minimizes the risk of deposit formation, and offers a freeze-robust design and improved reliability. Furthermore, a range of systems ideally sized for each engine rating ensures the most efficient operation, for improved thermal management across a diverse range of duty cycles.

Cummins Onan 10 kW Generator For Vehicle Idle Reduction
The 10 kW standard diesel generator for idle reduction technology was developed specifically for the emergency vehicle market. This liquid-cooled diesel generator features a 200-amp DC power system with an optional air conditioning compressor. The 10 kW generator eliminates the need to run the chassis engine, resulting in fuel savings, lower emissions and extended aftertreatment regeneration intervals. This unit offers exceptional value, with features to match.

Unmatched Support
In addition to the traditional service network, Cummins provides a number of ways for you to stay directly connected to your engine. The Cummins Fault Advisor is a free app available for Android(TM) devices. This free app is downloadable for Android devices from Google Play,(TM) and the readily available ELM327 OBD2 Bluetooth(R) and SAE J1939-to-OBD2 adapters are available through many online sources. Cummins Connected Diagnostics(TM) is an innovative way to remotely monitor engine fault codes. A diagnosis of the fault, and clear recommendations regarding continued vehicle operation or the need for immediate service, are sent instantly to you either via e-mail or the new mobile app. QuickServe(R) Mobile is just one more way to stay connected. Available for Android and Apple(R) iPhone, this free app provides instant access to parts and service information, including engin

Sheilah Sweatman (Photo courtesy of the Winnipeg Sun.)

By Derek Rosenfeld

Wednesday afternoon classes commenced with a somber but informative look at an unfortunate side effect of poor training decsions, as Terrace (British Columbia, Canada) Fire Department Deputy Chief David Jephson presented Death of a Member During a Training Exercise. Jephson's presentation focused on the case of Sheilah Sweatman, a Nelson (British Columbia, Canada) Search & Rescue volunteer who lost her life in the line of duty while training on June 29, 2011.

"This topic is very serious to me and the fire department. After being a witness on the stand at the Sweatman inquiry, I felt that I needed to start hammering the truth about what happened and try to lead the charge against trainers who think it is okay to hurt or end a life of a student, Jephson said. "I will talk about three instructor who have done this, and one week after each death went and instructed another class, like there was nothing wrong. One even went to the police and asked for his suit back for a course."

Jephson continued, "I believe that all trainers need to be held accountable, encouraged and respected for what they do, they are leaders in the fire service. For our fire departments, we have changed our whole approach to training, records, lessons, and ideas because of my experience at the inquiry. A day does not go by at the fire hall that we don't mention a judge, a jury, or the ramification of an injury or a death. We believe it has made us better."  

Here, Jephson begins by talking about the line of communications and logistics used for search and rescue by the province of British Columbia, Canada:

According to Jephson, "Training, leadership, accountability, leading by example, public perception, supporting the cause, and embracing what the fire service truly is" are incorporated into this topic.

Here, Jephson talks about the events of the day and the press coverage in the immediate aftermath of Sweatman's disappearance:

Here, Jephson talks about the time line of the incident and what he and other administrators did to create new search and rescue safety standards in the wake of Sweatman's death:

On FDIC International, Jephson said, "This will be my second [conference]. Last year was very quick, but I was able to see what has been created (I drank the koolaid). The wealth of knowledge and the desire to learn by all I think is the aspect that I felt."

"After being there last year for three days I new I could send a strong message to all trainers by using my Sweatman presentation."

Jephson conculded, "Be the best that you can be for the student that you lead and teach. You are the one setting the tone for their whole career. And stick to the program, follow your topic and training material by who ever it is from, do not deviate to make it o

In this series, Fire Engineering Associate Editor Rob Maloney looks at the things that motivated and inspired instructors to present on their topics at FDIC International 2016. Segments will be posted on a regular basis up to and through the conference, April 18-23.

Candice McDonald, Firefighter/EMS Officer, Winona (OH) Fire Department

Preventing Member Derailment and Embarrassment in the Fire Service

Friday, April 22, 8:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m

I chose this topic for FDIC because I want to protect the integrity on which the fire service was founded. Receiving the e-mail that my course was selected for FDIC was truly a highlight of my fire service career. I have been teaching in the fire service for about five years; this will be fourth year at FDIC and my first year presenting. I had always dreamed of being able to share the message at the largest fire conference in the world. I still can’t believe it is real!

My grandmother always wanted to be a firefighter, but in her era, it was still believed that women belonged in the kitchen and not on a fire truck. Her encouraging me that I could be a firefighter was a huge inspiration. I am living the dream she wasn’t offered the opportunity to.

My background as a certified counselor and years of experience in non-profit marketing provided me a unique opportunity to share a skill set. The high point of teaching is that I  can meet so many great people from around the world. The low point is there not enough time to travel around the country to fill all of the requests I get. I still I have a full-time job and a family that come first.

The small investment in attending FDIC can change your life! It’s the place enjoy amazing opportunities and make life-changing connections. I met some of my most valued mentors at FDIC, and where I chose to pursue becoming Dr. McDonald, which will become a reality this December! I have made lasting friendships from around the world here.

Outside of the firehouse, I work for NASA in the Office of Protective Services. Since I am in the last six months of my doctorate, I don’t have a lot of time for hobbies. However, I do enjoy camping with friends, scuba diving with my family, and any moment I can get with my kids. I look forward to finishing up my doctorate and being able to get back to writing articles for Fire Engineering!  I miss writing on topics I am passionate about.

EPHRATA, PA. (April 21, 2016) – Ladder Tower Co. (LTC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., will exhibit a new 54-foot Squrt® Articulating Water Tower with a number of design enhancements in Booth #4321 during the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) Exhibition in Indianapolis, Ind. April 21-23, 2016. This new Squrt is for Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Co. #1, which is led by Fire Chief Tom Leese. It will replace a 24-year-old Squrt that the department has had in its fleet. The new design features a new pump panel configuration, Smeal’s QL-12 peer-to-peer electrical system, and new, advanced joystick controls, but keeps all the features departments have always enjoyed.

“The iconic Squrt, with its articulating water tower, has always offered unique firefighting features, and we are particularly proud to be bringing back these aerial advantages in a newly enhanced design. We are very appreciative of Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company’s and Ewing Township’s confidence in our ability to make the Squrt better than it’s ever been,” said Jeff Wegner, senior vice president of global sales for LTC and Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. “We are committed to revitalizing the LTC aerial product line, and this updated Squrt design is just one example.”

Squrt® Articulating Water Tower
The 54-foot Squrt Articulating Water Tower provides unmatched ability to position a master stream over or under obstructions exactly where it is needed. It also offers excellent sidewalk sweep capability with the ability to put place the monitor very close to the ground and near the vehicle.

It features a 1,000-gpm articulating boom, 750 gallons of water, a 30-gallon Class B foam cell and 2,000- gpm Waterous pump. It has a low overall travel height of 10’8” and a narrow, 11’9” stabilizer spread for fast, easy set-up on scene. The Squrt Articulating Water Tower can easily be added to a traditional pumper configuration to provide aerial capability with only a small increase in overall vehicle length.

A new 65-foot TeleSqurt Telescoping Boom-Ladder and Smeal 100-foot rear mount platform were part of the same order, and will be delivered to Ewing Township, New Jersey, along with the 54’ Squrt. Each of the aerials is built on a six-person Smeal Sirius fire chassis, and all feature Smeal’s proprietary QL-12™ peer-to-peer electrical system for enhanced reliability.

Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.
Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., including US Tanker Co. and Ladder Tower Co., is recognized as a premier manufacturer, inventor and innovator of customized fire apparatus. The company offers a full line of custom and commercial pumpers, rescue pumpers, mini and rescue pumpers, stainless steel tanker / tenders, aerial ladders, platforms, TDA’s, wildland, and urban interface vehicles. Smeal is committed to leading the industry in high quality fire apparatus, delivery times and customer experience. Smeal sells its products worldwide and is based in Snyder, Neb. To learn more, visit smeal.com and laddertower.com.