By Tim Johnson

In today’s world, technology is evolving at a record pace, and fire apparatus manufacturers are increasingly being requested to incorporate the latest and greatest technological advances in their fire apparatus.

When we hear technology, we often think of the latest version of the iPhone, iPad, or something electronic. While those are some of the most recognizable advances in technology, there are other applications, many of which are quite complex. Technological advances in fire apparatus could be the implementation of a seat belt warning system, a vehicle data recorder, electronic stability control, or an air bag system. These may seem to be ordinary technologies of everyday life; however, their implementation in fire apparatus can require a great deal of creativity. In the automotive sector, there seems to be significant awareness of autonomous vehicles and continued advancements of crash avoidance systems. Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) member companies add new technology features on a yearly basis, so what’s next for fire apparatus?

Ultra-High-Pressure Foam Systems

The technical committee for National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, recently addressed and developed minimum requirements, for ultra-high-pressure (UHP) foam systems. With a UHP foam system, fire suppression activities are accomplished in an efficient and effective manner.

Global Positioning Systems

Global positioning systems can provide information such as real-time location information to dispatch centers and subsequent responding units. This may allow for dispatchers to identify and assign a unit that is geographically closer to the emergency situation, thereby reducing response time and more effectively responding to the situation.

Crash Avoidance Systems

Electronic stability control systems are widely used in fire apparatus to mitigate a vehicle crash. They have become a federal motor vehicle safety standard requirement for highway tractors. This system is primarily for crash avoidance.

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) is a technology that is gaining momentum in the passenger car sector of the automotive market. AEB systems help prevent crashes or reduce their severity by applying the brakes for the driver. The systems use vehicle-mounted sensors such as radar, cameras, or lasers to detect an imminent crash, warn the driver, and apply the brakes if the driver does not take action quickly enough.

Autonomous Vehicles or Autonomous Fire Suppression Tools

Many of us have heard the recent buzz around driverless vehicles. While widespread availability of this technology is still a ways off, certain companies are engaged in researching and developing such vehicles. It doesn’t seem practical for a fire apparatus to “drive itself” to an emergency situation. However, it may not be unreasonable to think water or foam streams could be directed at a heat source without operator intervention by using sensors or thermal imaging. It remains to be seen, but the idea may not be as far out as we think.

These are just a few of the ways in which fire apparatus and component manufacturers are using technology to advance the safety and effectiveness of vehicles and first responders. FAMA member companies will continue to work in partnership with the fire service to develop, adapt, and adopt technologies that make sense for the fire industry. Together, we can make the high-tech future brighter and safer for all.

FAMA is committed to the manufacture and sale of safe, efficient emergency response vehicles and equipment. FAMA urg

Chris Mc Loone

As I write this, my fire company is preparing to start getting our trucks ready for the Fourth of July.

This means coming down at least one extra night per week during June and probably more as Independence Day nears. Ah, Independence Day. Good food, good spirits, good company, and lots of parades. My fire company usually participates in about four on the 4th, not to mention lining the main drag of our district with flags and standing by for fireworks. These days of preparation for the parades, where we clean every compartment and every tool on the truck, are a perfect time for rookies who aren’t ready to run to fires yet to learn what’s in every compartment on every rig. These work nights also often uncover items that may have been missed during weekly equipment checks. Maybe a saw blade has gone missing, or a spare SCBA cylinder is sitting at 4,000 psi instead of 4,500 psi. Such deep cleanings really get the trucks and equipment in good shape and result in fire trucks we all take pride in-especially if we take home trophies from the parades that are “judging” parades.

Always important is leaving the trucks on the judging grounds with operators who know them inside and out-not the occasional driver who decided to come down on the 4th to drive the trucks in a few parades to get a few points. No, we want the drivers who eat, sleep, and breathe these trucks to be with them when the judges come around and start asking questions. A little missed road dirt under a running board might not mean as much as a driver answering that he doesn’t know the answer to a question.

We recently ran an online article on cleaning apparatus titled, “Thorough Fire Apparatus Cleaning Can Head Off Potentially Perilous Problems.” You can find it at http://bit.ly/1WCiQM. In it, author Frank Myers describes what his former department called a “Super Scrub” that it performed every four months. When a Super Scrub commenced, whatever trucks were getting worked on were taken out of service for two or three hours to allow for as complete a cleaning as possible. Tasks included taking all equipment out of the truck, wiping down all tools and equipment, cleaning and wiping the compartments, and washing and waxing. Much like our 4th of July prep work, these Super Scrubs almost always uncovered things like power tool leaks or medical items that fell behind other pieces of equipment. It’s not a bad concept and can really go a long way toward ensuring the rigs are properly prepared for their next runs. And, with the wash and wax, they end up looking good too.

I enjoy parade season for the pride and camaraderie that results, especially when one of our trucks gets the nod from the judges and in between parades the crew who worked on all the trucks and doubled up their time at the station during June to ensure everything got done proudly displays their trophy. Of course, there was that one year someone left a trophy on the front bumper and it took a ride into the street during a turn, but an instance like that only happens once in a blue moon, and we were able to get it repaired.

How much pride are you taking in your rigs? Preventive maintenance is critical to keeping our rigs on the road, but going that extra mile to “parade pack” the large-diameter hose and getting the blisters on your fingers from shining the diamond plate are the things our customers actually get to see. There’s nothing like being on scene at an incident and a member of the public asking if your truck is ne

Chris Mc Loone

As I write this, my fire company is preparing to start getting our trucks ready for the Fourth of July.

This means coming down at least one extra night per week during June and probably more as Independence Day nears. Ah, Independence Day. Good food, good spirits, good company, and lots of parades. My fire company usually participates in about four on the 4th, not to mention lining the main drag of our district with flags and standing by for fireworks. These days of preparation for the parades, where we clean every compartment and every tool on the truck, are a perfect time for rookies who aren’t ready to run to fires yet to learn what’s in every compartment on every rig. These work nights also often uncover items that may have been missed during weekly equipment checks. Maybe a saw blade has gone missing, or a spare SCBA cylinder is sitting at 4,000 psi instead of 4,500 psi. Such deep cleanings really get the trucks and equipment in good shape and result in fire trucks we all take pride in-especially if we take home trophies from the parades that are “judging” parades.

Always important is leaving the trucks on the judging grounds with operators who know them inside and out-not the occasional driver who decided to come down on the 4th to drive the trucks in a few parades to get a few points. No, we want the drivers who eat, sleep, and breathe these trucks to be with them when the judges come around and start asking questions. A little missed road dirt under a running board might not mean as much as a driver answering that he doesn’t know the answer to a question.

We recently ran an online article on cleaning apparatus titled, “Thorough Fire Apparatus Cleaning Can Head Off Potentially Perilous Problems.” You can find it at http://bit.ly/1WCiQM. In it, author Frank Myers describes what his former department called a “Super Scrub” that it performed every four months. When a Super Scrub commenced, whatever trucks were getting worked on were taken out of service for two or three hours to allow for as complete a cleaning as possible. Tasks included taking all equipment out of the truck, wiping down all tools and equipment, cleaning and wiping the compartments, and washing and waxing. Much like our 4th of July prep work, these Super Scrubs almost always uncovered things like power tool leaks or medical items that fell behind other pieces of equipment. It’s not a bad concept and can really go a long way toward ensuring the rigs are properly prepared for their next runs. And, with the wash and wax, they end up looking good too.

I enjoy parade season for the pride and camaraderie that results, especially when one of our trucks gets the nod from the judges and in between parades the crew who worked on all the trucks and doubled up their time at the station during June to ensure everything got done proudly displays their trophy. Of course, there was that one year someone left a trophy on the front bumper and it took a ride into the street during a turn, but an instance like that only happens once in a blue moon, and we were able to get it repaired.

How much pride are you taking in your rigs? Preventive maintenance is critical to keeping our rigs on the road, but going that extra mile to “parade pack” the large-diameter hose and getting the blisters on your fingers from shining the diamond plate are the things our customers actually get to see. There’s nothing like being on scene at an incident and a member of the public asking if your truck is ne

Chris Mc Loone

As I write this, my fire company is preparing to start getting our trucks ready for the Fourth of July.

This means coming down at least one extra night per week during June and probably more as Independence Day nears. Ah, Independence Day. Good food, good spirits, good company, and lots of parades. My fire company usually participates in about four on the 4th, not to mention lining the main drag of our district with flags and standing by for fireworks. These days of preparation for the parades, where we clean every compartment and every tool on the truck, are a perfect time for rookies who aren’t ready to run to fires yet to learn what’s in every compartment on every rig. These work nights also often uncover items that may have been missed during weekly equipment checks. Maybe a saw blade has gone missing, or a spare SCBA cylinder is sitting at 4,000 psi instead of 4,500 psi. Such deep cleanings really get the trucks and equipment in good shape and result in fire trucks we all take pride in-especially if we take home trophies from the parades that are “judging” parades.

Always important is leaving the trucks on the judging grounds with operators who know them inside and out-not the occasional driver who decided to come down on the 4th to drive the trucks in a few parades to get a few points. No, we want the drivers who eat, sleep, and breathe these trucks to be with them when the judges come around and start asking questions. A little missed road dirt under a running board might not mean as much as a driver answering that he doesn’t know the answer to a question.

We recently ran an online article on cleaning apparatus titled, “Thorough Fire Apparatus Cleaning Can Head Off Potentially Perilous Problems.” You can find it at http://bit.ly/1WCiQM. In it, author Frank Myers describes what his former department called a “Super Scrub” that it performed every four months. When a Super Scrub commenced, whatever trucks were getting worked on were taken out of service for two or three hours to allow for as complete a cleaning as possible. Tasks included taking all equipment out of the truck, wiping down all tools and equipment, cleaning and wiping the compartments, and washing and waxing. Much like our 4th of July prep work, these Super Scrubs almost always uncovered things like power tool leaks or medical items that fell behind other pieces of equipment. It’s not a bad concept and can really go a long way toward ensuring the rigs are properly prepared for their next runs. And, with the wash and wax, they end up looking good too.

I enjoy parade season for the pride and camaraderie that results, especially when one of our trucks gets the nod from the judges and in between parades the crew who worked on all the trucks and doubled up their time at the station during June to ensure everything got done proudly displays their trophy. Of course, there was that one year someone left a trophy on the front bumper and it took a ride into the street during a turn, but an instance like that only happens once in a blue moon, and we were able to get it repaired.

How much pride are you taking in your rigs? Preventive maintenance is critical to keeping our rigs on the road, but going that extra mile to “parade pack” the large-diameter hose and getting the blisters on your fingers from shining the diamond plate are the things our customers actually get to see. There’s nothing like being on scene at an incident and a member of the public asking if your truck is ne

By Alan M. Petrillo

Wildland apparatus makers are continually looking to improve their products, based on feedback from the wildland firefighters taking their apparatus out onto the fire lines. By acting on that feedback, apparatus manufacturers are able to offer new and improved wildland apparatus designs.

The Ride

Doug Kelley, product manager for KME, says his company has seen a lot of changes in wildland vehicles in recent years. “First, we have a lot more requests for super single conversions for better off-road ability, along with putting on tires with a more aggressive tread pattern,” Kelley says. “With the larger tires, there’s usually a lift kit that raises the overall package but doesn’t make any significant change in the vehicle’s weight.”

1 KME built this Type 6 wildland mini pumper for Litchfield Township (OH) Fire & Rescue on a Ford F-550 crew cab chassis with a super singles conversion carrying a Hale MG 1,000-gpm pump, a CET gasoline-driven auxiliary pump, and a 200-gallon water tank. (Photo courtesy of KME.)

Joe Messmer, president of Summit Fire Apparatus, concurs on the trend toward super singles. “A lot of fire departments are getting away from the dual rear tires and having us put super singles on their wildland and brush trucks,” Messmer points out. “When they take a truck off the road and into the fields with dual rear tires, very often they get bogged down with mud stuck in between the duals. The super singles cure that problem.”

Messmer adds that when wildland vehicles go off-road, the heavier they are, the quicker they sink into the soil. “Many departments are going with a Ford F-350 chassis for their Type 6 because it’s lighter than the F-550,” he says.

2 The U.S. Navy facility in Patuxent River, Maryland, had KME build this wildland Type 6 patrol unit that includes a dual low-pressure/ultra-high-pressure (LP/UHP) pumping system capable of about 120 gpm at 120 psi and eight gpm at 1,200 psi. (Photo courtesy of KME.)

What Type?

Doug Feldman, western regional manager for Rosenbauer, says the company has seen a trend of fire departments and agencies moving toward Type 6 apparatus. “It’s a much smaller configuration than a typical Type 3 engine,” Feldman notes, “but still allows the department to carry 300 or 400 gallons of water with the maneuverability and accessibility that you don’t have in a Type 3.” Feldman adds that “the cost of a Type 6 is lower than that of a Type 3, which may be another driving factor in the trend.”

Bob Sorensen, vice president of SVI Trucks, says his company has seen activity in both Type 6 and Type 3 engines, with the Type 3 models continuing to be popular, especially in the western United States. “We’ve built four Type 3 engines for the Dallas (TX) F