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Posted: Apr 18, 2016

Retired Military Trucks Get New Life with Dumas (TX) Fire Department

With a new coat of paint and some feature conversions by the City Dumas Fire Department has re-purposed a tanker military truck into a new fire response vehicle. The City of Dumas FD received the military cargo truck through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program, which puts retired military vehicles into the hands of volunteer fire departments.
The 1986 Oshkosh M978 military tanker truck was stripped of its camouflage paint and fuel pumping system and outfitted with fire equipment, including new piping and dump valves.

"We have an 18-wheel truck that we use as our water supply but it is hard to get off the road to wildland fires," explained Chief Paul Jenkins of the City of Dumas VFD. "Since this truck is a lot smaller, it will be used to shuttle water to the attack vehicles for grass and wildland fires."

The truck has four-wheel drive, power steering and an automatic transmission. It is expected to bring better safety and efficiency to the department as a multi-purpose unit.

"It has a 2500-gallon tank making it a useful water source for wildland fires and structure fires," said Chief Jenkins.

Launched in Texas in 2005, the U.S. Forest Service and Texas A&M Forest Service administer the no-cost program that transfers the military property.

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Posted: Apr 18, 2016

Eldora's New Fire Apparatus Now on Duty

George Bush, that is the older one, was president the last time the Eldora Fire Department saw a new pumper truck. The old truck has seen its share of use and it was time for an upgrade.

That came on Thursday when Eldora Fire Chief David Lloyd and four others from the fire department traveled to Snyder, Nebraska to pick up the department's new truck.

It was about a year ago, at the March 2015 Eldora City Council meeting, that the purchase for the fire truck, a 2016 Smeal Fire Apparatus truck, was approved. The truck carries 1250 gallons of water and has a 1,000 gallons per minute pump.

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Posted: Apr 18, 2016

Mission (CA) Historic Fire Apparatus on Display

The firefighters of SFFD Station #7 at Folsom and 17th Streets brought out their historic truck - a 1935/36 Mack Truck - for their 150th anniversary and it will be on view today, the 150th year since the great 1906 earthquake. The truck's bell was hand-cast and the ladders hand-made in San Francisco.
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Posted: Apr 18, 2016

Streamlight Upgrades High Lumen Portable Scene Light

EAGLEVILLE, PA, (April 18, 2016)Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting, has increased the lumen output of its high lumen Portable Scene Light to 5,300 lumens. The updated light also now features a red low battery warning indicator.

Featuring a narrow footprint and a telescoping extension pole, the Portable Scene Light can be used almost anywhere by first responders and other professionals for scene lighting purposes, from wide, open places to tight, confined work areas.

“We have upgraded the Portable Scene Light from 3,600 to 5,300 lumens, to give users an even more extraordinary high lumen flood light,” said Streamlight Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Michael F. Dineen.  “This completely portable flood light can be conveniently carried and rapidly deployed in less than 30 seconds. It’s ideal for lighting large scale scenes, such as fires and major accidents, as well as for examining small, narrow spaces such as in mining and industrial inspections. With its long run times, the light can be used throughout an entire work shift without having to recharge the battery.  And users now will be able to easily detect when the battery is running low with the light’s new low battery indicator light.”

The Portable Scene Light uses six C4® LEDs and wide-pattern parabolic reflectors to provide two selectable beam widths and three levels of light intensity, ranging from a super-bright flood beam to a low setting with ultra-long run times. The light features a rotating head that can be extended on a telescoping pole to an overall height of 72 inches, supported by stabilizing legs that can be quickly deployed and locked to provide balance on uneven surfaces. The light also features a 90 degree swivel neck, enabling users to aim the light beam precisely where it is needed for task lighting purposes.

On the high setting, the light delivers an incredibly bright 5,300 and a four-hour run time, over a beam distance of 410 meters. On medium, it provides 2,500 lumens, nine hours of run time and a beam distance of 292 meters. On low, the light runs for 18 hours and offers 1,300 lumens, and a beam distance of 215 meters. A selectable diffuser permits users to choose between the two beam widths, which are available with all three lighting modes.

The Portable Scene Light is powered by a zero-maintenance 12 volt, 14.4 Ah sealed lead acid battery that is rechargeable up to 500 times. The light can be charged to 90 percent of its capacity in 10 hours. Red and green LEDs provide charge status feedback. The light also will run indefinitely by plugging the included remote 10-foot power cord into a DC power source; an AC adapter is also included. A toggle switch allows users to switch between the battery and power source modes of operation.   

Constructed from high-impact thermoplastic housing, the Portable Scene Light offers weatherproof construction. It features an IP67 design for dust-tight and waterproof operation to 1 one meter for 30 minutes.  The light also is engineered to resist 40 MPH winds continuous in all directions with its head fully extended.

The Portable Scene Light light measures 22 inches in length and 6.5 inches in width, and weighs 25 pounds. It packs to a compact size for easy storage.

Available in international safety yellow, the light comes with a heavy duty shoulder carrying strap, AC charger, 12V DC cord and Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.  The

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Posted: Apr 18, 2016

Why I Teach: Steve Crothers

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.

Steve Crothers

Steve Crothers

Lieutenant

Seattle (WA) Fire Department

How To Be A Dynamic Instructor

Tuesday, April 19, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

“I wanted to create a class that allows subject matter experts the ability to take their knowledge and become strong communicators,” says Steve Crothers of the Seattle (WA) Fire Department, “to create an environment where instructors can build on specific characteristics that allow them to engage, challenge, and flourish in the classroom or on the drill court. Even the most mundane topic can come alive when the instructor provides the student a reason to listen. There is nothing better for an instructor than seeing the spark in the student’s eye—learning has occurred, and you facilitated it.” That’s why he’s presenting the FDIC International workshop “How to Be a Dynamic Instructor.”

“FDIC is a mecca for learning and discovery,” Crothers says, “and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow firefighters from around the country. FDIC gives you exposure and access to the rest of the fire service like no other place.”

“I have always been able to take and communicate information in an exciting passionate way. I love exploring ways to take a stagnant curriculum and develop it into one that is strong, effective, and relevant. When you can make learning easier or enjoyable, you provide your students with a powerful gift.” Crothers continued, “You have an opportunity to take students on a journey and, if done well, they will stay engaged for the next leg, looking forward to what’s around the next corner. That is an exhilarating and intoxicating feeling that motivates me to improve and enhance my instruction.”  

Outside the firehouse, Crothers says, “My family is my number one hobby. I have a beautiful, understanding, and supportive wife with two incredibly wonderful children. I’m extremely active teaching fire departments around the country. This gives me the opportunity to spend time with amazing people in firehouses all over this great land.”

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