Who is a leader in our industry?  Is it the brave chief working tirelessly alongside their firefighters in the wake of unimaginable tragedy?  Is it a chief who steps down to ensure the fiscal stability of their department?  Is it the chief who took the extra time and effort to develop better communication skills?  Or is it all of the above? 

This year the Washington Fire Chiefs will be exploring Leadership within the conference theme of “Strength in Relationships”.  As part of the conference, you will receive the latest challenge coin from the Washington Fire Chiefs, challenging your skills as a leader.  The inscription reads:

Leadership: Proficiency, Action, Relationships

Internal corrosion of a fire pump can result in costly repair to the pipes, major components, and other pump related accessories on your fire apparatus. This is sometimes described as electrolysis; however, this process is actually galvanic corrosion. Combating galvanic corrosion and its harmful damage to your components can be done by following a few simple steps and recommended procedures.

When dissimilar metals are placed in water and electrically connected, ion migration will occur. One metal will act as an anode and the other as a cathode and these ions will then transfer from the anode to the cathode. In a fire pump, the cast iron body most often becomes the anode and the other parts of the pump become the cathode. The casting will begin to wear away in an attempt to migrate to the other components causing the parts to literally disappear and form pits or holes over time. When a device with a third composition is added intentionally to combat this process it becomes a sacrificial anode. Materials commonly used as sacrificial anodes include, Magnesium, Zinc, and various Aluminum alloys. When these metals are connected physically or electrically, the ion migration will shift from the pump to the weaker sacrificial anode and provide cathodic protection of that fire pump...

We don’t rescue the young and beautiful from the ravages of fire often enough to maintain great satisfaction and inspiration for our work. In fact a lot of our work is routine in nature and sometimes difficult to continue to make important day after day drill after drill. Often it is difficult to see what we have done at the end of the day that we can say job well done. We do however need to be prepared for every emergency if and when it does come. That is why we train.

Remember when we first started down the fire service path? Every thing was a new experience, people told stories about everything. What they used all those tools for, what happened at one fire compared to another, how to protect yourself and do well. We practiced often and redundantly, until we had skills mastered. We didn’t pull a hose line once we pulled it five or eight times trying to improve each time. We raised ladders and secured them until we were hot and tired. Often while practicing one skill we would take on another objective because someone had a “what if”. This kind of day is fun and satisfying. That is why we train...

Ziamatic Corp.'s QUIC-MOUNT DOUBLE EXTRICATION TOOL HOLDER, MODEL QM-ETD-1, is an adjustable upright extrication tool mounting solution for two extrication tools. The heavy-duty, aluminum QM-ETD-1 boasts independently adjustable components including tilt angle, enabling it to safely and securely accommodate many popular makes and models of cutter, spreader, and combination tool upright in the compartment. Mounting to nearly any flat surface, the QM-ETD-1 eliminates the need for expensive, custom fabricated mounting boxes. Ideal for hydraulic and battery-powered tools. www.ziamatic.com, 800-711-FIRE

Kussmaul Auto Charge 40/20 is a fully automatic battery charger for vehicles with a single-battery system. The unit has a total output of 60 amps, a 40-amp battery charger, and 20-amp battery saver (power supply). A bar graph display is provided to indicate the state of charge of the battery. The 20-amp low-ripple battery saver is provided to power an MDT or computer or other accessories. The battery saver automatically transfers these accessory loads from the battery and powers them from an internal power supply. There is no interruption of power supplied to the loads during power transfers. www.kussmaul.com, 800-346-0857

LEADER Smoke 2 and 4 smoke generators produce dense and realistic smoke to create favorable circumstances for training in optimal safety conditions. It meets the training needs to fill small to very large areas of smoke in a few minutes. Thanks to its permanent heating system, the two machines in the series generate smoke continuously, for a dense smoke diffusion to avoid operation interruptions during the programmed period. They use a smoke fluid composed of water and glycol, which ensures the smoke is totally safe. The flow of smoke is adjustable, for light or dense smoke. Units are equipped with removable and rugged remote controls, allowing multipurpose use for triggering smoke emissions at a distance. www.leader-group.eu, 33 (0) 2 76 84 01 59

Hannay Reels standard F Series reel for booster hose is dependable and rugged. It is made to handle harsh conditions on-site. The "Super Booster," which features durable aluminum construction, weighs up to 30 percent less than standard booster reels and accommodates ¾- or one-inch I.D. hose. Stainless steel construction is also available. A gear-driven crank rewind is standard, or a chain and sprocket drive powered by electric, hydraulic, or compressed air motor can be specified. www.hannay.com, 877-467-3357

Streamlight®, Inc. PolyTac® and PolyTac® HP polymer flashlights offer updated brightness and designs. Each light features a power LED that delivers up to 275 lumens and an improved grip, as well as a programmable switch that gives users the choice of three operating modes. Both lights now offer three settings (high, low, and strobe) and include TEN-TAP® programming that allows users to select three different programs: high/

FERRARA FIRE APPARATUS, INC., has named First Choice Fire & Safety and J&J Emergency Vehicle Sales as its newest dealers. First Choice Fire & Safety will represent Ferrara in North Carolina and is led by Mike Bordeaux, president, and David English, sales representative. First Choice has serviced the fire departments in the state for more than two decades. J&J Emergency Vehicle Sales of Morgantown, West Virginia, is led by J.T. Straface, president, and will cover the entire state of West Virginia for Ferrara. J&J has more than 35 years of experience in emergency vehicle sales.

OSHKOSH AIRPORT PRODUCTS GROUP, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, recently introduced its Oshkosh® Storm aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle. The Oshkosh Storm is engineered to provide ARFF response for International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) airports. The Oshkosh Storm ARFF vehicle features a 6x6 all-wheel-drive axle configuration with the Oshkosh 3300 transfer case. The Cummins ISM 500-hp turbo diesel engine is Euro 5 emissions compliant and is mated to an Allison six-speed electronic automatic transmission. The vehicle accelerates from 0-80 kph in less than 40 seconds, and the angle of approach and departure is 30 degrees for off-road capabilities. The four-door cab offers seating for up to eight firefighters and is available in either left- or right-hand drive.

The firefighting system meets ICAO ARFF requirements and features a 1,585-gallon water tank and two 2½-inch direct tank fills. The PTO-driven pump delivers 1,250-gpm output and delivers pump-in-motion capabilities. An in-cab controlled roof turret delivers 1,000 gpm, while a pair of 1½-inch attack lines are available in compartments located on each side of the vehicle. A 500-pound dry-chemical system is standard, as is a foam tank capacity of 198 gallons. The vehicle also features three under-truck protection nozzles.

SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS recently announced that it is on the Fire Trucks, GSA 23V, Category 190 01 Fire Fighting Apparatus and Attachments Schedule. Smeal will provide a full line of apparatus on the GSA Schedule to include pumpers; tankers; aerial ladder platforms at 85 and 100 feet; and aerial ladders at 55, 75, 105, and 125 feet.

The company also announced that RedStorm Fire & Rescue Apparatus, Inc. has been named the authorized sales and service dealer for Smeal® brand fire apparatus in northern and eastern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. RedStorm has offices in Gainesville, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland. RedStorm has been in the fire and emergency industry since 2010, specializing in emergency vehicle sales, including fire apparatus and ambulances. It is led by James Featherstone, lifelong firefighter, former volunteer chief, and fire industry professional for more than 20 years.

GLOBE is partnering with DuPont Protection Technologies (DuPont) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) again to help resource-constrained fire departments obtain needed turnout gear. Eligible departments can apply for four sets of gear for their members. A total of 52 sets will be awarded to 13 departments this year. To be eligible to apply, departments must be all volunteer or mostly volunteer (more than 50 percent), serve a population of 25,000 or fewer, be located in the United States or Canada, be legally organized under state/province law, and be a member of the NVFC. New in 2014, Globe is helping struggling departments meet this last eligibility requirement by providing a complimentary NVFC department membership to the first 100 applicants that are not currently NVFC members.

KME recently announced that the Los Ange