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Posted: Nov 4, 2014

So, You Want To Buy a Drone?

By Matt Sloane

 

In the 13 years since 9/11, drones have gotten a bad rap.

 

They've been used by the United States military and armed forces around the world to rain destruction on our enemies from afar and are controlled by pilots in a windowless, air-conditioned, video-game-like room at a military base in Nevada.

Those aren't the drones we're talking about here, and while remotely flying a multimillion-dollar aircraft with missiles on it may be every little kid's dream, you can have just as much fun with a very useful, much less expensive system.

These drones-or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as we'll call them-are being adopted by realtors, filmmakers, farmers, and hobbyists alike. They're also being used successfully by many fire departments, search and rescue teams, and law enforcement agencies, and they just may save a life.

1 The DJI Phantom Vision 2+ is a market leader in lightweight, easy-to-use UAVs. (Photo courtesy of DJI
1 The DJI Phantom Vision 2+ is a market leader in lightweight, easy-to-use UAVs. (Photo courtesy of DJI.)

An increasing number of private citizens are showing up during emergencies with their drones, and it's important to understand how the technology works, where UAVs may be useful to you as an incident commander (IC), and when they can do more harm than good.

UAV Use in Public Safety

The potential uses for UAVs in the fire service are numerous, including active fire surveillance, thermal imaging, hazmat response, traffic and crowd oversight, public relations and marketing, and coverage of special events.

Take the case of a standard house fire. The first engine on scene rolls up on a two-story dwelling with smoke pouring out of the attic vents and no visible flames.

Step 1 is the scene size-up, where one or more firefighters take the time to walk around the structure and assess the fire from each side. They report back to the IC, and the fire suppression portion of the event begins.

But, what if all four sides aren't visible? What if your agency is a volunteer agency, and there's only one firefighter on the first-in vehicle? When seconds count, critical resources are being used to size up a scene before taking any action.

Enter a UAV. The first responding firefighter takes 30 seconds to get the aircraft up and running; puts it into the air; and, from the command vehicle, has a live view of all four sides of the structure.

Additional responding companies can use those real-time images to plan the attack, see the best places to park the apparatus, keep track of responding personnel, see active fire hot spots, and potentially even see victims hanging out of open windows or on balconies.

Although setting up the UAV may take as much time as the initial scene size-up, the amount of information gathered is significantly higher.

The benefits of UAVs are multiplied even more in a high-rise fire, where it may take crews several minutes to size up a fire on the 10th floor, or in a hazmat situation, where specialized teams and gear need to be brought in before anybody knows what's really happening at the site.

It's also important to consider when flying a UAV may not be appropriate. Strong winds and rain may make flying difficult, and you should never fly within an area where you may encounter low-flying commercial or private air traffic.

Flying too close to strong thermal updrafts around a fire could damage your equipment permanently, and personnel should avoid flying low over large crowds.

2 The Decatur (GA) Fire Department t </div> <a class=Read more
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Posted: Oct 27, 2014

Leslie G. "Bud" Eaton - Memorial Service Information

"Bud" was born in Niagara Falls, New York on July 31, 1941 and passed on October 4, 2014, from complications of a long illness. He is survived by his wife Annette and grown children Shelby and Ross (April) and grandchildren Marcus, Sarah, Seth and Grace, and sisters Nancy, Carol and Sandee (Chuck). He also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews and a special S.O.N. Mike. Bud was preceded in death by baby brothers, George and Jeffrey and parents George and Corinne Eaton. Bud loved his country and his fellow man unselfishly. He was a great man, citizen, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will truly be missed...

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Posted: Oct 10, 2014

Product News

LEADER large-flow fans

LEADER large-flow fans are used to provide smoke extraction in large structures such as parking garages, airports, aircraft on the ground, subways, and rail and road tunnels. The Easy 4000 fans have the BMW Flat Twin engine. It provides airflow of 400,000 m³/h in the open air, and the four-stroke BMW engine has electronic startup. Their low weight allows one or two firefighters to handle them easily. Equipped with a nozzle-spraying system in the standard version, LEADER large-flow fans offer effective gas dilution, dissipation or displacement, and smoke cooling. The Easy 4000 units are available in a lightweight trailer version and a skid version to be attached to any type of vehicle, truck, or trailer. Other options include a 360-degree manual-rotation system, 600- or 1,200-mm elevating platforms, flexible exhaust gas extensions, and blowing ducts. www.LeaderNorthAmerica.com, 704-528-1157

BullEx Shipboard Simulator

BullEx Shipboard Simulator is designed to mimic the conditions firefighters face while fighting fires aboard a boat or ship. The four-story, 132-foot-long ship simulator includes multiple training locations that recreate conditions firefighters would encounter aboard a vessel, including engine room fires, galley (kitchen) fires, oil tanker emergencies, and fires on the ship's deck. The training rooms use a combination of gas-based, class A, and digital fire technology. The FDNY recently christened a new BullEx Shipboard Simulator named "Port Security" at its fire academy. www.bullex.com, 888-428-5539

FLIR Systems PathFindIR II thermal night vision system

FLIR Systems PathFindIR II thermal night vision system uses FLIR's latest nighttime video analytics algorithms to provide automated detection and alerts of pedestrians and animals so drivers can see hazards sooner, react faster, and stay safer on the road at night. PathFindIR II's thermal night vision allows drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists, animals, and other road hazards at night from up to four times farther away than with just the vehicle's headlights. It also adds a nighttime pedestrian detection feature that can be configured to automatically display alarms that alert drivers when the system detects a person nearing or crossing the vehicle's path. www.flir.com, 877-773-3547

Zico QUIC-MOUNT Premixed Gallon Holder and Double Premix Holder

Zico QUIC-MOUNT Premixed Gallon Holder and Double Premix Holder, Model QM-PMH-G and Model QM-PMH-D, respectively, are made with heavy-duty steel and aluminum. The Premixed Gallon Holder secures rectangular cans up to one gallon (4.5 by seven inches), allowing personnel to carry more premix where needed. The Double Premix Holder secures two 32-ounce cans within a single bracket, serving as an alternative to purchasing two separate holders when mounting multiple smaller cans inside the apparatus. They are powder-coated yellow for durability and can protection. Brackets lower the risk of rolling, denting, leaking, and puncturing inside the compartment. The brackets keep cans organized and easy to locate. The brackets mount to nearly any flat surface. Hang them from the compartment wall to save space on the shelf below. www.ziamatic.com, 800-711-FIRE

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Posted: Oct 10, 2014

Recent Apparatus Orders

California

HME-Atascadero State Hospital Fire Department, rescue-pumper. Ahrens-Fox 1871 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 370-hp engine; 850-gallon polypropylene tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Hale Qflo Plus 1,250-gpm pump; Hale FoamLogix 2.1 single-agent foam system; Akron model 3433 Apollo lift off monitor; Darley 1-1/2AGE 150-gpm portable pump. Sold by Bob Becker, Fire Truck Sales and Service, Woodland, CA. Delivery in February 2015.

HME-California Emergency Management Agency, Mather, pumper. HME 1871-SFO cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 370-hp engine; Hale Qflo Plus 1,250-gpm pump; 850-gallon polypropylene tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Hale FoamLogix 2.1A Class A foam system; Honda 2-kW generator. Sold by Ken Lenz, HME Inc., Wyoming, MI. Delivery in January 2015.

Ferrara-Marin County Fire Department, Woodacre, rescue-pumper. Igniter cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2001 single-agent foam system. Sold by Mike Doran, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA. Delivery in February 2015.

Connecticut

Ferrara-Old Mystic Fire Department, Mystic, rescue-pumper. Inferno cab and chassis; Cummins ISX15 500-hp engine; Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; 30-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2002 single-agent foam system. Sold by Brian Baker, Shipman's Fire Equipment, Waterford, CT. Delivery in May 2015.

4-Guys Fire Trucks-Portland Fire Department, pumper. Spartan Gladiator cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 450-hp engine; Waterous CSC20C 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Waterous Aquis 2.5 Class A foam system; Onan 8-kW generator; all stainless fire body and subframe. Sold by Jon Cares, Granite Fire Apparatus Inc., Pelham, NH. Delivery in May 2015.

4-Guys Fire Trucks-Somers Fire Department, tanker. Kenworth T800 cab and chassis; Cummins ISX12 450-hp engine; Waterous CSYCX 1,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 3,000-gallon tank; Zico dump tank bracket; all stainless fire body and subframe. Sold by Jon Cares, Granite Fire Apparatus Inc., Pelham, NH. Delivery in December.

Illinois

Alexis-East Dundee and Countryside Fire Protection District, East Dundee, pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CX 1,500-gpm pump; Pro Poly 500-gallon polypropylene tank; Smart Power Liberator 10-kW electrical/5-kW hydraulic generator/rescue power system for rescue tools. Sold by K. Jeffrey Morris, Alexis Fire Equipment, Alexis, IL. Delivery in May 2015.

Pierce-East Peoria Fire Department, pumper. Saber FR cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CMU 1,500-gpm two-stage pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; Harrison 6-kW generator. Sold by Greg Hinkens, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL. Delivery in July 2014.

Ferrara-Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire Protection District, Elgin, rescue-pumper. Cinder cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank. Sold by Bill Neuner, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA. Delivery in February 2015.

Ferrara-Harristown Fire Protection District, rescue-pumper. Cinder cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qflo 1,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank. Sold by Mark Nixon, AEC Fire & Safety, Springfield, IL. Delivery in May 2015.

Pierce-Huntley Fire Protection District, pumper. Enforcer cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 380-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank. Sold by Greg Hinkens, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL. Delivery in July 2015.

Pierce-Itasca Fire Protection District, pumper. Velocity cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 500-hp engine; Waterous S100 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; Harrison 10-kW generator. Sold by John Kenna, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL. Delivery in

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Posted: Oct 10, 2014

Apparatus Showcase

Delivery of the Month
Delivery of the Month
Featured Delivery of the Month: KME-Flint (MI) Fire Department, pumper. Predator Severe Service cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 1,750-gpm pump; UPF Poly 750-gallon tank; 32-inch front bumper extension with dual crosslays; stainless steel cab and body. $470,000. Dealer: Chris Payette, Payette Sales and Service, Gross Ile, MI.
Pierce

Pierce-Cicero (IL) Fire Department, PUC pumper. Dash CF PUC cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 400-hp engine; Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm single-stage pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank. $494,000. Dealer: Jim Connolly, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL.

Rosenbauer

Rosenbauer-Lander (WY) Volunteer Fire Department, 101-foot aerial platform quint. Commander 4000 cab and chassis; Cummins ISX15 500-hp engine; Waterous CMUC 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 300-gallon tank; Onan 10-kW generator; Smart Aerial controls; aerial command seat; TFT Monsoon monitor. $905,928. Dealer: Floyd Bacon, Max Fire Apparatus, Castle Rock, CO. (Photo by Jim Rackl.)

Ferrara

Ferrara-Wayne Township Fire Department, Indianapolis, IN, 100-foot rear-mount platform. Inferno cab and chassis; Cummins ISX15 500-hp engine; Raydan AirLink air ride rear suspension; 2,000-gpm rated waterway; Elkhart Scorpion radio remote monitor; Onan 15-kW generator. $975,000. Dealer: John Mullin, Mid-America Fire & Safety, Evansville, IN.

E-ONE

E-ONE-Middlesex (NJ) Fire Department, pumper. Cyclone 2 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 780-gallon tank; Harrison 6-kW generator; low hosebed; enclosed ladders; front bumper crosslays. $609,152 with equipment. Dealer: Tony Amoroso, Absolute Fire Protection Company, South Plainfield, NJ. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.)

Spartan ERV

Spartan ERV-Anne Arundel County (MD) Fire Department, three pumpers. Metro Star cabs and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engines; Hale Qflo Plus 1,250-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 750-gallon tanks; 30-gallon foam cells; Feecon AP 400-gpm single-agent foam systems; Akron Deluge guns. $416,150 each. Dealer: Peter Laake Sr., FESCO Emergency Sales, Elkridge, MD.

HME

HME-Notre Dame (IN) Fire Department, MiniEvo mini pumper. Ford F-550 cab and chassis; seating for six; Power Stroke 6.7-liter OHV direct diesel injection; Hale DSD 1,500-gpm pump; 400-gallon polypropylene tank, 17-gallon foam cell; Hale FoamLogix 2.1 Class A foam system; stainless steel piping. $209,886. Dealer: Ken Lenz, HME Inc., Wyoming, MI.

Midwest Fire

Midwest Fire-Lewisville (MN) Firefighting Company, pumper-tanker. International 7400 cab and chassis; MaxxForce DT 300-hp engine; Darley LSP 1,000-gpm pump; APR 1,500-gallon polypropylene tank; four PTL5040 LED deck lights; two Whelen Pioneer model PFA1 12-volt LED telescoping lights. $147,267. Dealer: Jeff Bowen, Midwe

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