I have wondered what to offer in the wake of the Granite Mountain disaster.  The tragedy plays over and over in our minds.  We remember where we were.  We remember what we heard.  We remember how our hearts sank, the words we uttered, the prayer we offered.  Just 19 years and one week apart from the similar experience of “it can never happen again” Storm King, the Granite Mountain hotshots are forever etched in the wildland fire psyche.

Now the Granite Mountain memorial and funerals are complete.  With much of the western fire season yet to unfold, we have seen, heard, and read thoughtful commentary about the work we do and the places we do it.  In addition to Granite Mountain, six other souls have perished this year.  The toll in our fire business is far, far too high.  Yet, as I experience my fourty fourth year in this profession, I’m struck by the dark “book ends” of two mass casualty events of our work, Storm King and Yarnell Hill...  

Are your new recruits at risk for exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER)? Central Pierce Fire and Rescue had two recruits develop ER during recent fire training academies. These individuals were physically fit, one a distance runner and the other a cross-fit enthusiast.  What is ER?  Why did these indivuaduals develop it?  What could we have done to prevent it?  

Acute exertional rhabdomyolysis is a problem encountered by firefighters as a result of extreme or novel physical demands placed on the musculoskeletal system.  When skeletal muscle fibers breakdown, their intracellular contents enter the bloodstream and can clog the kidneys.  This can cause potentially serious side effects and even death...

In only four hours, 50 firefighters can receive their required annual live fire drill that includes a search drill.  Departments are able to share the cost of a half day at HAMMER. Sharing the cost between several fire departments keeps prices per student low and keeps departments from depleting staff in their response areas.

HAMMER supplies air packs for those without spare SCBAs; however, for those bringing their own packs, please bring at least one spare cylinder with you. HAMMER provides portable radios, thermo imagers, several jugs of drinking water and air support. HAMMER also will prepare a pre-burn plan, hazard analysis and operate the burn prop. HAMMER operates its burn props under the guidelines of NFPA 1403 standards for live fire training...

HMA Fire and Hannay Reels Partner on Off-Road Utility Vehicles

HMA Fire and Hannay Reels have partnered to create off-road utility vehicles by adding Hannay Reels' high-pressure hose reels to HMA's ultra-high-pressure (UHP) mobile fire apparatus. UHP systems deliver microscopic water droplets at an extremely high velocity, always 1,100 pounds per square inch (psi) or higher. Using UHP technology, HMA Fire can offer systems for on- and off-road vehicles, ATVs, brush trucks, skid units, or retrofit packages for existing vehicles like pickup trucks and full sized fire apparatus.

HMA Fire recently began creating off-road utility vehicles to extinguish fires in areas where traditional trucks can't access. These self-sustaining units are completely mobile and equipped with a water and foam tank for flammable or combustible liquids. The units carry 100 gallons of water.

With UHP, small water droplets provide more surface area to extinguish a fire. These droplets also convert to steam quicker, which displaces oxygen. Additionally, UHP systems can emit a layer of foam for a fuel fire when using the appropriate foam type.

The pressures required for UHP demand a hose reel that can handle high pressures through long hoses. HMA Fire chose Hannay Reels to supply the reels for its new off-road utility vehicles. Hannay Reels manufactures durable hose and cable reels for both OEM and aftermarket applications.

With all UHP system components, there is limited space left on these vehicles, so HMA Fire requires a reel that can precisely fit into a small space. Hannay Reels will take parameters and specifications for every reel HMA Fire orders to ensure the reels precisely fit and operate under the expected conditions to which they will be exposed. Additionally, the reels must withstand 1,500 psi and accept foam without corroding. Stainless steel construction is a must.

The reels Hannay provides are standard-profile and low-profile to place alongside the UHP pump and motor. The reels provide fast payout and rewind with a chain-and-sprocket drive powered by an electric motor. An adjustable spring drag brake locks the reel in place, and a four-way roller guide helps reduce response time, increase hose capacity, speed cleanup, and improve lifesaving on-scene operations.

The off-road utility vehicles have been delivered to countries around the world for use in desert environments and remote locations. A customer in Dubai recently ordered the vehicles for desert fire suppression and 10 units were shipped to Mexico. In America, the United States Army and Navy requested units for use in operating bases and tent cities in Afghanistan. In all these areas, standard vehicles are too large for certain roads and cities and are also unable to tread through heavy sands.

For more information, visit www.hannayreels.com (518-797-3791) or www.hmafire.com (800-338-2010).

Kingsway Industries, Inc.'s TRI-MAX 200 SUPER CAF System is designed specifically for wildfire prevention and produces 4,000 gallons of foam per tank load compared to the 2,400-gallon average. TRI-MAX CAF system's foam is meant to last longer than air-aspirated foam, so fewer trucks are required. A one-ton truck with two operators can transport TRI-MAX systems, so a fire engine is unnecessary. The TRI-MAX 200 SUPER CAF relies on traditional firefighting tactics but aims to offer an inexpensive and compact

In the News

• FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS celebrated the grand opening of its new facility by welcoming more than 450 fire chiefs, firefighters, guests, and suppliers to the celebration. Chiefs got to mingle with suppliers at a mini trade show as well as tour the facility. A roast beef dinner was served and a casino night followed. The Dalum Fire Department, Drumheller, Alberta, won the $25,000 credit toward the purchase of a new fire apparatus within the next two years and a trip for two to Florida. The 50,000-square-foot facility has been up and running since the end of January 2013. The new space has allowed the company to specialize in building fire apparatus for all kinds of extreme climates and providing rubber products to its industrial customers.

• EAGLE COMPRESSORS, INC. appointed former Finance Manager Becky Dreier as the new vice president of finance. The position requires Dreier to manage all aspects of accounting and finance work; coordinate external auditor statement reviews; and oversee all administrative departments, material handling, and warehouse operations. Dreier has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and finance at manufacturing companies, half of which she spent in key management positions.

• E-ONE DEALERS and sales representatives were recognized for their outstanding performance over the past year, with individual sales representatives across five different regions of the United States receiving the Regional Sales Excellence Award. Dealerships taking top honors received the Dealership Sales Excellence Award: Fire Service, Inc., Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, Inc., Sunbelt Fire, and Techno Feu, Inc.; Dealer Achievement Award: Fire Service, Inc.; Dealer Parts Sales Award: Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, Inc.; and Customer Service Award: Fireline, Inc., Chief Fire & Safety Company, Inc., Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, and Sunbelt Fire.

Sales representatives honored received the Regional Sales Excellence Award for the following regions: Mid Atlantic Region, Randy Powell of Advantech Service & Parts, North Central Region, Tom Pour of Banner Fire Equipment, Inc.; South Central Region, Curtis Gho of Sunbelt Fire; Northeast Region, Bertrand Bouchard of Techno Feu, Inc.; and Southeast Region, Nate Gilman of Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, Inc. The Sales Achievement Award for the Stainless Steel Product went to John Buckley of Greenwood Emergency Vehicles.

• FDM SOFTWARE and OPEN INC. have formed a partnership and will collectively comarket and support each other's offerings to emergency services agencies through North and South America. FDM Software provides public safety enterprise solutions and OPEN Inc. specializes in manufacturing technology products for EMS services. The companies expect the agreement to enable FDM and OPEN to leverage each other's skills to better serve their clients in North America and to expand their operations in international markets. Each company will train one another's staff to help integrate the companies.

• PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC. received an order for 10 fire apparatuses from Polk County (FL) Fire Rescue. The purchase includes five pumpers, a 100-foot Pierce Aerial Platform, and a heavy-duty rescue/hazmat vehicle, all built on the Pierce® Velocity™ chassis. The order also includes three tandem rear axle tanker-pumper vehicles. The pumpers and aerial platforms feature an optional forward roof cab design that enhances interior space for the crew and improves visibility. The pumpers also feature a 450 hp DD13 engine, Pierce Command Zone® advanced electronics, and a 1,250-gpm si