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

David Cain

Fire apparatus and equipment have come a long way during the past 100 years. Yet a majority of maintenance inspections are done the same way today as they were at the turn of the past century: on pen-and-paper log sheets.

With so much equipment to look after, logging everything by hand can be time- and labor-intensive and prone to mistakes. There's a lot to keep track of: daily and weekly preshift truck checks, inventory checks, personal protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus bottles, hose and pump schedules, preventive maintenance and annual tests, advanced life support and basic life support equipment, drug checks, station supplies, and more. Combine that with all the other responsibilities departments have-running calls, training, maintaining certifications, and so on-and it's easy to see why streamlining and automating inspections just never seem to be top priorities.

PSTrax automates a fire department's inspections into a cloud-based digital logbook that can be accessed from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. So, all crews have to do is log in, see which checks are due, and get to work-without having to search for the right log sheet or checklist. (Photo courtesy of PSTrax.)

Although missing a check every now and then may not be the end of the world, major issues can arise if they go unchecked for too long. Every year, people and property are needlessly put in harm's way when crucial inspections get missed. "In the case of the firefighter, proper maintenance can be the difference between life and death," says Bob Norton, of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Company, Higganum, Connecticut. "Maintenance is the most lackluster part of the fire service. But outside of training, it may be the most important. Tools are only good if they perform when you need them to. That goes for everything from the gas in a generator to the brakes on a truck."

Such was the case with the Boston (MA) Fire Department tragedy. In 2009, Lieutenant Kevin Kelley was killed when the fire truck he was riding in crashed into an apartment building. Investigators determined the cause of the accident to be a faulty brake system, which raised serious questions about the adequacy of fire truck maintenance.

Preventing tragedies like the one that occurred in Boston is the reason PSTrax was built. It is designed to make maintenance checks more efficient to combat the hundreds of accidents (or near accidents) that occur each year resulting from poor maintenance inspections.

Automating Inspections

PSTrax automates a fire department's inspections into a cloud-based digital logbook that can be accessed from any computer, tablet, or smartphone. So, all crews have to do is log in, see which checks are due, and get to work-without having to search for the right log sheet or checklist. It's built to each department's specs-its crew, equipment, and maintenance schedules. Each station-specific task, whether it's a truck check that needs to be done at the beginning of each shift or an aerial load test due every five years, is scheduled, tracked, and documented automatically.

Other features of PSTrax include:

• Reduced redundancies. The system updates in real time whenever crews perform inspections, across all users. If a crew takes a call in the middle of its checks, PSTrax will pick up right where it left off when it gets back. This eliminates double work and ensures that crews can use their time most efficiently.
• Instant communication. Anyone can post alerts about out-of-service or malfunctioning equipment to the rest of the station

Alan M. Petrillo

Boston, Massachusetts, has always presented challenging terrain for Boston (MA) Fire Department vehicles, with tight turns and hilly historic streets. So when the department's apparatus committee sat down to spec a new ladder truck, size and maneuverability were key considerations.

Peter Cakridas, the department's director of transportation, says, "Our biggest concern was that aerials were getting bigger and bigger, but the guys in the field were having difficulty maneuvering the pieces in the streets. We needed to do something different with our new aerials."

The Boston (MA) Fire Department's Ladder 17, a KME-built 109-foot AerialCat, operates at the scene of a church fire using its Akron 1,500-gpm monitor. [Photo courtesy of the Boston (MA) Fire Department.]

Maneuverability

The apparatus committee reached out to a number of manufacturers. Ultimately, the department decided to purchase three 109-foot AerialCat rear-mount ladders from KME, Cakridas points out. "One of the big selling points on the KME AerialCat was its 208-inch wheelbase," he says. "We were running ladders on a 220-inch wheelbase and some of the manufacturers wanted us to increase to 230 inches."

Jack spread was another issue for the apparatus committee, he notes, because of having to set up in some of Boston's notoriously narrow streets. "The full outrigger spread is 14 feet, but when the ladder is short jacked, the footprint will be eight inches narrower than our current ladders," Cakridas says. "If we get the fire side jacks fully out, we can get a 180 degree rotation of the stick. The aerial will not allow itself to be operated in an unsafe position. But, being able to short jack the truck means we can set up in places that we couldn't have before."

In addition, the outriggers don't have decorative stainless steel or diamond plate covers that don't stand up to harsh Boston street conditions, Cakridas notes. The Boston specs call for 3⁄8-inch steel plates to be welded directly to the vertical stabilizer and then painted with red "linex," a coating that doesn't scratch or chip and often is found in the beds of pickup trucks.

The KME 109-foot AerialCat ladders built for the Boston (MA) Fire Department have 14-foot jack spreads. But when short jacked, the vehicles' jack footprints are eight inches narrower than that of the department's other aerial ladders. (Photo courtesy of the Boston Fire Department.)

Jeff Mazza, owner of Bulldog Fire Apparatus, which sold the AerialCats to the Boston Fire Department, says the apparatus committee came up with an unusual solution to improving the turning radius on the ladders by redesigning the rear end. "When they were in our factory doing a preinspection on pumpers, they started looking at the aerials on our assembly line," Mazza says. "They came up with the idea of eliminating the 90-degree corners at the rear of the aerial and replacing them with 45-degree corners. That allows for increased maneuverability and decreased tail strikes on tight turns."

New Approach to Ladders

Mazza says the 109-foot AerialCats have ladders constructed with 10