BY BILL ADAMS

A conundrum can be defined as a dispute, a problem, or even a confrontation. In the fire service, deciding to comply or not to comply with a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard or any part thereof is a conundrum. It can create confusion and consternation in the ranks. Equally challenging is determining which standard to follow if more than one could be applicable.

I believe an NFPA standard is a nationwide consensus criterion specifying minimum requirements where voluntary compliance is influenced by the possibility of litigation. There are scenarios where legislation by political subdivisions as well as contractual agreements between two parties legally mandate NFPA compliance. Even in those so-called binding circumstances, fire departments have been known to fully embrace NFPA standards to secure equipment with features they desire and, in turn, systematically ignore standards with features they dislike. Prime examples of the latter are specifying noncompliant retroreflective chevron colors on the rear of apparatus and not securing fire helmets when carried in apparatus cabs. It is hypocritical but commonplace. Apparatus manufacturers tend to follow NFPA standards—especially those manufacturers recalling the demise of the Peter Pirsch Company in 1985 caused, in part, by a wrongful death lawsuit.

Purchasing or placing into service a grass fire truck is when two NFPA standards could apply to the same rig. In particular, they are NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, and NFPA 1906, Standard for Wildland Apparatus. When NFPA 1906 apparatus are referenced herein, Chapter 5 (wildland fire suppression apparatus) applies. When NFPA 1901 apparatus are referenced, Chapter 5 (pumpers) and Chapter 6 (initial attack apparatus) apply.

It is immaterial if a grass fire truck is built by an apparatus manufacturer, a local fabrication shop, or the fire department itself. The conundrum is determining if it has to be manufactured, equipped, and operated in compliance with either or part of the aforementioned NFPA standards. Q