By Alan M. Petrillo

The ride to and from a fire scene in a pumper, rescue, or aerial can be exhilarating, tiring, or relaxing in getting from one place to another.

1 USSC Valor First Responder Seating makes the Magnus G2A driver seat in three versions, one of which can hold 650 pounds and has three lumbar settings, horizontal air slides, and electric controls. (Photos 1-2 courtesy of USSC Valor First Responder Seating.)

The seats that firefighters occupy in those apparatus have to be able to safely convey the firefighter to the job, provide access to the equipment needed along the way, and be durable to last the life of the apparatus. Seating manufacturers are focusing on attributes that allow for safety first while adding comfort and convenience for users.

USSC Valor

Steve Toren, vice president of USSC Valor First Responder Seating, says the company offers driver, officer, and crew seats in its first responder line as well as ambulance emergency medical technician (EMT) attendant seats and command-style seats that are stationary and mounted to the chassis.

The Valor First Responder Seating line has three styles of driver seats. There are two air suspension seat styles and an electric style. The Valor Magnus G2A air suspension seat has front toggle controls for height adjustment and lower, middle, and upper lumbar adjustments.

For the driver seat, the Valor Magnus series heavy-duty model can lift and hold 650 pounds and has air ride, horizontal air slides and three lumbar settings. The standard Valor Magnus will lift and hold 350 pounds, but the other settings are manual. There’s an air button for the air ride itself, but everything else is manual—manual slides, manual lumbar, and manual recline.

The third driver seat is an all electric seat. It’s a 12-way electric seat, with most functions handled electrically.

For the officer position, fire departments can use one of the three seats offered for the driver’s position. “Additionally in the officer’s position, many times departments will want to put in a crew seat—a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) style crew seat in the officer’s position,” says Toren. “Many times they will take that crew seat and want to put mechanisms under it, i.e. air ride suspension, slides, etc.” According to Toren, the crew seats are adaptable for the officer’s seat to incorporate these features.

The models are available in all belts to seats (ABTS) and nonABTS models. 

The air ride seats use technology that USSC brought from its transit seats to the first responder seats. “We decided to get into the first responder business about five years ago,” says Toren. “And, the reason we did that is based on our heritage of manufacturing transit seating for both the driver position and the passenger position in buses and light rail. We’ve been manufacturing seating for that for about 30 years.” He adds, “Also military. Our military line of seating is considered one of the best lines of seating for our war fighters. So, that’s our heritage really—in those two categories.”

Read more 272 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Jun 13, 2017 FDIC International 2017: A Platform for Discussion By Chris Mc Loone One of the most important aspects of FDIC International is that the event acts as a springboard for conversation. As great as it is to see friends, catch up, and share stories of FDICs past, there are many discussions taking place as the week commences regarding current issues that directly impact the future of the fire service. One such issue is cancer. There hasn’t been an FDIC International in recent memory where firefighter cancer was talked about more. From products like particulate-blocking hoods to presentations like Gavin Horn’s “Reducing Cancer Risks for the Fire Service” to major players in the industry committing support for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, FDIC International 2017 proved that firefighter cancer awareness is increasing and that the industry is responding by designing new products to help firefighters reduce their risks. Discussion revolving around cancer centered on the products available to help protect firefighters as well as potential tactical changes on the fireground to help reduce firefighter cancer risk. Besides cancer awareness, one of the bigger stories at the show was REV Group’s acquisition of Ferrara Fire Apparatus. Announced before the exhibits opened, Ferrara joins E-ONE and KME to comprise the REV Fire Group. What follows here are reports from Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment team members regarding their impressions of this year’s event. For complete coverage, go to www.fireapparatus.com/fdic. FDIC 2017: What’s New for Safety By Robert Tutterow When fire service manufacturers decide when and where to introduce new products, the decision almost always defaults to FDIC International. If size matters, then the Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue tow truck equipped for heavy rescue deserves top billing. The JERR-DAN rig’s rotating boom is rated at 50 or 60 tons, depending on the rating system used, and has a reach of 41 feet 7 inches. Tow trucks have been used in many European fire service brigades for years. Will this concept catch on in the United States? Keep an eye on Little Giant Ladders. This company continues to improve on one of the basic tools of the trade. This year, it displayed a ladder with stability legs at the base of the ladder. Last year at FDIC International, Dupont introduced its Nano technology for particulate barrier hoods. This year, W.L. Gore and Stedfast introduced new barrier hood technology. The Stedfast material is called “Prevent” and is available from various hood manufacturers. The Gore material is referred to as the “Gore Particulate Hood” and is currently available only through Majestic Fire Apparel. Photo by Chris Mc Loone. As chair of the NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, task group on eye and face protection, I was particularly interested in eye protection products. Bullard’s “ReTrak” series of helmets features an eye shield stowed beneath the helmet shell and flips down with a close fit like safety glasses. Bullard was able to do this without expanding the size of the outer shell. Also, Edge Tactical Eyewear, ESS Eye Pro, and HexArmor Eyew Read more 384 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Jun 13, 2017 FDIC International 2017: A Platform for Discussion By Chris Mc Loone One of the most important aspects of FDIC International is that the event acts as a springboard for conversation. As great as it is to see friends, catch up, and share stories of FDICs past, there are many discussions taking place as the week commences regarding current issues that directly impact the future of the fire service. One such issue is cancer. There hasn’t been an FDIC International in recent memory where firefighter cancer was talked about more. From products like particulate-blocking hoods to presentations like Gavin Horn’s “Reducing Cancer Risks for the Fire Service” to major players in the industry committing support for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, FDIC International 2017 proved that firefighter cancer awareness is increasing and that the industry is responding by designing new products to help firefighters reduce their risks. Discussion revolving around cancer centered on the products available to help protect firefighters as well as potential tactical changes on the fireground to help reduce firefighter cancer risk. Besides cancer awareness, one of the bigger stories at the show was REV Group’s acquisition of Ferrara Fire Apparatus. Announced before the exhibits opened, Ferrara joins E-ONE and KME to comprise the REV Fire Group. What follows here are reports from Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment team members regarding their impressions of this year’s event. For complete coverage, go to www.fireapparatus.com/fdic. FDIC 2017: What’s New for Safety By Robert Tutterow When fire service manufacturers decide when and where to introduce new products, the decision almost always defaults to FDIC International. If size matters, then the Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue tow truck equipped for heavy rescue deserves top billing. The JERR-DAN rig’s rotating boom is rated at 50 or 60 tons, depending on the rating system used, and has a reach of 41 feet 7 inches. Tow trucks have been used in many European fire service brigades for years. Will this concept catch on in the United States? Keep an eye on Little Giant Ladders. This company continues to improve on one of the basic tools of the trade. This year, it displayed a ladder with stability legs at the base of the ladder. Last year at FDIC International, Dupont introduced its Nano technology for particulate barrier hoods. This year, W.L. Gore and Stedfast introduced new barrier hood technology. The Stedfast material is called “Prevent” and is available from various hood manufacturers. The Gore material is referred to as the “Gore Particulate Hood” and is currently available only through Majestic Fire Apparel. Photo by Chris Mc Loone. As chair of the NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, task group on eye and face protection, I was particularly interested in eye protection products. Bullard’s “ReTrak” series of helmets features an eye shield stowed beneath the helmet shell and flips down with a close fit like safety glasses. Bullard was able to do this without expanding the size of the outer shell. Also, Edge Tactical Eyewear, ESS Eye Pro, and HexArmor Eyew Read more 315 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Jun 13, 2017 FDIC International 2017: A Platform for Discussion By Chris Mc Loone One of the most important aspects of FDIC International is that the event acts as a springboard for conversation. As great as it is to see friends, catch up, and share stories of FDICs past, there are many discussions taking place as the week commences regarding current issues that directly impact the future of the fire service. One such issue is cancer. There hasn’t been an FDIC International in recent memory where firefighter cancer was talked about more. From products like particulate-blocking hoods to presentations like Gavin Horn’s “Reducing Cancer Risks for the Fire Service” to major players in the industry committing support for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, FDIC International 2017 proved that firefighter cancer awareness is increasing and that the industry is responding by designing new products to help firefighters reduce their risks. Discussion revolving around cancer centered on the products available to help protect firefighters as well as potential tactical changes on the fireground to help reduce firefighter cancer risk. Besides cancer awareness, one of the bigger stories at the show was REV Group’s acquisition of Ferrara Fire Apparatus. Announced before the exhibits opened, Ferrara joins E-ONE and KME to comprise the REV Fire Group. What follows here are reports from Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment team members regarding their impressions of this year’s event. For complete coverage, go to www.fireapparatus.com/fdic. FDIC 2017: What’s New for Safety By Robert Tutterow When fire service manufacturers decide when and where to introduce new products, the decision almost always defaults to FDIC International. If size matters, then the Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue tow truck equipped for heavy rescue deserves top billing. The JERR-DAN rig’s rotating boom is rated at 50 or 60 tons, depending on the rating system used, and has a reach of 41 feet 7 inches. Tow trucks have been used in many European fire service brigades for years. Will this concept catch on in the United States? Keep an eye on Little Giant Ladders. This company continues to improve on one of the basic tools of the trade. This year, it displayed a ladder with stability legs at the base of the ladder. Last year at FDIC International, Dupont introduced its Nano technology for particulate barrier hoods. This year, W.L. Gore and Stedfast introduced new barrier hood technology. The Stedfast material is called “Prevent” and is available from various hood manufacturers. The Gore material is referred to as the “Gore Particulate Hood” and is currently available only through Majestic Fire Apparel. Photo by Chris Mc Loone. As chair of the NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, task group on eye and face protection, I was particularly interested in eye protection products. Bullard’s “ReTrak” series of helmets features an eye shield stowed beneath the helmet shell and flips down with a close fit like safety glasses. Bullard was able to do this without expanding the size of the outer shell. Also, Edge Tactical Eyewear, ESS Eye Pro, and HexArmor Eyew Read more 249 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious3244324532463247324832493250325132523253NextLast Theme picker Section Quick Links   Fire Mechanics Documents EVT Discussion Forum Fire Mechanic Photo Gallery Training & Testing 2019 Scholarship Logo Wear Store Upcoming Events Theme picker Sponsors Fire Mechanics Section Board Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Chair Elliot Courage North Whatcom Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Vice Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Vice Chair Mike Smith  Pierce County Fire District #5 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Secretary Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Secretary Greg Bach South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #1 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #1 Doug Jones South Kitsap Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #2 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #2 Paul Spencer  Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #3 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #3 Jim Morris Mountain View Fire Department Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #4 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #4 Arnie Kuchta Clark County Fire District 6 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #6 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #6 Brett Annear Kitsap County Fire District 18 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #5 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #5 Jay Jacks Camano Island Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Legislative Representative Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Legislative Representative TBD TBD Read more 3371 0 Article rating: No rating Immediate Past Chair Posted: Oct 20, 2015 Immediate Past Chair Brian Fortner Graham Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating RSS Theme picker 2020 CAR SHOW Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2025 by Washington Fire Chiefs Home Members About Us News Calendar Resources Documents Sections County Fire Chiefs FRWC WSAFM