By Raul A. Angulo

Not all tools firefighters use to fight fires are carried on the apparatus.

Computer fireground simulators may be the most effective tool firefighters have at their disposal to train them in making smart fireground decisions. With fewer structure fires comes less live-fire experience to draw from. Firefighters can go years on the job without a significant fire. That means they must rely on theory and simulations.

Prior to the 1990s, instructors taught size-up, strategy and tactics, and decision making by using hand-sketched diagrams and illustrations, doctored-up slides with colored markers to simulate smoke and flames, and illustrated transparencies with overhead projectors. Over the past 20 years, fire service computer programs and graphics technology have soared. Graphics don’t look like cheesy cartoon animations anymore; in fact, many come close to Hollywood-level special effects that look very real. They include smoke, fire, explosions, victims, sound effects, and more. All these categories involve movement that can be adjusted. For example, you can insert laminar (lazy) smoke or you can add turbulent smoke. The colors can be adjusted along the spectrum from white smoke to black smoke. Flames can be inserted to resemble a fire in the ignition (incipient) stage, the growth stage, or the fully developed stage. The explosions can be inserted with corresponding sound effects and victims can wave and call for help - incredible!

1 SimsUShare is an excellent tool for a tablet. Simply take a picture and drag in the desired fire elements to create a realistic fire simulation. (Photos 1-3 courtesy of Jonathan Kaye, SimUShare.)

Fortunately, as the quality and realism of fireground graphics have increased, the price for the software has decreased. Previous generations of fire simulator software used to cost upward of $1,000 or more - only fire department training budgets and well-paid fire instructors could afford them. Today, computer simulation programs are within the budget of every firefighter.

There are two well-established companies that offer superior fireground training simulator programs with state-of-the-art realistic graphics at a reasonable price: SimsUShare by CommandSim© and Fire Studio 6 by Digital Combustion™. Both are used primarily in strategy and tactics classes to practice size-up, identifying problems, establishing incident priorities, deploying resources, and practicing radio communication skills. They’re also used for incident safety officer training, promotional assessment exams, preincident planning, multiagency drills, multicompany drills, and informal personal practice.

SimsUShare

With the motto “Set your world on fire,” SimsUShare evolved from the original CommandSim fire simulation program developed by Jonathan Kaye, Ph.D., in 2004. Kaye finished his undergraduate work at Cornell University and earned his doctorate in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania. He was an emergency medical technician for six years before his path intersected with fire service training. During an e-learning conference in which Kaye was talking about simulation-based training, a group of fire service instructors approached him with a need for such a program to train company and chief officers in strategy and tactics. He started working with those instructors on wh

Richard Marinucci

For someone who has been in the fire service a long time, I am amazed that there are vehicles that cost more than $1 million.

Yet, trucks, aerials, platforms, sticks, or whatever you call them have a purpose, and departments need to understand their necessity, versatility, and functionality. With a price tag so high, departments need to get their money’s worth and maximize usage. Of course, added usage comes with a price, as it reduces the vehicle’s life expectancy. Good strategy and planning will make this vital piece more useful.

There are many reasons vehicles cost so much. I understand some of them and still can’t figure out others. Regardless, I do know that vehicles are more complex, have more governmental regulations, and are doing more functions. It is these factors and more that make it difficult for many departments to have the expertise to go through a comprehensive purchasing process including specifications, accepting formal bid proposals (or RFPs - requests for proposals), and ultimately accepting the apparatus.

In most cases, departments do not regularly and routinely order fleets of vehicles. They purchase one or two over a period of years with the expectation that they are likely to do this once or twice in a career. With personnel turnover, it is also unlikely that the same people, apparatus committee, vehicle technician, and purchasing agent will be involved in the process. Even if they are, the apparatus and the standards will have changed, meaning there is still much to be learned. Few organizations have significant experience in this arena. This could lead to mistakes - mistakes that can be very costly.

Departments should seriously consider hiring an apparatus consultant if they do not have a well-established fleet management system with knowledgeable and experienced personnel who regularly and routinely purchase apparatus and who continually study and learn within their areas of responsibilities. Those that do not have the appropriate experience should look to someone who regularly does this work. The cost is not generally exorbitant, and the quality consultants will easily save you more than the fee that they charge by keeping you from making those costly mistakes. If you were to build a $1 million addition onto one of your fire stations, you would certainly hire an architect and possibly a project manager. You would need the advice of someone who has the necessary knowledge. The purchase price for apparatus should get you to at least do the same - get expert help.

If you go this route, you still have to do your homework. You need to investigate your options and ask for proposals from qualified individuals or firms. There are good folks out there, so you have choices. You can look at references and get advice from others in the industry. Outline your needs and expectations. Most consultants will customize their approach to meet your needs. But, remember, they are the experts, so you may need to compromise. Be sure to check on your organization’s policies regarding professional services in advance.

If you decide to go the consultant route, you are not absolved of doing some work. If you have used an apparatus committee in the past, there is no reason to stop. The committee still must establish the organization’s needs and essential requirements. Quality consultants will need a starting point and want to get you the piece of equipment that meets your wants and needs. They will ask questions and do their best to get you the “best bang for the buck.” They are no

Richard Marinucci

For someone who has been in the fire service a long time, I am amazed that there are vehicles that cost more than $1 million.

Yet, trucks, aerials, platforms, sticks, or whatever you call them have a purpose, and departments need to understand their necessity, versatility, and functionality. With a price tag so high, departments need to get their money’s worth and maximize usage. Of course, added usage comes with a price, as it reduces the vehicle’s life expectancy. Good strategy and planning will make this vital piece more useful.

There are many reasons vehicles cost so much. I understand some of them and still can’t figure out others. Regardless, I do know that vehicles are more complex, have more governmental regulations, and are doing more functions. It is these factors and more that make it difficult for many departments to have the expertise to go through a comprehensive purchasing process including specifications, accepting formal bid proposals (or RFPs - requests for proposals), and ultimately accepting the apparatus.

In most cases, departments do not regularly and routinely order fleets of vehicles. They purchase one or two over a period of years with the expectation that they are likely to do this once or twice in a career. With personnel turnover, it is also unlikely that the same people, apparatus committee, vehicle technician, and purchasing agent will be involved in the process. Even if they are, the apparatus and the standards will have changed, meaning there is still much to be learned. Few organizations have significant experience in this arena. This could lead to mistakes - mistakes that can be very costly.

Departments should seriously consider hiring an apparatus consultant if they do not have a well-established fleet management system with knowledgeable and experienced personnel who regularly and routinely purchase apparatus and who continually study and learn within their areas of responsibilities. Those that do not have the appropriate experience should look to someone who regularly does this work. The cost is not generally exorbitant, and the quality consultants will easily save you more than the fee that they charge by keeping you from making those costly mistakes. If you were to build a $1 million addition onto one of your fire stations, you would certainly hire an architect and possibly a project manager. You would need the advice of someone who has the necessary knowledge. The purchase price for apparatus should get you to at least do the same - get expert help.

If you go this route, you still have to do your homework. You need to investigate your options and ask for proposals from qualified individuals or firms. There are good folks out there, so you have choices. You can look at references and get advice from others in the industry. Outline your needs and expectations. Most consultants will customize their approach to meet your needs. But, remember, they are the experts, so you may need to compromise. Be sure to check on your organization’s policies regarding professional services in advance.

If you decide to go the consultant route, you are not absolved of doing some work. If you have used an apparatus committee in the past, there is no reason to stop. The committee still must establish the organization’s needs and essential requirements. Quality consultants will need a starting point and want to get you the piece of equipment that meets your wants and needs. They will ask questions and do their best to get you the “best bang for the buck.” They are no

Richard Marinucci

For someone who has been in the fire service a long time, I am amazed that there are vehicles that cost more than $1 million.

Yet, trucks, aerials, platforms, sticks, or whatever you call them have a purpose, and departments need to understand their necessity, versatility, and functionality. With a price tag so high, departments need to get their money’s worth and maximize usage. Of course, added usage comes with a price, as it reduces the vehicle’s life expectancy. Good strategy and planning will make this vital piece more useful.

There are many reasons vehicles cost so much. I understand some of them and still can’t figure out others. Regardless, I do know that vehicles are more complex, have more governmental regulations, and are doing more functions. It is these factors and more that make it difficult for many departments to have the expertise to go through a comprehensive purchasing process including specifications, accepting formal bid proposals (or RFPs - requests for proposals), and ultimately accepting the apparatus.

In most cases, departments do not regularly and routinely order fleets of vehicles. They purchase one or two over a period of years with the expectation that they are likely to do this once or twice in a career. With personnel turnover, it is also unlikely that the same people, apparatus committee, vehicle technician, and purchasing agent will be involved in the process. Even if they are, the apparatus and the standards will have changed, meaning there is still much to be learned. Few organizations have significant experience in this arena. This could lead to mistakes - mistakes that can be very costly.

Departments should seriously consider hiring an apparatus consultant if they do not have a well-established fleet management system with knowledgeable and experienced personnel who regularly and routinely purchase apparatus and who continually study and learn within their areas of responsibilities. Those that do not have the appropriate experience should look to someone who regularly does this work. The cost is not generally exorbitant, and the quality consultants will easily save you more than the fee that they charge by keeping you from making those costly mistakes. If you were to build a $1 million addition onto one of your fire stations, you would certainly hire an architect and possibly a project manager. You would need the advice of someone who has the necessary knowledge. The purchase price for apparatus should get you to at least do the same - get expert help.

If you go this route, you still have to do your homework. You need to investigate your options and ask for proposals from qualified individuals or firms. There are good folks out there, so you have choices. You can look at references and get advice from others in the industry. Outline your needs and expectations. Most consultants will customize their approach to meet your needs. But, remember, they are the experts, so you may need to compromise. Be sure to check on your organization’s policies regarding professional services in advance.

If you decide to go the consultant route, you are not absolved of doing some work. If you have used an apparatus committee in the past, there is no reason to stop. The committee still must establish the organization’s needs and essential requirements. Quality consultants will need a starting point and want to get you the piece of equipment that meets your wants and needs. They will ask questions and do their best to get you the “best bang for the buck.” They are no