By Robert Tutterow

Technology? What do you mean technology?

We don’t need no stinkin’ technology! Yes, technology and the fire service are often like trying to mix oil and water. On the surface, firefighting is not exactly a high-tech job. Forcing entry, ventilating, deploying hoselines, and laddering buildings are not exactly high forms of technology. We have been doing it from the beginning, and we’re doing it now.

Nonetheless, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) held a Technology Symposium this past summer in Oakland, California. The two-day event consisted of 75 invited personnel from a cross section of the United States fire service. The summit addressed where we are with technology, where we might be headed, and how we might get there. It focused on five general topic areas: command and control; emergency operations; health, wellness, and occupational diseases; tools and equipment; and training.

Technology Resistance

The group at the summit acknowledged that many within the fire service are not enthused about technology. As alluded to in the opening paragraph, technology is not on the radar screen of most firefighters. Parallel to the perceived lack of need is the concern about technology’s cost along with the ability for it to be user-friendly and robust. As expected, the summit gravitated toward the electronics that encompass our lives on a minute-by-minute basis. The fire service has had its share of electronics failures when it comes to apparatus and equipment. Anyone remember the attempts at an electronic pump panel a generation ago? The concept is still not accepted, but I project it will be-some day. Outside of portable radios and hand lights, one of the first pieces of electronic equipment for firefighters was the PASS device. Though there have been bumps along the road, PASS devices are standard, reliable, and affordable for the most part. Another good example is the thermal imaging camera. Does anyone remember what they cost when they were first introduced? Today, you can buy a dozen or more for that original price. Almost all consumer electronic products have come down in price.

What’s Coming

One of the obstacles in reducing the price of electronics specific to the fire service is the simple lack of numbers for a profitable venture. Fire and emergency services are such a small market that it is hard to drive research and development. That is one of the primary reasons that Assistance to Firefighters Grants and research and development grants are so crucial. With that said, what might be next for the fire service in electronics? It appears it might lie in the vast world of sensors. Sensors are appearing everywhere and getting cheaper. They are in infrastructure, warfare, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and structures. The technology is available for firefighter physiological and health monitoring. It is also available for firefighter location and tracking while on the scene. The value of knowing where a firefighter is located is immeasurable. And, the ability to monitor the physiological status a firefighter could be a tremendous tool in reducing cardiac events.

Data

Another huge topic at the summit was the subject of data. It was stated that data is the new oil. Those who have it will be better off than those without. This is a huge issue for the fire service. More data has been accumulated in the past two years than all previous years combined. The manner in which the fire service uses data will determine, in large part, its sustainability. Data can be cherry-picked and used against the fire service. However, having thorough, accurate, and compelling data will typically put the fire service on the prevailing side of budget requests.

By Robert Tutterow

Technology? What do you mean technology?

We don’t need no stinkin’ technology! Yes, technology and the fire service are often like trying to mix oil and water. On the surface, firefighting is not exactly a high-tech job. Forcing entry, ventilating, deploying hoselines, and laddering buildings are not exactly high forms of technology. We have been doing it from the beginning, and we’re doing it now.

Nonetheless, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) held a Technology Symposium this past summer in Oakland, California. The two-day event consisted of 75 invited personnel from a cross section of the United States fire service. The summit addressed where we are with technology, where we might be headed, and how we might get there. It focused on five general topic areas: command and control; emergency operations; health, wellness, and occupational diseases; tools and equipment; and training.

Technology Resistance

The group at the summit acknowledged that many within the fire service are not enthused about technology. As alluded to in the opening paragraph, technology is not on the radar screen of most firefighters. Parallel to the perceived lack of need is the concern about technology’s cost along with the ability for it to be user-friendly and robust. As expected, the summit gravitated toward the electronics that encompass our lives on a minute-by-minute basis. The fire service has had its share of electronics failures when it comes to apparatus and equipment. Anyone remember the attempts at an electronic pump panel a generation ago? The concept is still not accepted, but I project it will be-some day. Outside of portable radios and hand lights, one of the first pieces of electronic equipment for firefighters was the PASS device. Though there have been bumps along the road, PASS devices are standard, reliable, and affordable for the most part. Another good example is the thermal imaging camera. Does anyone remember what they cost when they were first introduced? Today, you can buy a dozen or more for that original price. Almost all consumer electronic products have come down in price.

What’s Coming

One of the obstacles in reducing the price of electronics specific to the fire service is the simple lack of numbers for a profitable venture. Fire and emergency services are such a small market that it is hard to drive research and development. That is one of the primary reasons that Assistance to Firefighters Grants and research and development grants are so crucial. With that said, what might be next for the fire service in electronics? It appears it might lie in the vast world of sensors. Sensors are appearing everywhere and getting cheaper. They are in infrastructure, warfare, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and structures. The technology is available for firefighter physiological and health monitoring. It is also available for firefighter location and tracking while on the scene. The value of knowing where a firefighter is located is immeasurable. And, the ability to monitor the physiological status a firefighter could be a tremendous tool in reducing cardiac events.

Data

Another huge topic at the summit was the subject of data. It was stated that data is the new oil. Those who have it will be better off than those without. This is a huge issue for the fire service. More data has been accumulated in the past two years than all previous years combined. The manner in which the fire service uses data will determine, in large part, its sustainability. Data can be cherry-picked and used against the fire service. However, having thorough, accurate, and compelling data will typically put the fire service on the prevailing side of budget requests.

By Robert Tutterow

Technology? What do you mean technology?

We don’t need no stinkin’ technology! Yes, technology and the fire service are often like trying to mix oil and water. On the surface, firefighting is not exactly a high-tech job. Forcing entry, ventilating, deploying hoselines, and laddering buildings are not exactly high forms of technology. We have been doing it from the beginning, and we’re doing it now.

Nonetheless, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) held a Technology Symposium this past summer in Oakland, California. The two-day event consisted of 75 invited personnel from a cross section of the United States fire service. The summit addressed where we are with technology, where we might be headed, and how we might get there. It focused on five general topic areas: command and control; emergency operations; health, wellness, and occupational diseases; tools and equipment; and training.

Technology Resistance

The group at the summit acknowledged that many within the fire service are not enthused about technology. As alluded to in the opening paragraph, technology is not on the radar screen of most firefighters. Parallel to the perceived lack of need is the concern about technology’s cost along with the ability for it to be user-friendly and robust. As expected, the summit gravitated toward the electronics that encompass our lives on a minute-by-minute basis. The fire service has had its share of electronics failures when it comes to apparatus and equipment. Anyone remember the attempts at an electronic pump panel a generation ago? The concept is still not accepted, but I project it will be-some day. Outside of portable radios and hand lights, one of the first pieces of electronic equipment for firefighters was the PASS device. Though there have been bumps along the road, PASS devices are standard, reliable, and affordable for the most part. Another good example is the thermal imaging camera. Does anyone remember what they cost when they were first introduced? Today, you can buy a dozen or more for that original price. Almost all consumer electronic products have come down in price.

What’s Coming

One of the obstacles in reducing the price of electronics specific to the fire service is the simple lack of numbers for a profitable venture. Fire and emergency services are such a small market that it is hard to drive research and development. That is one of the primary reasons that Assistance to Firefighters Grants and research and development grants are so crucial. With that said, what might be next for the fire service in electronics? It appears it might lie in the vast world of sensors. Sensors are appearing everywhere and getting cheaper. They are in infrastructure, warfare, manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and structures. The technology is available for firefighter physiological and health monitoring. It is also available for firefighter location and tracking while on the scene. The value of knowing where a firefighter is located is immeasurable. And, the ability to monitor the physiological status a firefighter could be a tremendous tool in reducing cardiac events.

Data

Another huge topic at the summit was the subject of data. It was stated that data is the new oil. Those who have it will be better off than those without. This is a huge issue for the fire service. More data has been accumulated in the past two years than all previous years combined. The manner in which the fire service uses data will determine, in large part, its sustainability. Data can be cherry-picked and used against the fire service. However, having thorough, accurate, and compelling data will typically put the fire service on the prevailing side of budget requests.

By Scott Anderson

In May 2016, the infamous Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta, Canada-among the largest in the province’s history-destroyed 2,400 structures and forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 residents.

More than 1,100 firefighters, including Canadian military forces, deployed to fight the treacherous blaze. Among those coming to the aid of this community in crisis were two northern Alberta Oshkosh Airport Products customers: Syncrude and Suncor, two of the largest energy producing companies in the province, each with a history of responsible operations, safety, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

1 Members of Suncor’s emergency services stand next to the company’s Striker 8x8 that responded to the Fort McMurray fire in Alberta, Canada. (Photo courtesy of Suncor.)

As it became clear that the wildfire was gathering momentum, Suncor and Syncrude responded quickly with apparatus and firefighting personnel to save homes, protect critical infrastructure, and escort caravans of citizens away from danger. Syncrude Emergency Services sent a Striker 8x8 vehicle and a second aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) unit, and Suncor sent another Striker 8x8, nicknamed “Goliath,” into Fort McMurray. Their vehicles and personnel played a crucial role throughout the emergency.

“This tragic wildfire was an all-hands-on-deck crisis, and to have Suncor and Syncrude contribute personnel and equipment to the effort exemplifies the spirit of people doing whatever possible to help their neighbors in need,” says Jeff Resch, Oshkosh Airport Products Group vice president and general manager. “We were very proud to hear the many reports on how our Striker apparatus were able to contribute-and in a significant manner.”

Responses

Terry Carnochan, Suncor senior emergency response officer, recalls, “We received a mutual-aid request and responded with a total of five apparatus. By the time we arrived at the staging area, the fire was surrounding the city, and some subdivisions were getting gobbled up. Mariah Williams, from my team, and I went to a condo structure fire in the Striker and were directed to an area where firefighters couldn’t gain access because of hilly ground. We got in there, extended the Snozzle, and quickly knocked down the structure fire in that sector.”

“There were trees right in front of us, and we were able to lift the Snozzle up and reach through to gain access,” explains Williams. “There were a few municipal aerials there, but they go straight up and can’t articulate like the Snozzle.”

Lieutenant Kevin Graves, of Syncrude Emergency Services (and the project team leader to source and spec Syncrude’s two Strikers), was assigned to operate one of the Striker ARFF vehicles at Fort McMurray. “There’s no doubt that the Striker did an outstanding job, and there are houses standing today because of it,” offers Graves. “In one instance, we completed exposure protection on a dozen homes that were backed up to a green belt with big evergreens; there was near-zero visibility at this time. Our exposure protection helped save those homes.”

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