By Alan M. Petrillo

Take a look at a pumper or aerial in the United States, then look at a similar vehicle in the United Kingdom or a European country. As the French say, “Vive la différence,” an expression of approval meaning, “Long live the difference.”

Those differences in structural firefighting apparatus go well beyond the outward appearance of the vehicles and reflect differences in the geography of the areas covered, the types of structures protected, street layouts, firefighting tactics, and a host of other issues.

1 A typical pumper in Europe is built on a commercial chassis and has high compartmentation with highly organized interior spaces. (Photo courtesy of Pierce Manufacturing Inc.)

Size Influences

Sam Itani, vice president of international and government sales for E-ONE, says that in Europe fire apparatus are more compact than comparable vehicles in North America. “The European apparatus is shorter, narrower, and tighter in design than what we see here,” Itani says. “In the United States, we usually have larger, wider roads and highways, so we don’t need the tighter designs in most cases.”

The structures and types of buildings in Europe also have an influence on fire apparatus, Itani points out. “European lifestyle revolves around major cities, while their suburbia is an extension of the city,” he says. “There are a lot of narrow streets in their cities, many of them one way. And with the different building construction, they have to design vehicles to go into narrow, congested areas, yet still allow firefighters access to the tools and hoses on their trucks.”

2 Pull-out steps are common on European fire apparatus to allow easy access to the top of compartments on vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Pierce Manufacturing Inc.)

Lisa Barwick, director of business development and product management for Pierce Manufacturing Inc., agrees that because of the infrastructure of European cities, their fire apparatus have to be smaller and more agile. “The roads and streets are much narrower over there,” Barwick says, “so their apparatus, especially their engines, are much smaller than those over here. They also tend to use more commercial chassis, like MAN and Mercedes, rather than custom chassis.”

She adds, “While some Northeastern cities in the U.S. have low overall height and length restrictions and tight streets that might require smaller, more maneuverable apparatus, usually in North America everything seems to be on a grander scale because we have the room, as well as the types of our buildings, and much wider streets.”

Custom vs. Commercial

Dave Reichman, national sales manager for Rosenbauer, says the apparatus chassis is the most noticeable difference between the United States and Europe. “In the States, we’ve seen a huge increase in the use of custom chassis,” Reichman says. “In the last two to three years, 75 to 80 percent of our chassis are custom, while in Europe, about 95 percent of chassis are commer

By Carl Nix

Last month, I discussed the advantages of using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to fight aircraft fires and took you through the events of a controlled burn aboard an aircraft fire simulator. In this column, I’ll focus on the benefits of using a TIC to fight shipboard fires. The majority of firefighters are trained to battle structural fires, but a number of fire departments fight fires aboard ships. Using a TIC can be an effective tool for firefighters who face the challenges of a shipboard fire.

Shipboard Fires

Think of the obstacles facing a firefighter onboard a ship when a fire breaks out. The narrow passages, bulkhead doors, numerous deck levels, steep stairwells, heavy fuel loads, and maze-like features of a vessel can be disorienting and dangerous for firefighters. Although the threats of a ship fire may be different from those of an aircraft fire, many of the TIC challenges are similar.

First, large vessels are constructed primarily of steel. Steel, like aluminum, will not show a firefighter using a TIC its true temperature. For instance, a bulkhead door hiding a fire may not display as white on the TIC during the initial growth of the fire. However, once the steel heats up enough, the TIC will help firefighters identify the location and extent of a fire as well as the potential for spread.

Second, the risk of firefighter disorientation on a vessel is high. The structure is maze-like, and firefighters must be extremely cautious about remaining oriented with and without the TIC. Firefighters cannot rely solely on the TIC to lead them into and out of the environment. While this is true in a structure as well, the very nature of the vessel’s decks and passages makes orientation a life-critical issue on a ship.

1 A firefighter can use a thermal imaging camera to see the intense heat in this confined space. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Although there are many obstacles that firefighters face on a vessel, the use of a TIC can improve the effectiveness of bringing a fire under control while keeping firefighters safe. Since obstacles and passageways are easily identified on a vessel, a properly trained team will advance more quickly to the area of the fire when using a TIC. This means that the firefighting team can locate the fire, as well as any potential victims, faster. Despite dense smoke, hose streams can be visualized with the TIC, allowing firefighters to extinguish the fire more rapidly and reducing the threat to the ship and its personnel. Firefighters will also be able to navigate dangerous spaces more safely. Cargo ties, steam lines, electrical conduits, engine room equipment, and a host of other obstacles will be visible with the TIC. This can help in low-light environments, not just smoke-filled ones.

The logistical challenges of fighting a large ship fire can be overwhelming. Plan to have multiple TICs available to support accountability and ensure as many firefighters as possible can see and navigate. If you are engaged in an interior attack on a fire below the main deck, the danger and challenges are multiplied. Station one firefighter, equipped with a TIC, along the hoseline paths to help guide the crews as they make their way toward the seat of the fire. This is extremely important at any point along the path where a change in direction occurs.

It’s also important to remember

By Carl Nix

Last month, I discussed the advantages of using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to fight aircraft fires and took you through the events of a controlled burn aboard an aircraft fire simulator. In this column, I’ll focus on the benefits of using a TIC to fight shipboard fires. The majority of firefighters are trained to battle structural fires, but a number of fire departments fight fires aboard ships. Using a TIC can be an effective tool for firefighters who face the challenges of a shipboard fire.

Shipboard Fires

Think of the obstacles facing a firefighter onboard a ship when a fire breaks out. The narrow passages, bulkhead doors, numerous deck levels, steep stairwells, heavy fuel loads, and maze-like features of a vessel can be disorienting and dangerous for firefighters. Although the threats of a ship fire may be different from those of an aircraft fire, many of the TIC challenges are similar.

First, large vessels are constructed primarily of steel. Steel, like aluminum, will not show a firefighter using a TIC its true temperature. For instance, a bulkhead door hiding a fire may not display as white on the TIC during the initial growth of the fire. However, once the steel heats up enough, the TIC will help firefighters identify the location and extent of a fire as well as the potential for spread.

Second, the risk of firefighter disorientation on a vessel is high. The structure is maze-like, and firefighters must be extremely cautious about remaining oriented with and without the TIC. Firefighters cannot rely solely on the TIC to lead them into and out of the environment. While this is true in a structure as well, the very nature of the vessel’s decks and passages makes orientation a life-critical issue on a ship.

1 A firefighter can use a thermal imaging camera to see the intense heat in this confined space. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Although there are many obstacles that firefighters face on a vessel, the use of a TIC can improve the effectiveness of bringing a fire under control while keeping firefighters safe. Since obstacles and passageways are easily identified on a vessel, a properly trained team will advance more quickly to the area of the fire when using a TIC. This means that the firefighting team can locate the fire, as well as any potential victims, faster. Despite dense smoke, hose streams can be visualized with the TIC, allowing firefighters to extinguish the fire more rapidly and reducing the threat to the ship and its personnel. Firefighters will also be able to navigate dangerous spaces more safely. Cargo ties, steam lines, electrical conduits, engine room equipment, and a host of other obstacles will be visible with the TIC. This can help in low-light environments, not just smoke-filled ones.

The logistical challenges of fighting a large ship fire can be overwhelming. Plan to have multiple TICs available to support accountability and ensure as many firefighters as possible can see and navigate. If you are engaged in an interior attack on a fire below the main deck, the danger and challenges are multiplied. Station one firefighter, equipped with a TIC, along the hoseline paths to help guide the crews as they make their way toward the seat of the fire. This is extremely important at any point along the path where a change in direction occurs.

It’s also important to remember

By Carl Nix

Last month, I discussed the advantages of using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to fight aircraft fires and took you through the events of a controlled burn aboard an aircraft fire simulator. In this column, I’ll focus on the benefits of using a TIC to fight shipboard fires. The majority of firefighters are trained to battle structural fires, but a number of fire departments fight fires aboard ships. Using a TIC can be an effective tool for firefighters who face the challenges of a shipboard fire.

Shipboard Fires

Think of the obstacles facing a firefighter onboard a ship when a fire breaks out. The narrow passages, bulkhead doors, numerous deck levels, steep stairwells, heavy fuel loads, and maze-like features of a vessel can be disorienting and dangerous for firefighters. Although the threats of a ship fire may be different from those of an aircraft fire, many of the TIC challenges are similar.

First, large vessels are constructed primarily of steel. Steel, like aluminum, will not show a firefighter using a TIC its true temperature. For instance, a bulkhead door hiding a fire may not display as white on the TIC during the initial growth of the fire. However, once the steel heats up enough, the TIC will help firefighters identify the location and extent of a fire as well as the potential for spread.

Second, the risk of firefighter disorientation on a vessel is high. The structure is maze-like, and firefighters must be extremely cautious about remaining oriented with and without the TIC. Firefighters cannot rely solely on the TIC to lead them into and out of the environment. While this is true in a structure as well, the very nature of the vessel’s decks and passages makes orientation a life-critical issue on a ship.

1 A firefighter can use a thermal imaging camera to see the intense heat in this confined space. (Photos courtesy of Bullard.)

Although there are many obstacles that firefighters face on a vessel, the use of a TIC can improve the effectiveness of bringing a fire under control while keeping firefighters safe. Since obstacles and passageways are easily identified on a vessel, a properly trained team will advance more quickly to the area of the fire when using a TIC. This means that the firefighting team can locate the fire, as well as any potential victims, faster. Despite dense smoke, hose streams can be visualized with the TIC, allowing firefighters to extinguish the fire more rapidly and reducing the threat to the ship and its personnel. Firefighters will also be able to navigate dangerous spaces more safely. Cargo ties, steam lines, electrical conduits, engine room equipment, and a host of other obstacles will be visible with the TIC. This can help in low-light environments, not just smoke-filled ones.

The logistical challenges of fighting a large ship fire can be overwhelming. Plan to have multiple TICs available to support accountability and ensure as many firefighters as possible can see and navigate. If you are engaged in an interior attack on a fire below the main deck, the danger and challenges are multiplied. Station one firefighter, equipped with a TIC, along the hoseline paths to help guide the crews as they make their way toward the seat of the fire. This is extremely important at any point along the path where a change in direction occurs.

It’s also important to remember