Live from TenCate Protective Fabrics headquarters in Georgia, join Fire Engineering Editor in Chief Bobby Halton as he visits with TenCate’s Mike Stanhope and Bart McCool.  They will explain why specifying certain fabrics is very important when choosing gear, the benefits from protection, to comfort, to durability, to cleaning. TenCate will also share some upcoming innovations to look out for in the coming year.

TenCate Protective Fabrics uses fiber from all the names firefighters trust like PBI and DuPont Kevlar. In our four U.S. manufacturing plants, our 500+ employees make the inherent flame-resistant fabrics that all garment manufacturers then use to create the structural turnout gear, wildland gear and stationwear more firefighters in the world wear than anyone else.  Seven out of 10 U.S. firefighters rely on the technical textiles from TenCate Protective Fabrics.  

Visit www.tencatefabrics.com for more information on their products.  

By Bill Adams

In my opinion, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, is a consensus guideline. It is not a law. Compliance is voluntary. It is, however, a nationally recognized safety standard that has been adopted both directly and indirectly by many political subdivisions. The threat of possible legal action in the event of an “incident” involving a noncompliant apparatus coerces fire apparatus manufacturers (OEMs) and purchasers to abide by its requirements.

NFPA 1901 Section 4.21, Statement of Exceptions, allows OEMs to manufacture a noncompliant rig, provided that both the purchaser and the OEM (and possibly a local contractor such as a dealer) sign off. Sentences 4.21.1 and 4.21.2 list the sign-off particulars. Sentences  a common practice that works to the benefit of all parties, especially when the contractor supplies ancillary accoutrements such as lettering and loose equipment as well as Section 15.9.3 required reflective striping and chevrons.

A drawback to saying “we’ll take care of it later” is that “it” might not get done, or it may not comply with NFPA 1901. In particular, I am addressing the color of rear reflective chevrons, which NFPA 1901 restricts to red alternating with either yellow, fluorescent yellow, or fluorescent yellow-green. Don’t panic. There are no NFPA Police or Chevron Cops that check for compliance when apparatus are placed in service. The OEM has been paid and is on to the next deal. In all fairness to OEMs, most will address noncompliance with a customer—up to the point where it may jeopardize the next sale.

I have nothing against rear chevrons, nor do I have a personal preference for their colors whether the NFPA’s or white and black, blue and white, yellow and black, dark green and light green, or whatever. I also have no qualms with requiring reflective striping on the sides and front of a rig. If it makes the firefighters’ work environment safer, I’m for it. 

What I do question is the lack of consistency in the level of conspicuity of striping colors on all sides of a rig. Conspicuity means how well you can see it. It should be equally visible on all four sides.

Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is defined as being disingenuous, insincere, and having a double standard. I believe some purchasers are hypocritical when addressing reflective striping and chevrons. Some willfully disregard NFPA 1901’s requirements for rear chevron colors. Yet, they will jump up and down and demand to be provided with other NFPA-compliant equipment because “they have to meet the standards.” They are hypocrites—period, end of discussion. Esprit de corps, tradition, and company pride are not justifiable reasons to disregard a safety standard you personally don’t like and only follow the parts of it you do like. That’s just wrong. 

I believe the NFPA can also be hypocritical. Disclaimer: My opinion is not based on “not getting my way” as admitted to below. It is an assertion based on principle: a belief in “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

The NFPA has a public process whereby changes, additions, deletions&l

Bloomingdale (NY) Volunteer Fire Department Inc., pumper-tanker. Kenworth T370 cab and chassis; Paccar PX9 380-hp engine.

The township's new Central Fire Station is fully functional. Firefighters and paramedics began working out of the new building at 5000 Okemos Road at 7 a.m. Thursday.

The new building was authorized through a $3.5 million millage passed in November 2012. Construction began in spring 2015, following a lengthy delay caused by legal action from neighboring condominium owners. The finished building's cost, including legal, design and engineering fees, came in at around $3.44 million. The new facility replaces a building at 2150 Clinton Street that closed in February 2013 due to extensive water damage and mold.

The three equipment bays house various fire vehicles and other equipment, including one very specialized money saver. An industrial-sized machine is for washing turnout gear, the personal protective equipment firefighters wear to fight fires.

Cowper said the new machine and a companion dryer should pay for themselves in a couple of years, since taking the gear to Detroit and back twice a year for cleaning cost around $3,000.

Other features of the new building include a spacious community room with a television, write-on whiteboards and a projector. Cowper said the room will serve many functions, including weekly meeting space for the Haslett-Okemos Rotary Club, which donated $10,000. Homeowner groups and other organizations will also be able to hold meetings there, and fire personnel will use it as a training room.

For more information, view www.lansingstatejournal.com