Most all of a vehicle’s energy and the forces that act upon it while driving are ultimately transmitted through wheel studs, so we must ensure they continue to do their job by routine inspection and proper maintenance practices using the correct tools. 

Routine inspection at the company level includes checking for loose lug nuts on the daily inspection and learning to recognize the signs of loose lug nuts. Loose nuts can be identified most often by streaks of rust or discoloration radiating outward on a wheel from the nut. Visible cracks in lugs nut, studs, wheels, or loose lugs are unacceptable and should be repaired immediately. Ultimately, a loose wheel is already in a state of failure and this is where the maintenance facility comes into play. Your maintenance department, person, or independent shop should include a torque verification of these wheels on a routine basis to minimize the risk of such failure. There are additional methods and products available to recognize or prevent problems early such as Zafety Lug Lock, Rollock, or the application of frangible lacquer. 

YAKIMA, Wash. — Dozens of emergency responders from across the state joined Yakima firefighters and other local officials Thursday morning outside the Yakima Convention Center in honor of the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

With a fire engine draped in the American flag as a backdrop, local fire officials paid tribute to the thousands of civilians and emergency responders who lost their lives following a series of commercial airplane crashes in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. 

We will never forget 9/11,” said Capt. Tom Schneider of the Yakima Fire Department. The anniversary of the 9/11 attacks came hours after President Barack Obama announced to the nation that an ongoing effort to “degrade and destroy” a growing terrorist threat in Syria and Iraq would intensify...

10th Annual Creeper Drags took place Wednesday behind the Yakima Convention Center. The race took place during the 34th annual Washington Fire Mechanics Conference. This year’s race had a total of five dragsters, including an air-powered dragster.

Tempest Electric Special Operations Power Blower (SP VS) is powered by a 2.0-hp electric motor and controlled by Tempest's latest variable-speed drive. The drive is both GFCI-compatible and NEMA 4 rated. Users only need two controls to operate the unit: an on/off switch and a 0 to 100 percent output rheostat knob. The SP VS produces laminar air flow (LAF). The laminar air pattern is useful in ventilation scenarios such as multistory high-rises, stairwells, commercial structures of greater than 5,000 square feet, and complex structures. With LAF's tighter, more focused air output, it's also capable of creating the door seal necessary for conducting PPV from a further setback. An increased setback helps to lower dB levels heard within the structure and frees up space near the point of egress. www.tempest.us.com, 800-346-2143

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Continental ExpressWash™ washers and ExpressDry™ gear dryers properly clean and dry turnout gear and other protective apparel, helping protect wearers from the hazards of contaminated gear. Also available is the Special Ops gear dryer. It is equipped with 12 drying ports and four invertible stickmen to quickly and safely dry ensembles of full protective gear and apparatus used for firefighting and special operations, such as swift water, ice, and dive rescues. An optional boot tree dries up to four pairs of soaked boots in 60 minutes. The dryers use a 110-volt fan to push nonheated air through the garment-from the inside out-at high pressure. This effectively dries hard-to-reach areas that can be slow to dry, helping return gear to service in hours rather than days. Continental gear washers/dryers qualify for AFG grant dollars. www.continentalgirbau.com, 800-256-1073

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DEUS Rescue's DEUS X Class rescue harnesses are for use in professional escape and rescue scenarios. The harnesses have been engineered for firefighters as well as tactical and other emergency response personnel, yet serve as rescue harnesses for almost any industry where at-height rescue scenarios may be a concern. DEUS X Class harnesses include a convertible waistbelt (NFPA Class I) and seat harness (NFPA Class II) and a chest piece add-on to provide a full body harness (NFPA Class III). The entire line is engineered to be more comfortable, versatile, and practical as compared to traditional rescue harnesses. An optional tactical vest, which integrates with the X Class harness to provide a unified rescue vest-harness ensemble, will also be available. The tactical vest is constructed in the modular MOLLE webbing style and features a built-in hydration system. www.deusXclass.com, 866-405-3461

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BullEx BullsEye™ laser-driven fire extinguisher training system uses self-generating digital flames to simulate class A, B, and C fires. It senses where the user aims and sweeps the laser training extinguisher and varies the flames in response. The new BullsEye system can recognize which type of extinguisher a trainee is using and will only respond to trainees' actions if they have chosen correctly. Also, trainees must put the correct distance between themselves and the fire for the panel to respond. Instructors now have the option to control the BullsEye with an iPad. The tablet not only a