Sentence 14.1.9.1 in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2009 ed.), states that each driving and crew area seating space shall be a minimum of 22 inches wide at shoulder level.

BY BILL ADAMS

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Robert Tutterow, author of this magazine's "Keeping it Safe" column, wrote three recent pieces describing cramped seating conditions in fire apparatus and, in particular, custom cabs. He cited technical studies, some starting in 2006, by professional organizations, fire departments, and government agencies, that resulted in recommendations and a proposed change to NFPA 1901 to increase the minimum seat width to 28 inches. Even with a major compromise, the NFPA rejected the proposed change. Purchasers should read Tutterow's January 2015 column-or forever keep mum about cramped cab seating.

Several apparatus manufacturers (OEMs) progressively addressed fully enclosed firefighter seating long before the NFPA nixed riding the tailboard. Manufacturers including Mack, Pirsch, Seagrave, American LaFrance, and Buffalo started introducing three- and four-door fully enclosed cabs on custom chassis in the 1930s. In the late 1960s when working in his family-owned apparatus manufacturing business, Jim Kirvida was instrumental in developing a line of fully enclosed crew cabs for apparatus on commercial chassis. The first, on a Ford C-Series, was delivered to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1968.

Mack built its fully enclosed sedan cab in 1935. This 1939 sedan cab, built "around" the fire pump, was a common configuration. Some manufacturers are reintroducing variations of the concept today. (Photo 1 is a delivery photo courtesy of Harvey Eckart; photos 2-19 courtesy of CustomFIRE.)

In 1982, Kirvida formed his own company, Custom Fire Apparatus, Inc., continuing his design and development of fully enclosed crew cabs built on apparatus of his own manufacture. From the January 1984 edition of "Custom Concepts," his newsletter, "Many fire chiefs had complained for years of poor design and cramped quarters in vehicles transporting as many as six firefighters." They still are. One solution to cramped seating on today's apparatus has been around for almost five decades. It is a free-standing crew cab enclosure.

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Nomenclature and Disclaimer

In this article, commercial chassis are conventional (engine ahead of the cab) designs with factory-supplied two- or four-door (sedan) cabs used by numerous industries. The fire service uses them with OEM modifications to meet NFPA 1901 criteria. A custom chassis is one where both cab and chassis are designed for fire service applications. A crew cab module (aka a crew cab enclosure) is a free-standing structure separate from the chassis cab. Specifically designed to carry firefighters, it can be mounted on either style chassis.

There is no intent to den

CMC Rescue's DualCom™ radio harness features an intuitive design that comes from years of in-the-field experience as well as customer feedback. The ergonomically designed DualCom provides all-day comfort.

Made of Cordura® nylon, this lightweight harness offers quick, organized access to personal communication equipment rescue responders need on the job. The harness's open-air 3D mesh back and breathable internal mesh on the inside face, bottom, and side of the main compartment deliver maximum airflow. Two individually sized and adjustable pockets accommodate a wide range of radios from compact to large, including the Bendix King. Alternatively, the second radio pocket can be used for a GPS unit or other device. This intelligent harness keeps a variety of communication devices and field necessities at hand and includes a side-zip pocket to accommodate cellphones up to 6.5 x 3 inches. www.cmcrescue.com, 800-513-7455

Gear Keeper retractable RT4-4465 flashlight attachment tether offers an aluminum carabiner featuring gentle extension and retraction with an arm's length 22-inch strain-free reach. Firefighters need only grab their light, use it, and let it go; it will always be right where they need it.

When the situation requires it, the RT4-4465 employs a patented Q/C release system enabling the flashlight to be easily detached for use at a moment's notice. The RT4-4465 flashlight retractor joins the broader family of Gear Keeper flashlight retractors. The Gear Keeper flashlight retractor line offers snap-clip retractors for small (4AA-2C) and medium (3C-8AA) flashlights and carabiner, brass, and stainless steel clip retractors for large (3C/4C rechargeable) flashlights. Options include threaded stud-mounted stabilizer kits that eliminate the annoying swinging and dangling associated with firefighter flashlights. www.gearkeeper.com, 888-588-9981

Impact Power Technologies (IPT) Lithium Polymer Lifesaver Series™ batteries deliver for more than 40 hours. More power means consistent communications and safer first responders, as well as competitive replacement costs and more savings overall.

The IPT proprietary Lithium Polymer chemistry and exclusive battery management system (BMS) makes the extended life possible. IPT has ramped up the milliamps capacity to 4,700, thereby increasing the power more than 30 percent. IPT guarantees 900 charging cycles, no memory effect for faster charging, batteries that maintain 80 percent of rated capacity for two years, OEM charger compatibility, and OEM warrantees that remain in full force. www.impactpowertech.com, 772-210-2286

OTTO 500 high-temperature fire speaker microphone is designed to continue functioning even in extreme situations. It is tested to function for more than five minutes at 500°F using high-temperature materials in the case, cable, and strain relief.

With full immersion capability in one meter of water for 31 minutes and debris protection, including a removable grille and replaceable debris screen for easy cleaning, the OTTO 500 is a suitable choice for firefighting environments.

The following are products debuted at FDIC International 2015. For complete coverage of the show, visit http://www.fireapparatus.com/fdic.

Hurst Jaws of Life® eDRAULIC 2.0 R 421E2 telescopic ram extends to 53 inches with a maximum pushing force of 28,600 pounds. The newly designed, sharp claws at both ends of the ram can be rotated 360 degrees and the ergonomically designed star grip permits tool actuation from almost any gripping position. The ram weighs 41.9 pounds and comes with two Li-Ion rechargeable batteries and one charger. www.jawsoflife.com, 800-537-2659

Scott Safety X-Series X380N thermal imaging camera is NFPA 1801 compliant. The X380N thermal imager, powered by ISG technology, features exclusive hot and cold spot tracker technology, which immediately identifies the hottest or coldest area of a scene for better informed decisions. All thermal imagers in the X-Series offer high-resolution detection, superior image quality, Intelligent Focus™ to clearly see at temperatures above 2,000°F, and transparent colorization. http://www.scottsafety.com, 704-291-8300

Pierce Command Zone system displays its real-time data and diagnostic information through a full-featured and full-color seven-inch industrial-grade touchscreen monitor. Apparatus vehicle drivers benefit from touchscreen "at-a-glance" views of initial diagnostics to ensure that "all systems are go" prior to vehicle departure. Screen views include important safety information such as "do not move truck" warnings and seat belt system usage. Optional capabilities include an integrated GPS mapping system that seamlessly directs the driver to any emergency scene. Other available capabilities include tire pressure monitoring, collision mitigation, and outrigger placement if operating an aerial. www.piercemfg.com, 920-832-3000

Paladin Caselight CL10K offers up to 10,000 lumens of light for up to seven hours on battery power and can be deployed in fewer than 20 seconds. Weighing just 32 pounds, the Paladin Caselight CL10K is ready to go anywhere first responders need light-from the floors of a blacked-out high-rise to a late-night traffic collision on a remote stretch of road. Applications range from arson investigations to vehicle extrications, traffic control, and more. www.paladinprotect.com, 888-394-6765

Holmatro 5000 series spreaders offer weight reduction without compromising spreading force and spreading distance. Two models are also available with Greenline battery technology for increased freedom of movement. Within this new series, the SP 5240 CL spreader weighs 21.8 pounds. Like all other models, the SP 5240 CL has been tested extensively on the latest car prototypes. Other features include effective spreading tip profile for perfect grip, new ergonomic carrying handle design to increase operator comfort in various working

California

Ferrara-Petaluma Fire Department, Type 3 wildland apparatus. International 4x4 7400 cab and chassis; MaxxForce9 330-hp engine; Hale RSD 1,000-gpm pump; Hale HPX75 auxiliary pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 single-agent foam system. Dealer: Skip Grubbe, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA. Delivery in December.

Georgia

Ferrara-Henry County Fire Department, McDonough, two custom pumpers. Cinder cabs and chassis; Cummins ISL 9 450-hp engines; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pumps; UPF Poly 750-gallon tanks; 20-gallon foam cells; FoamPro 1600 single-agent foam systems. Dealer: Mike Sims. Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA. Delivery in August.

Illinois

Pierce-Anna Fire Department, 75-foot aerial quint. Impel cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Husky 3 Class A foam system; Smart Power 10-kW generator. Dealer: Rob McAtee, Global Emergency Products, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in November.

Ferrara-Mt. Vernon Fire Department, heavy rescue-pumper. Igniter MVP cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank; 40-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 2001 single-agent foam system. Dealer: Keith Sander, Mid-America Fire & Safety, Evansville, IN. Delivery in September.

Pierce-Murphysboro Fire Department, Responder pumper. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins ISB 360-hp engine; Waterous CXVPA 1,250-gpm PTO pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank. Dealer: Rob McAtee, Global Emergency Products, Whitestown, IN. Delivery in October.

E-ONE-Wyoming Fire Protection District, tender. Peterbilt 348 cab And chassis; Paccar PX9 380-hp engine; Hale DSD 1,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 3,500-gallon tank; Safety Vision LCD backup camera with audio feature; Ziamatic hydraulic fold down portable tank rack for 3,500-gallon tank. Dealer: Craig Hamrick, Banner Fire Equipment, Roxana, IL. Delivery in November.

Indiana

Pierce-Plymouth Fire Department, pumper. Velocity cab and chassis; Detroit DD13 500-hp engine; Waterous CS 1,250-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,000-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Husky 3 Class A foam system; Smart Power 10-kW generator. Dealer: John Kenna, Global Emergency Products, Aurora, IL. Delivery in October.

Kansas

Danko-Ford County Fire & EMS, Dodge City, side-mount tanker. Freightliner M2 cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 350-hp engine; UPF Poly 3,000-gallon tank; Hale MBP Side Kick 750-gpm pump; Zico PTS-HA hydraulic tank carrier; Whelen LED emergency lighting package. Dealer: John Pelfrey, Danko Emergency Equipment, Snyder, NE. Delivery in December.

Louisiana

Ferrara-Bossier City Fire Department, 77-foot rear-mount aerial quint. Inferno cab and chassis; Cummins ISX12 500-hp engine; Hale Qmax 2,000-gpm pump; UPF Poly 500-gallon tank. Dealer: Shane Dulany, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Holden, LA. Delivery in December.

Michigan

Spencer Manufacturing-Benton Township Fire Department, Benton Harbor, pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 450-hp engine; Hale Qflo 1,250-gpm pump; APR polypropylene 1,000-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Class 1 2.1 single-agent foam system; Smart Power 6-kW generator. Dealer: Harold Walker, Spencer Manufacturing, South Haven, MI. Delivery in August.

Spencer Manufacturing-Cutlerville Fire Department, Grand Rapids, pumper. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; APR polypropylene 1,000-gallon tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Advantus single-agent foam system. Dealer: Steve Buckner, Spencer Manufacturing, South Haven, MI. Delivery in October.

Spencer Manufacturing-Martin Fire Department, rescue. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins ISL9 380-hp engine; 18-foot rescue body Dealer: