By Alan M. Petrillo

Several manufacturers have recently introduced new or improved 100-foot aerial ladders and platforms to the fire industry.

Improved attributes of these aerials include narrower jack spreads, stronger steel in the devices themselves, greater reach, more robust foundations, and more maneuverable configurations.

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E-ONE

Joe Hedges, products manager for aerials and chassis at E-ONE, says with 100-foot aerials getting bigger, more loaded with equipment, and more expensive, some fire departments began requesting slimmed-down and more affordable aerials. "Our Metro 100 fits the category of affordable, maneuverable, and versatile," Hedges says. "It's a reinvention of the single-axle Hurricane 110-foot ladders we made until the early 2000s and uses our integral torque box chassis that gives a strong foundation and low center of gravity, allowing us to come up with a short 220-inch wheelbase for a single-axle ladder."

"Single-axle aerial configurations are more compact and maneuverable than tandem axle aerials," Hedges points out. "They also cost less initially, and there are fewer lifecycle costs because you're not chewing up tires like you do on tandem axle trucks. A set of eight tires runs between $3,500 and $4,000."

E-ONE built this Metro 100 aerial ladder on a 220-inch wheelbase and a single rear axle for Kamloops Fire Rescue in British Columbia, Canada. (Photo courtesy of E- ONE.)

The Metro 100 uses E-ONE's LTH100 aerial device that allows the company to offer a reduced travel height. The device is interchangeable on any E-ONE single-axle product and also on its tandem-axle aerial with pump and tank capability. The Metro 100 has a narrow 11-foot jack spread using four criss-cross under-slung jacks set behind the cab and the rear wheels.

Hedges notes that the Metro 100 has a short rear overhang and a raised extruded aluminum body to improve the vehicle's departure angle, and the ToughTruss extruded aluminum ladder carries a 2.5:1 safety factor that exceeds the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2:1 safety requirement. The ToughTruss ladder pattern has handrails reduced to 16 inches high to allow for a lower travel height and still maintain the 2.5 to 1 safety ratio, Hedges says.

In addition, the Metro 100 has rescue-style body compartments on each side and a ground ladder storage tunnel in back that holds 192 feet of ground ladders, including two 35-foot two-section ladders. "Metro 100 has an overall length of about 38 feet 6 inches," Hedges points out, "and is available at a 10-foot, seven-inch overall height with no waterway or 10 feet 10 inches with a waterway."

KME

Jason Witmier, product manager for aerials at KME, says his company has introduced several new elements in the past few years on its 100-foot products. "All the changes we've made were made on the same base design," Witmier says, "to make a more functional and serviceable aerial. We introduced new AerialCat straight sticks of 103 feet and 109 feet and an AerialCat 102-foot platform." All three models can be built on Predator and Severe Service chassis.

The first thing KME did was increase the ladder lengths

Holmatro Trio and Quattro pumps are part of the company's Spider range. Thanks to their large oil content, these pumps can operate any three or four rescue tools at the same time and multiple tools successively, including the biggest rams. Rescuers can choose between different models: gas-powered (Quattro), electrically powered (Trio), or gas-powered with electric start (Quattro). Next to a large hydraulic oil content, the pumps offer various features like soft-grip carrying handles; an integrated dipstick for quick and easy monitoring of the oil level; and optional LED lighting, which facilitates coupling and uncoupling hoses in the dark. They are standard with CORE Technology. www.holmatro.com, 410-768-9662

Allegro Industries line of wrist and elbow supports helps address carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with five different wrist supports, each one designed to help maintain a neutral position at the wrist while allowing full movement of the hand and fingers. Maxrist® is designed with a restrictive metal spoon stay that fits into the palm to eliminate symptoms of CTS and other repetitive strain injuries. Its lightweight, flexible material does not hinder finger movement. Dual-Flex™ contains eight stays that provide firm support, and it offers an ambidextrous design that fits both right and left hands. Flexrist® and Thin Flexrist® offer the all-around comfort and support of Neoprene® and can be worn on the right or left hand. Rist-Rap is an elastic wrap that helps support the wrist while lifting items. The Deluxe Elbow Pad is designed with a flexible cap backed with soft foam padding for added protection. www.allegrosafety.com, 800-622-3530

Ventry Solutions, Inc. 2-Headed LED XT LENTRY® System is a portable lighting unit that has two high-output LED heads on one telescoping extra tall "XT" pole. A fuel-efficient generator provides quiet, reliable, computer-safe power for eight to 10 hours (per tank) with one or both lights on. Patented all-terrain LENTRY Legs allow for level, stable operation as the light is extended to its full height and allow optimal positioning in good, bad, and changing conditions. At 28,000 lumens each, the LED lights produce 56,000 lumens using 660 W, leaving 950 W for other tools. The LED heads each have their own on/off switches but share one cord, leaving one of the outlets free for other tools. Each light head pivots forward and back more than 180 degrees total and rotates 450 degrees. www.ventry.com, 888-257-8967

Kochek Company big water strainers are suitable for maximum-flow applications in the firefighting, power, irrigation, facilities, and industrial fire protection markets. The company provides ice strainers, self-leveling floating strainers, barrel strainers, low-level strainers, and barrel-bottom guard strainers in six-inch sizes recommended for pumps of 1,500- to 2,000-gpm capacity. Kochek's strainers ar

Richard Marinucci

Recent research performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has shed a lot of light on fire behavior and the science behind fire development.

This has been enlightening and confirming. It has verified through science some things thought to be true and dispelled other beliefs that may now be considered myths. Regardless, true professionals will pay attention to these studies to look at their operations and determine if they are applying their resources in the best possible manner.

Trucks and truck company operations are critical for successful outcomes. The new view of fires from the research conducted by NIST and UL does not lessen the importance of this aspect of the job but does require that departments conduct a review to make sure they apply limited resources efficiently and effectively. Fire attack will still require forcible entry; fires will still require ventilation, although when and where may mandate more problem solving; and rescue opportunities will still arise.

Staffing greatly affects the ability of organizations to perform functions properly and at the right time. Fire departments need to be realistic when assessing their capabilities so that they can deploy the right tactics at the right time with the right people. For example, if it takes three people to properly place a 40-foot ladder and you only have two people on the truck, you won't have this as an option. You will either have to wait for more resources to arrive or choose a different tactic.

Square Pegs, Round Holes

Too often we try to put a square peg in a round hole. We may believe the best tactic is to open a hole in the roof and will try our best regardless of what tools we have available. The thought process should change, and crews must use problem solving skills to their fullest extent. If staffing does not allow certain tasks to be completed in the time it takes for them to make a difference, move on to other options. If a crew can't open a hole in the time needed, don't waste time and resources that could be better used elsewhere.

Obviously there are organizations that can dispatch adequate resources that will arrive in time to coordinate the best possible attack. But, there are departments that may not be able to assemble crews quickly enough to select certain strategies and tactics. As part of a department's regular and routine training program, training officers need to determine various options based on resources including personnel, apparatus, equipment, and training. All departments are not created equal and cannot deploy exactly the same.

Personnel

Staffing levels may be the largest determinant in selecting tactics and strategies. Recent studies tell us how fire is likely to behave and what probably will occur when certain actions are taken. We can come to certain conclusions based on this information and some basic knowledge of fire science-the physics and chemistry. It would behoove fire personnel to not only pay attention to the information resulting from the studies but to also review their fire science basics. Although some believe all fires are different and therefore require different approaches, there are many similarities that are predictable. Although we an acknowledge that there are variables such as contents, weather, time of day, and others, we should be able to make an educated guess on fire development if we study what is known.

Take this scenario: A department dispatches two engines, a truck, a rescue, and a command officer. There are three personnel on each engine, two on the truck, and two o

By Chad Szeklinski

All my life I wanted to drive a fire truck. The driver-operator of today is faced with changes and challenges because of many variables and outside parties. Why is this?

Sometimes these changes come from people in leadership roles who have never driven a fire truck before but are now experts on making policy on what a driver should or shouldn't do. Why is that? As drivers, we should focus on one thing: our ability to become great drivers. Ask yourself why apparatus preparation is so necessary. Let's discuss one way we can accomplish this.

The Walk-Around

Fire departments across the country have had their stories of a piece of equipment falling off a rig during a response to or from an alarm. Do a simple Internet search or ask someone in your own department. I know during my career I have heard a few stories. Who wants to be that person? Definitely not me! How can we stop this from happening? It's simple: Drivers can start by preparing their rigs at the start of their shift, better known as a vehicle walk-around.

At the start of a shift, not only does the gear have to be ready to go but so do the apparatus and equipment. Let's talk about the steps to prepare the apparatus. Make sure you have a starting point. For instance, I start mine in my driver's seat. Why the driver's seat? Well, the driver working on shift before me is six feet tall and has at least 75 pounds on me, a tall, athletic, five-foot eight-inch string bean. Kidding aside, adjusting the seat and mirrors is a great place to start. Next it's important to start the apparatus to cycle the power takeoff in and out of pump gear along with checking gauges on the dash. Engaging the emergency warning lights along with dash gauges is very important since they can show early warning signs of a malfunction. Emergency lights not working need immediate attention. Be aware that some emergency lights don't activate unless the parking brake is released.

If your rig has equipment mounted to the front bumper, is it all there, secured, and ready? Inspect the windshield wiper condition and emergency lights for correct operation. Also check headlights and marker lights for proper operation. (Photos by author.)

When it comes to the dash gauges, we're looking for proper voltage between 13 and 14 volts. Anything over that could mean the electrical system is being overcharged, which eventually will lead to electrical failure if not corrected. Next, check the fuel level. My department has a policy to keep fuel levels at ¾ full or more. Do you know yours? Look at the front and rear air brake gauges. Are they filling properly between 110 and 130 pounds per square inch and releasing? The list goes on and on, depending on your apparatus and added accessories. Take a look around the inside of the cab. Is the equipment secure, and are seat belts in good shape and easy to don? Could something become a projectile because of a sudden stop? Correct any issues before proceeding.

Outside Checks

Once the inside checks are complete, move outside. I like to start mine at the driver-side door, walking in a complete clockwise circle of the apparatus. Does it really matter which way to begin the outside walk-around? No. However, it's always good to check with your department vehicle operations standard operating guidelines (SOGs). The key is to start at one spot and finish at that same spot. Tha