By Chris Mc Loone

It's interesting how as you ascend the career ladder, that target on your back gets bigger and bigger with every new position. There seem to be those in this world who were put here simply to call into question everything we do, assemble roadblocks to everything we want to do, and work to derail everything we do manage to accomplish. It's the nature of the beast, of course, and as we climb our career ladders we just have to work through it all. It's a pretty trite phrase these days, but it truly is what it is.

The connection to apparatus and equipment is that these people routinely find themselves on apparatus purchasing committees (APCs). Many times it's because they've been on the last four APCs, so they are kept on for their perspectives. And, many times they are former white coats who may be past their prime. How many of us have had to deal with that one APC member who insists on throwing wrench after wrench into the works? One day it is, "The last time we specified a truck, company A could accommodate this request. Why can't this company?" Then the chassis is different than all the other chassis in the house, and this causes more consternation and additional wrenches are tossed into the machine.

Some of these individuals are valuable APC members, while others seemingly only seek to serve on the APC to call into question every decision made. Some say this is a good "check and balance" for a committee. If the goal of those doing the checking and balancing is to build the best possible truck based on the needs of the department, then I agree. But, if all they wish to do is denigrate those on the committee and second guess everything, then that's not checking and balancing. It's impeding progress.

How do we deal with these people? is the question. In many cases, they are former chiefs who have earned the right for newer members to treat them with respect-if for no other reason than by their saying, "Yes, I volunteer to lead this department as a chief officer," at one point in their careers. There are fewer of these men and women than we think. And, many of us owe them a debt of gratitude for building our departments into the organizations that many revere in communities around the world. So, taking a dismissive approach isn't the answer-especially since many can still contribute positively.

It falls on the APC chairman to figure all this out. The chairman of the APC has a monumental responsibility to keep the committee on course. He has the unique responsibility to manage the seasoned veterans along with the younger upstarts who think they have all the answers. Be careful-sometimes they do hold a few answers. These are the members who will be riding what you spec for the department.

Have an agenda for each meeting, assign someone to take minutes, and make sure you develop deliverable action items for APC members at the end of every meeting. At the next meeting, go through the action items and act on them. Then go through the process again according to your agenda for the meeting. There will be disagreement. Don't let it get heated. Don't let either side of the table act in a disrespectful manner to the other side. Eventually through it all, you'll come up with a truck that will be the envy of your surrounding communities-that is, until a neighboring department takes delivery of its newest piece. Again, it is what it is.

Remember that this translates into all other facets of leading an organization. Leadership isn't easy, especially when you are sitting in a room with a mixture of your mentors and those you are now called on to lead. Subtly reminding the veterans that you are owed the same respect they expect from you and the youngsters in the room isn't easy and, unfortunately, might take a private meeting to get the idea across. Conversely, explaining to the youngsters why they owe respect to the veterans isn't a

Chris Mc Loone

The realities of today's fire service staffing issues are not lost on any tool or apparatus manufacturer. As personnel numbers shrink, so have fleets in some cases as many departments have shifted to multipurpose apparatus. Shifting to multipurpose apparatus makes tool mounting more critical than ever because equipment from two rigs is consolidated into one. Organizing it all and making it fit are no easy tasks. Additionally, new vehicle technology has created the need for more powerful tools in some cases, which typically weigh more.

But, beyond apparatus design, equipment manufacturers are tasked with creating equipment that is easily deployable by fewer firefighters at incident scenes. Tools being designed to address reduced staffing include hydraulic rescue tools.

Through the years, hydraulic rescue tool manufacturers have come up with a variety of setups for deploying the tools. One setup is to have the power units mounted on the trucks and the tools connected to reels. When the apparatus would pull up to the rescue scene, the operator would get the generator going, and firefighters would stretch the tools from the truck. Apparatus placement for this setup was key because to get decent power from the tool, the hydraulic line had to be a certain length. Make the line too long, and performance decreases.

Moving to all gas-powered units solves some tool performance problems because departments could spec shorter hydraulic lines. But, atmospheric contaminants like exhaust become an issue for both rescuers and victims.

Some departments have mounted power units and tools on carts. Once on scene, they would essentially have everything they needed to start a rescue on a cart. One person could wheel the cart into position while another firefighter stretched an electric cord for power. The only problem here is getting the carts off the truck easily. You need at least two firefighters. The name of the game these days is to give crews tools they can deploy with a minimum number of firefighters-sometimes only one.

Hydraulic Innovations

First and foremost on the minds of many equipment purchasing committees is how to purchase tools that match the staffing realities of each department. These tools need to be deployable by one firefighter in many cases. It's important to remember that although your department may field enough firefighters generally for vehicle rescues, it needs to be prepared that sometimes the crew won't be what is needed when the truck leaves the firehouse.

Holmatro Inc.'s philosophy for many years has been to address staffing requirements with the tools it designs, according to Fran Dunigan Jr., marketing manager, Holmatro, Inc. "Holmatro's tools have been on the cutting edge of power, while still keeping light weight and portability in mind," he says. "Plus, CORE Technology™ is still helping make rescue operations faster, easier, and safer." Dunigan adds that the auto-return CORE™ coupler eliminates dump valves on Holmatro power units and the need to dedicate staffing to that task. "The single-line CORE hoses are up to 60 percent lighter than traditional twin-line hose and are kink- and snag-free," he states.

(1) The HURST Jaws of Life CombiTool SC350E is part of the company's eDRAULIC hydraulic-electric line of rescue tools that free rescue workers of power units and heavy hoses, reducing the number of firefighters and associated setup time needed with traditional tools. (Photo courtesy of HURST Jaws of Life.)

Holmatro has also recently introduced a way for customers to turn all of their existi

HMA Fire and Hannay Reels Partner on Off-Road Utility Vehicles

HMA Fire and Hannay Reels have partnered to create off-road utility vehicles by adding Hannay Reels' high-pressure hose reels to HMA's ultra-high-pressure (UHP) mobile fire apparatus. UHP systems deliver microscopic water droplets at an extremely high velocity, always 1,100 pounds per square inch (psi) or higher. Using UHP technology, HMA Fire can offer systems for on- and off-road vehicles, ATVs, brush trucks, skid units, or retrofit packages for existing vehicles like pickup trucks and full sized fire apparatus.

HMA Fire recently began creating off-road utility vehicles to extinguish fires in areas where traditional trucks can't access. These self-sustaining units are completely mobile and equipped with a water and foam tank for flammable or combustible liquids. The units carry 100 gallons of water.

With UHP, small water droplets provide more surface area to extinguish a fire. These droplets also convert to steam quicker, which displaces oxygen. Additionally, UHP systems can emit a layer of foam for a fuel fire when using the appropriate foam type.

The pressures required for UHP demand a hose reel that can handle high pressures through long hoses. HMA Fire chose Hannay Reels to supply the reels for its new off-road utility vehicles. Hannay Reels manufactures durable hose and cable reels for both OEM and aftermarket applications.

With all UHP system components, there is limited space left on these vehicles, so HMA Fire requires a reel that can precisely fit into a small space. Hannay Reels will take parameters and specifications for every reel HMA Fire orders to ensure the reels precisely fit and operate under the expected conditions to which they will be exposed. Additionally, the reels must withstand 1,500 psi and accept foam without corroding. Stainless steel construction is a must.

The reels Hannay provides are standard-profile and low-profile to place alongside the UHP pump and motor. The reels provide fast payout and rewind with a chain-and-sprocket drive powered by an electric motor. An adjustable spring drag brake locks the reel in place, and a four-way roller guide helps reduce response time, increase hose capacity, speed cleanup, and improve lifesaving on-scene operations.

The off-road utility vehicles have been delivered to countries around the world for use in desert environments and remote locations. A customer in Dubai recently ordered the vehicles for desert fire suppression and 10 units were shipped to Mexico. In America, the United States Army and Navy requested units for use in operating bases and tent cities in Afghanistan. In all these areas, standard vehicles are too large for certain roads and cities and are also unable to tread through heavy sands.

For more information, visit www.hannayreels.com (518-797-3791) or www.hmafire.com (800-338-2010).

Kingsway Industries, Inc.'s TRI-MAX 200 SUPER CAF System is designed specifically for wildfire prevention and produces 4,000 gallons of foam per tank load compared to the 2,400-gallon average. TRI-MAX CAF system's foam is meant to last longer than air-aspirated foam, so fewer trucks are required. A one-ton truck with two operators can transport TRI-MAX systems, so a fire engine is unnecessary. The TRI-MAX 200 SUPER CAF relies on traditional firefighting tactics but aims to offer an inexpensive and compact

In the News

• FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS celebrated the grand opening of its new facility by welcoming more than 450 fire chiefs, firefighters, guests, and suppliers to the celebration. Chiefs got to mingle with suppliers at a mini trade show as well as tour the facility. A roast beef dinner was served and a casino night followed. The Dalum Fire Department, Drumheller, Alberta, won the $25,000 credit toward the purchase of a new fire apparatus within the next two years and a trip for two to Florida. The 50,000-square-foot facility has been up and running since the end of January 2013. The new space has allowed the company to specialize in building fire apparatus for all kinds of extreme climates and providing rubber products to its industrial customers.

• EAGLE COMPRESSORS, INC. appointed former Finance Manager Becky Dreier as the new vice president of finance. The position requires Dreier to manage all aspects of accounting and finance work; coordinate external auditor statement reviews; and oversee all administrative departments, material handling, and warehouse operations. Dreier has more than 30 years of experience in accounting and finance at manufacturing companies, half of which she spent in key management positions.

• E-ONE DEALERS and sales representatives were recognized for their outstanding performance over the past year, with individual sales representatives across five different regions of the United States receiving the Regional Sales Excellence Award. Dealerships taking top honors received the Dealership Sales Excellence Award: Fire Service, Inc., Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, Inc., Sunbelt Fire, and Techno Feu, Inc.; Dealer Achievement Award: Fire Service, Inc.; Dealer Parts Sales Award: Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, Inc.; and Customer Service Award: Fireline, Inc., Chief Fire & Safety Company, Inc., Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, and Sunbelt Fire.

Sales representatives honored received the Regional Sales Excellence Award for the following regions: Mid Atlantic Region, Randy Powell of Advantech Service & Parts, North Central Region, Tom Pour of Banner Fire Equipment, Inc.; South Central Region, Curtis Gho of Sunbelt Fire; Northeast Region, Bertrand Bouchard of Techno Feu, Inc.; and Southeast Region, Nate Gilman of Hall-Mark Fire Apparatus, Inc. The Sales Achievement Award for the Stainless Steel Product went to John Buckley of Greenwood Emergency Vehicles.

• FDM SOFTWARE and OPEN INC. have formed a partnership and will collectively comarket and support each other's offerings to emergency services agencies through North and South America. FDM Software provides public safety enterprise solutions and OPEN Inc. specializes in manufacturing technology products for EMS services. The companies expect the agreement to enable FDM and OPEN to leverage each other's skills to better serve their clients in North America and to expand their operations in international markets. Each company will train one another's staff to help integrate the companies.

• PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC. received an order for 10 fire apparatuses from Polk County (FL) Fire Rescue. The purchase includes five pumpers, a 100-foot Pierce Aerial Platform, and a heavy-duty rescue/hazmat vehicle, all built on the Pierce® Velocity™ chassis. The order also includes three tandem rear axle tanker-pumper vehicles. The pumpers and aerial platforms feature an optional forward roof cab design that enhances interior space for the crew and improves visibility. The pumpers also feature a 450 hp DD13 engine, Pierce Command Zone® advanced electronics, and a 1,250-gpm si