PIERCE MANUFACTURING placed a Pierce® mobile command vehicle into service with the city of Fremont, California. Built on a Pierce Velocity™ custom chassis, the apparatus addresses a wide range of emergency response needs of both the Fremont Fire and Police Departments. It was acquired through funding from an urban area security initiative (UASI) grant. The Pierce Velocity custom chassis features a DD13 450-hp engine, a 274-inch wheelbase, a Command Zone™ advanced electronics system, and an automatic leveling and stabilizing system. The two-door cab offers a 34.5-foot mobile command body with an 85.75-inch interior walkway height and three slide-out modules to increase workspace.
Interior highlights include six workstations, a comprehensive satellite data network, dual wireless modems, a radio dispatch system, and an IP-based telephone network. An A/V system is linked to 27 monitors located throughout the vehicle. The A/V system is managed by a matrix switcher, with five remote keypads that allow individual monitor display control from each keypad. To extend on-scene capabilities, the apparatus is equipped with complete galley and lavatory accommodations.
THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM'S FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (FPA) have announced a formalized relationship to use the NFPA's codes and standards in the FPA's property risk management education and certification program. The program will provide insurance risk engineers with technical knowledge needed to assess property risk from fire and natural hazards alongside key principles of loss potential estimation, business loss mitigation, and business continuity. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two organizations will serve as the framework of cooperation between the FPA and the NFPA through which NFPA codes and standards will be a significant part of the program's curriculum. To help develop the program, the FPA will use the NFPA's Fire Code, and the NFPA will provide select technical review of training materials.
SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS CO. unveiled its new CORE rescue-pumper. The CORE incorporates the new Smeal S450 Chassis and the OMNI pump system. The S450 features a variety of options including a 450-hp Cummins ISL engine, 4,100-square-inch windshield for greater visibility, high mounted air intake to prevent water from entering the turbo, electrical V-Mux and Class 1 ES-Key Multiplex, a heavy-duty 72,000-Btu air conditioner, and raised roof options starting at eight inches that can be increased up to 24 inches in one-inch increments. The S450 also features an air bag system and exceeds NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, requirements for safety.
The OMNI pump system is a multipositional panel that can be placed virtually anywhere on the truck. Weighing less than five pounds, the panel is easy to remove and place in a location on the truck, keeping the pump operator in a safe location and enabling him to fully view the scene. The OMNI can control not only the pumps and valves but also the monitor, scene lights, truck-mounted cameras, generator, and air horn and check on water and foam levels.
HME AHRENS-FOX has announced that its newest sales and service dealership is Emergency Apparatus Design (EAD). The company is based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and will be covering the Southeastern Pennsylvania area. "With EAD having over 10 years of experience selling apparatus within our industry, we are very pleased they joined the HME family as our fourth dealership for the state of Pennsylvania," says Mitch Willoughby, HME sales di