Richard Marinucci

In the private sector, organizations evaluate technology based on its ability to affect the bottom line-that is, looking at enhancements in technology to determine whether or not the operation improves so profits increase. On the government side, profit and loss issues do not necessarily drive decision making.

Do not misunderstand this to mean that those in the public sector should not consider cost when looking at new technologies. Any potential benefit evaluation will weigh the costs against the projected service improvements.

To put it another way, government exists for the greater good and mostly provides services that do not generate a profit. Fire departments are organized to offer a particular level of service that matches the desires of their communities. An elected body representing the entire population usually establishes the service expectation. From this perspective, a view of technology should consider the added value it offers when providing the services within the responsibilities of the agency.

The Technology Pitch

At times, I have been asked to look at some very specific technology advancements to see if there is an application for the fire service and ultimately a market there. In some cases, businesses making products for the private sector were seeking input to ascertain if they could expand their businesses. Other products were for the emergency service. In either case, there would have to be a benefit for the fire service and a realistic cost.

On occasion, those extremely competent with the technology offer the initial sales pitches. They make it look easy, and it can be very enticing because the products seem so simple and so perfect. As part of the demonstration, they often imply that the products can do almost anything. Sometimes I have found flaws with this. First, I rarely can operate whatever it is that they are demonstrating as well as the presenters can. Second, most of the salespeople will say their products will do most anything with the hope of getting a sale. This does not always match what the product developers can do.

Taking Advantage

Technology does offer solutions to many problems and allows individuals and organizations to improve productivity. Other advances have allowed fire departments to offer additional services that add value to the community. There are so many possibilities that organizations with limited resources must show due diligence when evaluating advances in technology so that they make the right choices and avoid mistakes. It is not good for any organization to have a bunch of so-called "must haves" end up in storage. To take full advantage of emerging technologies, organizations must know as much as possible about the costs required to acquire the new technology and have time to train and for ongoing maintenance, upkeep, and upgrading as needed.

New technology relies on early adopters and adapters to try out the next great product. These people are very important because providers need departments willing to put new innovations to the test. Those who do so must be willing to accept the fact that the product may need some "tweaking."

If you are one of those who raises his hand to be first in line, you accept the risk that the technology might not provide the intended outcomes or perform as described or promised. There are advantages as well as disadvantages to being f

By Alan M. Petrillo

Departments are mounting cameras as backup, side-scanning, and front-recording devices on fire apparatus as well as in specialty areas of fire vehicles such as the tip of an aerial or the top of an aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) rig.

Dino R. Nama, vice president of technical services for Intec Video Systems Inc., says Intec manufactures a broad line of industrial camera systems and components and has been putting cameras on vehicles since 1980. "We've been selling to the fire industry for 20 years now," Nama points out, "but back then, the cameras were not used to the extent they are today. Cameras on fire trucks really took off about five years ago."

1 Intec Video Systems Inc. has been putting cameras, like this Video Sentinel model on the mast of the North Arlington (NJ) Fire Department's rescue truck, on fire apparatus for 20 years. (Photo courtesy of Intec Video Systems Inc.)

Camera systems installed on fire apparatus are used primarily for blind spot observation, Nama says, whether for rear vision, side vision, or forward vision for the vehicle's operator. "Fire departments are using it a lot for rear and side vision, with the side-vision cameras used for lane changes, monitoring placement of aerial jacks, and even for improved views for tiller operators," he points out. "In terms of front vision, an operator might use a camera for a better view if he has an overhanging platform. On tenders, operators use cameras to monitor water discharges."

Nama says Intec promotes its AH series of cameras for the fire industry, which the company considers a relatively light-duty application when compared to some of the industrial camera products it makes. "If fire departments want a camera for extreme applications, we make our XL product line, which is a high-end, fully waterproof, and fully submersible unit that is built to withstand extreme vibration," Nama notes.

2 This Intec CVC470HXL camera is shown sharing space with a nozzle capping a monitor at the tip of an aerial ladder. (Photo courtesy of Intec Video Systems Inc.

Joe McCleary, senior account executive for Safety Vision, says his company makes backup and side-looking cameras, as well as thermal imaging units that can zoom in on a specific location on a fire scene and record what is happening. "All of our cameras connect via cabling to a DVR recorder, which does the recording, and also connect to monitors so incident commanders have a live look and can respond accordingly to situations."

Peter Plate, director of sales and marketing for Rosco Vision, notes his company makes back- and side-viewing camera systems, as well as windshield recording devices, mirrors, and sun visors, all of which are installed by original equipment manufacturers. "We are now seeing a convergence of technologies where mirrors and cameras are becoming one product where the camera is used for side