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

Christian P. Koop

I also believe it is worth much more than the sum of its parts because without it, firefighters could not put out fires, save lives, and protect property. That is why I believe it should be held in venerable status and be kept in tip-top shape.

This article will cover basic fire pump types in use today, pump maintenance, common problems, key components, and testing required by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, which establishes that pumps must be able to flow rated capacities.

1 Shown are sample anodes removed during pump maintenance requiring replacement. (Photos by author.)

Pumps are rated by gallons per minute (gpm) or liters per minute. The pumps are to be tested at 150 pounds per square inch (psi) at 100 percent of rated capacity, 200 psi at 70 percent of rated capacity, and 250 psi at 50 percent of rated capacity. Additionally, there is another test required by NFPA 1901 that is called the Pumping Engine Overload Test for 750-gpm or larger pumps that consists of pumping at 165 psi for rated capacity at net pump pressure for at least five minutes. Basically, if your rig's engine, drive train, and fire pump pass this rigorous test, then the pump is in great condition. This test should be performed right after the 150-psi 100 percent of rated capacity test. These tests should also be performed annually, which is required by NFPA 1911, Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Automotive Fire Apparatus.

Pump Types

There are several different types of pumps in the fire service today with various drive configurations that depend on the output ratings of the pumps and the type of firefighting they are specified for. Regardless of the type of pumps you have on your rigs, they require proper care, maintenance, and testing to ensure long and trouble-free lives.

The most common type of fire pump used by the United States fire service today is the centrifugal pump, which is available in both single-stage and multistage versions. Both are nonpositive displacement pumps with main components consisting of an impeller mounted on a shaft housed inside a casing.

The centrifugal pump is a nonpositive displacement pump because unlike a piston-type pump, it does not pump a specific amount or volume of water with each revolution. It works on the basic principle that as water enters the center of the impeller (eye) as it rotates, the water is flung outward by velocity, and the faster it rotates the greater the pressure it creates. Which type is better when considering single-stage vs. multistage is still debated to this day. However, multistage pumps can develop higher pressures than the single-stage or single-impeller pumps, and they allow the pump operator to select either volume or pressure modes depending on firefighting needs. Selecting pump type and size basically boils down to preference and a department's needs based on the structures it protects.

The pump operator or driver is the most important person tasked to ensure the fire pump is properly maintained. I consider this person to be the first line of defense in keeping the pump in top condition. He should operate and test the pump on a daily basis and follow the pump manufacturer's published maintenance checklist. He should exercise all valves and pump controls and keep the valve oper