ZUMRO showcases the rapidly deployable ZUMRO Model 400 and ZUMRO Technical Decon Line at FDIC International 2022. Learn about the world’s fastest, safest and simplest rapidly deployable shelters.

https://www.zumro.com/

CustomFIRE—New Holstein (WI) Fire Department pumper. Spartan Metro star cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSCU20 2,000-gpm pump; 1,000-gallon polypropylene water tank; Harrison 6-kW generator; front bumper extension with hosewell; encapsulated roll-up door protection; power rewind electric cord reels. Dealer: Wayde Kirvida, CustomFIRE Apparatus, Osceola, WI.

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By Rich Marinucci

There seems to be more interest in the fire service to gather and utilize data and statistics. This is not a bad idea, but is it enough to rely solely on this information? Can we expect to change outcomes by putting all our eggs in this basket?

Noted writer and humorist Mark Twain said there are “lies, damn lies, and statistics.” He attributed this to 19th century Prime Minister of Great Britain Benjamin Disraeli. Like with most any simple comments, they can be interpreted many ways. In this case, it seems that the message was that you could present statistics however you want to promote your viewpoint. It seems we are sometimes looking for simple solutions to complex issues. Not understanding statistics and utilizing them properly can create problems. Data can be distorted.

For example, I once had lunch with three other people. The net worth of all of us averaged in the millions of dollars. Unfortunately, I brought the average down. The others in the group were businessmen who had accumulated great wealth and my measly contribution to the total amount didn’t greatly affect the mean. I was unable to spend any of the “average” amount that each of us had. The lesson is that there must be meaning behind the data and statistics. Understanding and base knowledge allows you to be better prepared should you need to go into more detail.

Relying solely on data may not always work. I can recall an elected official in my community who noted that fires had decreased the previous year. He was correct, as that was what was reported statistically. Being a businessman, his question was, “why can’t we reduce the fire department budget since the workload is decreasing?” In his mind, a logical question solely based upon raw data that he saw. The answer goes beyond this simplistic approach and should involve real-world results. There are plenty of anecdotal response that can address the one-dimensional approach.

To put it in a different light, in a given year, how many firefighters lose their life during an active fire (not counting cardiac events)? If you measure this compared to the total number of firefighters, statistically it may not be significant. Since it is not, then efforts to prevent something not likely to occur may not offer enough of a “return on investment.” To those of us in the fire service, this is absurd. The raw numbers mean nothing. The emotional aspect and devastation that could be caused is enough to motivate actions to work hard to prevent something that probably won’t happen anyway. My point is that data and statistics are important but also are anecdotes and emotional stories that help paint the picture of what you do.

You cannot go on a call without the possibility of someone capturing it on a smartphone video or it being picked up by other cameras such as in-car, helmet, or security. This is a double-edged sword, as it has provided great training opportunities. There are other advantages and disadvantages that you are aware of. If the video is captured by someone not in the fire department, there is rarely anything that can be done to prevent its distribution. But in cases where the fire department or its members “own” the video, there is some local control.

I realize that some of it may be subject to freedom of information acts, but this usually occurs when there are questions regarding a negative outcome. If you disregard cases where FOIA is invoked, I question why some departments release videos that show themselves in a not-so-favorable light. It seems every day that I am sent something that makes me scratch my head and ask why an organization would want it publicly shown.

Now, I am lucky in that this technology was not available to follow me around on every call. I know I did some dumb things along the way.

Wheeled Coach^® and Road Rescue^®, both brands of REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc., and premier manufacturers of emergency vehicles for municipal and commercial EMS providers, have invested in a new paint system. The plural component system precisely controls the mixing and application of the paint products for even higher quality and consistency.

The new paint system was developed by industry leader, Graco^®, and utilizes its ProMix PD2K^® system, which offers 100% Positive Displacement Technology for accurate mix ratios and consistent performance.  It was installed at the manufacturing facility in Winter Park, Florida, the home of Wheeled Coach and Road Rescue ambulances. The system monitors the ratio of protective coatings and paint. It also controls the application via air pressure and fluid rate regulation of the materials onto the ambulances. In addition to a more supreme final product, the benefits also include waste and hazardous materials reduction because of the precision of the system.

“The investment in the new paint system is part of a broader, ongoing program to further enhance our Orlando facilities, equipment, processes, and customer experiences”, said Erik Stoor, Vice President and General Manager, of REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc. “We are stewards of the iconic Wheeled Coach and Road Rescue brands and focused on the long-term success of our customers and dealers.”

For more information, visit https://www.wheeledcoach.com and https://roadrescue.com

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About REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc.

Wheeled Coach^® is a brand of REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. and is a premier manufacturer of Type I, Type II, Type III and Medium-Duty ambulances for municipal and commercial emergency departments. Built to perform under the most demanding conditions, Wheeled Coach ambulances deliver mission-critical durability. Wheeled Coach leads the industry with more firsts than any other ambulance manufacturer, including being the first to conduct IHS Side Impact Criteria Crash and Roll-Over Testing. It manufactures a full line of ambulances at its production facility in Winter Park, Florida. Since 1975, Wheeled Coach has been Trusted by the Toughest^®.

Road Rescue^® is a brand of REV Ambulance Group Orlando, Inc., a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. and is a premier manufacturer of premium highly-customized ambulances which serve fire departments, health care systems and hospitals across North America.

About REV Group, Inc.

REV Group^® companies are leading designers and manufacturers of specialty vehicles and related aftermarket parts and services, which serve a diversified customer base, primarily in the United States, through three segments: Fire & Emergency, Commercial, and Recreation. They provide customized vehicle solutions for applications, including essential needs for public services (ambulances, fire apparatus, school buses, and transit buses), commercial infrastructure (terminal trucks and industrial sweepers), and consumer leisure (recreational vehicles). REV Group’s diverse portfolio is made up of well-established principal vehicle brands, including many of the most re