July 2007
COLUMNS
Fire Service Today
by C. Peter Jørgensen
This month I am starting my own online blog called Pete’s Fire Apparatus Blog. Yes, you can talk back to me anytime or post your own comments and observations about fire apparatus and equipment. More..
Apparatus Ideas
by Bob Barraclough
NFPA Seeks Comments On Proposed Changes
In order to keep the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards current, the association requires each committee to review and update standards at least every five years. More..
Chief Concerns
by Richard Marinucci
Don’t Let Nuisance Grass Fires Become Big Deals
Much has been written about wildfires. They may be the only types of fires seeing increases in numbers and severity. However, many departments do not have a direct involvement in wildfires on a regular basis. More..
Keeping It Safe
By Robert Tutterow
Saving Firefighters’ Lives Requires Special Focus
The National Fallen Firefighters’ Foundation (NFFF) conducted its second line of duty death (LODD) summit in March at the Fireman’s Fund Headquarters in Navato, Calif. The first summit was in 2004 in Tampa, Fla. From the first summit, came the 16 Life Safety Initiatives. The more recent summit identified ways fire departments can meet the initiatives. More..
Firefighting Field Notes
by Dominic Colletti
Five ‘Must Do’ Items When Specifying A New Engine
If you are part of an apparatus committee specifying a new engine, here are five “must do” items that can assist the committee to make better decisions regarding the fire pump and pump-related equipment configuration. More..
Pump Talk
by Gary Handwerk
Specifying Pumps For Wildland Apparatus
Many western fire departments are well versed in wildland and urban interface requirement. Climate, population growth and terrain have driven them to develop specialized apparatus and equip many of their mainline apparatus to support wildland fires. More..
The Road Warrior
by Allen Baldwin
Wildland Responses Require Different Thinking
This month we are going to step out of the rescue arena and talk about brush fire/wildland interface responses. More..
Tool Time
by Raul A Angulo
Where Do You Hang Your Turnout Gear
Some of us get jealous when we walk into someone’s garage and notice all the tools are hung up on peg boards and everything is well organized and in its place. Some of us have organized chaos, but we know where every tool is buried. More..
Special Delivery
by Tony Lolli
Seeing A Quint In Action Builds Support For Apparatus Purchase
The residents of Ware, Mass., know a good thing when they see it. After a neighboring town’s quint performed impressively on a call in their town, they backed the Ware Fire Department on its third request to buy one. More..
ARTICLES
The Time Has Come For Pto Pumps
By Paul C. Darley
There was a time when power take off (pto) driven fire pumps were only thought of as small pumps for applications such as tankers and mini-pumpers. Times have changed, and I firmly believe that fire pumps driven via a transmission-mounted or rear-engine pto clearly make the most sense for today’s fire service and will be the most common form of pump on the market within 10 years. More..
Bambi Buckets Prove Their Worth In Georgia Wildfires
By Lyn Bixby
On April 16 in drought-stricken south Georgia a tree fell on a power line, sparking a wildfire that consumed an estimated 18,000 acres in less than 24 hours. It continued to spread for two weeks, raging into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area. Then a lightning strike ignited another fire in Okefenokee that roared into north Florida. More..
Southern Mills Increases Thermal Protection
By Ed Ballam
TenCate Southern Mills has developed a new thermal barrier for personal protective equipment (PPE) called Quantum 3D. The barrier is a component of the Peak Performance System. More..
Brush Trucks Evolve Into Bigger, Safer Multi-Purpose Vehicles
By David A. Smith
The concept behind the traditional brush truck is relatively straightforward: It’s a rugged unit capable of getting people and equipment – and water – to places a larger engine can’t typically navigate. More..
Mop-Up Kits Make It Easy To Completely Defeat Wildfires
By Joe Mercieri
No matter what type of fire we battle, once the flames are extinguished and the smoke has cleared, it is time to mop up – overhauling the burned area in order to extinguish hidden fire. More..
Foams Tested for Ethanol Effectiveness
Tests show that alcohol-resistant, aqueous film-forming foam is the most effective foam agent for fires or spills involving ethanol-blended fuels, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs. More..
Akron Brass Covers Market With Multiple New Products
Akron Brass has introduced a bevy of new products including a new booster hose reel, new scene lights, hand line nozzle improvements and a new multiplexing system. More..
Fire Research Develops New Safety Products
Fire Research Corporation (FRC) has introduced a host of new products, including a seat belt monitor and an apparatus data acquisition system. More..
Oshkosh Delivers Another Five ARFF Strikers To World’s Busiest Airport
Oshkosh Truck Corporation has delivered and placed into service a second group of five Striker Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (Ga.) International Airport, the world’s busiest passenger airport. The deliveries bring the total number of new vehicles to 10 over the last year. More..
Kwik-Eject Prevents Arcing Damage
Havis-Shields Equipment Corp. has introduced its Kwik-Eject automatic power line disconnect system. More..
Knox SecureCap Protects Connections
The Knox Company has developed a new locking cap that works on a variety of discharge connections such as standpipes, test headers and wall hydrants. More..