March 2007
COLUMNS
Fire Service Today
By C. Peter Jørgensen
Reader response to the magazine’s first Great Debate series continues in this issue: Are large capacity fire pumps worth purchasing or could the same money be better spent on other options such as foam systems? More...
Apparatus Ideas
by Bob Barraclough
Safety Zealots Save Firefighters’ Lives
In my 48 years in and around the fire service, I have been called a lot of things, some nice and some not so nice. More...
Chief Concerns
by Chief Richard Marinucci
When Purchasing, Play By The Rules
Many fire department personnel are frustrated when trying to acquire apparatus and equipment. More...
EMS Equipment
by Will Chapleau
Field Training Officers Improve EMS Delivery
Field Training Officer (FTO) programs are designed to mentor people taking on new roles. These programs explain the complexities of the new position as well as help them assimilate into the agency’s social structures. More...
The Road Warrior
by Chief Allen Baldwin
Effective Communication Is Critical In Scene Operations
Communication seems to be a problem when we are operating at an incident scene, whether it is a structure fire or rescue. More...
We've Got You Covered
By Doug Sloan
NFPA Updates Standards For Technical Rescue Gear
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1951 standard originally released in 2001, covered protective clothing and equipment used in urban search and rescue incidents including victim search, rescue and body recovery. More...
ARTICLES
Manufacturers Expect To Meet New PASS Requirements
By Lyn Bixby
Reacting to investigations of firefighter deaths that raised questions about the reliability of Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) alarms, The National Fire Protection Association has issued a tough new standard for the devices. More...
Good Communications Requires Good Equipment
By Tony Lolli
Communication by definition is the act of conveying information. That sounds simple enough – until something goes wrong. Then it can mean the difference between life and death. More...
The Lesson: Buy What You Need
By Ed Ballam
When it comes to buying fire pumps for apparatus, departments should buy what they need and use what they have to the fullest. More...
Qualified Apparatus Drivers Need More Than A CDL
By Joe Mercieri
All fire departments look forward to purchasing a new apparatus. We endeavor to outfit our trucks with the best equipment and options, limited only by our budgets. More...
Sutphen Aerial In Service With Belington Volunteers
By Tony Lolli
The Belington (W.Va.) Volunteer Fire Department recently added a 95-foot Sutphen mid-mount aerial platform quint to its fleet that includes a 2001 all-wheel drive rescue pumper, and 1987 and 1998 Class A pumpers. More...
Akron Brass Now Sells Air, Hydraulic Reels
Expanding on an extensive line of electric power cord reels, Akron Brass has introduced a new line of air and hydraulic hose reels. More...
ALF’s Building Project Is On Track
Work on the new home site of American LaFrance’s headquarters and assembly plant is on track for an opening by June 1. More...
Fire Pump Flow Meter Accurately Measures Fire Pump Performance
A Wisconsin company offers a way to measure the performance of fire pumps as an alternative to the typical hose valve header and hose method. More...
Chelsea Products Develops Pto For Cat Transmissions
Chelsea Products Division of Parker Hannifin announced the release of its CAT-H Series Powershift pto for the rear-mount opening on Caterpillar transmissions. This is the first Powershift pto designed in conjunction with Cat’s new CX Series transmissions. More...
Northwind Marine Builds Boat For Beaching Operations
The city of Edmonds Wash., has one of more than 40 fire and rescue boats in service built by Northwind Marine, headquartered in Seattle. More...
Elkhart’s Valve Rated At 600 PSI
Elkhart Brass has achieved an industry first with its Unibody Valve, a true fire apparatus valve rated at 600 psi. More...
Superior Signals Adds New Strobe And Alarm Systems
Superior Signals, Inc., is adding two new products to its lines of synchronized strobe and alarm systems. More...
Fire Research Offers Two Pressure Governor Choices
All fire apparatus with pumps need engine controls to operate and Fire Research has two that will do the job well – the PumpBoss pressure governor and the INControl pressure governor and monitoring display panel. More...
Kussmaul Makes Two New Units For Fire Trucks
Kussmaul Electronics Company has developed two new products designed to address specific problems with emergency vehicles and apparatus. More...
TEAM Equipment Makes New Blade
TEAM Equipment has developed a new metal cutting diamond blade called the Lightning. More...
TNT Rescue Debuts Super Light Spreader
TNT Rescue Systems has developed a new line of super light auto extrication spreaders. More...
IN THE NEWS
Crimson Names Sales & Marketing VP
Longtime firefighter and industry expert William F. Doebler has joined Crimson Fire as sales and marketing vice president. More...
Halcyon Products Adds Sales Rep
Kyle Wamelink has joined Halcyon Products as a sales representative for the company’s growing list of fire prevention products for the nation’s first responder market. More...
KME Fills LA County Order
After receiving one of the largest apparatus orders ever awarded in the US fire service, KME Fire Apparatus is well into the delivery phase of the Los Angeles County contract. More...
Hankins Joins Hurst As Hydraulics VP
Jack Hankins, a fire, rescue and safety industry veteran, has joined Hurst Jaws of Life as vice president of the North American hydraulic equipment group. He is based at Hurst’s facilities in Shelby, N.C., and is responsible for all aspects of the business. More...
E-ONE Improves Configuration System
E-ONE has made significant advancements with Ez-ONE, the company’s online truck configuration system. More...
Draeger Gets $10 M Contract
Draeger Safety recently announced a $10 million order for masks and filters from the German government. Draeger received this order to provide the German Armed Forces with high quality breathing protection from toxic substances. More...
Akron Brass Bolsters Sales/Support Staff
Akron Brass has added personnel to their sales and support organization providing even more customer focus and service in several markets. More...