Archives > 2007 > September 2007 > Apparatus Ideas - Safety Sighted At Baltimore Fire Show
September 2007
Apparatus Ideas
by Bob Barraclough
Safety Sighted At Baltimore Fire Show
Safety was certainly one of the hottest topics at this year’s Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Md., in both the exhibit area and the classes.
Bright American National Standards Institute (ANSI) vests, traffic cones and pop-up warning signs were everywhere. Maybe our message that safety is important is getting around. Take a minute to check out the photographs with this column to see the many ways to increase your on-scene visibility.
One of the most impressive units I saw was the training academy pumper for Montgomery County, Md., built by Elite Fire Apparatus. I have to admit I have never seen an arrow traffic stick on the side of a unit, but it makes sense.
There were lots of other features on the rig that would convince you that the county and Chief Tom Carr are on the leading edge of apparatus design and outfitting. A big “Tip of the Helmet” to Chief Carr and his staff.
As this was an East Coast show, there were several examples of “We’ve got more warning lights than you do!” There was a beautiful green and white American LaFrance rescue for Manheim Township in Pennsylvania. The front includes two Mars wig-wag lights, eight other warning lights, a full roof light bar, plus one of the infamous “Roto-Rays.” And you wonder why a 300-amp alternator may not be big enough?
Singer Associates, the Pierce dealer for Virginia, Maryland and parts of Delaware, had a LUF 60 wireless, remote controlled, rubber tracked, mobile firefighting support unit on display. It includes a high capacity, positive pressure fan with a “water beam” fog sprayer. The combination is intended to clear away smoke, heat, toxic gases and reduce the ambient temperature of the fire.
Recognize the red globe shape thing in the middle? It is a cellar nozzle with a protective cage, the first one I have seen. Note how well the equipment is mounted. (Fire Apparatus Photo) |
Scene cameras are becoming more common, especially on command vehicles. Here is one that raises 40-50 feet in the air and is directionally controlled by the on-scene commander. |
The winner of the most warning lights on the front of a truck is this green and white rescue destined for Manheim Township, Pa. (Fire Apparatus Photo) |
The company’s loyal East Coast fans are still specifying Mack trucks. One such vehicle was the Westwood heavy rescue, built by RESCUE 1. There was a lot of attention to detail on this one such as the blending of the air horn trumpets into the fenders. Also note the twin “Q’s”; one is mechanical and one electronic. RESCUE 1 continues to turn out excellent units from their plant in New Jersey.
Another one of the outstanding units at the show was a rescue pumper built by Crimson Fire for Hummel’s Wharf, Snyder County, in central Pennsylvania. The truck was supposed to be outfitted by Kaza Fire (the Crimson Fire dealer for the area) after the show, and I hope to have pictures of the finished rig in time for our October issue.
In closing, it is good to see so many new trucks that are being specified and delivered with the safety upgrades that Alan Saulsbury and I have been advocating in our apparatus classes. We are making progress and seeing safety become an important part of new truck specifications.
Editor’s Note: Bob Barraclough is editorial director of Fire Apparatus and has been involved with the fire service for more than 40 years as a firefighter and industry consultant. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901 Fire Apparatus Standards Committee, an organizer of the annual Apparatus Specification Symposium of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association and a long-time member of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association.