Page 2 - February 2008 - Apparatus Ideas - by Bob Barraclough

Moving on from the cab to the rest of the rig, I have to say Class A foam has been proven in departments across the country. Foam isn’t just for the wildland folks any longer. It’s now being used in every type and size department for the simple fact that it works. It should be included in your next apparatus specs.

There are many ways to mix the concentrate into the water stream and some are more accurate than others. The price can also range from as little as a few hundred dollars for a simple line proportioner to thousands of dollars for some of the more sophisticated systems that do everything except repack the hose.

As one well respected, recently retired chief stated, “If you don’t have Class A on your new apparatus, it is outdated before you put it in service.” You need to be using Class A foam in your firefighting operations.

Chief Thomas Carr Jr. heads up the Montgomery County, Md. (Washington, D.C. Metro Area) Fire Department. He is well known for his very positive approach to the safety of his firefighters and his support of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Health and Safety Committee.

Chief Carr wrote a letter to the NFPA 1901 committee recommending the adoption of red and yellow “Chevron” type striping for the rear surfaces of all apparatus. His letter – along with the strong feeling among many of the committee members – led to passing the requirement for alternating 6-inch red and yellow retro reflective striping on 50 percent of the rear vertical surfaces (in the 2008 version of NFPA1901). This is a new safety feature that can, and should, be on every vehicle in your fleet.

Storage for preconnects, equipment, tools, adaptors, and related appliances seems to be more of a problem today than it was 30 years ago, despite the fact that many of the new apparatus have upwards of 250 cubic feet of compartment space.

One area often overlooked is the front bumper where one or two preconnects could easily be installed along with a box for soft suction hose or frequently used tools. My suggestion here is to work with apparatus builders to ensure full utilization of all the space on the vehicle. Listen to them carefully as they have built many trucks and have seen quite a few uses for the various spaces that may end up as unused voids.

Dual preconnects make good use of the front bumper space of a new American LaFrance pumper. Notice there is even room for the “Q” siren. Maybe it could use another warning light or two, but where to put them

All new apparatus will be equipped with hose bed covers, but have you done something with your existing vehicles? Over the last couple of years, we have had several deaths caused by inadvertent hose deployment. It happens, and it is preventable. This is something that needs to be corrected ASAP.

If you have ever attended one of my classes, you would have heard my plea to do everything possible to reduce the need for firefighters to climb to the top of an engine. It is an unsafe position to be in, especially in an emergency situation.

For your next pumper, specify a remote-controlled deck gun, and let the engineer operate the unit from the ground. Consider a version that is radio controlled so the operator can move around to get the best vantage point. Task Force Tips, Elkhart Brass and Akron Brass have various styles of these depending on your needs.

One last item, but it relates to the safety of your funds, not your firefighters. Performance bonds issued at the time the contracts for new apparatus are signed protect your department. There’s no question about their value, and you would be well served to at least consider them.

There are lots of other Looky Loos out there, and it pays to keep your eyes open and notice what your peers in the fire service are doing. There’s some well-proven technology available that was never even heard of just a few short years ago, and it’s time to integrate some of those new-fangled things in your apparatus.

Editor’s Note: Bob Barraclough is a 40-year veteran of the fire service and fire manufacturing industry. He is chief columnist for Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine and a 20-year member of the NFPA 1901 Fire Apparatus Standards Committee. A principal organizer of the annual FDSOA Apparatus Specification Symposium, he is also a past president of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association. Barraclough serves as a consultant to Rosenbauer America and Akron Brass and is called upon as an expert witness in litigation involving fire industry products. His career includes executive positions at E-ONE, Hale Fire Pumps, National Foam, Span Instruments and Class 1.