EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND Y2K
TERRY ECKERT
It may seem silly to some, but there have been many requests for Year 2000 compliance information for emergency vehicles. As experienced technicians, we know that most vehicle computers are not date-dependent and that the Y2K Armageddon is not going to affect our emergency vehicles. But the general public seems to accept all the predictions of the Y2K human-made disaster. Fire chiefs and commissioners anticipate a disaster: All vacation leave has been cancelled and mandatory call-back orders have been issued so that full staffing is on duty at the witching hour. Although you can close bank accounts, sell off your stocks and bonds, or decline to get into an elevator or to fly to Tokyo come midnight of December 31, 1999, you cannot keep fire trucks and ambulances in the bays.
Some chiefs seem to think that emergency equipment will just quit running, blow up, or do something strange when the witching hour arrives. Because of these concerns, we are forced to investigate Year 2000 compliance. I hope this article will relieve some of these concerns.
I have put together the following summary of manufacturers` responses to questions concerning their equipment and Y2K readiness. The manufacturers` responses are quoted directly, which I think would satisfy your Y2K compliance committee more completely.
Allison Transmission
Allison has given Y2K a high priority and is analyzing systems and equipment that could affect business continuity. “We have already completed an analysis of current and planned electronics in our products. Given the scope of our efforts, we do not anticipate any problems in our products. None of the Allison products for vehicle applications use calendar year information. We are confident that they should present no Year 2000 concerns for transmission operations.” Allison also says that it has implemented extensive programs to avoid disruption of product suppliers.
Detroit Diesel
“Detroit Diesel engines, together with standard ECM hardware and program software (DDEC and MDEC), are Year 2000-compliant. The following products are compliant:
natural gas controls
optimized idle thermostat
DDEC Ether Start
Marine Control System
Electronic Fire Commander
Cal display
Auxiliary Interface Module (AIM)
ProDriver
DataLogger
Detroit Diesel Diagnostics Link (DDDL) software
Remote Data Interface
ProDriver Reports
“However, the company has determined that the following products are not Year 2000-compliant:
Pro Manager 1. This DOS software program has been replaced by ProDriver Reports, a Windows® 95 program, which was released in June 1998.
Pro-Manager 2. A Year 2000-compliant version of this DOS software program is now available.”
Detroit Diesel also mentions that other companies that supply parts or services may experience problems. Detroit would handle such a situation as it would other potential interruption issues encountered in the regular course of business.
Emergency One
“Emergency One has received inquiries concerning possible problems with fire apparatus and the Year 2000. Our major suppliers with microprocessor-based components have been contacted. Responses from these suppliers do not indicate any problems in present systems with the Year 2000 issues. All Emergency One trucks shall be Year 2000-compliant.”
Ford Motor Company
“The company has investigated the impact of the 2000 issue on vehicles` components and does not anticipate any effect on the operational safety or performance of its vehicles. The electronic functionality of such components generally is based on engine cycles or the time elapsed since the vehicle was started, not any particular date. While the company will continue to investigate its vehicle components, at present it does not anticipate any significant exposure related to the Year 2000 issue for its current or future products.”
American LaFrance
“Please be assured that we at Freightliner are well aware of the significance of the change of date at January 1, 2000, for computer hardware and software systems. We are taking what we believe are reasonable steps to determine that systems incorporated in Freightliner vehicles are ready for this occurrence. The majority of onboard electronics installed on Freightliner vehicles are not date/time-dependent. The following optional onboard electronic products offered by Freightliner contain such [date/time-dependent] features:
”Detroit Diesel`s DDEC IV engine controller. Freightliner has been assured by Detroit Diesel that this product is Year 2000-compliant.
”Some Cummins IS series engine controllers. Freightliner has not yet released any of these engines with this feature for production. Cummins has assured Freightliner that it will certify this product as Year 2000-compliant shortly.
”Some of Caterpillar`s heavy-duty (ADEM III) engine controllers. Freightliner has not yet released any of these engines with the real-time clock feature for production. Caterpillar has assured Freightliner that it will certify this product as Year 2000-compliant shortly.
”At this time, we are not aware of any other time-sensitive onboard electronic products.”
General Motors
“GM has analyzed the microprocessors in our current and planned models. Additionally, we have checked the processors in past models dating back to when we first started installing `date processing-capable` micro-chips in our cars and trucks. We found [that] most of the electronic systems have no date-related functionality and, therefore, pose no Year 2000-related problems. Those few systems that have date-related functionality were found to be Year 2000-ready.
“At GM, we have a global Year 2000 Program led by a Corporate Y2K Program Team. GM anticipates no problems with past, current, or future model vehicles and no significant disruption of GM`s business as a result of the Year 2000 problem.”
Pierce
“We have confirmation from our commercial chassis and major component suppliers that all electronic systems, including electronically controlled engines, fire apparatus, transmissions, and all steering systems, are Year 2000-compliant. No Pierce apparatus will experience any operational problem due to date processing errors related to the transition between years 1999 and 2000 or due to leap year calculations.”
Road Rescue (Ambulance)
“Road Rescue electrical system and other components provided in our standard vehicle are not date-dependent, and therefore we do not anticipate any exposure related to the Year 2000 issue.”
Wheeled Coach (Ambulance)
“To the best of our knowledge, there are not any date-sensitive components utilized; therefore, the vehicles are not affected by the Year 2000 date change.”
FAMA (Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association)
FAMA has issued a Y2K general statement: “Major driveline and component manufacturers do not reveal any time- or calendar-based problems in present microprocessor-based components.”
As we read the above responses, there seems to be no concern of vehicle problems or breakdown. There is, however, a slight chance of some kind of failure with vehicle support services, such as part procurement. You can tell the chief, “No problem, sir. I have checked into it and the fire apparatus and ambulances are Year 2000-compliant.”
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Most electronic control units (ECUs) used by fire apparatus and ambulance builders, such as this one, do not have any timing software. ECUs that use “Run Hours” or other timing methods are not date-sensitive. (Photo by author.)
TERRY ECKERT, a 16-year veteran of the fire service, is a firefighter and head of apparatus maintenance in the Darien-Woodridge (IL) Fire District and the chief engineer of the Westmont (IL) Fire Department. He has 25 years of experience as a vehicle technician. He is an ASE-certified master automobile technician and master heavy truck technician and an EVT Level 3 master technician. He also has ASE certification in advanced level engine performance. Eckert is a member of numerous professional associations, including the National Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians (NAEVT) and the Illinois Fire Apparatus Mechanics Association. He is a member of the EVT Certification Commission, where he serves on the Validation Committee and had chaired the E-3 section, and the NFPA Technical Committee on Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications. He was the 1997 recipient of the NAEVT Certificate of Achievement Award.
