Staff
Editor THOMAS F. BRENNAN Managing Editor JACKIE COX Associate Editor AUDREY PAVEY Art Director R. NELSON
FE Volume 139 Issue 8
The Latest
COURSES/COMING EVENTS
September-November 1986- The SCHEDULE OF 1986 COURSES being offered by the New Jersey State Fire College is available by writing to the New Jersey State Fire College, Division of New Jersey State Safety Council, 6 Commerce Drive, Cranford, NJ 07016. September 6-7, 1986 —The Riverside County Fire Chiefs' Association will present the NFPA FIRECROUND COMMANDER WORKSHOP at the Riverside Convention Center, Raincross Square, 3443 Orange Street, Riverside, CA 92501.
Agriculture Rescue Management
When responding to an agricultural incident, emergency personnel often encounter many complex problems. No two agricultural situations are exactly alike. But, there is enough similarity to form basic skill levels for rescue personnel.
Basement Fires
Basement fires have been a special problem to the fire service for a 19 long time. Fighting basement fires demands respect for the potential hazards involved, good application of ventilation principles, and an aggressive interior attack. Now, there are some additional considerations due to new building construction techniques.
More FE Volume 139 Issue 8
Input sought on proposed sprinkler safety standard
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) seeks review and comment from individuals and organizations interested in helping develop the first edition of the Standard for Safety for Residential Sprinklers for Fire Protection Service, UL 1626.
COMPANY NEWS
Amkus Inc. has won its 1983 lawsuit and has been declared the rightful developer of the Model 30b Spreader and the Model 25 Cutter. Amkus filed the suit based on the fact that Viking Rescue Systems Inc. and its president, George Rademacher, and Jules Stein, president of Miro Mold & Duplicating Company Inc. and Co-op Mold Engineering Inc. conspired to misappropriate Amkus's rights in the development of this equipment.
NAMES IN THE NEWS
Ron Coleman, fire chief of Fullerton, CA, was presented with the Polyurethane Foam Association's 1986 Industry Merit Award in recognition of his efforts to promote fire safety and fire prevention. Chief Coleman has lobbied vigorously for legislation to mandate the use of fire sprinkler systems in commercial and residential dwellings.
EQUIPMENT DIGEST
Two hazmat kits have been introduced by Sensidyne/Gastec for fast field determination of airborne contaminants during chemical spill emergencies. The Standard Hazmat Kit includes 13 boxes of detector tubes that provide a wide range of detection capabilities, a model 800 piston pump, extension hose, shoulder bag, and logic chart.
APPARATUS DELIVERIES
The nine-square-mile response district of the Pierce County Fire Protection District No. 4 adjoining Tacoma, WA, is rapidly expanding, signaling a need for additional fire protection equipment and manpower. This single-stage 1,500-gpm pumper, built by W.S. Darley & Co. on a Spartan Gladiator chassis, is the district's third in-service pumper. There is also one reserve pumper and two medical aid vehicles.
Smoke toxicity task force
In an effort to save lives and reduce injuries, the country's three leading fire protection organizations have joined forces to respond to public concerns about smoke toxicity. The three groups—the United States Fire Administration (USFA), the Center for Fire Research of the National Bureau of Standards (CFR/NBS), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)—have come up with an approach that is outlined in "The National Response to Public Concerns About Smoke Toxicity."
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
After reading the April 1986 issue of FIRE ENGINEERING, I feel compelled to respond to the article written by Robert Aldrich and Charles McKusick regarding emergency warning lights on apparatus. Before you can address warning systems, you must first consider the training of the personnel who will use them, for without training, all the systems made are worthless.
Let Me Make This Perfectly Clear
Last month, I had a point to make. I wanted to bring comment on the litigious society we've created—even in the firefighting industry. JLI Webster defines litigious as, "inclined to judicial contest" or "fond of litigation." In the recent past, our apparatus manufacturers have borne the brunt of such legal actions I lowever, to be upset at something concerning the fire service and making myself clear in print is difficult without getting involved emotionally, especially when my heart goes out to both parties.