FE Volume 163 Issue 6

The Latest

FDIC 2010 Apparatus Displays Have a “Green” Theme

FDIC 2010 Apparatus Displays Have a “Green” Theme

Last year at FDIC, the apparatus theme in Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center exhibit halls was “economy” apparatus. Although economy rigs were still prominently featured at FDIC 2010, a larger focus was on more environmentally friendly and more economically operating apparatus.
FDIC Coverage
Hey, Where Are You?

Hey, Where Are You?

Going to the floor above the fire floor is always a dangerous activity. Often the conditions on the floor are very dangerous and punishing because of the natural tendencies of heat, smoke, and gases to rise. The fire could be hidden and extend vertically up the wall studs, pipe recesses, and shafts or horizontally across the ceiling or floor joists bays; it could also autoexpose to the floor above through the windows. Prior to going to the floor above, the inside team should inform the firefighters operating on the fire floor that it is proceeding to the floor above. It is especially important that the engine company advancing the hoseline knows that firefighters are operating on the floor above. If a length of hose bursts, there is loss of water, or the fire is too large to continue with an aggressive interior attack and the engine company members pull back the line to safety, they must ensure that the firefighters operating on the floor above aren’t stranded or unprotected.
FirefightingTruck Company
COMPANY/ASSOCIATION NEWS

COMPANY/ASSOCIATION NEWS

FERRARA FIRE APPARATUS, INC. announced that the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) has added ten more Ferrara aerial ladders to its fleet. Coupled with the multiunit heavy rescue project, Ferrara Fire Apparatus now has contracts with the City of New York totaling more than $24 million. The vehicles are designed around the Ferrara LP-102—a low-profile, rear-mount aerial ladder. The new aerial trucks will be built on Ferrara custom chassis, featuring a stainless-steel split-tilt cab, a four-section rear-mount aerial ladder, and a stainless-steel body. The trucks will be built to accommodate New York City’s congested streets and to easily fit into the FDNY’s many historic fire stations.
Aerial ApparatusFire Apparatus
“Firefighter Ergonomics” Enhance Equipment Performance

“Firefighter Ergonomics” Enhance Equipment Performance

Whether it’s a small rural fire department replacing much-needed equipment or an urban fire department buying every toy known to man just so it can say that it has it, hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars are spent purchasing fire service equipment each day. And often, one aspect often overlooked during these purchases is what I call “Firefighter Ergonomics.”
Firefighting Equipment

More FE Volume 163 Issue 6

Crane Operations Training: A Valuable Rescue Asset

Crane Operations Training: A Valuable Rescue Asset

A heavy structural collapse can result from terrorism, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes or from poor structure design. Rescuers must know how to operate many tools to remove steel and concrete debris. At some time in their careers, firefighters may need a crane to remove heavy objects to access trapped victims (called “selective debris removal,” stage four of the universal five-stage collapse and rescue operations protocols). A crane can help to remove steel I-beams, reinforced concrete, and other heavy material that would slow the rescue of trapped victims. In operations at the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, a crane was a major asset. Certified crane operations personnel who can work in conjunction with local firefighters, special operations teams, and other rescuers are a valuable resource.
Technical Rescue
Planning a Training Fire Compliant with NFPA 1403 in an Acquired Structure

Planning a Training Fire Compliant with NFPA 1403 in an Acquired Structure

Most of us have attended or participated in a training fire in an acquired structure. Some have gone well; others have left a lot to be desired. A few of them even provided us with a “war” story that likely can be classified as a close call. North Whidbey (WA) Fire and Rescue was fortunate to have three structures donated for live-fire training in the past year. Although we have not had any “incidents” with live-fire training in the past, we, nevertheless, felt that making our burns compliant with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, was a priority. We wanted to provide highly realistic live-fire training for our personnel without sacrificing safety. After reviewing applicable state and local laws and the NFPA standards, we initiated a four-part system for developing an NFPA 1403-compliant live-fire program. The system has four components: Inspection, Planning, Prepping, and Burn.
Firefighter Training
APPARATUS DELIVERIES

APPARATUS DELIVERIES

The Brewster (MA) Fire Rescue uses this MARION BODY aerial ladder to respond to structure and commercial fire alarms and mutual aid, explains Firefighter Keith Riker. The surrounding towns all have platforms and the department has found the aerial easier for accessing residential areas.
Fire Apparatus
PRODUCTS/SERVICES/MEDIA

PRODUCTS/SERVICES/MEDIA

Kussmaul Electronics Co.’s new AUTO CHARGE STATUS CENTER, MODEL 091-189-12 is a universal indicator that reads battery voltage and the battery’s condition through LEDs. In addition to the LED status indicators, a three-digit indicator displays the battery voltage. The unit is designed to be mounted on a vehicle’s exterior so as to readily indicate the battery condition. The indicator fits Kussmaul standard indicator panel cut outs, and comes with a three-year warranty.
Firefighting
The bottom chord of this heavy timber wood truss is in tension

Building Construction: Understanding Loads and Loading

Members of the fire service are constantly encouraged to study and understand building construction. Initial fire training building construction classes range from several hours to a little over a day, sometimes with a site visit. The types or classifications from Type I to Type V are reviewed, and then a quiz or exam is given. At the end of your initial training, a few questions on the exam pertain to building construction. Over the years, you review the basic material, take more classes, and move up the ranks. Soon, you are telling the younger firefighters to “know building construction.” Are you just repeating what you are hearing, or do you understand how buildings are constructed?
Building ConstructionFire Safety
Responding to a Clandestine Drug Laboratory

Responding to a Clandestine Drug Laboratory

If your agency is dispatched to what might be a clandestine drug laboratory (clan lab), would you know how to recognize one and safeguard your safety? What would happen if your responders found one during routine activities?
Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting
Are We Our Own Worst Enemies?

Are We Our Own Worst Enemies?

Have you ever felt that we firefighters are our own worst enemies? Have you ever heard the members talking about “how” and “why” we don’t get this or that? Sometimes, it’s eye-opening to listen to what firefighters say around the kitchen table or in the watch room. The talk will revolve around how this company can or can’t do this or that and how the members need to train more. They’ll talk about how administration is putting out more memos or directives and is killing them with paperwork. They will finally digress to how “they” are micromanaging them to death and how “they” don’t trust “us.”
Firefighting
The Hazards of Grow Houses

The Hazards of Grow Houses

The environment favorable for growing marijuana indoors can be a very dangerous environment for firefighters when a fire occurs in a “grow house.” The term “grow house” is misleading because it implies that marijuana growing occurs only in detached private dwellings, which is hardly the case. For example, one or two rooms in apartments are commonly converted to a grow house to produce a small crop. Conversely, some of the largest and most productive grow houses are located in rented warehouse bays (photo 1). For this article, a grow house refers to any indoor marijuana-growing operation.
Firefighting

Austin Plane Crash: Incident Report and Analysis

Fire Department LeadershipFirefighting

Tactical Tidbits

Firefighting

More “spouse perspective” articles in the future

Fire EMSFirefighting

2010 Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award: Eric Hankins

Fire PreventionFire Safety

Serious Decisions Are Necessary When Specifying Aerial Apparatus

Aerial ApparatusFire Apparatus

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT): Mechanism to Management

Fire EMSFirefighting

The Role of the Initial FAST Company

Firefighting

(fireengineering.com)

Fire EMS OldFirefighting

What Are Your Weak Links?

Firefighter DrillsFirefighter Training

Cost-Effective Mayday Training

Firefighting

Is Making a Mistake a Crime?

Firefighter ToolsFirefighting Equipment

Apparatus Purchasing: A Balance of Dollars and $ense

Fire Apparatus
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