Michael. L. Kuk, P.H.D History does repeat itself, and the Fire Service is a big part of this element of life. Whether we review and study the fires of the past, we are concerned with today’s events becoming tomorrow’s history lesson. How often do we ask ourselves if these events will be revisited? If we do it regularly enough, then one might already know the complete answer. Today’s environment for the Fire Service finds the financial question again at the top of the list. It does not matter if the department is large or small, either in personnel or areas of coverage and responsibility, it must be noted that the present monetary process affects us all, and in the end, certainly what we do for services delivered. And when we say the word “all”, we must include the many allied and related professions and businesses that support the Fire Service. Direct and indirectly, these partners are in a straight line that links with our overall mission success. Manufacturers of fire service equipment are in a parallel link with our system of services. They are quite like us, whereas we both strive to daily deliver a high quality of product, even though it’s a service-based industry for the Fire Service. We utilise many specialised pieces of equipment and hardware to accomplish positive results, usually for someone in trouble. Our state of training has never been higher. We now are no longer satisfied with internal training classes and departmental operational budgets are not only under close review, but many are being slashed’ based training. We continually press forward for more external credentials, such as national and international recognitions and certifications. Those who are self-committed for greater planes of attainment seek higher level institutions awarding us a unique distinction of advanced knowledge, and the bottom line is that this all commits a financial obligation. Let us return to what is happening today to the Fire Service family. Operational budgets are not only under close review, but many are being slashed simply because the tax base is absent. Revenue for many cities and other taxing bodies is greatly diminished, and for a wide variety of reasons and elements beyond their respective span of control. The best supporting documentation from the chief fire officers and their staff is probably read with frank interest, but in the face of what the governing authorities have been dealt with, there isn’t enough funding to support all aspects of the individual fire service operations. Remember that the fire service is in direct competition with other basic services to take care of a given area and population. Ask yourself the question about the need for refuse trucks. One cannot imagine what would occur if there was a major absence of trash collection services. Within the passing of just one week, there would be untold health issues, must less an eyesore everywhere. As in most cases, equipment and apparatus replacement suffers first. The planned and projected new apparatus is placed on an indefinite hold, or maybe, by a stroke of luck some finances can be committed, then a basic refurbishment can be performed. This alternate method of fire apparatus modernisation yields a few more years of serviceable life, and some upgrading, although there are limits. Looking at the European fire apparatus market, there are differences in their apparatus that makes financial sense. They opt for painted parts versus chrome and highly polished components. American apparatus still displays a generous portion of several expensive segments like fully chromed bumpers, when the European market utilizes hard coated paint. There is also a standard of apparatus design in the European market. One can venture forth from any given community and find their apparatus in a basic and easily distinguished format.   If a firefighter can go to a particular compartment and grab a rescue tool on their apparatus, then he can probably also go and locate the same tool on another department’s apparatus. This standard of design does lower a cost portion of the overall apparatus construction. The basic factory processes, such as fashioning, fabrication, and overall construction techniques, should contribute to be more economical in the long run as apparatus is standardised at the very beginning of this system of construction. Of recent note is what the United States Army has done for major fire apparatus replacement. A fleet of Class A engines were built and delivered to a wide variety of bases. These engines were the results of an exhaustive process involving experienced fire officers and their key staff members coming together and forming a committee to explore all avenues of truly required services. The end result was their work in designing a state of the art piece of apparatus with options to be secured and distributed to installations in need. Options becomes the key word here. All of the engines could perform a wide variety of multi-taskings, but several options remained available for each individual apparatus. These pieces of apparatus were destined to serve across the United States, and each base is unique in its makeup, not unlike one city to another. There were options that included heavy duty air-conditioning for hot weather climates versus a severe cold weather package ensemble. Some of the equipment storage compartments could be easily modified to increase medical gear being carried. The overall ground ladder package could also be specified to fit the base requirements of taller structures. The Army made it a bulk purchase of many units. Thus, a couple of extra engines were able to be built within the same funding structure and defined financial limits. This was a direct result of purchasing a large “alike” collection, and capturing the immediate savings from the total expenditure, with a good reinvestment back into the apparatus replacement program. In looking at what the manufacturers are challenged with, in the present austere procurement atmosphere, the picture might look similar. After all, they are very visible today in delivering a solid and dependable product. Their product

Label: Company Profile – PPG Protective & Marine coatings Title: World Leader in Protective Coatings Teaser: An unrivalled product range Label: Case Study Eyevis Label: Expert Comment Label: Company Profile—Janus Fire Systems Title: Dedicated to providing fire protection solutions Teaser: Operational budgets are under close review, many are slashed Teaser: Clean agent systems allow for more efficient use of space

For use on wider door sills and B-pillars For use on wider door sills and B-pillars At Interschutz 2010 Holmatro Rescue Equipment introduced a new ram support specially designed to fit on the wider door sills and B-pillars common in modern vehicles. However, it can also be used with older model cars as it equipped with teeth providing grip. These ensure that the ram support will not slip or tilt. Other special features Holmatro’s new ram support HRS 22 NCT™ can be used both horizontally and vertically, depending on the size of the door opening. It contains various positioning bars for different ramming angles. These have a profiled surface to ensure that the ram always stays centrally positioned and does not tilt. The HRS 22 NCT™ is suitable for use with all Holmatro rams.  

For both round and flat profile applications At Interschutz 2010 Holmatro Rescue Equipment introduced a new mini cutter with blades optimized for both round and flat profiles. The CU 4007 (C) is suitable for many different applications such as cutting car pedals, head restraints and (in USAR operations) re-bar. The CU 4007 (C) has an extremely compact design. Together with its push button control for one-handed operation this feature enables easy positioning and use in confined spaces.

An integrated fire and security system designed and installed… An integrated fire and security system designed and installed by Chubb is playing its part in protecting students and staff at a major new campus at the South Cheshire College. Chubb is a subsidiary of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The M&E consultants chose Chubb because of its expertise in delivering total fire and security solutions, which in this case includes a fully networked fire alarm, a Public Address/Voice Alarm (PAVA) system, a disabled refuge, CCTV, intruder alarm and integrated access control. A spokesman for the M&E contractor says that protecting schools and colleges presents a unique set of challenges, making its choice of partner critical: “Chubb has been involved with us from the very beginning, building on many years of good work together,” he says. Work on the new campus development began in the summer of 2008 and completed in July 2010, with the first students starting in September. The state of the art facilities will also be made available to the local community. The new campus comprises carbon-neutral buildings that are environmentally sustainable. “Fire safety and security within educational establishments is always important, and in this case we not only have to protect students and staff but also outside guests visiting the campus,” says Jane Garland, Marketing and Communications Manager at Chubb. “We are pleased to use our expertise to keep all parties safe from the of threat crime, and the dangers of fire.” The College is being completely rebuilt on its Dane Bank site to provide a first-class education facility at the heart of the community. On the campus curriculum areas will be grouped together in clusters and connected by vibrant social spaces and a blend of indoor and outdoor zones in an attractive setting. There will be a central student heart, with outlets and facilities and areas to showcase student work.  

YARDLEY, PA – Ziamatic Corp. presents the Personal Gear. YARDLEY, PA – Ziamatic Corp. presents the Personal Gear/Helmet Pouch, Model PGP-1. The strong, durable, PVC-coated polyester pouch includes grommets for simple and secure mounting to most surfaces. Mount the pouch inside the crew compartment and quickly stow a helmet, gloves, small tools or personal effects on the way to the scene. The large, one-hand buckle is easy to use with or without gloves. NFPA 1901-09 compliant and third-party tested to 9Gs for use inside a crew compartment; the Personal Gear/Helmet Pouch fits all current traditional and contemporary helmet styles. With no hard edges, the collapsible pouch is a safe and economical storage option. Available in early 2011. Made in the USA. Patent Pending. For more information please call 1-800-711-FIRE or visit www.ziamatic.com  

Allison Transmission provides enormous advantage… Allison Transmission provides enormous advantage for water tender serving brown open cast coal mining site German fire brigade specifies Iveco Trakker construction vehicle with fire-fighting bodywork and an Allison transmission to overcome slippery, dark driving conditions on ever-changing terrain. The brown coal open cast mining site in Grevenbroich, near Cologne is a 48 km² hilly landscape littered with monstrous bucket wheel excavators, a 100 km belt conveyer system and mostly gravelled or unpaved access routes. RWE Power AG runs the mine and produces around 100 million tons of brown coal per year for the surrounding power plants. Serving the site with the requirement to reach the scene of a fire or rescue situation within eight minutes is the Garzweiler plant fire brigade, which has recently added an Iveco Trakker 190 AT 36 W chassis to its fleet. In a first for the site, the vehicle designed for the construction market, is configured as a water tender where it has been equipped with fire-fighting bodywork and an Allison 3200 Series transmission with retarder. The Allison was a basic requirement of the fire brigade. “For an operation in this rough area an all-terrain vehicle with a fully automatic transmission is an enormous advantage,” says Rudolf Niephaus, fire chief inspector and head of the Garzweiler plant fire brigade. “In open cast mining, work is carried out around-the-clock, 365 days per year. The roads change almost every day and we drive in the dark a lot of the time spanning up to 210-metre differences in altitude. In conditions like these, it is essential for the safety of our drivers that their attention is not diverted by shifting gears and that they are able to keep both hands on the steering wheel.”   Iveco Magirus visited the open cast mining and recommended a construction truck configuration instead of a normal on-road chassis, due to its perfectly-suited robust design. To ensure the utmost reliability and durability, extraordinary measures were made as part of the transmission installation. To protect the transmission cooling system from damage and the sand and mud encountered in severe off-road driving, its components were located higher up inside the vehicle frame and protected by steel plating. Additionally, the PTO provision of the Allison transmission was configured to allow engine-driven operation of the pump for the 2,400-litre water tank and it also controls the foam compound tank. The Allison boasts numerous advantageous features for this environment where the rescue vehicles are constantly in operation, either tending to emergency situations, patrolling the site or monitoring drives. Each vehicle covers a distance between 10,000 and 15,000 km per year and remains in service up to 15 years.   These include a hydraulic torque converter which provides engine-to-transmission coupling, superior acceleration at launch and direct mechanical traction at higher speed. The cushion effect of the torque converter prevents driveline wear and the Allison‘s electronic controls ensure optimal gear shifts and eradicate driver error. “Because the Allison transmission does not use dry clutches, there is no clutch damage,” continues Niephaus. “The Allison makes total purchasing sense, considering the whole life running costs of the vehicle.” “Belt conveyer service on the fourth floor level is burning.” “Trail of oil on the service road.“ “Crash between a dump truck and a pickup truck next at the conveyor belt.” These are typical daily calls to the Garzweiler fire brigade. The mine is organised in terraces and the brown coal is mined on six so-called floor levels. On each of these platforms a bucket wheel excavator operates through the different sediment layers. To get quickly from one floor level to another, ramps with 20 percent inclines have been built in close poximity. “The ramps are designed to ensure we get to the scene no later than eight minutes after an incoming emergency call. With 360 HP and an Allison fully automatic transmission in the Iveco Trakker, we overcome them effortlessly,” Niephaus explains.

GSF specialize in the provision of on board… GSF specialize in the provision of on board storage solutions for the fire and rescue vehicle industry, this includes Telescopic Slides, Slide & Tilt Systems, Push button handles and Tool Mounting Equipment. Fire & Rescue vehicles now need additional storage space to accommodate a greater range of more sophisticated rescue equipment and the number of sliding drawers built into these vehicles has grown to accommodate electrical generators, lighting systems as well as portable pumping and fogging systems. The twin requirements of operator safety and operational effectiveness are of paramount importance. GSF’s ability to select and adapt from an unrivalled base product range, and its ability to assist with the design of bespoke and space-saving drawer systems enable us to make a significant contribution to your vehicle design. GSF slides can offer the perfect solution for Fire & Rescue vehicle storage requests with: * The Performance Range of Telescopic Slides are manufactured with I beam sections; they are a fit and forget product suitable for a wide range of OEM applications. In particular are suited to the Fire & Rescue vehicle market, where slides capable of withstanding shock and vibration are required in such applications as pull-out equipment boards and vertical shelves. The slides are very compact in profile and can carry up to 2000 kg depending on the model used.   The Complete Tray Systems allows quick access to the rescue equipment simultaneously by several people. The trays are ready for quick installation, including bespoke mountings for specialist equipment such as auxiliary pumps, tools, hoses and rescue equipment. Lock-in and lock-out mechanisms facilitate quick and safe operation of the equipment carrier, as well as holding the fully-loaded drawer securely in position when the vehicle is in motion or at the scene.   The GSF’s Award Winning Slide and Tilt System facilitates safe access to high-bay equipment stowage drawers on fire engines, and indeed other applications such as fire & rescue vehicles and static storage and racking systems. With the ability to produce specialist heavy duty systems, GSF Slides has developed a particularly strong reputation with the Fire industries as consultants from concept through to delivery.   The Front Push Button Drawer Handle and lock mechanism is extensively used on fire truck drawers (straight slide out and slide & Tilt). The double handle and push button locking mechanism is located at the centre of the drawer front in order to ensure the operator’s gloved hands are kept well away from the pinch risks. GSF’s superb PAC range of toolmounts, mounting brackets and Hangers provides a comprehensive means to secure valuable tools on vehicles, vessels and aircraft or in the workshop. Generally made from supertuff nylon and glass reinforced plastics selected to be UV, cold and heat resistant, GSF’s tool mount range is both non-corrosive and high strength – all components are fully tested to hold tools securely and without damage even in a crash. The range includes positive locking tool holders such as the Jumbolok, friction lock tools such as the Flexmount, an extensive range of hangers for axes & sledgehammers and other products such as the innovative Cylinder Mate for SCBA cylinders. The PAC range of mounting brackets, tool hangers, pockets and other systems all come with a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. Every day GSF Products are specified and used within the Fire and Rescue industry, the products are well respected by end users and offer many Health and Safety Benefits. For more details of sliding and Storage systems, including bespoke design options, visit their website www.gsfslides.com or contact their Shropshire Head Office on 0044 1691 770303, or at info@gsfslides.com