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All Blog Posts Tagged 'Bob Vaccaro' (11)

Ergonomics in Apparatus Design -- Where Are We Now?

A review of some of the safety-related design changes I’m seeing

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

If you’ve been reading my columns over the past several years, then you’ve probably heard me use the term “ergonomics” many times. I guess when I like a word, I tend to use it a lot—sorry to be redundant! What’s more interesting: Apparatus manufacturers seem to like the word as… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 20, 2011 at 8:30am — No Comments

First-Rate in the Second City: Apparatus highlights from Fire-Rescue International in Chicago

First-Rate in the Second City

Apparatus highlights from Fire-Rescue International in Chicago

By Bob Vaccaro

The Windy City was the host of this year’s Fire-Rescue International (FRI) conference. Fire service leaders from across the country gathered for professional development and networking opportunities, while a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 8, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Eco-Engine! At FDIC, HME unveiled a truck that runs on compressed natural gas

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

By now, just about all of us have heard about how manufacturers in various industries are making strides in producing and delivering hybrid, electric diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and trucks.

I never thought the fire apparatus industry would succumb to the idea of an eco-friendly fire truck. I… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 15, 2010 at 5:30am — 1 Comment

Going Green: Rosenbauer Uses GREEN Star Idle-Reduction Technology

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Going Green: Rosenbauer does its part to help the environment by using GREEN Star Idle-Reduction Technology

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

I’m sure that those of you who’ve attended the various fire service shows around the country in the past 5 years are used to seeing Rosenbauer’s Tech Drive… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on August 18, 2010 at 5:30am — 1 Comment

How the Apparatus Industry Is Weathering the Economic Storm

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Weathering the Economic Storm: The apparatus industry seems to be doing well despite the economy’s effect on other parts of the fire service

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

The economy has been wreaking havoc on the fire service all around the country.… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on June 16, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Know Your Emergency Vehicle

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Know Your Emergency Vehicle: We can learn valuable lessons from the tragic death of a Boston fire lieutenant

By Bob Vaccaro

I’m sure most of you have been following the news related to the death of a Boston Fire Department lieutenant who was a passenger in a ladder truck that slammed into a building last year.

A long report put together by an outside consulting firm stated that the department had a poor maintenance… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on April 7, 2010 at 4:30pm — No Comments

What’s All the Hubbub about Striping?

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

By now most of us have seen new apparatus deliveries with the new NFPA 1901-required reflective striping on the front and rear. Whether you like it or not, it’s here to stay. In my opinion, it really makes a vehicle stand out on a highway, which was the intent of the standard to begin with.

Anything we can do to improve apparatus visibility on the fireground or at accident scenes is a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 17, 2010 at 1:30pm — 4 Comments

Apparatus Junkies: Check Out FAMA.org!

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Check It Out: Fama.org offers an abundance of apparatus information

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

If you’re anything like me, a fire apparatus junkie who never gets enough chrome, red paint, lights and sirens, you may want to take a look at a neat little Web site, www.fama.org, the Web site for the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (FAMA), a non-profit association composed of 115… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 17, 2010 at 3:00pm — No Comments

EJ Metals' Impressive Little Apparatus

INSIDE THE APPARATUS INDUSTRY

1 Impressive Little Apparatus: Although small in size, EJ Metal’s new Assault Force 70 FRRTV packs a firefighting punch

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

If you’re like me—an apparatus junkie—you’re always hunting for a new fire truck that’s both neat and can get the job done. One of these unique vehicles came across my desk the other day. Well, it didn’t literally come across my desk; I received an e-mail and product brochure… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on January 20, 2010 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Changes to NFPA 1901: Measuring Tire Pressure

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Changes to NFPA 1901: Each tire on the apparatus must be equipped with a method to measure tire pressure

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

For those of you who have been following the new NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, there are many changes worth addressing—and most of us agree that the changes are for the better.

According to general requirement 4.13.4, one of those changes is that each tire on… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 23, 2009 at 11:30am — 3 Comments

3 Hot New Products from Fire Research Corp.

One Proactive Manufacturer: Fire Research Corp. pumps out 3 new innovative products

By Bob Vaccaro

Long Island, where I hail from, is not really known as a hotbed of fire industry manufacturers. However, one company that calls this place home is actually a major player in the game—a player that may sometimes get overlooked: Fire Research Corp. (FRC).

If you attend the various fire service shows around the country like I do, it would be really unusual if you… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 15, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments