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All Blog Posts Tagged 'apparatus' (22)

How to Prolong Fire Department Equipment Life

As firefighters, we have a lot riding on our equipment. We demand more out of our gear than practically any other profession, because if it fails, it can cost a whole lot more than just money. How, then, can we ensure that our equipment doesn’t break down when we need it the most?

The answer is simple: check your equipment regularly. This seems like a no-brainer, but when you consider the realities of the…

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Added by David Cain on May 14, 2014 at 1:31pm — No Comments

Tips for Speccing Emergency Vehicle Lighting for Apparatus

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

It’s been a while since I covered the topic of emergency vehicle lighting. The fire apparatus manufacturers have been doing a great job of conforming to NFPA 1901 and its lighting requirements; I’ll discuss more about that standard in a minute.

Probably the best product to hit the emergency vehicle lighting market… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on May 18, 2011 at 5:00am — No Comments

BFS Acquires New Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting Tender

The Barbados Fire Service has acquired a new Rosenbauer - Panther, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle. The new appliance will join the existing fleet of crash tenders at the Airport Fire Station and improve the departments ability to respond to aerodrome emergencies at the Grantley Adams International Airport.

The vehicle which was acquired from Angloco Limited in the United Kingdom was manufactured by Rosenbauer. The Barbados… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on April 21, 2011 at 2:30pm — No Comments

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

A Review of Modern Pump Panels

Inside the Apparatus Industry

What’s best—the side-mounted, top-mounted or even the side-mounted top-mount pump panel?

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

I’ve written an article or two in my time about how to choose the right pump panel for your vehicle. Those articles focused primarily on your choice between a side-mounted or… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on February 16, 2011 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

Barbados Fire Service Acquires New Tanker

The Barbados Fire Service has acquired a water tanker capable of carrying 3 000 gallons. The tanker was purchased for $715 972 from British company Angloco, which designs, manufactures and distributes firefighting and rescue equipment.

It was officially handed over at the Grantley Adams International Airport. Chief Fire Officer Wilfred

Marshall said the new tanker, the "first of its kind on the island", would be stationed at the… Continue

Added by Glyne Alleyne on February 10, 2011 at 11:30pm — No Comments

To Refurb or Not to Refurb—That Is the Question

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

With the economy being the way it is these days—department budgets stretched to the limit and layoffs happening all around us—the only logical choice for some fire chiefs is to cut their apparatus budgets. As a result, instead of buying million-dollar-plus aerial apparatus, they’re choosing to refurb existing apparatus at a… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on December 15, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

Darley Products Help Communities Purify Water in Times of Disaster

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

As I was walking around the exhibit floor at FRI a few months ago, I stopped by the always-large Darley booth. Darley always has an array of products to peruse, which isn’t surprising considering that they’ve been around since 1908 and have always had a jump on many other manufacturers when it comes to new ideas for the… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on November 17, 2010 at 1:00am — 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

Good Things Are Happening at E-One These Days

Inside the Apparatus Industry

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

E-One, one of the top five apparatus manufacturers, has weathered the storm surrounding its sale from Federal Signal 2 years ago, and it seems to be doing OK for itself these days. In fact, it’s made some big announcements in the past year. Let’s review.

At FDIC this year, E-One announced its… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on October 20, 2010 at 6:00am — 4 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

Tool Mounting: Get with the Program

INSIDE THE APPARATUS INDUSTRY

If you’re going to shell out that much cash for an apparatus, then don’t forget to plan out your tool-mounting needs

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 14, 2010 at 6:30am — No Comments

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

Hosebed Design: How Low Can You Go?

Inside the Apparatus Industry

How Low Can You Go?

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

E-One…

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Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on May 19, 2010 at 11:30am — 3 Comments

A drill to help members build familiarity on those lesser-used tools & equipment

QUICK DRILLS

What’s in Your Compartment?

A drill to help members build familiarity on those lesser-used tools & equipment

Story & Photos by Homer Robertson

What do your grandmother and your fire department have in common?

Neither one has thrown anything away in the last… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on March 4, 2010 at 8:00am — No Comments

KME displays modern-looking Force 1500 ARFF vehicle

The Future of ARFF

KME displays modern-looking Force 1500 ARFF vehicle

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

I’m sure that most of you who attended FDIC and the Harrisburg Fire Expo exhibit halls stopped by the KME booth and saw its new Force 1500 ARFF vehicle. It was definitely worth a look. At first glance it appeared quite futuristic in nature, and after taking a closer look, I can see that a lot of great engineering went into the design of this… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on September 30, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Highly Mobile Minis: HMA Fire Apparatus debuts 4 prototypes

Highly Mobile Minis: HMA Fire Apparatus debuts 4 prototypes

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

A new fire apparatus manufacturer has emerged with four new products for the fire service industry. HMA Fire Apparatus, based in Madison, Wis., is an up-and-coming fire apparatus and equipment company that’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.

I had the pleasure of spending some time at FDIC with Rory Groonwald, the vice president of operations and… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on August 31, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

Hosebeds Revisited: Follow the manufacturers’ lead & design ergonomically correct hosebeds

Hosebeds Revisited

Follow the manufacturers’ lead & design ergonomically correct hosebeds

Story & Photos by Bob Vaccaro

It’s been a couple years since I touched on the subject of fire apparatus hosebeds, so I thought it was time for an update. If you visit some of the fire service conference exhibit halls, you’ll notice an interesting phenomenon: More and more fire departments, along with just about all of the fire apparatus manufacturers,… Continue

Added by Fire Rescue Magazine on July 15, 2009 at 8:00am — 6 Comments

In Defense of Tradition

On Saturday I spent a few hours at the Fire Expo here in San Diego. Organized by the Burn Institute each year, the Expo combines firefighting demonstrations with safety messages to educate kids about fire safety and raise money for the Burn Institute’s programs that benefit children with burn injuries.