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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on February 28, 2014 at 9:44am

I saw one of the flat packs at the IAFF Health and Safety Conference in NYC a few years ago, but it was still in the R and D phase then. At this point I'm guessing it is still at that point because you really don't see the commercial use as of yet. The biggest hang up I would suspect is cost, considering the cost to refit a dept, refit bracketry on rigs, etc. I know I'm just probablly saying stuff you already know, but just haven't seen the bigger push on these yet, may start off as more of a specialy tool, like for confined space, etc. I suppose you could always contact the manufacturer.

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Permalink Reply by Don Catenacci on February 28, 2014 at 1:17pm

If my memory serves me, I doubt any of those flat packs would work in any current jump seats.  Or even in the usual storage compartments.

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Permalink Reply by capcityff on February 28, 2014 at 2:15pm

They were tested here in DC when they were first released.  I remember a video released while going through a few drills with them.

Here's a different video where they were used with PG County, MD.  

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2010/05/iaff-flat-pack.html

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Permalink Reply by capcityff on February 28, 2014 at 2:19pm

That would be an easy fix though.  Many of our companies fix up their rigs with shelves or holders that serve them best.  We have a lot of companies and each part of the city is different than the other.  Though everything is generally the same, downtown companies, who only run high rises, will have things set up differently than uptown companies.  Hose loads can be different lengths and tools can be places differently.  They could easily build something to place the pack in.  

Two other options would be to just place the pack on the seat like a normal scba since its so thing.  Heck you could even place it onto your coat if you wanted.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Ramsdell on February 28, 2014 at 2:46pm

I remember now that Prince George did some testing.  I actually found one manufacturer online that seems to sell them, a first generation pack, but not one of the big two I mentioned.

I know most departments, muni or vol, don't have that kind of cash to throw around to potentially buy and then retro fit rigs.  I guess I'm more interested in the technology and what the future holds for us.  Like most things, the tech was lauded as an injury saver for a week or so and then fell to the wayside.  Like so many flash-in-the-pan things, I don't want to see these developments forgotten, nor would I want to see unsafe products out there.

Maybe I'll give the manufacturers a ring.

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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on February 28, 2014 at 9:09pm

I guess I'm more interested in the technology and what the future holds for us.  Like most things, the tech was lauded as an injury saver for a week or so and then fell to the wayside.  Like so many flash-in-the-pan things, I don't want to see these developments forgotten,

I can understand the sentiments here, but I may be a bit more optimistic in thinking this technology will tend to start getting more mainstream as improvements are found. It most likely will take a bit more of a niche area to start seeing these more (like for confined space) but, not as cost effective as a frontline replacement so far.

 

When thermal imaging first came out, the technology was there to improve the job, but it wasn't as widespread nor as cost effective. Today, it is a rarity to find a dept that doesn't use a TIC because of how costs decreased even as the technology improved. With SCBAs we have seen packs get lighter, steel bottles replaced with carbon fiber, integrated PASS and so forth. We see technologies improving as well as standards being written for manufacturers to conform.

 

The resistence right now is the fact that this is still the first generation design and has not really gone commercial, especially from the big name players like SCOTT, MSA, etc. Once you start seeing them getting used, I would bet you will see them becoming more available. Another reason I think you may see these in the future is the invested interest by the IAFF into this. When you have one of the biggest firefighter organizations promoting this, it will only be a matter of time.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by DAVID GONZALEZ on August 14, 2014 at 11:59pm

i know this forum is old however one of my favorite scba packs is the avon isi viking light weight 360 view with a air switch system. high pressure which has a LED light display inside the mask instead of being with the regulator and with voice amplification you can also have a radio integrated so you plug into the pass device and use the PTT http://www.avon-protection.com/Fire/deltair.htm#mainMenu=overview&a...

newest model

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