Apparatus and Equipment on Display at FDIC 2008

By William C. Peters

Each spring, tens of thousands of firefighters descend on Indianapolis to enrich their knowledge of firefighting; learn and practice their skills at the hands-on training programs; and, at week’s end, examine the latest innovations from the apparatus and equipment manufacturers.

The crowds were surging outside the doors of the exhibit halls when the welcome announcement was made. And this year, as in years past, no one was disappointed (photo 1)!


(1) Acres of displays were available, much to the attendees’ delight. (Photos by author.)

I visited booths and talked with representatives to see what they had on display and what was new and exciting this year. This is a sample of some of the offerings.

SPARTAN

Spartan had its new Furion custom chassis on display. It is Spartan’s entry level chassis that gives the customer the styling and benefits of a custom at a price that is closer to a commercial model (photo 2).


(2) Spartan’s new Furion entry level chassis.

The truck was well built and roomy on the interior. It has a standard 94-inch-width cab constructed of galvanized steel and a single, full-width windshield for increased visibility and a more aerodynamically shaped contour. The unit on display was a medium four-door (MFD) model with seven-inch raised roof.

BRAUN

While I never claimed to be an ambulance buff, Braun put the Spartan Furion chassis under a Braun body and came up with an ambulance/rescue transport vehicle for Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue in the department’s traditional lime green and white color configuration. This concept makes sense when a full fire company of four or more personnel needs to respond on a medical call. Rather than running a separate engine and ambulance, there is plenty of room in the cab for the full crew (photo 3).


(3) Braun used the Spartan Furion chassis for an ambulance/rescue transport vehicle.

 

PIERCE

Last year, Pierce unveiled its Pierce Ultimate Configuration (PUC) at FDIC. Pierce removed the pump house, which typically is inserted between the cab and body, allowing for a shorter wheelbase, a more maneuverable chassis, or a larger body with increased compartmentation.

This year Pierce expanded the PUC product line to include a top-mount pumper, a 75-foot aluminum ladder, and a Custom Contender PUC.

The top mount actually has a top-side-mount pump operator’s panel. This gets the pump operator off the street and in an elevated position without increasing the wheelbase, as it does on a standard top-mount pumper with a walkway. The fold-out steps are contained in a compartment under the pump panel, allowing a safe graduated stepping surface up to the operator’s location (photo 4).


(4) The fold-out steps on this top-side-mount pump are neatly stored in a compartment below.

The single-axle, 75-foot aluminum rear-mount PUC aerial has more storage space and a shorter wheelbase than aerials with a conventional pump enclosure (photo 5).


(5) Pierce PUC configuration on single rear axle 75-foot aluminum aerial.

Pierce has applied the PUC configuration to the Custom Contender line, which is its entry level product. This allows customers who require a more cost-efficient apparatus to gain all of the benefits of PUC design.

E-ONE

This year, E-One unveiled its new configuration, the Synergy. The Synergy concept can be applied to E-One’s current custom chassis line including the Quest, Cyclone, and Typhoon as well as the Freightliner or International commercial chassis.

The Synergy uses a compact pump module directly behind the cab. Pump controls are all electronic and can be located in the first compartment on the driver’s side or enclosed in the cab on the custom models (photo 6). Using less space for the pump panel allows a shorter wheelbase as well as increased usable compartment space.


(6) This fully electronic pump panel is located in the cab on this E-One Synergy.

Pump access is available from all four sides, and preconnected crosslays are also lower for better accessibility (photo 7).


(7) Pump access on the E-One Synergy is from all four sides.

On the 75-foot “Side Stacker” aerial, E-One made some modifications to shorten the hosebed and increase the cubic feet of available space in the forward compartment on the right side (photos 8, 9).


(8) The popular E-One side stacker hosebed has been shortened to add compartment space.

 


(9) Many customers want larger compartments.

E-One also had on display its coil spring independent front suspension, combining components of a coil spring suspension with a reinforced cross-member and solid frame to give a firm ride with exceptional maneuverability. The 17-inch disc brakes help add to the stopping power (photo 10).


(10) E-One displayed the components of its coil spring independent front suspension.

 

MARION

Marion had the Firestorm Maximizer series demonstrator unit on display. Since rescue trucks are like big rolling tool boxes, there are a lot of neat things that can be done with all of that compartmentation.

One thing that really caught my eye was the use of reflective material on the edges of the shelves and roll-out tool boards. There was chevron striping on the rear of the apparatus as well as the roll-out tool boards in the same material and pattern. Also, every roll-out shelf had the red/white DOT reflective tape on all edges, increasing safety around the rig (photo 11).


(11) Reflective striping on the edges of compartment pull-out shelves and roll-out tool boards increase visibility for safety.

 

HME AHRENS-FOX

HME Ahrens-Fox has a contract to supply the California Office of Emergency Services (OES) with these interesting combination pumping units. They qualify as standard structural pumpers as well as Type II wildland apparatus (photo 12).


(12) HME Ahrens-Fox displayed a combination wildland/structural pumper designed for the California Office of Emergency Management.

This unit had lots of special features. In addition to the 1,250-gpm Hale single-stage fire pump, it had a Darley diesel auxiliary pump for pump-and-roll capabilities. An 850-gallon water tank and 20-gallon class A foam concentrate tank give this small unit lots of knockdown potential.

The body is constructed of stainless steel and has a short 165-inch wheelbase and 20-degree angles of approach and departure. In addition to the chevron striping on the rear, the front bumper is also striped.

FERRARA

The Ferrara Strong Arm is really an amazing piece of equipment. When you get a close-up look at the stainless-steel, hardened “5th Man” nozzle, it is quite an awesome sight!

The triangle-shaped boom has an articulating end and a 50-foot reach. The boom is controlled by a radio-control unit for precise placement, as you wouldn’t want to drop this heavy-duty, oversized cellar nozzle in the wrong place (photo 13)!


(13) Ferrara’s “Strong Arm” boom can push, pull, lift, and apply foam and water.

The nozzle has four wedge-shaped points, and the boom can exert 40,000 pounds of force at the tip, giving it the capability to easily penetrate most roofs and walls. The nozzle has 52 jets capable of delivering 1,500-gpm of water in a 50-foot-wide spray. The same 50-foot-wide area can be sprayed with class A or B foam from the same nozzle (photo 14).


(14) The “5th man” nozzle has 52 jets to apply water or foam.

In addition to water application, it can be used for vertical ventilation, forcible entry, crane operations, and lifting.

SUMMIT

Summit had a very neat, compact breathing air compressor truck on display. When you open the rear compartment, you are faced with a honeycomb of air cylinder tubes. The face of half of the tubes is green for full cylinders and the other half is yellow for empty. These tubes go through into the filling area (photo 15).


(15) Air cylinders are passed from the outside of the truck to the fill station on the inside and returned full.

The fill station operator stands in the rear enclosed, well-lit compartment that is sheltered and out of the weather. He can take cylinders that are passed through the yellow “empty” side, fill them in the fragmentation chamber on the opposite side of the room, and return them to the green “full” area for firefighters to take from the outside of the truck. Compressor controls and the electrical panel are right at the operator’s fingertips (photo 16).


(16) All breathing air fill controls are inside the body in a well-lit area out of the weather.

I have seen this configuration before but not in such a neat package.

FIREMATIC

Firematic is a local builder on Long Island, New York. It started manufacturing the Brush Rapid Attack Truck (BRAT) after a devastating brush fire season several years ago. Lots of thought went into this rugged little unit. Firematic makes four versions: the original BRAT, Rally BRAT, Front Mount BRAT, and Rescue BRAT (photo 17).


(17) A rugged Firematic BRAT brush fire unit on display.

The Original BRAT on display has a full aluminum roll cage, seating for five, heavy duty flat bed construction, up to a 500-gallon tank, and a 60-hp diesel pump engine and carries up to 300 feet of three-inch supply hose.

The Rally BRAT, which was also on display, is somewhat less expensive. It has a lighter chassis, seating for two, no roll cage, lightweight flat bed with roll bar, up to a 250-gallon tank, 18-hp gasoline-driven pump, and up to 200 feet of 11⁄2-inch discharge hose.

Several options are available that can be added to these units.

CRIMSON

Crimson displayed its first mid-mount aerial platform apparatus. It has all of the neat features and the same engineering as Crimson’s rear mount, including greaseless ladder roller assist, which provides smooth aerial operations and reduces maintenance over the life of the apparatus (photo 18).


(18) Crimson’s first mid-mount platform.

 

HALE PRODUCTS

Hale had its full line of pumps, pump drives, and Class I controls on display. One that caught my eye was a very organized pump module unit. It is preengineered using Hale and Class I products integrated into a single unit. The major components are assembled, plumbed, and pretested, which gives the apparatus manufacturer a complete unit to install in the chassis (photo 19).


(19) Hale’s preassembled pump module has an easy to understand, color-coded pump panel.

The pump panel had low-mounted crosslay preconnects and brightly color-coded graphics around the controls that were sensibly grouped. A very nice package!

POWERARC

PowerArc, which got the attention of the fire service several years ago with its oscillating halogen warning lights, has taken this configuration to the next step. Although the predominant light source for warning lights in the industry has evolved to LED technology, most manufacturers have expanded the LED’s range of projection by using various patterns of flash, lens configuration, and mounting optics. PowerArc has combined its signature oscillating motion with high-output LEDs to produce an extremely powerful, eye-catching display. LEDs can be provided in all of PowerArc’s popular warning light configurations (photo 20).


(20) PowerArc combines LED technology with motion in a full line of very effective warning lights.

 

AMERICAN LaFRANCE

American LaFrance had five rigs on display this year. On one aerial, a newly patented sensor signals the driver if the truck is too close to a fixed object to fully extend the stabilizers. This could save valuable time in setting up the aerial, as the driver would know before he leaves the cab if the truck needs to be repositioned.

Although American LaFrance has been through some rough financial times the past several months, President and CEO Bill Hinz assured me the company would be back in full production shortly.

FIRE RESEARCH

The think-tank at Fire Research has been working overtime producing new products for the fire service. The new NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, is going to require two important products to enhance firefighter safety: a seat belt monitor and a vehicle data recorder. Fire Research has answered the call and produced the Seat Monitor and a vehicle data recorder that can be combined with the Seat Monitor for a complete package.

The seat belt monitor contains the logic to detect if the correct sit-and-buckle sequence is not followed for all seats. An optional lateral G-force indicator alerts the driver of side forces that are increasing as the apparatus rounds a curve or slope (photo 21).


(21) Seat belt monitoring devices will be required in the updated NFPA apparatus standard. This unit from Fire Research also has a lateral G-force indicator.

The vehicle data recorder collects and stores operating information once per second in a 48-hour loop. This is the equivalent of an aircraft’s “black box.” It will show speed, acceleration and deceleration, engine rpm, ABS event, seat belt use, master warning light position, and lateral G indicator if that option is included. All of this can be uploaded to a computer by USB port or by an optional hand-held wireless unit (photo 22).


(22) This vehicle data recorder (black box) captures all vehicle information including seat belt use.

Several other products including a new intercom and an intake pressure-control system to regulate incoming water pressure for a safer operation were on display.

MPRI L3 DRIVING SIMULATOR

MPRI L3 had on display a very realistic driving simulator. Three plasma screens surround a driver’s seat and steering wheel console that makes the operator feel as though he is in a big rig.

As the simulation begins, the sights and sounds of driving are apparent. The driver even gets to see the reverse image in the rearview mirrors! The computer operator can simulate countless situations from normal driving to seeing a “working fire” straight ahead. At one point, a simulated front tire blowout caused the steering wheel to rumble, along with the sound effects (photo 23).


(23) This driving simulator gave a very realistic view from the driver’s seat of various road conditions.

One of the more amusing simulations I saw was when a firefighter from South America was in the driver’s seat. As he went along, the computer put him in rain, then snow (which I don’t believe he ever saw before!), then dense fog, where he wrecked the truck in a collision with a taxi cab.

While this was fun to watch, the reality is that an enormous amount of training can be accomplished on a driving simulator while keeping everyone safe.

DARLEY

Every year there usually is something at FDIC that really catches my eye; this year, it was Darley’s line of “PuriFire” water purification systems. Working with a Homeland Security market development grant, Darley designed a line of water purification systems that can be deployed by first responders to maintain a potable water supply in an emergency (photo 24).


(24) Darley has incorporated a water purification system into a pump house. This could be a critical addition during a natural disaster.

There are six models available—from a small portable system in a poly box to large military models that can be mounted on a vehicle or a trailer. The one I saw was the municipal unit built right into a Darley pump module.

The system uses water from the fire pump, circulates it through various stages of purification, and can produce 20 gpm of drinking water from a contaminated river or lake and 10 gpm from sea water. The small control cluster was fitted into the right-side pump panel, and all of the components were neatly contained without expanding the pump housing.

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, drinking water is a commodity that is usually scarce and vitally necessary for the public that we serve. This system could certainly keep a community functioning until help arrives or the municipal water system is stabilized.

ROSENBAUER

Rosenbauer launched its Tech Drive ’08 campaign as well as celebrated its 10th anniversary in America (photo 25). The company’s 101-foot Cobra platform uses electronic control technology to operate the aerial hydraulics. The tilting seat operator’s position at the turntable is comfortable, and the single stick control simplifies operations (photo 26).


(25) A Rosenbauer pumper kicks off “Tech Drive ’08.”

 


(26) This Rosenbauer platform is controlled from a seat and has a single joystick control.

The electronics allows for a remote control operation with a strap-on console that allows the operator to get the best view of the aerial’s operating position. One unique thing about this configuration is that it also receives information back from the apparatus as to the aerial angle and extension (photo 27).


(27) A strap-on console allows the operator to control the platform wirelessly.

A massive 6 × 6 pumper with six-wheel steering made easy work of stepping over logs placed in its way. Several of these units were manufactured for Turkey, where frequent earthquakes present a problem for responders (photo 28).


(28) This 6 × 6 pumper was designed to operate in an earthquake-ravaged area.

The 100-foot Raptor aerial was set up with uneven stabilizer positioning but operated without a problem. The electronic “envelope controls” won’t allow the aerial to move into a position where it will become unstable (photo 29).


(29) The small “Raptor” has a 100-foot aerial on a chassis that is slightly larger than a pumper.

One Rosenbauer pumper demonstrated had a gel dispensing system piped to a reel line. This fire retardant gel was used recently in California and prevented many homes from igniting, according to company representatives.

The Rosenbauer Revolution body was another interesting change on display. The body is designed using state-of-the-art computer engineering software and is sent directly from the design computer to computer-controlled fabricating equipment. Individual compartment modules are assembled and welded using a system where a tab lines up with a notch in the mating part and they are then welded. This ensures a perfect alignment of the individual pieces. The body is available in many styles and features increased compartment depth and height (photo 30).


(30) Rosenbauer’s Revolution body uses computer technology to manufacture precise parts.

The steel subframe and body are assembled using Huck Bolts. This system uses power equipment to tighten the bolt to a specific torque then clamps the nut in place, leaving a vibrationproof fastening system (photo 31).


(31) The body and subframe are fastened using Huck Bolts to maintain a vibrationproof system.

 

William C. Peters retired after 28 years with the Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department, having served the past 17 years as battalion chief/supervisor of apparatus. He served as a voting member of the NFPA 1901 apparatus committee for several years and is the author of the Fire Apparatus Purchasing Handbook, the apparatus chapters in The Fire Chief’s Handbook, and numerous apparatus-related articles. He is a member of the Fire Engineering editorial advisory board and of the FDIC executive advisory board.

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