Equipment & Technology
Apparatus, gear, stations and the technology fire and EMS departments rely on.
Tap into the gaming culture to train drivers
One of the core responsibilities for any emergency services organization is the proper training of its personnel for safe over-the-road operation of emergency vehicles. This is especially true for fire and EMS organizations operating large trucks, when roughly 25 percent of annual firefighter fatalities occur when responding to or returning from alarms.
12 things to have in your apparatus glove box
One thing we can all agree upon in the world of fire and EMS response is that the scope of our operations has greatly expanded. We also likely agree that the body of knowledge required by our personnel has greatly expanded and continues to do so in quantum leaps.
When and how to use fire grenades
It is tempting to dismiss thoughts of fire grenades based on our experiences with carbon tetrachloride bombs. But, as we're told to use the technology that works, it is worth revisiting these devices.
How to outfit your dept. with fitness equipment
The most important piece of firefighter safety equipment is the individual firefighter. If the individual inside the turnout gear, wearing the SCBA, working under a command structure, with a portable radio is not in good physical condition he is the weakest link in the firefighter chain-of-survival.
What’s hot with emergency response software
If there's one thing that hounds the fire service it's our reputation for not being, shall we say, the best documenters of the work we do in our communities. Our lack of documentation prowess has several negative influences on our organizations, with the most debilitating being the lack of a comprehensive national fire response database.
Simple, versatile pike pole gets accessorized
The humble pike pole's entry into the U.S. fire service began in the 1600s when it was used to pull down walls and neighboring buildings in the path of a fire to stop the fire's spread. Also known as a ceiling hook, the pike pole is the "hook" in a hook-and-ladder company, also known as a truck company.
When to choose pump and roll
Climate change along with continued human encroachment into the wildland urban interface is making many fire departments realize that they need wildland firefighting capabilities, and these departments are not all west of the Mississippi River. Those departments are finding that their Type I and II engines, the traditional pumping apparatus with an in-line pump, are not the right fit when combating fires and protecting structures in the WUI.
Airport Protection: What’s New in ARFF Vehicles
Here's what you need to know before replacing, or buying your first, airport rescue and firefighting vehicle.
6 tools for breaching auto glass
Automakers use two types of glass: tempered and laminated. Tempered glass has commonly been used for the side and rear windows, while laminated glass was reserved for windshields.
What’s in your turnout coat pockets?
Popular TV commercials for a credit card these days feature pitchmen Alec Baldwin and Jimmy Fallon — and occasionally Fallon’s adorable young lady sidekick — asks the question: "What's in your wallet?" Personally, I like it when the little girl asks it and makes Fallon look a bit silly, but that's just me.
Sirens: Let’s make some noise
Sirens. Firefighters love them and more than a few in the general public detest them — as evidenced by letters to the editor in many daily newspapers. And lawyers have grown increasingly fond of sirens as a new revenue stream.
Tools to pump from static-water supplies
Obtaining a water supply for fire suppression from a static source like a lake, stream, or pond has always been a cornerstone of rural water supply. Not that it's always been easy. But a new generation of hard suction hose and appliances are making this crucial rural water supply task much easier.