Fewer firefighter deaths attributed to apparatus are being recorded thanks to improvements in design, according to the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers' Association (FAMA).
The group released a study documenting the safety and performance advances in commercial fire equipment over the past 25 years.
"We believe this study will help a wider audience, including civic groups, local governments and the general public, realize the tremendous improvements that have been made in fire apparatus over the years,” said Karen Burnham, executive assistant to the board for FAMA. "It supports our dedication to building safe fire and rescue equipment that save lives.”
Improvements recorded in the study include:
• Fully enclosed cabs that improve crew safety, comfort and communication.
• Air disc brakes that reduce stopping distances and brake fade for improved safety for departments and the community.
• Combination rescue/pumper units that improve fire department rescue response time.
• Reflective striping around the perimeter of vehicles that improves vehicle visibility and reduces crash risks.
• Sirens and air horns mounted low and to the front for less cab noise, improved crew communication.
• Automatic tire chains for improved tire traction in adverse weather.
• New, improved warning lights that allow 360-degree visibility around the vehicle.
• Roll-up door use, which improves access and reduces risk of door damage.
Last month, FAMA published an independent report covering the improved apparatus safety standards introduced into NFPA 1901 specification in 1992.
The study found over the past decade there has been a 15 percent reduction in collisions per call, a 40 percent drop in injuries per call, and a 20 percent cut in fatalities per call.
However, it also reported the number of new trucks entering the service annually is declining, and the number of new trucks put into service per 100,000 calls dropped by 30 percent.
"Nearly half of all fire trucks are 15 years and older, and the majority of U.S. fire departments do not have an apparatus replacement plan,” according to a release by the Governmental Affairs Committee of the FAMA. "Replacement of obsolete apparatus not in compliance with the latest safety standards is required to further reduce firefighter fatalities and injuries, and better cope with the rising frequency of emergency calls.”
FireRescue1's Apparatus Essentials columnist Bob Vaccaro said he had witnessed huge changes in apparatus design.
"The last several years has seen a wealth of improvements from all of the fire apparatus manufacturers,” Vaccaro said. "It seems that they are all competing to build the safest type of fire apparatus, which I think is a healthy competition, and something I hope that they continue to do in the future.”
Vehicle safety was also a topic of concern at the second National Line-of-Duty Death Prevention Summit held in Novato, Calif.
Draft recommendations made at the event included building a bridge between end-users and apparatus manufacturers/dealers for new apparatus delivery training, and developing a universal guidance document for end-users to assist in the safe design of emergency vehicles.
