Once again, the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis (April 24–29) was the place to be for the latest and greatest fire-service products. While on assignment for FireRescue magazine, I scoured the vast exhibit halls in search of hot products that may be useful for your department.
1. Havis-Shields' Kwik-Strike 4000 HID Perimeter Scene LightWorking at night presents a variety of hazards for emergency responders. As such, the folks at Havis-Shields have designed a device that needs little maintenance, doesn't require extra alternators or generators for power and looks good, too.The Kwik-Strike 4000 HID Perimeter Scene Light (KR-4035X) is a 12-V light fixture with a xenon HID bulb. The flush-mounted fixture recesses cleanly into a standard 2" apparatus wall. The xenon bulb is instant "on," has no problems with hot re-strikes and provides daylight-quality light. The light uses 3.5 amps and has a lumen rating of 3200 — 33 percent greater than the 120-V/150-watt model. Havis-Shields reports the light's bulb life at 3,000 hours, 50 percent better than its 120-V halogen lights. Re-lamping is done from the front, so the lamps don't need to be replaced as often and it isn't a huge ordeal when you do have to replace them. Another plus: The xenon HID light is much cooler to the touch than the halogen light.
The Kwik-Strike 4000 light is available in numerous models, with either the 12-V xenon HID bulb described above or the more standard 120-V halogen-style bulb, which requires a generator or inverter on emergency vehicles. The different models provide horizontal or downward beams and feature reflectors on either the left or right side, depending on the look you want. List pricing is $495 for the 12-V xenon bulb units and $195 for the 120-V halogen bulb units. Departments that only need a few scene lights on a vehicle and no portable lighting should consider some of the new xenon lights in lieu of the standard halogen lights that require a generator or inverter.
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Kwik-Strike 4000 HID Perimeter Scene Light |
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Pros
+ Doesn't get hot like halogen bulbs;
+ Can be turned on hot;
+ Long bulb life; and
+ Runs off 12-V batteries so it doesn't need a generator or inverter.
Cons
- Price, but not if you avoid buying a generator or inverter; and
- Only available in flush-mount design. |
Havis-Shields Equipment Corp.
75 Jacksonville Road
Warminster, PA 18974
Tel: 800/524-9900
Fax: 215/957-0729
Contact: Bill Niemier
E-mail: marketing@havis.com
Web: www.havis.com |
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2. Akron Brass' MercuryMaster1000
Around 2004, Akron Brass began marketing one of the smallest, most lightweight, portable monitors in the marketplace — the Mercury Quick Attack Monitor. This 14-lb. mite was capable of flowing up to 500 gpm through a single 2 1⁄2" inlet and was very easy to deploy. For a service company, Insurance Services Office® requires a minimum 500-gpm spray nozzle, but engine companies need a 1,000-gpm heavy-stream device to get full credit. If your engine isn't equipped with a fixed master stream, the new MercuryMaster1000 might be the answer.
The MercuryMaster1000 is the Mercury Quick Attack Monitor's big brother. It weighs 24 lbs. and is only slightly bigger in size; however, it's capable of flowing 1,000 gpm. One firefighter can easily carry the device, which is designed to be placed and left unmanned if necessary (see "You CAN Take It with You," p. 46, for more tips and safety precautions for using portable monitors). If you purchase the Mercury Master1000 with a Storz inlet fitting, the fitting swivels to deal with hose twisting as it is being charged. The built-in ball shut-off arrangement minimizes water hammer and is easy to use. Like most portable monitors, it comes equipped with a safety strap for tie-down purposes. So if your department is looking for a quick, portable heavy-hitter, ask an Akron Brass representative to let you try the MercuryMaster1000, listed at $3,000.
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MercuryMaster1000 |
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Pros
+ Lightweight;
+ High flow; and
+ Durable construction.
Cons
- Pricey, but in the ballpark with competing products. |
Akron Brass
343 Venture Blvd.; PO Box 86
Wooster, OH 44691
Tel: 800/228-1161
Fax: 800/531-7335
Contact: Butch Momchilov, product manager
E-mail: bmomchilov@AkronBrass.com
Web: www.akronbrass.com |
3. Rosenbauer's SCBA Seat
If you've been paying attention during the past several years, you know the importance of wearing your seatbelt while responding. At the same time, there are some concerns regarding roll-over accidents during which equipment stored in the cab area could come loose and injure firefighters. This led firefighters to strap in both themselves and their breathing apparatus. Of course, this got many troops complaining about how difficult it was to a) wear a seatbelt; b) put on an SCBA on the way to a call; and c) quickly undo the seatbelt and SCBA strap to exit the cab when arriving on the scene. These factors have led to reduced compliance with safety rules that some believe make it more difficult to do our job.
Rosenbauer addresses this issue with its new SCBA seat. The seat provides storage for breathing air systems in the apparatus seating area with a stainless-steel and aluminum construction that includes a replaceable headrest, backrest and seat cushion made of high-comfort polyurethane rigid (PUR) foam. A unique design feature allows for secure storage by the seat, actually clamping onto the SCBA itself. Firefighters can easily and quickly remove the airpack using a simple lever operation. There are no complicated belts, retainers or pull strings. This highly ergonomic seat can accommodate all breathing air systems and includes a fold-down backrest for passengers without SCBA systems. The seat has been tested to 10-g force.
The SCBA seat is moderately comfortable. The releasing mechanism was a bit stiff, but the salesman assured me that was only the prototype. The idea is a very good one, as I found it a bit challenging to undo the retaining strap found on the seats on other apparatus. I definitely think Rosenbauer is onto something here. But there is a downside: For now, these seats are only available on Rosenbauer apparatus — one more reason to give them a look.
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SCBA Seat |
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Pros
+ Eliminates the strap necessary to hold SCBAs in other seats; and
+ Easy to use.
Cons
- Currently only available on Rosenbauer apparatus. |
Rosenbauer America
100 Third St.
Lyons, SD 57041
Tel: 605/543-5591
Fax: 605/543-5593
Contact: Tom Leckband
E-mail: tleckband@rosenbaueramerica.com
Web: www.rosenbaueramerica.com |
4. Fire Research's JackStrap
I've had the opportunity to ride on engine companies in a number of progressive departments throughout the Eastern United States. Most of these companies determined how to quickly wrap their supply hose around the hydrant so the engine can take off on a forward lay, and the hydrant-person can quickly begin preparing the hydrant to supply water to the engine. In many of these cases, companies put some sort of home-made arrangement in place.
Because of our desire to put hoselines into service as quickly as possible, the hoselines tend to come off the apparatus easily. This can create a problem if the hose comes off when we don't want it to. Unfortunately, this has happened many times, resulting in injury, property damage and at least one death I'm aware of.
To address this issue, in October 2005, the NFPA issued a Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, indicating that all hose storage areas on apparatus shall be equipped with a positive means to prevent accidental hose deployment. This TIA became effective Nov. 18, 2005, and applies to new apparatus.
With this in mind, I searched the FDIC exhibits to find solutions to help departments meet this new recommended practice. Fire Research Corporation (FRC) was one of the few companies I found with a retrofit solution — the JackStrap. It's a relatively simple strap, with several adjustment/release clips that allow it to fit a 1 1⁄2" to 5" hose. It can also be adjusted to fit over a firefighter's shoulder for deployment or to use as a hose support for a nozzleperson in limited manning situations. I like it for supply hose, as well as for larger lines set up to supply large (2 1⁄2" or 3") handlines or portable monitors. It's sturdy, and the price isn't overwhelming ($49). The strap has a pocket that can hold an appropriate hydrant tool. To keep it connected to the apparatus, you need a connection point (hole, handle, etc.) for which you must provide your own carabiner. So if you're looking to speed your hydrant hookup evolutions while keeping your hose on the apparatus when needed, give the JackStrap a try.
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JackStrap |
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Pros
+ Easy fix for departments that don't have hydrant straps, or for those wanting to help deploy larger handlines or portable monitor lines; and
+ Reasonable price.
Cons
- Needs a carabiner and a place on the apparatus to hook it to. |
Fire Research Corporation
26 Southern Blvd.
Nesconset, NY 11767
Tel: 800/645-0074; 631/724-8888
Fax: 631/360-9727
Contact: Neocles Athanasiades, vice president
E-mail: neocles@fireresearch.com
Web: www.fireresearch.com |
5. Zephyr Industries' Travel-Lok Holders
During my search for products that would help fire departments keep the hose on their apparatus, I came across Zephyr Industries. Zephyr sells a variety of interesting mounting products and is now distributing several products to help prevent hose from prematurely deploying. The Travel-Lok Holder series is manufactured with a rugged aluminum alloy casting and powder-coat red finish. Stainless-steel hardware is included. Models are typically available for both 4" and 5" hose, and include the following: Model #101 TL, which is designed to hold down a single Storz coupling to a flat surface; and Model #102 TL, which is designed to hold down a hydrant-ready 4 1⁄2" threaded coupling (there is also a flush-mount version of this model).
Each model (prices vary) features a double-speed pin lock down and fast release. Zephyr also makes a tailboard bracket if you need it to allow for foot clearance and adjustment to the height of the connection, as well as a bridge bracket designed to mount one of the brackets at handrail height. If your supply hose is not secured to your apparatus, contact Zephyr or your local dealer ... now.
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Travel-Lok Holders |
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Pros
+ Keeps the hose from accidentally coming off the truck; and
+ Is relatively easy to unlock to deploy.
Cons
- None. |
Zephyr Industries
600 Twp. Road 1500, Rte. 2
Ashland, OH 44805
Tel: 800/253-9396
Fax: 419/281-0317
Contact: David Richilano, vice president
E-mail: zephyrind@aol.com
Web: www.zephyrindustries.com |
6. Elkhart Brass' Self-Educting Foam Nozzle
If you need to flow large quantities of foam and want to do so without spending a lot of money on a sophisticated foam pumper, check out Elkhart's new self-educting foam nozzle (model SM-2000-HF, list price: $2,750) that's capable of flowing up to 2,000 gpm. Elkhart Brass expanded on the company's original Hydro-Foam with this new master-stream nozzle. With this nozzle, and the advent of foams rated for hydrocarbon fires at 1 percent, a standard fire pumper with a 500-gallon tank can be easily retrofitted to handle a serious foam attack.
This nozzle is rated from 500 to 2,000 gpm and comes with an 8' pick-up tube. It easily mounts on apparatus deck guns rated at 1,000 gpm and above, making the apparatus foam-capable at that flow. You can disconnect the pumper's booster tank piping to make it a solid tank with no fittings, and fill the tank with foam. An engine with a 500-gallon foam concentrate tank and this self-educting foam nozzle is capable of producing a 2,000-gpm flow on a hydrocarbon or Class A fire for 25 minutes with a relatively minimal investment. The downside: This nozzle can only achieve these larger flows with a 1 percent setting, limiting attack on polar solvents (i.e., alcohols) as well as the new alcohol-blended gasolines and other fuels. If you are likely to run into these types of hazards, you'll need Elkhart Brass's 250–1,000-gpm nozzle (Model SM-1000-HF, list price: $2,646), which still packs a potent punch, allowing a 1,000-gpm attack for more than 16 minutes. When purchasing this equipment, remember: A significant foam concentrate source is required; if 20–30 gpm of foam concentrate is needed, 5-gallon concentrate cans won't really cut it.
Firefighting with foam can definitely be complicated. Elkhart's new line of self-educting foam nozzles can simplify operations, provided you have a ready source of foam concentrate.
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Self-Educting Foam Nozzle |
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Pros
+ Can convert an existing master-stream device into a potent foam firefighting mechanism.
Cons
- Limited to 1 percent concentrate over 1,000 gpm; and
- Requires a significant foam concentrate source to feed it. |
Elkhart Brass Mfg. Co.
1302 W. Beardsley Ave.
Elkhart, IN 46514
Tel: 800/346-0250
Fax: 574/293-9914
Contact: Alison Vance
E-mail: info@elkhartbrass.com or avance@elkhartbrass.com
Web: www.elkhartbrass.com |
7. American Trade Mark's Accountability Stake & ConeIn the March 1998 issue of FireRescue magazine, I wrote about the importance of accountability and having a system that tracks firefighters on the fireground ("Who's on First?" p. 43). Eight years later, these are still hot topics.
Many departments employ some sort of cattle-tag system: Members clip their tags to their riding position in the apparatus. But after that, things can get awfully "loosey-goosey." Firefighters usually have another tag that, in theory, should be given to someone when they enter the "hot zone." Some fire departments are religious about posting someone at the doorway to handle this; however, other departments have enough problems just getting an adequate number of firefighters to respond, let alone have the manpower early in the incident to track firefighters entering the building. In my 1998 article, there was a photo of a cone used by a Pennsylvania company to "tag-in" on at the entranceway to buildings. There was a ring on the cone onto which the officer would place their tag; crewmembers would then "tag on" to the officer's tag.
With all this in mind, the folks at American Trade Mark designed an accountability stake and an accountability cone that can be placed at the entranceway to a fire building until an accountability officer has been assigned and can manually track who is where. The stake and cone ($75 each) come with a reflective "Hang Tags Here" sign with rings mounted to them. Upon exiting, firefighters can pick up their tags. The company also offers a variety of tags and accountability boards. So if your department needs to implement an accountability system, give American Trade Mark a call.
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Accountability Stake & Cone |
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Pros
+ Simple to use;
+ Easy to carry on apparatus and put into place; and
+ Low cost.
Cons
- You must remember to pick up the tags when exiting the
structure. |
American Trade Mark Co.
2 Bohnert Place; P.O. Box 35
Waldwick, NJ 07463
Tel: 800/964-0748
Fax: 201/447-8867
Contact: Gordon McIntire, president
E-mail: gordon@superiortrademark.com
Web: www.superiortrademark.com |
8. Lighting Pro Technology's PowerstikIf you use a flashlight that requires two D-cell batteries and you want to get more out of it, check out Lighting Pro Technology's Powerstik battery conversion system. The Powerstik replaces the D-cells with eight AA batteries for a powerful light that lasts much longer.
To test the product, I took a simple flashlight that costs less than $2 and inserted the Powerstik in lieu of using two D-cells. The Powerstik provided 50 percent more light at a distance of approximately 100 feet. According to Lighting Pro Technology, the Powerstik will maintain that high-quality light for up to 12 hours, whereas D-cells will experience a 50 percent decrease in brightness after 90 minutes. Yes, you'll need to spend a bit more for both the Powerstik and the AA cells you'll need to feed it, but the product pays for itself after only two uses or 24 hours of burn time (List price: $30 for single; $160 for a box of six). It can run on only four batteries, but gets only 6 hours of run-time.
The Powerstik features a "soft-start" to the bulb. That is, when turned on, the bulb starts up slowly, rather than experiencing a sudden jolt of power, which saves bulb life. The light also "blinks" or "pulses" when batteries are about to expire — a handy feature. Lighting Pro Technology provides two spare bulbs with each unit. So if you need quality light for a lengthy period of time (I think the search and rescue folks will love this), give the Powerstik a look.
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Powerstik |
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Pros
+ Works on easy-to-find and inexpensive AA alkaline batteries;
+ Light output is approximately 50 percent greater than D-cells;
+ One set of batteries lasts for 12 hours and provides constant level of brightness for 12 hours.
Cons
- Does not work with rechargeable flashlights;
- Only works with flashlights that utilize D-cell batteries; and
- Not for use with rechargeable batteries/LED bulbs — only primary AA alkaline and lithium batteries. |
Lighting Pro Technology
100 Deerfield Road
Windsor, CT 06095
Tel: 860/524-0668
Fax: 860/967-8979
Contact: Glenn Brinckman
E-mail: gbrinckman@ lightingpro.org
Web: www.lightingpro.org |
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9. Havis-Shields' Cold-Cathode Compartment Light (KR-CCL)
It's never easy to find stuff in dark vehicle compartments. Lights are installed in the top of these compartments, but ingenious firefighters have found shelves, trays and all sorts of innovative places to fill every last inch of space. This accumulation of stuff tends to block the light at the top of the compartment. In response, manufacturers install more lights; however, finding room for these additional lights is not easy, nor is getting the light everywhere it's needed. Havis-Shields now offers a product aimed at solving these problems.
The Cold-Cathode Compartment Light (KR-CCL) is a 12-V light fixture that uses cold-cathode fluorescent technology. The light is designed for horizontal or vertical mounting in compartments, inside cabs, under hoods or in pump-access areas. The bulb is designed to reach full-light output in seconds in all environments, and it reportedly has an 18,000-hour lamp life (that's 750 days). The light provides daylight-quality light and only draws 0.6 amps at room temperature (1.6 amps max). At just 14 inches long, 1 inch wide and 1.94 inches tall, the light is certainly a space-saver.
Although I found that the plastic lens could crack if struck with a heavy, solid piece of equipment, it didn't appear to affect the light's performance. The light clearly provided more lighting than the "rope-style" lighting installed on a very nice, large rescue truck on the show floor. Additionally, the light comes with a five-year fixture warranty. If really damaged, it's relatively easy to change out the entire unit, especially considering the reasonable price ($59) and easy installation process. So if you need light for inside a compartment/hood/trunk/access area of a vehicle, take a good look at this product.
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Cold-Cathode Compartment Light (KR-CCL) |
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Pros
+ Very good light for compartment areas;
+ Easy to maintain; and
+ Long lamp life.
Cons
- Somewhat susceptible to physical damage. |
Havis-Shields Equipment Corp.
75 Jacksonville Road
Warminster, PA 18974
Tel: 800/524-9900
Fax: 215/957-0729
Contact: Bill Niemier
E-mail: marketing@havis.com
Web: www.havis.com |
10. Ringers Gloves' Barrier 1 Extrication Gloves
One challenge for rescuers: finding a pair of gloves that addresses all the potential hazards found at an extrication scene. Not only do we face a variety of physical hazards that can cut our hands, but we also face the prospect of exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Generally, this means wearing two different sets of gloves — one set to protect against cuts and one to protect against exposure — which can be a hassle.
Ringers Gloves' Barrier 1 Extrication Gloves (list price: $59.99) solves this problem. These gloves sport molded thermal plastic rubber knuckle panels and fingertip panels to protect vulnerable areas on the back of the hand while helping maintain hand dexterity. The cuffs are elastic, designed to keep out glass and debris when hands are pointed downward. Palm, thumb, finger and side panels are made of Kevlar, making them cut resistant. Most importantly, these gloves include a waterproof and breathable barrier to protect hands from blood-borne pathogens.
The gloves are relatively comfortable and allow good movement and dexterity of the hands. A great deal of thought went into the design, with different types of protection on both the back side and the palm side of the hands, specifically aimed at the types of exposures most likely to occur to that part of the body. Yes, they do cost a bit, but think about everything you use your hands for. Don't you want only the best protection?
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Barrier 1 Extrication Gloves |
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Pros
+ No need to wear undergloves for bloodborne pathogen protection;
+ Fairly good movement and dexterity of hands;
+ Reuseable.
Cons
- Price;
- A bit thicker than regular gloves; and
- Requires hand washing. |
Ringers Gloves
335 Science Drive
Moorpark, CA 93021
Tel: 800/421-8454
Fax: 805/517-1071
Contact: Ron Reyes
E-mail: ronr@ringersgloves.com
Website: www.ringersgloves.com |
Greg Jakubowski is a fire protection engineer and a certified safety professional with 27 years of fire-service experience. He is a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor and serves as a captain with the Lingohocken Fire Company in Bucks County, Pa. Greg is also a principal in Fire Planning Associates, Washington Crossing, Pa., a company dedicated to helping fire departments and businesses preplan for emergency situations.
