By Alan M. Petrillo The Coplay (PA) Fire Department needed to replace a 30-year-old engine and an equally aging rescue truck. But instead of purchasing two new vehicles, it decided to merge their functions...
The Comfort Continues
Seat comfort is designed in from the start, beginning with the frame and perfected with our foam. Valor First Responder Seating foam is focused on three key areas; comfort, aesthetics and durability, providing the appropriate amount of flexibility, shape and support...
Dimmable Warning Lights: Part 2
By Bill Adams “Dimmable Warning Lights” is a misleading title. I originally thought the proposed changes to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus were to allow dimming warning lights in the blocking the right-of-way...
2017 E-ONE Cyclone II Aerial
Truck 451 was placed into service with the University Park (TX) Fire Department in the spring of 2017. The cab (raised roof) is the Cyclone II X medium model mounted on a Cyclone II chassis.
Skippack (PA) Fire Company Gets Rescue-Pumper from Ferrara Fire Apparatus
By Alan M. Petrillo The Skippack (PA) Fire Company runs to a lot of motor vehicle accidents where it sends its heavy rescue, backed up by a pumper in case water has to be flowed. But, the process means that...
Dimmable Warning Lights, Part 1
By Bill Adams Mentioning warning lights and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1901) Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus in the same sentence might elicit emotional and occasional irrational statements from firefighters, the NFPA safety gurus (not a...
Top 5 Posts from “The Rig” in 2018
Enjoy looking back on the top five posts of 2018 from "The Rig." Miami-Dade (FL) Fire Rescue Department Taking Delivery of Six Clean Cab Concept Rescue-Pumpers The Rig: It’s the Little Things Gallery: Rigs on the Show Floor at FDIC International 2018 New...
Tractor-Drawn Aerials (TDAs) Offer Maneuverability, Maximum Compartment Space, Excess Ground Ladder Storage
Tractor-Drawn Aerials (TDAs) once were a common sight in fire department fleets, especially in fire departments where their coverage area includes older city areas filled with narrow streets, or...
Port Hardy (BC) Fire Rescue Chooses E-ONE HP78 eMAX Quint for Its Fleet
By Alan M. Petrillo After a study of high-rise structures in its fire protection district, Port Hardy (BC) Fire Rescue learned it had 18 four-story structures that didn't allow full access to them as the...
Wildland Innovations Powering Designs in Rigs Crafted for Fire Agency’s Needs
By Alan M. Petrillo There are plenty of wildland Type 6 and Type 3 fire vehicles in fire department and fire agency fleets throughout the country, based chiefly on the typical requirements of wildland firefighters for maneuverability and off-road capability in the...
Tanker Innovations Improve Water Carrying, Vehicle Handling Abilities
By Alan M. Petrillo Tankers (tenders), especially those carrying very large amounts of water, have sometimes been criticized for two major drawbacks: sacrificing compartment space to get to a specified...
Pierre (LA) Part Volunteer Fire Department Custom Pumper
TYPE Custom Pumper CHASSIS Igniter BODY Extruded Aluminum Body PUMP Side Mount - Hale Qflo 1,250-gpm FOAM Foam Pro 2002, 20-gallon foam cell TANK 1,000-gallon water