Fire Apparatus

Many in the fire service have an affection for brush trucks, wildland engines, grass rigs, patrol pumpers or any one of half a dozen other names for the quintessential firefighting tool for fires in the wild. Brush trucks do it in the dirt, where their larger cousins fear to go.

Teaching a firefighter how to safely, effectively, and efficiently drive a piece of fire apparatus is one of the most awesome responsibilities that an instructor can undertake. That challenge becomes greater all the time as fewer firefighters come to the job having had at least some experience driving a large truck.

In August 1988 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Current Intelligence Bulletin 50, Carcinogenic Effects of Exposure to Diesel Exhaust, described the workplace hazard presented by diesel engine emissions. It said that studies on animals confirmed the potential carcinogenicity of whole diesel exhaust and that the exhaust should be regarded as a potential occupational carcinogen.

Big water goes by many names in the fire service. Master stream appliance, monitor, water cannon, deluge set (gun), turret pipe and wagon pipe are just a few of the more common tags hung upon the equipment that firefighters rely upon when a big fire needs big gallons per minute.

Was that one brutal summer or what? Well, don't take too long to catch your breath because winter weather has already begun to arrive in some parts of the country, and it's only October.

I was contacted several weeks ago, following the posting of my piece, “Navigating the Used Fire Apparatus Marketplace," by a reader, Billy Claunch with an offer of his expertise. Claunch is vice president of sales for Brindlee Mountain Used Fire Apparatus, the largest dealer of used fire apparatus in the United States.

As a former hose jockey, I believe that engine companies are the backbone of the fire service; yet, I have profound respect and admiration for truckies. And a significant component that differentiates a truckie from a hose jockey is the aerial apparatus.

A fire scene is in some ways like a great big operating room. There are precise tools and skilled operators deployed to correct a bad situation. And how firefighters store those tools of the trade is just as important as how the surgery staff organizes its tools.

Many auctions and used fire apparatus dealers are reporting strong demand for used fire apparatus. At the same time, however, they are reporting that the supply of quality used fire apparatus available for purchase is very low.

In a growing number of cities and small towns motorists, pedestrians and people sitting in their homes are experiencing sound vibrations that have them asking that question: "Was that an earthquake?" So what is the vibration if it's not an earthquake?