Active Fire Protection (AFP) - Editor's Dispatch

To be a smart city, modern urban areas leverage technology to improve operations and services, in effect deploying a network of sensors and devices to collect data on city operations such as traffic flow, energy use, and waste management. Analyzing the data points enables cities to identify areas for improvement and additional solutions to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. But what are the opportunities for the fire service in today’s smart cities? Smart cities ena...

Wildfires swept through the Panhandle region of Texas earlier in 2024. The Smokehouse Creek Fire and the Windy Deuce Fire, both starting on Feb. 26, were the most significant outbreaks. The Smokehouse Creek Fire went on to become the second largest in U.S. history, burning over a million acres across Texas and Oklahoma before it was contained in mid-March. worst-ever wildfire As Texas battled its worst-ever wildfire, firefighters worked to mitigate fire and smoke damage. Among the challenges...

Fire departments responded to an estimated average of 32,160 home fires involving electrical distribution and lighting equipment each year in 2015–2019, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Electrical fires cause scores of civilian deaths and hundreds of civilian injuries, as well as millions of dollars in property damage. Some of the electrical components that present fire hazards in the home include faulty electrical outlets and switches, worn or damaged compon...

Firefighters face unique stresses and hazards that cause a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. In fact, cardiac events are the pioneering cause of on-duty deaths among firefighters and account for approximately 45% of duty-related firefighter fatalities in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The frequency of firefighter deaths from cardiac events is evident in a cursory glance at local new...

NFPA 1900, a new standard, applies to any fire apparatus purchased beginning in January 2024. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has introduced a new, broader standard that encompasses the content previously contained in separate standards for automotive, wildland fire, aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, and automotive ambulances. The new standard is a soft-covered book containing 375 pages and incorporating 34 chapters and 10 indexes. NFPA 1900 Standard Most fire departm...

The world is changing and challenging the fire service to keep up. The core missions of firefighting and fire prevention have not changed, but the environments in which those missions operate are changing faster than ever before. Technology, sustainability, shifting demographics in recruitment and retention, and an increasing need for partnership and collaboration are among the factors that will impact the fire service and the fire industry in 2024. Let’s consider some of the big issues...

Information systems drive greater situational awareness when emergency responders are rushing to the scene, including access to live-911 audio feeds, video of the unfolding emergency, and/or geographic information showing the locations of fire hydrants and the best travel route to ensure the most rapid response. Information tools to manage emergency response include the locations of teams, vehicles, and personnel available in three dimensions, including locations in a multi-story building. Pan...

Chemicals broadly labeled as PFAs provide important properties to turnout gear used by firefighters, including better resistance to heat, water, and other hazards. Unfortunately, human exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) has also been linked to heightened cancer risk. Research on the concentration of PFAs The U.S. National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to identify the prevalence and concentration of PFAs...

Two grant programs designed to address staffing, equipment, training, and health and safety needs of firefighters are scheduled to ‘sunset’ in 2024 unless Congress reauthorizes the grant programs, and funding for the programs will run out unless Congress endows them for another year. Legislation to extend the programs has already passed the U.S. Senate. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program provides funding to hire additional personnel to mainta...

Faster 5G data speeds and low latency profoundly impact the speed of detection and response in the fire market. When seeking early detection of wildfires, for example, faster data speeds translate almost directly into a faster response. New intelligent detection technology New intelligent detection technology for wildfires combines artificial intelligence (AI) with Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity to achieve earlier detection of wildfires that could spread quickly in dry, windy conditions...

Not so long ago, there was a time when a dirty helmet symbolized firefighter bravado. A dirty helmet was seen as a testament to how hard a firefighter worked and the horrible conditions he or she withstood when completing their duties. Sometimes, there was even concern that washing and cleaning a helmet would somehow reduce the likelihood of catching another fire in the near future.  A dirty helmet no longer necessarily shows anything about a firefighter's competency or dedication to thei...

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, in May 2022, a helmet camera recorded firefighters extinguishing a truck fire along I-94, catching every detail as sparks flew and firefighters hosed down the truck to suppress the blaze. Firefighters also hosed down the grass on the side of the freeway to put out hot spots and prevent a grass fire, MLive.com reported. The helmet-cam was part of a voluntary program that involves Ann Arbor firefighters wearing cameras when responding to active structure fires to cap...

The first volunteer firefighters in the United States predate the advent of career firefighters by more than a century. Benjamin Franklin started the first volunteer firefighting brigade in 1736, while the first professional fire department was established in Cincinnati in 1853. Still, recent growth has trended away from volunteer firefighting and toward more paid career firefighters. Recruiting firefighting volunteers For one thing, firefighting volunteers currently are harder to recruit and...

Electric fire vehicles, virtual reality (FR), and firefighting robots are among the new technology innovations in the fire market. They are also among the topics covered in the articles that attracted the most attention (i.e., received the most clicks) at thebigredguide.com in 2022. summary of important issues and technologies Also attracting eyeballs in 2022 were timely issues such as the labor shortage and the ongoing risk of cancer for firefighters. Fire garments were also among the topics...

Drones provide a useful tool for multiple functions within a modern fire department. The Los Angeles City Fire Department has been among the first to embrace the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones, and the program has continued to grow in the last seven years, always guided by professionalism and accountability. training, standardization, and professional development What can other fire departments learn from the Los Angeles example? “You have to crawl first, then walk after...

Given the fire service’s mission to fight fires, it is sadly ironic that there are arsonists in our midst. Admittedly, it’s a small number when compared to the multitude of firefighters who work tirelessly to achieve their mission. However, firefighter arsonists can have a huge negative impact on the credibility of the fire service, the public perception of firefighters, and even on morale in the ranks. In reality, hundreds of arrests each year in the United States of firefighters a...

Among the ways, garments protect firefighters is by reducing the heat stress and discomfort created by the need to carry heavy gear. Making the garments more comfortable to wear means less physical stress. Garments also help to protect firefighters from the toxic elements in the fire environment. The extent to which plastic materials can generate toxic smoke when they burn has previously been ignored but is now better understood. Concerted effort to understand end user As a manufacturer of fi...

Firefighters must be trained once or twice a year to keep their skills sharp. Providing that training in a safe environment is a challenge, and virtual reality (VR) enables exposure to the experience of firefighting. VR training In 2017, W.S. Darley & Co. first began offering VR training by partnering with virtual reality startup FLAIM, becoming their exclusive distributor in the United States. Today, Darley has sold VR systems from several manufacturers successfully to medium size fire d...

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging tool in the fire service. In addition to its role in firefighter training, it is also emerging as a useful means of education about fire prevention. Home Fire Sprinkler Association (HFSA) is using VR to demonstrate up close and personal the revelatory fire prevention role of home fire sprinklers at the early stages of a fire. VR experience A VR video available from HFSA demonstrates how fire spreads in two identical rooms in a single-family home in Ashland C...

The adoption of electric fire apparatus is accelerating their footprint in the industry. Fire departments from Los Angeles to Madison, Wis., from Portland, Ore., to Mesa, Ariz., have embraced the technology of electric and hybrid vehicles in the fire industry and are demonstrating the practical capabilities of this new generation of technology for the fire service. Sustainable commitment More municipalities worldwide are committing to sustainability and climate goals. Furthermore, truck produc...

In firehouses around the world, firefighters must co-exist with diesel-fueled apparatus. When a diesel engine is running in a firehouse apparatus bay, the diesel exhaust can cause a variety of health issues for firefighters who occupy the firehouse. Diesel exhaust can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and it can cause coughs, headaches, lightheadedness, and nausea. Breathing in diesel exhaust can cause lung irritation and/or make pre-existing asthma worse. Long-term exposure may lead...

The Great Resignation has particular consequences in the sphere of fire and rescue services. When it comes to public safety departments, the trend toward employees quitting their jobs could become a matter of life and death. One factor driving the Great Resignation is the wide availability of new opportunities in a tight labor market. Another factor is baby boomers nearing retirement age who decide to call it quits. Burnout A third is a burnout as employees rethink their priorities and work-l...

Trends in garments and protective gear for firefighters are evolving to address the changing needs of the fire service. Garments worn by firefighters must be comfortable and allow an adequate range of motion. They must protect first responders from hazards such as heat and exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Fire service clothing must be durable to withstand long-term usage in hostile environments. “It’s personal for everyone in the industry,” says Oliver Spoecker, Director, W...

Firefighting robots have been deployed by a couple of departments in the United States, but the full potential of the technology is just now being realized. “As departments get more exposure to the technology, and learn more about the capabilities, they are more open to using them,” says Paul Ford, Robotics Program Manager, Howe & Howe Technologies. “They are realizing why and how they are being used, and they understand the full capabilities of the technology, not just t...

Firefighters are flocking to Indianapolis for FDIC International. Much of the week-long event is dedicated to classroom instruction and hands-on training. Connecting and networking In addition to learning, firefighters are connecting and networking on a scale unprecedented since the pandemic. There is also a spirit of gratitude to first responders for keeping communities safe. For the first time, FDIC International is co-locating with the JEMS Conference and Expo for the EMS market. Equipment...

Firefighting has undergone more than enough change in the last couple of years, some of it the result of the coronavirus pandemic. As the pandemic wanes, there is talk about the “new normal.” But what does that mean for the fire service? At the very least, fire departments need to be aware of changing trends, including everything from new health concerns and preparedness requirements to an evolving social climate that is spilling over in the fire service.  More online and &ldqu...

Firefighting is among the riskiest professions, and cancer is one of the biggest related medical risks. Fortunately, research is ongoing to better understand the nature of the cancer risk, new protective equipment and practices are evolving to manage the risk, and support is available for cancer survivors and families. Cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, who are at greater risk of some cancers than the public. Hazardous substances in the firefighting environment include doz...

A new floating fire station in San Francisco, USA is designed to provide fast response to a variety of emergencies, to adapt to the rise and fall of the natural tide of the bay, and to withstand future sea level changes tied to global warming. Fireboat Station 35 Fireboat Station 35 is berthed at Pier 22-1/2, just north of the Bay Bridge, along the Embarcadero at Harrison just south of the Ferry Building, in San Francisco, California, USA. It is a 14,900-square-foot, two-story fireboat station...

Technology has transformed the role of lighting in the realm of firefighting. The rise of USB-rechargeable flashlights and headlamps now enable firefighters to recharge on-the-go. New, multi-fuel flashlight ‘systems’ use a rechargeable battery, but also can accept disposable batteries for alternate sources of power. New scene lights are waterproof and offer powerful brightness in situations involving smoke or water. Work lights that fit in tight spaces can be used hands-free or hangi...

Global warming is often mentioned as a factor in the accelerating frequency and intensity of wildfires. However, there are other consequences of global warming that impact the fire service, including new hazards and medical emergencies, emerging training challenges, population migration, and technology developments. Climate change is often discussed as a future event. However, the impact of wildfires is just the most obvious example of how climate change is already impacting the world, and fire...