Tom Shand & Mike Wilbur discuss firefighter safety as it relates to aerial laddes design and explains the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1901 Standard on Automotive Fire Apparatus.
This 1986 pumper from Bay District, MD, is a well-designed unit that incorporates most of the current NFPA 1901 safety standards. This unit was originally built with a four-door cab and later rebuilt with warning light and other safety enhancements. Annex D in the 2003 edition of the NFPA 1901 Standard lists suggestions for upgrading existing apparatus.
Most of us in the fire and emergency ser-vices would agree that we are in the business of saving lives and protecting property. All too often, though, we find ourselves being the
TOM SHAND, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, is a 36-year veteran of the fire service. He works with Michael Wilbur at Emergency Vehicle Response, consulting on a variety of fire apparatus and fire department master-planning issues. Shand is a member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame.
MICHAEL WILBUR, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, retired as a lieutenant in FDNY, where he was last assigned to Ladder Company 27 in the Bronx. He has served on FDNY's Apparatus Purchasing Committee and consults on a variety of apparatus-related issues around the country. Wilbur is a member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame. For further information, access his website at www.emergencyvehicleresponse.com.
