This month's show covers the gamut of fire apparatus design and safety, but starts with the sobering facts of safe vehicle operations. In recent months, three apparatus operators were indicted after vehicle accidents that killed a fellow firefighter and injured civilians.
Mike Wilbur mentions the fact that investigators immediately check the weight of the vehicle and often times the units is over loaded. Tom Shand starts the discussion on becoming compliant with NFPA 1901 Standards for apparatus, including weight and how important it is for department's to specify the weight of their unit in the contract. Other 1901 standards include deck guns and scrub areas on ladder trucks that are often affected by the height of the cab.
The idea of œtag-on' orders is another theme in this show, but the Apparatus Architects caution department's to make sure the unit is specified and sized for each department involved. This podcast ends with thoroughly checking for pitfalls in the contract for a unit. Does your committee read the fine lines? Do you know the ins and outs of contracts for new apparatus? The Apparatus Architects talk in-depth about the pros and cons of the final paperwork that everyone signs on the dotted line.
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