CFEMA

March 09, 2010

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What's New at CFEMA

2010 Dues

Updated On: Feb 28, 2010 (19:39:00)

Your 2010 dues are now due!!!!! PLEASE download a application and send in with your payment.........

Upcoming Meetings

Updated On: Feb 25, 2010 (00:00:00)

The March meeting will be a day meeting..and will be held on the 25th NOT the 17th...The meeting is scheduled to take place at Five Star Fire in East Hartford at 10:00 am and last until approx noon. Directions to Five star will be emailed to all members. There will be a rep from Amkus on hand to discuss the product, care, and maintenance.....more to follow

The April meeting will be held in Hartford at the HFD Shop. It will be a night meeting and will cover SCBA maintenance.

The May meeting will be a day meeting....more to follow

THANK YOU

Updated On: Feb 28, 2010 (19:39:00)

The CFEMA would like to thank Joe Barbera from CIRMA on a fine presenation. He brought out some very important issues to us all. The issues were so important, that we are considering inviting the Fire Chiefs to a meeting and having Joe come back and do the same presentation.

Apparatus Driving, Maintenance and Repairs

Updated On: Jan 18, 2010 (19:14:00)

Apparatus Driving, Maintenance and Repairs


By HENRY CAMPBELL Senior Correspondent

The recently released report from the Suffolk County (Massachusetts) district attorney’s office should be a wakeup call for not only the Boston Fire Department, but the fire service in general. The investigation report relating to the deadly crash of Boston Fire Department Ladder 26 in Boston on January 9, 2009 in which a fire lieutenant was killed has resulted in no charges being filed against the driver of either the apparatus or the mechanics that had done prior mechanical repairs to the ladder truck. Though no criminal charges will be filed, the report revealed many flaws and weaknesses in the preventive maintenance and repair of Boston fire apparatus and also insufficient driver training.

The 11-month investigation included a thorough mechanical inspection of the apparatus found the braking capability on Ladder 26 had been compromised since 1999 because of substandard repair and maintenance work. The inspection also found insufficient maintenance of the truck's air supply, air filter, air compressor and air reservoir tank. In addition, with the improper parts used to repair the brakes system on Ladder 26, firefighters in quarters were adjusting the brakes in order to keep the rig in service. The investigation further indicated the apparatus driver was not properly instructed on the proper use of air brakes in emergency situations.

This raises the question who does your departments’ preventive maintenance and repairs? Is the work carried out by a local dealer who represents the apparatus manufacturer and who has a certified repair facility, or a reputable truck repair facility with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) technicians qualified to service and repair fire apparatus? For the safety of the emergency responders and the public this is the preferred choice. Or do you try and save a few dollars by having the repair work done in house or within the community by other than certified fire apparatus mechanics and with other than the specified replacement parts? Saving a few dollars may be far more costly than you think should something fail at a most inopportune time resulting in injury or death, and usually followed by lawyers and law suits.

The fire service requires all personnel to complete a driver training program before being permitted to drive fire apparatus, including an annual refresher. Does this training include how to react to driving emergencies such as brake failure, tire blowout, engine racing, or maintaining traction on slippery roadways? It is often assumed that drivers of all types of vehicles, not just emergency vehicles, are aware of what to do in a driving emergency and this is not necessarily fact. A recent incident in which the gas pedal in a vehicle became stuck under the floor mat caused the engine and car to race at high speed with none of the occupants in the vehicle apparently knowing how to react to the emergency. They made a frantic cell phone call to 911 to seek advice, but within seconds of the call the vehicle crashed resulting in the death of 4 people. In the Boston ladder truck crash, the driver of the apparatus shifted the transmission into neutral and applied the parking brake when he realized the brakes had failed. What would you do in similar circumstances? Is it what you should do? Now may be the time to get answers to these and other driving emergency situations before they occur. It is also a good time to review or become acquainted with how air brake systems operate. For starters you can download and read An Air Brake Primer by Pete Snidal at http://www.flxibleowners.org/flxbk/airbrks.htm

The New York State Drivers manual provides information on how to handle various driving emergencies. The explanations are preceded by:
“The single most important rule in any emergency is do not panic. You have a better chance of handling the emergency safely if you do not let fear take over. In most emergencies, you will have a second or two to think before you act.

BRAKE FAILURE - If your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor, try pumping it to build up pressure. If that does not help, use your emergency or parking brake - but use it gently. Shifting to a lower gear will also help your vehicle slow down.

STUCK GAS PEDAL - Hook your toe under the pedal and see if you can free it. If not, shift into neutral and use the brake to slow your vehicle and get off the road. Do not turn off the ignition if your vehicle has power steering or a steering wheel that has a locking column because, if you do, you will lose power steering or not be able to steer at all.”

Maintaining emergency vehicles and apparatus in good repair at all times, familiarizing drivers in the various basic mechanical functions of the apparatus and educating them on how to react to emergency driving hazards will improve upon the safety of all emergency responders and the public.

Till Next Time, Stay Safe and God Bless!

Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, Inc

Updated On: Mar 06, 2010 (18:38:00)

March 3, 2010

To our valued customers;

Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, Inc. and First Line Emergency Services, Inc. are pleased to announce that effective April 1, 2010 we will join forces to establish the industry’s leading emergency vehicle service team!

First Line will provide service to E-One, Horton, and Maxim customers in Connecticut and areas of western Massachusetts. Greenwood will continue to do the same in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire, and Maine.

Greenwood operates facilities in North Attleboro, MA and in Brunswick, ME. First Line is located in Cromwell, CT. This new team will total over 25 EVT/ASE certified technicians capable of providing outstanding mechanical, fabrication, and parts support throughout New England.

We look forward to this new venture and to the opportunity to be of service to you in the future.

PL Custom/Rescue 1 Partnership

Posted On: Mar 06, 2010 (18:27:30)

Subject: PL Custom/Rescue 1 Partnership

NEFEA is proud to announce a partnership with PL Custom/Rescue 1 from NJ.

PL Custom is a well known manufacturer in the ambulance market and Rescue 1 as one of the premiere Rescue units in the fire service. NEFEA is always looking to serve our customers better and we feel this partnership will help us continue to do this.

This partnership helps NEFEA become your one stop source for all your department needs from

apparatus, command vehicles, service to loose equipment.

Please let me know how we can serve you and your department, we look forward to our continued friendship and business.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

James E. Feehan

President
New England Fire Equipment & Apparatus Corporation
10 Stillman Rd
North Haven, CT 06473
203-239-5678 Phone
203-234-7398 Fax
www.nefea.com