All posts by : Iain Hoey

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, has secured an order from the Providence Fire Department in Rhode Island.

Sold through Pierce dealer, Allegiance Fire and Rescue, the order includes four Pierce^® Saber^® Pumpers, four 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladders on Arrow XT™ chassis, and an Ascendant^® 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower on an Arrow XT chassis.

The custom low overall height of the 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladders is the first-ever of this configuration and will support the department’s maneuverability requirements within the city’s historic firehouses.

Additionally, the new apparatus will provide critical fleet updates to ensure the community’s fire and emergency service needs are met for years to come.

“As the process of selecting new fire apparatus began, we knew we needed and wanted heavy-duty ladders that would be maneuverable in our historic firehouses and on city streets,” said Michael Bates, assistant chief of the Providence Fire Department.

“We were pleased with Pierce Manufacturing and their ability to reengineer a fire truck to meet all of our requirements. Our department has been fortunate to work with Pierce and the Allegiance Fire and Rescue team, who didn’t take a typical sales approach but rather suggested features that they knew would be best for us.”

The Providence Fire Department’s new fire apparatus will feature the following Pierce Manufacturing products:

Four Pierce Manufacturing Saber Pumpers

• Saber custom chassis
• Cummins L9 450 hp engine
• Allison EVS 3000 transmission
• Hale QMAX 1750 GPM single-stage pumps
• Low hose beds and crosslays for easy payout of hoseloads
• Short overall length of 29’ with angled front and rear bumpers
• Full LED emergency lighting system with Hi-Vis scene lighting

Four 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladders

• Arrow XT custom chassis
• 100’ heavy-duty steel aerial ladder
• Cummins X12 500 hp engine
• Allison EVS 4000 transmission
• Low overall travel height under 11’
• 12’ overall jack spread with short jack capability reducing the footprint for tight city streets, and 18’ ground penetration allowing for easy setup on city hills
• All four sections of aerial ladder equipped with blue LED rung lighting for reliable aerial device placement and climbing safety
• Aerial ladder rated for 500-pound dry / 250-pound wet tip load

One Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower

• Arrow XT custom chassis
• Mid-mount 100’ heavy-duty steel aerial tower
• Cummins X15 600 hp engine
• Allison EVS 4000 transmission
• Low overall length of 43’4” for outstanding maneuverability
• Storage for 220’ of ground ladders
• All four sections of aerial ladder equipped with blue LED rung lighting for superior aerial device placement and climbing safety
• Aerial tower rated for 1000-pound dry / 500-pound wet tip load

Chief Bates added, “We chose the mid-mount tower because it best suits the Providence Fire Department’s needs. It’s shorter than any other tower, has excellent set-up speed, is maneuverable in tight downtown and residential streets, and the below-grade extension is remarkable.”

All of the nine new fire apparatus will include the added safety attributes of the Pierce Manufacturing Carcinogen Awareness and Reduction to Exposure (CARE) cab customisation, including removable and washable seat covers, diamond plate floors, and Line-X coverage on metal surfaces within the cabs for enhanced durability and cleanability.

“Our Allegiance Fire and Rescue team is honored to have the opportunity to assist the Providence Fire Department with a fire apparatus order of such importance for their community,” said Bill O’Connor, vice president of sales and marketing for Allegiance Fire and Rescue.

“After our Sales Representative Andrew Hilsman evaluated the department’s unique challenges and apparatus requirements, we enjoyed identifying and developing custom solutions. I know each new fire truck will provide the performance and longevity of service the department expects.”

The Providence Fire Department is made up of 12 stations and 400 personnel, with an annual service call volume of approximately 45,000. Anticipated delivery of the department’s new pumpers will take place in June 2021, the new tower in July 2021, and the new ladders in August 2021.

For a comprehensive review of Pierce Manufacturing pumpers and aerials, visit www.piercemfg.com for specs, video, and images

3M Health Information Systems and Rad AI have teamed up to offer Rad AI’s advanced technology for generating customised radiology report impressions integrated with 3M™ M*Modal Fluency for Imaging, 3M’s complete radiology reporting and workflow management solution.

By building on the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of both companies, 3M and Rad AI will further streamline the reporting process, yielding substantial time savings for radiologists, alleviating burnout, and creating more time to focus on patient care.

“Rad AI and 3M share a common goal of helping radiology teams become stronger and more resilient in the face of growing demand, complex regulations and increased competition,” said Dr. Jeff Chang, ER radiologist and Rad AI co-founder.

“Working together, we can streamline radiology workflows so radiologists experience less burnout and can enjoy their daily practice to the fullest.” According to Chang, radiologists can experience total time savings of up to 24 percent by using Rad AI software to automatically generate customised report impressions as part of their standard speech-driven reporting workflow.

3M Health Information Systems and Rad AI will demo the integrated workflow at RSNA 2020, the annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America which is scheduled for Nov. 29 – Dec. 5 in a virtual format.

Enhanced with computer-assisted physician documentation (CAPD) technology, 3M Fluency for Imaging offers proactive, real-time clinical insights to radiologists, helping them close gaps in clinical documentation.

Accurate documentation and coding are a critical focus for radiology practices given major changes to Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services coding scheduled for January 2021.

Abercrombie Radiology, an imaging services provider with 25 radiologists in Knoxville, TN, is using 3M Fluency for Imaging integrated with the 3M™ CodeAssist™ System for professional fee coding to promote coding compliance and accurate reimbursement.

In a pilot of automated CAPD nudges for just three coding concepts, radiologists were able to capture greater documentation specificity for a projected annualised financial impact of $150,000 in increased reimbursement.

“Like all radiology practices, keeping pace with changing regulations is important to our financial health,” said Shannon Hampson, chief executive officer of Abercrombie Radiology.

“3M M*Modal technology helps our radiologists document the full patient story in real-time, during their standard reporting workflow. We avoid back-end coding queries and corrections so our radiologists can focus on patient care. And it gives us confidence that our coding and reimbursement is as accurate as possible.”

Ranked #1 KLAS Category Leader, Front-End Speech Recognition, Imaging for 2020, 3M Fluency for Imaging combines advanced front-end speech recognition technology and integrated productivity enhancing tools for faster creation of higher quality diagnostic interpretations. Additionally, 3M™ M*Modal Scout provides AI-powered analytics that help monitor and improve overall clinical and business outcomes.

3M Health Information Systems is a division of 3M Health Care, part of 3M Company. For more information about the 3M M*Modal Fluency for Imaging, visit www.3m.com/his.

About Rad AI

Rad AI aims to streamline radiology workflow, providing time savings for radiologists and improving report consistency, while helping reduce radiologist burnout.

Co-founded by the youngest US radiologist on record, Rad AI is working with 5 of the 10 largest radiology practices in the US and is expanding quickly. Rad AI is based in Berkeley, CA, and backed by Gradient (Alphabet’s AI fund, which invests in the top companies using AI to positively transform their fields). Learn more about Rad AI at www.radai.com or on Twitter @radai.

About 3M

At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 96,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter @3M or @3MNews.

CodeAssist is a trademark of 3M Company.

Rosenbauer has further developed and improved the quality of its simulation systems. Training for municipal fire department emergency journeys is undertaken on the new RCS Simulator Driving, whereby particularly critical driving situations can be practiced without risk.

On the new RCS Simulator Familiarization, airport road users can familiarize themselves with specific locational conditions, and train for the required driving authorizations.

Both systems are based on the technology of the PANTHER Tactical Simulator, which is successfully operated by airport fire departments around the world.

Realistic emergency driving
The new driving simulator offers an even more realistic training experience than its predecessor, thanks to revised software. For example, the environmental surroundings in virtual emergency journeys have been further developed.

Therefore, on the RCS Simulator Driving, driving in an emergency lane or the correct behaviour in a traffic jam or on a construction site can be practiced.

Road layouts (single- or multi-lane, intersections, roundabouts, bottlenecks, bridges, tunnels, motorway entrances and exits, level crossings, etc.), traffic and light signals, as well as various weather and road conditions (rain-soaked roads, black ice, obstructed visibility due to fog or snowdrifts, night-time operations, etc.) can be adjusted at will. #

Sudden dangers can also be programmed into the training, for example a pedestrian who does not notice the alarm and steps into the road, or a car that turns or veers into another lane.

In addition, by adjusting the vehicle weight, the driving dynamics of the emergency vehicle can be fine-tuned and the training can be arranged for different vehicle types and loads (e.g. full tanks on the outward journey, empty on the return journey).

Safe driving at the airport
The RCS Simulator Familiarization is not used by fire departments but by the drivers of vehicles at airports, to train on how to drive in airport traffic, with its many special regulations, safety rules and particular traffic rules, and how to conform to and obey these.

For this purpose, the simulator simulates the entire, non-public transport network with apron, runway and feeder roads, as well as ground traffic, including aircraft and vehicles (follow-me and tank vehicles, catering and de-icing vehicles, passenger buses, baggage transporters etc.).

It can be used by airport operators both for the training and qualification of personnel (keyword: apron driver’s license), and can be adapted precisely to the conditions of a particular airport. 

As with the RCS Simulator Driving, training is undertaken in a generic cockpit, which offers the same range of functions as a classic truck and uses the controls of the PANTHER Tactical Simulator (steering wheel and accelerator/brake pedals with force simulation, manual transmission, dashboard etc.). An original cockpit can also be included as an option.

Container and classroom variants
The two new simulators are available in a classroom version as well as one installed in a container. In the classroom version, the “view from the cockpit” is via 4K monitors, while in the container solution, it is via a video wall with a 180° field of view.

Both the truck training cab and the trainer’s control room are permanently installed in the container. It can be permanently mounted on a vehicle trailer or designed with a lifting hook to be placed on a flatbed for transportation.

Both new simulators can be used to train any traffic scenario in the respective environment, municipal emergency journeys in urban and rural areas, and driving in the restricted areas of airports.

The great advantage of this is that not only can routine driving be carried out realistically, but unusual scenarios and traffic situations can also be practiced without danger. In addition, training exercises can be repeated as often as desired, save resources and the environment, and are incomparably less expensive than training by means of real driving.

FLIR Systems, Inc. have announced that the United States (U.S.) Army, Air Force, and Navy have collectively ordered more than 250 additional FLIR Centaur™ unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), worth $32 million combined. The award is being sourced through the Army’s Man Transportable Robotic System Increment II (MTRS Inc. II)

Over the last 12 months, FLIR has announced multiple orders totaling roughly $97 million for more than 750 Centaur unmanned ground systems from the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams across all services will use the FLIR Centaur to assist in disarming improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordnance, and similar hazardous tasks.

Operators can quickly attach different sensors and payloads to the robot to address other missions, including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.

“We’re tremendously honored that EOD teams across America’s military are relying on our Centaur robot to help them perform dangerous missions with greater stand-off capability,” said Tom Frost, VP and general manager for Unmanned Ground Systems in the Unmanned and Integrated Solutions business at FLIR.

“From enabling easy software updates to enhanced electro-optical infrared cameras, controllers, and communication systems, the Centaur can be a game-changer for troops on the battlefield.

“Sharing common technology across EOD units also creates efficiencies for joint service operations, training and sustainment,” Frost added.

In 2017, the U.S. Army selected the medium-sized Centaur robot as its MTRS Inc II solution. FLIR is delivering systems to the Army under that multi-year program of record, which upon award was valued at more than $150 million, including options.

These latest orders fall under the current ceiling. Since then, other U.S. military branches have opted to deploy the Centaur to their EOD teams as a new or replacement ground robot system.

Centaur is a medium-sized UGV that provides a standoff capability to detect, confirm, identify, and dispose of hazards. Weighing roughly 160 pounds, the open-architecture robot features an advanced EO/IR camera suite, a manipulator arm that reaches over six feet, and the ability to climb stairs. Modular payloads can be used for CBRNE detection and other missions.

Deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021. For more on FLIR Systems’ Unmanned Ground Systems platforms, visit www.flir.com/UIS/UGS.

As specialists in fire safety glass for over 30 years, Pyroguard now manufactures and supplies a wide range of tested and certified bespoke system solutions on the market.

Aimed at architectural and construction projects that require more than just fire protection, Pyroguard’s range of fire safety glass offers complete flexibility and a uniquely tailored option.

With the support of Pyroguard’s technical sales managers, customers can create a truly multi-functional fire safety glazing system. Toughened products can be combined with additional counterpanes that offer different benefits including acoustic performance, solar control, decorative or attack resistance, and be used for various applications such as façades, atria, doors, screens, partitions and spandrel panels.

Depending on the fire rating and classification level that is required, any specialist counterpane can be used in conjunction with Pyroguard Firesafe (E and EW) or Pyroguard Protect (EI). For manual attack protection,

Attackguard can be used as an IGU counterpane and for smoke control, Smokeguard is the ideal solution. As every project is unique, bespoke system solutions are engineered to meet each customer’s individual requirements.

Andy Lake, UK Projects Director at Pyroguard, commented: “While safety is – and remains – at the core of the Pyroguard business, we rarely see a project where fire protection is the only requirement within a glazing system.

“We believe that making buildings safe should not have to compromise on aesthetically pleasing design or other practical benefits, such as noise control for example, and that’s why we want to make sure that our customers are aware of the multi-functional benefits that our toughened fire safety glass offers.

“To support the campaign, we have developed a series of videos that are available to view via our website, as well as a new flyer which outlines the unique benefits of our multi-functional product.

“We would encourage people to take a look at these to develop an understanding of what can be achieved and to get in touch should they have any enquiries.”

Pyroguard’s team of local technical experts will work closely with customers to select the correct fire rating and classification of glass, and then provide support to build the right solution and desired finish. Their products are certified for application in steel, aluminum and timber profiles and have been approved by Certifire, UK and Efectis, France, providing peace of mind for architects, specifiers, contractors and end-users.

For more information about the bespoke system solutions, the multi-functional benefits of Pyroguard’s toughened fire safety glass and to request a flyer, please click here