Posts in category: Americas – Products

KME Fire Apparatus have announced that Santa Clara County (California) Fire Department has taken delivery of a KME Tractor-Drawn AerialCat (TDA) to serve the city of Cupertino.

The new 101’ TDA will join 33 other KME units currently in service within Santa Clara County. The county chose KME’s new drop frame TDA body featuring large compartment capacity, redesigned transverse storage, and lower ground ladder storage.

The new body design also allows for lower tiller cab travel heights without sacrificing ground ladder storage.

Other features include:

• KME Severe Service X-MFD cab with 10” raised roof
• Hendrickson STEERTEK NXT front axle
• Cummins X15 600 HP engine
• Allison 4000 EVS transmission
• Hale DSD 1,500 GPM single stage pump
• 300-gallon water tank
• 500 lb unrestricted wet or dry tip load rating
• 14’ jack stance
• -7 degree low to 80-degree elevation rating
• 90-degree jack knife capability

“Santa Clara County Fire Department has long standing relationship with KME built on trust, communication and a quality product,” said Brian Glass, Assistant Fire Chief of the Santa Clara County Fire Department. “We look forward to placing into service the agency’s first Tractor Drawn Aerial. The maneuverability and operational capabilities that the TDA brings to the agency allows us to respond to areas that were previously inaccessible to our current trucks.”

For more information on KME TDA’s, visit the KME website at: http://www.kmefire.com/TDA.

Sutphen Corporation, the largest family-owned fire apparatus manufacturer in the nation, recently received a 13-fire apparatus order from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

The recently ordered apparatus include seven custom pumpers, four SL 75 mid-mount aerial ladders; and two 2,000 GPM pumper tankers.

“Sutphen Corporation is proud to partner with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and work with one of the nation’s largest fire departments,” said Zach Rudy, Sutphen’s director of sales and marketing. “These 13 new units are unique apparatus that will help MDFR serve the citizens of Miami-Dade County.”

Each apparatus was specifically designed for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and its unique Southern Florida firefighting needs.

Features of the seven custom pumpers will include:

• Sutphen, Extreme-Duty Monarch Custom Chassis
• Nearly 300 cu. ft. of Compartment Space
• 1,000-Gallon Water Tank
• 30-Gallon Foam Tank

Features of the four SL 75 mid-mount aerial ladders will include:

• Sutphen, Extreme-Duty Monarch Custom Chassis
• Over 190 cu. ft. of Compartment Space
• 470-Gallon Water Tank
• 30-Gallon Foam Tank

Features of the two pumper tankers will include:

• Sutphen, Extreme-Duty Monarch Custom Chassis
• Over 160 cu. ft. of Compartment
• 2,000-Gallon Water Tank
• 50-Gallon Foam Tank

The order was facilitated by Sutphen Corporation’s Florida dealer, South Florida Emergency Vehicles.

“South Florida Emergency Vehicles works with departments throughout Florida and we are proud to offer Sutphen products versatile enough for both large, urban departments like Miami-Dade and small, rural departments throughout the state,” said David Stonitsch, president and owner of South Florida Emergency Vehicles. “This order highlights SFEV and Sutphen’s ability to work with large departments while maintaining the one-of-a-kind SFEV and Sutphen Experience.”

Sutphen Corporation has worked with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue since 2014 and has built 21 apparatus for the department throughout the duration of the relationship.

Operating in the seventh most populous county in the United States, MDFR serves 29 municipalities with response units dedicated to fire and rescue operations, hazardous materials, urban search and rescue, technical rescue, ocean rescue and more.

For additional information regarding Sutphen Corporation, follow this link: https://www.sutphen.com/.

About Sutphen: Sutphen Corporation is an Ohio-based, privately held, family-owned business that has manufactured the highest-quality, heavy-duty, custom-built emergency response vehicles since 1890. The company’s headquarters are located in Dublin, Ohio, a northwest suburb of Columbus.

Pioneering mapping technology has been launched to optimise emergency services’ response to incidents and enable blue light teams to reach locations rapidly with pinpoint accuracy.

APD Maps is a cutting-edge cloud-based software platform which supports emergency services to deploy the right resources, to the right locations, at the right time.

It is the latest innovation launched by control room technology leader APD Communications to empower police, fire, ambulance and other critical services to better serve and protect the public.

APD Maps locates emergency responders, callers, vehicles, incidents, points of interest and even the nearest defibrillators anywhere at the touch of a button, providing enhanced visibility for both control room dispatchers and frontline teams.

It allows control room operators to identify locations using what3words, a system designed to identify any position within three square metres across the world using a unique combination of three words.

APD Maps is accessed through a simple web browser and can be used alongside other control room applications. The software integrates with Google Street View, CCTV camera locations, real-time traffic flow information, highways data and automatic number plate recognition to help emergency services deploy the right resources to an accurate location as quickly as possible, thereby streamlining response and maximising efficiency.

By integrating with Google Maps technology, APD Maps is simple for control rooms to incorporate into their everyday systems and can also operate as a standalone product, reducing the need for major investment in additional training and resources. No incident metadata is shared with Google and data is stored securely in Microsoft Azure Data Centres.

Mike Isherwood, Managing Director of APD Communications, said: “We’re excited to launch this world-leading solution which combines multiple data and intelligence sources to support informed and confident decision-making.

“Using APD Maps, control room personnel can dispatch multiple emergency services and public agencies to the same incident, by sharing a single coordinate pin to ensure they all receive the same information.

“Estimated times of arrival can be clearly viewed and provide the operator with immediate and accurate details in real time, supporting them to reassure the caller until help arrives. It can also help plot the quickest route to an incident, saving time and potentially lives.

“Event replay is another element of this reliable and secure software, giving organisations the ability to review footage to support investigations and enquiries following incidents.”

APD Maps can be used as a standalone product or to complement other APD products and integrates with existing command and dispatch (CAD) systems, with flexible costs tailored to each individual organisation’s requirements.

Part of the NEC Corporation, a global leader in information and communications technology, APD develops critical, life-saving software used by the police and other emergency services organisations across the UK, as well as transport and aviation operations nationally and internationally.

More than six million emergency calls are handled using APD technology each year and one in every two UK police forces uses APD’s software.

In a decision backed by both the Fire Department and City Officials to reduce exposure to COVID-19 and to instill greater confidence in the safety of their first responders, New York city officials have approved the purchase of air purifier technology proven in independent clinical trials to significantly reduce airborne viruses and bacteria.

The devices, which can be mounted on ceilings or walls and does not require reconfiguration of any building HVAC systems will be installed in the Yonkers firehouses to filter and clean interior air.

Air purifier will keep firefighters healthy

The announcement followed a comprehensive review process conducted by the City of Yonkers resulting in the selection of Red Barn Advisory’s air purifier that effectively combats the main form of virus transmission: Air. “Our firehouses never close,” said Deputy Chief of Operations, John Folkerts. “We need to keep firefighters and emergency response teams healthy so they can continue to protect our community.”

Yonkers Fire Department installed the air purifier devices in all firehouses to maintain a higher quality of indoor air. The devices were independently tested to eliminate 99.9% of airborne pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2. The four leading factors that the City of Yonkers team mentioned as pivotal in their decision-making process were: 

1. 4 level air purification.
2. Ceiling or Wall mount – Floor space at a premium.
3. Ease of Use – Simply plugs in wall outlet.
4. Low maintenance – Filters easily replaced every 6 months.

Red Barn Advisory Team members, Chris Kloepfer and Stephen Carty, are proud to supply the City of Yonkers, so they can show their firefighters that they are reaching for the best tools available to reduce exposures to COVID-19.  “We are excited to embark on this great partnership with the City of Yonkers in their efforts to reduce exposures to COVID-19,” said Kloepfer. 

Red Barn Healthcare has one mission: get people back to work, so we can open the global economy.

The Red Barn Advisory Team, comprising senior executives across industries, sources and performs due diligence on tools for COVID Response Teams globally, so they can reach for them with confidence as they develop new operational workflows coming out of the pandemic; thus, creating wellness workflows.

The San Antonio Fire Department has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Founded in 1854 and comprised of 20 volunteer firefighters on a bucket brigade, the department now capably protects more than 2 million San Antonians with modern-day equipment including their latest acquisition, a custom MedEvac from Lenco Armored Vehicles.

Combining tactical options, medical features fire response and off-road capability, the San Antonio Fire Department’s custom-tailored armored rescue and response vehicle meets the needs of this busy department, allowing firefighters to respond to missions in the urban, suburban and rural settings throughout their community.

“We got to know this agency and their needs over time,” said Lenny Light, vice president of sales at Lenco Armored Vehicles. “They’d stop by our booth each year at FDIC [Fire Department Instructors Conference] to meet with us and stay up to date on new vehicle equipment.” 

San Antonio’s MedEvac G3 includes a roof-mounted water monitor, low profile lighting, thermal camera, explosive gas detection system and more, making it a versatile addition capable of responding to varied emergency situations.

Built on a reinforced Ford F-550 chassis, the BearCat MedEvac G3 is primarily sought-after by first responders and tactical EMS teams who utilise a Rescue Task Force.  It features onboard oxygen tanks, lighted workstation and ample storage for medical supplies including two litters. Utilising the same body design, interior features and tactical options of Lenco’s base platform, but affording a higher ground clearance with off-road tires and suspension, the G3 allows teams to more readily respond to natural and man-made disasters, severe weather events or missions in rural settings.

To learn more about the BearCat MedEvac G3 or Lenco’s trusted tactical armored security vehicles, visit LencoArmor.com.

Task Force Tips, a global manufacturer of fire fighting equipment have released the new series of TFT Master Force Nozzles.

The new TFT Master Force nozzles are dual pressure automatic high-volume monitor nozzles that automatically adjust to give you the greatest flow rate, reach, and impact force with your available water supply.  Incorporating TFT’s innovative technology, the Master Force operates at either a standard 7 bar (100 psi) or 4 bar (55 psi) low pressure as selected by the nozzle operator. 

The stream pattern can be varied from straight stream to a dense, wide fog pattern. Turning the shaper past the wide fog setting allows flushing the nozzle of debris without shutting down flow. The Master Force is the only dual pressure automatic nozzle that is available in manual or electric remote models and has a flow range of 1100 – 3000 L/min (300 – 800 GPM).

These compact, lightweight nozzles are perfect for pairing with TFT’s Hemisphere transportable monitor or with a TFT Tornado, Hurricane, or Crossfire water cannon. They can also be paired with other brand monitors available to the fire service.

Contact your TFT Territory Sales Manager or local TFT dealer for a demonstration to see how you can maximise your water flow with Master Force.

The Polaris Pro XD utility task vehicle is making work more efficient with new accessories that further enhance productivity and equipment protection.

As a division of Polaris Inc., Polaris Government & Defense is dedicated to supporting public safety personnel, state and federal agencies and global military forces and has thoughtfully expanded the Pro XD product, accessory and service portfolio based on broadening applications for its gas and diesel-powered utility vehicles.

The Polaris Pro XD is designed specifically for durability, serviceability and safety and has two and four-seat, gas and diesel models offering up to 2,075 pounds payload and 2,500 pounds towing capacities, heavy-duty driveline components and up to 200-hour maintenance intervals. The vehicles also feature puncture-resistant Kevlar^®-backed vinyl seats, headlights for added visibility, all-new tires for longer life on hard-packed surfaces, as well as multiple standard safety features like horn, reverse beeper and vehicle fault alarms which notify users of potential issues that could cause serious damage to the vehicle. These highly sought-after features are further complemented by an accessories catalog that builds on the flexibility and customisability of the Pro XD.

NEW: Cargo Bed Topper

Keep gear safe, secure and protected from the elements with this lockable, weather resistant bed enclosure. Front, side and rear windows provide line-of-sight visibility from the cab to behind the machine, as well as inside the cargo area. Designed specifically for the Pro XD, the all-aluminum topper is strong and lightweight – and with integrated Lock and Ride technology, can easily be installed and removed.

NEW: Rear Bumper

The Pro XD rear bumper adds protection and minimises damage to taillights and bodywork in the event of a rear collision. The steel bumper has a matte black finish and integrated mounting holes for easy installation.

NEW: Mud Guard

The Pro XD mud guard is a newly available accessory that will also come standard on new Pro XD diesel models. The mud guard is designed to protect the engine bay from excess dirt and mud. This added protection decreases maintenance time in cleaning tough-to-reach areas and helps the engine run smoothly.

These new accessories expand Pro XD’s line of accessories that aim to maximise the vehicle’s utility, weather and climate usage, compliance and safety, and more.

Fire, Rescue and Public Safety –The Polaris Pro XD is a heavy-duty UTV-based apparatus designed to expand the reach of fire, rescue and public safety personnel and help improve response time in environments and conditions that traditional vehicles can’t access.The Pro XD firefighting UTV has a 95-gallon water with 5-gallon integral foam copoly tank, foam fire suppression system, professional fire pump, hose and reel, and the ability to draft from an external water source. The Pro XD rescue skid incorporates a rear attendant seat and a stokes rescue basket. Any of the vehicles can also include professional emergency lighting, public address system and custom graphics to match the rest of a department’s fleet.

Utility – Accessories that increase the utility of the Pro XD include a plow system, high-capacity winch, diesel block heater, cargo boxes, electric cargo box lift, cargo racks, Rhino grips, air filter service gauge and A-arm guards. Lock and Ride technology is a feature of many Polaris accessories providing simple, toolless install and attachment to the Pro XD.

Weather and Climate – Work through the weather with Pro XD windshields, wiper and washer systems, roofs, doors, rear panels, heat and defrost and rock guards with integrated step and boot scraper.

Compliance and Safety – Tailor the vehicle to specific needs with adjustable speed calibrations, interior cab lights, radio and speakers, exterior strobe lights, LED spot lights and light bars or an occupant divider system. Safety accessories include a fire extinguisher holder and a rearview mirror.

View all of our accessories on our website, where customers can also experience the vehicle virtually. Additional information and tools let customers build and quote the different all-wheel drive Pro XD models and accessory packages, view each of them in 3D and request a quote.

Polaris vehicles are also available for government discount pricing through GSA, Sourcewell^® (formerly NJPA) or state or local contracts. Once purchased, the vehicles are professionally upfit and delivered directly to the customer’s location. The entire system comes fully set up for immediate use and is under full warranty from Polaris. Polaris also offers customers the capability to support and maintain their own fleet of vehicles through maintenance and operator training courses, authorised Pro XD dealers or Polaris can be contracted directly to provide the on-site service for the vehicles.

The new information delivery platform from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA LiNK™, has been updated to include the 2021 edition of NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code.

The platform, which launched in the fall of 2020, will include all NFPA codes and standards, supplementary content, and visual aids for building, electrical, and life safety professionals and practitioners. Currently, NFPA LiNK includes the 2021 edition of NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code®, which covers life safety in both new and existing structures; the four most recent editions of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® (NEC®), the most widely used code in the United States and referenced around the globe; and the 2021 edition of NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. 

NFPA 99 establishes criteria for levels of health care services or systems based on risk to the patients, staff, or visitors in health care facilities to minimise the hazards of fire, explosion, and electricity. Often used together with NFPA 101, NFPA 99 not only provides critical requirements for the ongoing design and day-to-day operations of health care facilities, but it also works to ensure optimal safety for patients and staff in the event of a natural disaster or health care crisis such as the current coronavirus pandemic.

NFPA codes and standards are designed to minimise the risk and effects of fire by establishing criteria for building, processing, design, service, and installation around the world. Fire and life safety practitioners have turned to the Association’s codes and standards to perform their work more efficiently and effectively for more than a century. Today, work demands employees have the most current, relevant information and resources available at their fingertips to help solve problems quickly and at any given location. NFPA LiNK has been designed to provide users instant access to resources pertinent to their work and requirements for safe work practices that reduce a worker’s exposure to fire, electrical, and other hazards.

“Professionals tell us they want important code information and at the same time they need context and insights to help them better understand problems and make decisions in real time,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA president and CEO. “NFPA LiNK allows people to find pertinent information quickly and helps them collaborate and stay connected easily while in the field. This means more lives are saved and more property protected from fire, electrical, and other hazards.”

To help address the needs of users, NFPA LiNK can be accessed via mobile devices, tablets, laptops, or other preferred device, and will become a “living library” that offers:

• The ability to work alongside the codes by adding personal notes, assigning colors, and saving to custom collections for quick and easy reference.
• A broader understanding of code requirements through access to expert commentary, visual aids, and helpful resources.
• Collaboration features to share code sections, work across teams, and ensure everyone knows what is required.
• Navigation tools that enable users to quickly locate the information they need based on the situations they encounter.

NFPA LiNK subscribers will get access to continuous updates, features and functions, and new editions of NFPA codes and standards as they are released. NFPA will expand the collection of codes and standards within the application to include the more than 300 that NFPA offers.

More information about the NFPA LiNK platform, a timeline of additional codes and standards that will be coming to NFPA LiNK, and a product introduction video can be found at nfpa.org/LiNK. A video that highlights key functions and features in more detail is also available. Try NFPA LiNK by visiting the website

Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC have introduced an upgraded Oshkosh®  Striker® ARFF vehicle featuring an optimised cockpit, updated body styling, and advanced mobility, speed, and precision. Vehicle enhancements include a new ergonomic cockpit layout for an enhanced driver experience, and innovative technology systems for 4×4, 6×6, and 8×8 packages. While retaining all of its remarkable legacy features, the new Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicle maximises innovation in the runway response industry. 

“The unveiling of our new Striker vehicle is a culmination of years of gathering voice of customer feedback to learn what product features best meet our customers’ needs,” said Jack Bermingham, business unit director of Oshkosh Airport Products. “The newly optimised features represent innovative technology enhancing comfort, efficiency, and firefighter safety with thoughtful placement of buttons, color-coded controls, and functionality that allows the operator to focus on the task at hand.”

Features of the new Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicle include:

Optimised Cockpit

• Modular cab design with ergonomic control placement 
• Spacious cab seating for up to 5 firefighters 
• Increased forward visibility
• Updated Oshkosh Command Zone™ software with diagnostic support
• Oshkosh C.A.R.E™ Clean Options  
• Bus-style doors

Unparalleled Performance and Safety

• Oshkosh TAK-4®all-wheel independent suspension
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Side Curtain Airbags
• 360° Camera
• Enhanced visibility

Innovative Fire Suppression

• Oshkosh power divider allows for pump and roll in any condition 
• Snozzle® HRET available in 50’ or 65’
• Oshkosh K-Factor system which rapidly displays the position of the Snozzle’s piercing tip to the fuselage, eliminating depth perception issues to maximise precision
• ECO EFP™ system for easy measurement of foam percentages from every discharge on the vehicle, without discharging foam. Available with standard pressure, ultra-high pressure, CAFS, and NOVEC 1230

“During the design process for the new Striker vehicle, we evaluated feedback from customers around the globe and identified areas that could be improved with regard to cockpit layout and the incorporation of new technology,” said Jason Shively, director of engineering for Oshkosh Airport Products. “With this ARFF vehicle, customers get the mobility, speed, and reliability they’ve come to expect, with the essential visibility, comfort, ergonomic, and safety features our team identified as crucial areas for vehicle enhancements.”  

Aircraft rescue firefighters are welcome to experience the new Striker ARFF vehicle on Oshkosh Airport Products’ website and social media pages. To learn more, visit www.oshkoshairport.com. 

About Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC