Car-wreck emergency rescue strategy overhaul being considered

by Featured NewsFirefighting EquipmentProducts

A new study by Devon air ambulance led by emergency medical consultant Dr Tim Nutbeam has found growing evidence that current extrication methods used by fire services cutting people free from motor vehicle collisions may be harmful.

“Since at least the 1980s, firefighters have been trained with movement minimisation as the absolute paradigm,” said Dr Tim Nutbeam, “They’ve been told that one millimetre of movement could turn someone into a wheelchair user, so will often disassemble the car around the patient, to avoid movement of the neck.”

Upon discovering, however, that this extrication method took an average of 30 minutes, Nutbeam began researching the issue after noticing a disconnect between concerns about spinal movement, and the injuries he was seeing in his patients who had suffered serious injuries during the collision – including experiencing people die in their vehicles, or shortly after they were removed.

His research found that that trapped patients were almost twice as likely to die as those who were rapidly freed from the wreckage and that the prevalence of spinal injuries among such patients was extremely low at just 0.7% and in around half of these cases, they had other serious injuries needing urgent medical attention.

“Our absolute focus on movement minimisation works for maybe 0.3% of patients, but it extends the entrapment time for 99.7% of them,” Nutbeam said. “Potentially hundreds of people in this country have died as a result of extended entrapment times, and if you multiply that worldwide, it’s many, many people.”

In a consensus paper, UK stakeholders including the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the College of Paramedics reviewed the existing evidence, and have agreed a set of principles for future guidance, which will include a recommendation that self or minimally-assisted extrication should be the standard “first line” for trapped patients who are conscious and likely to be able to stand with assistance, and that minimising entrapment time should be the goal for all patients.

The NFCC is also planning further tests, in light of Nutbeam’s research. “The main aim of the UK fire and rescue service is to save lives and prevent injury, therefore we will always look to update and change guidance,” said Chris Lowther, chair of NFCC’s operations committee. “As a result of this research, further work will be undertaken as to how extrication could be [performed]. Once we have this, we will look as to how any changes could be introduced into our national operational guidance.”

Batteries now included: Super Vac explores firefighter tools

by Breaking NewsProducts

Super Vac discusses firefighter tool advancements in today’s lithium-ion-driven world

Batteries not included is an old disclaimer that seems to be null-and-void in today’s lithium-ion-driven world. In fact, most handheld tools on the fireground are available in some battery-powered variation, and as the technology continues to advance, the number of battery offerings, along with tools, keeps expanding. This in turn, creates a myriad of choices for departments to wade through. Here are a few of the many considerations to consider when considering battery inclusion.

Names you can trust

When it comes to a product, there are just some names you trust. Many fire tools are now powered by name brands that can be found on a store shelf, like DeWalt, Makita or Milwaukee. Millions around the world have come to trust these brands — firefighters included. Not only are these batteries trusted for their performance, but these platforms are designed to power hundreds of tools made by the very same battery manufacturer. As it turns out, many of these tools, like rescue saws, work lights and impact hammers, have a place on the fireground.

Roughly five years ago, several specialised fire equipment manufacturers recognised this shift and began to design their battery-powered tools around these platforms. In fact, Super Vac, a leader in ventilation equipment, introduced the first battery fan to be powered by dual DeWalt FLEXVOLT batteries in 2018. Since that well-received introduction, Super Vac has added models that work with Makita XGT and Milwaukee M18 / M28 batteries, allowing these fans to be compatible with hundreds of other tools.

Expanding on this, Super Vac offers a battery chainsaw conversion kit that turns an ordinary 16” wood-cutting Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee or Echo battery saw into an overhaul or rapid intervention saw. Typically, battery-powered chainsaws are only ideal for cutting wood, but this kit equips the saw with a carbine tip chain capable of cutting through asphalt shingles, hurricane glass, roofing materials and more. The conversion is just a 2-minute transformation.

We should also mention the Super Vac battery fan can be powered by LUKAS EWXT/E3 batteries, admittedly not a battery you are going to find on just any store shelf, but we will get to proprietary batteries in a minute. First, let us finish our thoughts on universal batteries.

Super Vac is not the only manufacturer to drive this non-proprietary battery trend. Rescue system manufacturers, like AMKUS, TNT, Genesis and Weber, have also tapped into these off-the-shelf battery platforms, manufacturing a whole arsenal of cutters and spreaders that work off these battery favorites. AMKUS marries with DeWalt, while TNT, Genesis and Weber run off Milwaukee batteries.

Even emergency scene lighting manufacturers are getting in on the battery action. Just this year, Command Light (the leader in light towers) introduced a 1.25m tripod that pairs DeWalt FLEXVOLT, Makita XGT, Milwaukee M28 or LUKAS EWXT/E3 batteries with high-lumen LEDs made for the fireground, delivering 14,000-28,000 lumens depending on head selection. LUKAS also offers its own new battery-powered 14,000-lumen scene light, the Scout.

In short, departments can equip their crews with a myriad of lights, fans, saws, hand tools and rescue equipment all powered by the same batteries, making it easier to run their operations. Ask your crew what names they trust, and which tools they want to work together.

Proprietary Vs Non-Proprietary

The tools mentioned so far run on non-proprietary, easy-to-source batteries that are usually economical and can be picked up at the local hardware retailer. That said, there is still a place for proprietary batteries in the industry.

Proprietary batteries are made exclusively by a manufacturer to work only with their tools, and in special instances, with other manufacturers’ tools through licensing agreements. Usually, this equipment is very specialised and requires a more robust battery for the tools’ special operations. Several rescue tool manufacturers, like LUKAS and Holmatro, are renowned for the performance of their proprietary batteries (and tools). Since these specialised batteries are exclusive to the manufacturer, they can be harder to source – but on the flip side, departments can expect proprietary innovations with these proprietary platforms.

Mike Cannon, director of rescue sales for IDEX Fire and Safety, which includes LUKAS, says rescue tool batteries of 10 years ago could only deliver 15-20 cuts per battery charge. Now, these specialised batteries deliver as much as 9 amps, permitting 54 cuts in high-strength steels used in automobiles.

Additionally, the LUKAS battery features a Smart Dashboard display for real-time tool status and provides the industry’s first patented watertight design for underwater-operable use, allowing crews to work on automobiles in ditches, culverts and USAR applications. Holmatro’s Pentheon Series battery touts its own diagnostic software program for battery monitoring, as well as a mechatronic pump that automatically shifts the tool into a higher speed without loss of force to cut high-strength steels.

And as we mentioned, select manufacturers, like Super Vac and Command Light, have been granted special licensing agreements to utilise these proprietary batteries. Super Vac offers a 16”, 18” and 20” variable-speed fan that uses HURST EWXT/E3 batteries, while those same batteries power the new Command Light Trident Tripod with Akron Revel fixtures or a Feniex light bar.

“Having a mobile light bar alone has many departments intrigued,” Command Light President Roger Weinmeister said after the Trident Tripod was unveiled at FDIC International 2022. “With first responder fatalities on the rise because of distracted drivers, departments are looking for more ways to alert drivers to the hazards ahead, and now, they will have a battery-powered traffic advisor as a quick, deployable option to keep crews safe.”

In the end, it is important to ask yourself what kind of performance you expect out of the tool, and what kind of run times you need to get the job done. And if you feel more confident in your battery tool knowing it can run off a back-up power sources, look for built-in AC options in select equipment, like fans and lights. Finally, weigh your propriety selection against the interchangeability your department might need.

Battery-Powered Planning

Creating a battery-powered arsenal requires planning. How will you keep equipment charged? Will you incorporate charging stations into your truck or at the station? How many back-up batteries will you keep on-hand? Will you allow crews to swap batteries with other tools, if necessary? Will you spec proprietary battery-powered rescue tools with other non-proprietary tools so you’re certain no one ever runs off with the rescue tool batteries? Do you anticipate long scenes that will require shore power operation? In short, like all your equipment, make sure your battery-powered tools are always ready to go.

Aside from equipment preparation, you will find that you can plan and organise space differently around these battery-powered tools. Lighter and more compact, this equipment often frees up space in already-compact vehicles. Let us go back to that Super Vac battery PPV. At 580 mm x 585 mm x 305 mm and just 20 kgs, Super Vac’s smallest battery fan can be stored on its side, and even upright, it is practically the size of a Honda portable generator. And speaking of generators, plan on ditching the expensive generator, along with power cords and hydraulic hoses that operate your old equipment – with all that extra space, you can stage your universal battery-powered tools in one truck compartment.

Your operations may even change. First-due engines can now run with fans on their apparatus because these battery-powered PPVs are smaller than old gas fans typically relegated to the second response unit. Additionally, engines are not usually equipped with light towers because of space limitations, but now, with compact, battery-powered tripods, there is no reason not to get light where it is needed most.

Still Not Sold On Battery Technology?

If you are still mulling over the switch from gas, electric or hydraulic power sources to battery, consider what there is to gain and lose.

Crews gain more time when deploying this battery-powered equipment, and during the Golden Hour when the first 60 minutes of an incident are the most critical to patient survival you will welcome the maneuverability and ease of starting any of these battery tools. Plus, there are no more constraints of power cords or hydraulic hose lengths during those vital moments. In short, departments gain vital time and extended reach with battery operations.

Now, what do you lose? The messy maintenance that comes with petrol and hydraulic tools, plus products of combustion that can adversely affect air quality, even when catalytic converters are used. Even after use, storing this equipment can contaminate apparatus compartments with their fumes and bad carcinogens. Also, with battery tools, crews can say goodbye noise pollution which can adversely affect fireground communication. Meanwhile, the decibel reading for Super Vac’s 18” variable-speed battery fan produces an 85 dB reading at 1 meter in front of the fan, and 75 dB from 3 meters, which is only slightly louder than the sound of a showerhead makes. With quieter equipment comes improved communication. With so much to gain, it’s no wonder batteries have become the inclusion on the fireground.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Holmatro launches revolutionary Pentheon Series

by Products

Holmatro has launched a series of high-tech cordless rescue tools, designed to outperform all other equipment on the market, battery-powered and hose tools alike. Unparalleled speed, ultimate control and easy battery management are the most important benefits of the new Pentheon Series.

Unparalleled Speed

Holmatro Pentheon tools are equipped with Stepless Speed Maximization. A patented mechatronic system inside the tools continuously optimizes the motor and pump settings to deliver a maximized oil flow over the full pressure range. Where all other rescue tools show a substantial drop in speed when they switch to a second or third stage, to deal with higher loads, Pentheon tools stick to the ideal stepless speed curve.

Ultimate Control

All Pentheon tools have a two-mode control handle for ultimate tool control. At any time during the rescue operation, you can choose between the tools’ high speed and low-speed modes. Like with all other Holmatro rescue equipment, the speed is still proportional to how far you turn the control handle to its left or right.

Battery Management Made Easy

Holmatro Pentheon tools offer you the option of on-tool charging. Leave the battery on the tool, plug the tool into the charger and the whole charging process will regulate itself. The battery on the tool always has priority over the one on the charger. You can connect up to 3 chargers and 3 tools, to be powered from one outlet. This way you can charge a total of 6 batteries without any human interference, of which 3 batteries simultaneously.

https://www.holmatro.com/en

Holmatro introduces the new Pentheon Series

by Products

The Pentheon Series offers a much higher speed than other rescue equipment. This is thanks to a new and patented mechatronic system inside these tools. This system continuously optimises the motor and pump settings to deliver a maximised oil flow over the full pressure range. Where all other rescue tools show a significant decrease in speed when switching to another stage to deal with higher loads, Holmatro Pentheon tools stick to the ideal stepless speed curve.

Being much faster than previous generations of rescue tools Pentheon tools are equipped with a two-mode control handle for ultimate speed control. This enables rescuers, at any time during the rescue operation, to choose between the tools’ high-speed and low-speed modes. Within these modes, the speed is still proportional to how far you turn the control handle to its left or right.

With Holmatro Pentheon tools battery management is as easy as just plugging it in. Thanks to On-Tool Charging you can charge the battery while it remains on the tool. This means you don’t need to swap batteries all the time. Simply connect the tool to the charger and the whole charging process will regulate itself. The battery on the tool always has priority over the one on the charger, which will resume charging when the battery on the tool is 100% full. Three chargers can be connected in series to be powered from a single outlet. This allows you to charge a total of 6 batteries without any management, whether placed on a charger or on a tool connected to it.

The Pentheon Series consists of the following rescue tool models: Inclined Cutter PCU50, Spreader PSP40, Telescopic Ram PTR50 and Combi Tool PCT50.

The tips on the spreader have pointed teeth on both sides that bite into the material. The middle row of teeth is taller and offers instant grip. The teeth on the outside alternately point in the opposite direction, which allows for a superior grip over the full spreading range. Finally, an interlocking profile results in reduced insertion dimensions.

Another user-friendly feature of the Pentheon Series is the Smart Extension of the telescopic ram. As soon as you connect the optional extension pipe, the ram will automatically adapt its force to the new maximum length of 1804 mm / 71 inches that can be achieved. Thanks to this solution Holmatro can offer you one compact ram for all applications, including cross ramming over a large distance.

There are many more unique features & benefits of Pentheon rescue tools, such as temperature management technology (which allows you to keep working in extremely hot conditions) and underwater use.

www.holmatro.com/pentheon

AMKUS Rescue Systems launches new tool range

by Products

AMKUS Rescue Systems has introduced a line of high performance, battery powered and twin-lined rescue tools. The cutters, spreaders and combi-tools are constructed from solid aluminium and are ready for service in the severe duty challenging first responders.

The new battery powered ION tool’s onboard pump system delivers amazingly fast performance under both loaded and unloaded conditions.

The tools are compact to access tight spaces and require less room on apparatus. In addition, they utilise the DEWALT FLEXVOLT platform, so the affordable batteries can be shared with other fire rescue tools like saws, lights and drills.

Like the ION tools, the new AMKUS LINE tools bring superior operator safety and performance to a family of tools long recognised as versatile and reliable. The all-metal bodies include ergonomic operator controls and the ability to reposition the tool at any time with minimal effort.

According to Kyle Smith, AMKUS president, “What really sets these tools apart, both ION and LINE, is their ability to deliver reliable performance in real world extrication scenarios. They’re powerful, quick, and versatile.”

Contact your local AMKUS dealer for a local demonstration or for more information. AMKUS Rescue Systems develops and manufactures a wide range of hydraulic and battery powered rescue tools and accessories.