Ziegler to deliver Z-Class with HYBRIDdrive to Cranfield Airport

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The ZIEGLER Group has received the world’s first customer order from Cranfield Airport, owned by Cranfield University, for the delivery of an ARFF with HYBRIDdrive Technology. 

ZIEGLER said it received the order three months after the announcement of the  market launch of the Z6 HYBRIDdrive  in June 2022. 

The Z6 HYBRIDdrive from ZIEGLER is built on a Titan T39-770 6×6 chassis, which can be operated in three modes: purely electric, hybrid with electric and combustion engines, and purely conventional with a Stage V engine. 

The hybrid design means that emissions can be significantly reduced, whilst in an application situation where a quick reaction is needed the maximum power of up to 1,150 hp, with an acceleration of 0-80 km/h within 25 s, can be called up.

Angus Yan, CSO of the ZIEGLER Group said: “It is the perfect concept for the future of fire protection at airports and combines the best of both worlds: the vehicle contributes to achieving the goals of ‘Green Airports’ and also offers maximum performance in operational situations.”

The award of the contract contributes to the ARFF sector in general thanks to the implementation of the latest, state-of-the-art technology from ZIEGLER and strengthens the decarbonization activities of Cranfield Airport.

Rob Abbott, Director of Cranfield Airport, commented: “Cranfield Airport is known for pioneering projects like this. For example, we have installed a ‘Digital Air Traffic Control Centre’, are working on the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles and are paving the way for the future of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The procurement of the new Z-Class with hybrid propulsion is another milestone on our agenda for the zero-emission aviation we are striving for.”

The new Z-Class with HYBRIDdrive Technology at Cranfield Airport is produced at the ZIEGLER headquarters in Giengen an der Brenz and then sent to Venari, exclusive ZIEGLER partner in the United Kingdom, West Yorkshire Venari will also provide the relevant post-delivery services.

Venari and ZIEGLER have been working together since 2021 to actively introduce the Z-Class to the British market.

Oliver North, CEO of Venari said: “The launch of the Z-Class in the UK in 2021 has brought much-needed competition to the UK aviation industry at a time when innovation was needed. With its high quality and innovative strength, ZIEGLER has responded to the demand for new technologies that enable airports to be even more efficient and at the same time achieve higher environmental goals.”

Fabian Schmidt, product manager for airfield fire engines at ZIEGLER, added: “After years of continuous development of our Z-Class, we are confident that our new Z6 HYBRIDdrive will prove to be a favorite for UK airport fire and rescue services, not only to meet environmental targets but also to improve overall operational efficiency.”

Pierce secures contract with Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department

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Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced it has secured a contract with the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department in Arizona to place a Pierce® Volterra™ zero-emissions pumper with an Oshkosh patented parallel-electric drivetrain into service with the department’s busiest station, Station No. 2.

Gilbert Fire and Rescue’s Volterra electric pumper will be the third placement for Pierce, with others including the City of Madison, Wisconsin Fire Department, and the City of Portland, Oregon Fire and Rescue. All locations represent vastly different climates, allowing Pierce to collect vehicle performance data for the Volterra electric fire truck in various environmental conditions.

The Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department is led by Fire Chief Rob Duggan and is made up of 11 fire stations and 276 members who are dedicated to finding and utilizing resources to improve service delivery to the community’s residents.

Chief Duggan commented: “We are excited for the opportunity to partner with Pierce to add the Volterra electric pumper to our fire fleet because this partnership reflects and exemplifies Gilbert’s mission to anticipate and recognize the current and future needs of all who reside in the areas we serve.

“An additional attribute critical to our department is the Volterra pumper will allow us the benefit of exploring ways to eliminate cancer-causing diesel exhaust particles from our fire stations.”

Chief Duggan added, “Pierce brought a fair and balanced approach to our early discussions and understood the importance of ensuring positive outcomes for both sides. The support of our mayor, town council, town management, and the many departments which support our department has also been instrumental in this agreement and will continue to be in the years to come.”

In collaboration with Gilbert Fire and Rescue, Pierce will continue developing and evaluating the Pierce Volterra electric vehicle. As part of this development process, Gilbert’s arid, subtropical climate, intense heat during summer months, and high UV index will provide valuable exposure and insight to additional operational environments the electric vehicle must withstand.

Magirus announces ‘Experience The Future’ Roadshow tour

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Firefighting vehicle manufacturer Magirus has announced its “Experience The Future” Roadshow tour set to make stops across Europe later this year.

Magirus will be launching its innovative roadshow across Europe from September on. Under the motto “Experience The Future”, firefighters and interested trade visitors will have the opportunity to experience a cross-section of the highly innovative product portfolio.

In the months to follow, the roadshow will be coming to events in four countries. The initial start will be at the jubilee of the Magirus Lohr subsidiary in Premstätten near Graz in Austria from 01 to 03 September 2022. 

In the further course, the roadshow will stop at the following locations, among others:

  • 08. – 09.09.2022: Germany, Münster – Fire Expo
  • 21. – 24.09.2022: France, Nancy – Congrès National des Sapeurs-Pompiers
  • 07. – 09.10.2022: Italy, Montichiari – REAS Salone dell’Emergenza
  • 13. – 15.10.2022: Germany, Dresden – FLORIAN

Magirus said on the motivation behind the roadshow: “The world is in constant flux. In particular, the effects of climate change and trends such as urbanisation present modern societies with ever new challenges. These have a direct impact on fire-fighting and disaster control. Forest and vegetation fires, the growing number of natural disasters as well as constantly more complex situations require new technologies, new approaches and innovative solutions that perfectly adapt to these changing conditions.

“At Magirus, these are at the heart of the “Next Generation Firefighting” philosophy. This is expressed in a product portfolio which, in the interplay of networking, robotics and the continuous further development of the core range, particularly reflects Magirus’ traditional striving for practical, safely deployable and directly available innovations.

“Particularly in conjunction with the unconditional endeavor to offer the ideal solution for every context. For example, Magirus translates the latest developments in the field of mature alternative drive technology into practical vehicles that can be used reliably without compromise. Here, the company is convinced that a sensible and context-dependent interplay of different alternative drive technologies is required in order to meet the challenges adequately, safely and sustainably.

“Engine technology based on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is of central importance in this context. In combination with biogas, it enables completely climate-neutral operation of fire-fighting vehicles.”

On the road show, Magirus will present its new innovations an products including the new turntable ladder generation with SmartControl as well as digital systems such as FleetConnect and TacticNet.

Special highlights of the “Experience The Future” Roadshow will be the consistent expansion of robotics with new solutions as well as the presentation of groundbreaking innovations and new products – also in the field of personal protective equipment.

Three Disaster Response Vehicles delivered to Gulf Coast State College

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Gulf Coast State College has received three frontline communications disaster response vehicles from Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing and a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation. The new disaster response vehicles will support Gulf Coast State College and the surrounding eight counties with advanced communications and technology assets during emergency scenarios.

Sold through Pierce and Frontline Communications’ dealer, Ten-8 Fire Equipment, the highly customized vehicles include two C-25 Mobile Command Vehicles and one C-33 Mobile Command Center.

The new disaster response vehicles were delivered in late May, and emergency responders have begun extensive training to properly utilize the assets when needed.

James Baxley Jr., Executive Director of radio, TV, and broadcasting with Gulf Coast State College, said: “When hurricane Michael came through in 2018, it was a category 5 event resulting in extensive damage and communications challenges.

“We aimed to close communications gaps and do a better job next time, and our new Frontline Communications disaster response vehicles provide us with the most technologically advanced resources to face future events. The vehicles were obtained through the Triumph Grant and maintain an eight-county memorandum of understanding to be put in service where and when needed to support emergency operations.”

Some of the most notable system design and integrated communications attributes of Gulf Coast State College’s new disaster response vehicles include:

  • Cellular and satellite data network
  • Point-to-point transmission system 2+ gigabit per minute
  • Dual HD/thermal PTZ camera
  • Columbia weatherstation
  • HAM radio system with auto-tuning and PC controls
  • Video switching matrix
  • Multiple PCs for data processing
  • 42-foot mast for custom antenna/camera deployment
  • Docking station for TVU cellular backpack encoder
  • Exterior workstation with anti-glare monitor
  • Electric awning
  • UHF, VHF, and HAM radios

“We’ve appreciated having the opportunity to work with Gulf Coast State College developing vehicles which will provide critical disaster response and communications support for such a substantial geographic area in Florida,” said Rob McAtee, fire apparatus sales representative with Ten-8 Fire Equipment.

“The customized design of the two C-25 Mobile Command Vehicles and one C-33 Mobile Command Center incorporates some of the most advanced features we’ve built into specialty vehicles to date. Our team, and our partners at Frontline Communications, look forward to providing dedicated support for training, service, and beyond.”

Big Bear Fire department orders Pierce fire Apparatus

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Pierce Manufacturing Inc. has announced that the Big Bear, California Fire Department placed an order for three custom Pierce fire apparatus, including two Pierce Arrow XT 4×4 pumpers and an Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower with mid-mount configuration.

The new fire apparatus purchase is part of a fleet upgrade and replacement initiative for the Department and was coordinated through authorized Pierce dealer, South Coast Fire Equipment, Inc.

Big Bear Fire Department Captain Norman Dykesten explained: “Due to economic challenges and a consolidation nearly 15 years ago, fire apparatus replacements were on hold, making upgrade and replacement initiatives a major priority in recent years.

“As we began the bid process, we appreciated South Coast Fire Equipment’s responsiveness and efforts to introduce configurations we didn’t know existed. The value and quality construction we received from Pierce within our available resources were immense, and we are confident the new fire apparatus will be exactly what we need to continue serving our community.”

Big Bear Fire Department’s new fire apparatus will feature:

Pierce Arrow XT 4×4 Pumpers

  • Arrow XT chassis
  • 500-gallon water tank
  • 1,500 gpm pump
  • Cummins X12 engine
  • Command Zone™ Multiplex Electronics

Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower

  • Arrow XT chassis
  • Mid-mount configuration
  • 300-gallon water tank
  • 2,000 gpm pump
  • Cummins X15 605 hp engine
  • Integrated ground pads
  • 20’ setback capacity
  • 20-degree below grade operation
  • TAK-4 T-3™ Independent Suspension

The fire apparatus order is the first the Big Bear Fire Department has placed with South Coast Fire Equipment. Fleet upgrades also include the addition of a Type 3 Model 34 Wildland vehicle from Boise Mobile Equipment.

The Big Bear Fire Department operates out of four fire stations with 58 personnel and responds to over 4,500 calls per year. The service area is a unique mix of rural, mountainous, and urban neighbourhoods. The jurisdiction includes two resorts offering skiing and snowboarding in the winter, as well as mountain bike trails and golfing in the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

The population for this resort community can fluctuate from approximately 17,800 full time residents to upwards of 250,000 on any given day or holiday weekend, depending on tourist activity. This creates an ever-evolving basis of fire suppression and ambulance needs, for which the Big Bear Fire Department must always be prepared.

Captain Dykesten added: “Although San Bernardino County Fire is able to provide immediate assistance should mutual aid become necessary, one of the biggest challenges Big Bear Fire Department faces is significant additional resources are farther away. The next closest community is 25 miles from us. The commute on mountain highways makes accessibility to critical equipment particularly important for our crew.”

Tim Olley, sales representative at South Coast Fire Equipment commented: “We enjoyed having the opportunity to share all of the advanced features Pierce offers to help the Big Bear Fire Department select apparatus to best fit their needs. Our team looks forward to building our relationship and providing dedicated service support for many years to come.”

City of Varennes Fire Safety Service orders fully electric fire truck

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E-ONE, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc., has announced that it is building an all-electric Vector Rescue Decon truck for the City of Varennes Fire Safety Service in Quebec; the first Rescue truck using the first fully electric North America- style fire truck design.

This Vector order, which will become one of the initial EV fire trucks in operation in Canada, came from the City of Varennes.

REV Fire Group introduced its EV fire truck in August 2021, which utilizes 316 kilowatts of proven automotive grade batteries, and can be customized to accommodate specialized fire ground duties such as air support and decontamination of firefighters to remove carcinogens from gear after fighting structure fires.

The Vector design features low battery cell placement which offers a safer, lower centre of gravity for enhanced stability while operating. The crew from Varennes worked closely with the engineers at E-ONE to develop this unique mission critical apparatus to serve their community.

Key features of the Vector Rescue Decon truck are:

  • 100-inch-wide Cyclone cab with raised forward roof and rear vista
  • Extruded aluminum walk-thru body with full height / full depth compartments on each side
  • Upgraded air conditioning system with auxiliary A/C in the crew area of the cab and body
  • Diesel fired interior area heaters with on-demand hot water heating capabilities for
    Decon
  • Thermal battery management system
  • 500-amps of available 12-volt power
  • Range extender for emergency back-up power to stay on scene for extended duties
  • 4-bottle DOT 6000 PSI cascade system, booster pump and 2 bottle fill station for air support
  • Complete Decon package and shower inside the body with changing room for personnel
  • Walk-through body design to cab allows for separation of duties with a dirty firefighter entering in the back door and emerging through the cab crew doors decontaminated.

“This emergency truck is one-of-a-kind,” said Varennes Mayor Martin Damphousse in a city press release. “In addition to having a self-sufficiency that guarantees reliability for the entire duration of interventions, it will meet the needs of the Fire Safety Service on three specific points: the decontamination of firefighters on site with their equipment, air refuelling breathing and release during a call.”

“We are excited to partner with Varennes Fire Safety Service to help protect both their community and the environment with one of the first EV fire apparatus in Canada,” said Kent Tyler, President of REV Fire Group. “It’s our first EV Rescue truck, which demonstrates the Vector’s customization and flexibility to suit a fire department’s needs.”

Rosenbauer showcases PANTHER electric at INTERSCHUTZ

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Rosenbauer is showcasing the first PANTHER 6×6 with electric driveline at Interschutz this week.

The development of the electric model follows an agreement among International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Airports Council International (ACI), and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 in global aviation.

According to the ACI, some airports 100 want to be climate-neutral as early as 2030, including, for example, Amsterdam, Delhi, London City, Marseille, Rome, Vancouver and all Norwegian and Finnish airports. The ADV airports in Germany are aiming for a joint CO2 reduction of 65%, and by 2045 they want to have achieved the goal of “climate neutrality”.

The electrification of ground support (ground vehicles), which includes the fleet of ARFF vehicles, promises to be one of the biggest levers in this regard. Rosenbauer is also convinced that this measure will play a key role in the “green recovery” of airports after the Covid 19 pandemic.

Safety and performance

Airport operators and fire departments from all over the world were involved in the design of the PANTHER 6×6 electric right from the start.

Safety is also the top priority for the PANTHER electric, and there can be no compromises in performance either. Rosenbauer said it was clear from the very beginning that the PANTHER electric had to meet all global standards for ARFF vehicles and that no compromises would be made with regard to the performance of the overall system, even in purely electric operation.

According to Rosenbauer, the development of the PANTHER 6×6 electric was only made possible by the fact that drivelines, on-board networks and electrical components are now available that can also meet the high performance requirements of an ARFF vehicle.

Despite the increasing electrification in the commercial vehicle sector, the required electrical power demand proved to be a challenge.

Rosenbauer decided to create its own e-drive platform for the PANTHER electric in order to get the best out of the electric components.

The vehicle manufacturer’s development partner is Magna, one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers and mobility technology groups. Rosenbauer and Magna will further develop a scalable modular system for the PANTHER, which can be used to electrify not only the PANTHER 6×6 but also other variants in the future.

Refined design

Compared to its predecessor, the PANTHER Electric emphasizes the sheer power and permanent operational readiness of the vehicle with a somewhat more angular and aggressive front as well as clear, simply defined lines and surfaces.

It features a new lighting concept from the airfield projector lamp and the scene lighting to the rear lighting makes the PANTHER electric more visible and safer. The paintwork of the technological leader also symbolizes the transition from the last PANTHER generation, presented at Interschutz 2015, to the new one.

At the front, the PANTHER 6×6 electric is still decorated in black, similar to the trade fair vehicle at the time. From the rear, practically from the engine compartment, comes the new energy, which is expressed with the colour turquoise.

The next steps

Rosenbauer said: “The transition of the concept vehicle to series development will take place over the next two years, with sales of the PANTHER 6×6 electric starting in 2024. For the pre-series, too, Rosenbauer will cooperate with innovation partners, as it has successfully done with the RT, and will incorporate the findings from the test operations under real conditions into the development work and the set-up of series production.”

IFSJ Exclusive: Next Generation Firefighting vehicles

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Magirus talks about how firefighting is entering a new level of efficiency and safety with tactical robots, drones and digital solutions

With the presentation of the new generation of turntable ladders with SmartControl, digital solutions like TacticNet or FleetConnect and a brand-new series of fire-fighting and tactical response robots, Germany-based manufacturer Magirus has developed a product portfolio with intelligent networking in many key areas of firefighting.

Its digital-innovative evolution has set new standards for the operational capability, effectiveness and safety of fire brigades. Located in Ulm, the traditional company started its journey to the “Next Generation Firefighting” more than two years ago and presented in the meantime a series of innovative products and solutions to face today’s and tomorrow’s challenges of fire-fighters all around the world.

The premiere of the Wolf R1 robot

With the premiere of the powerful, flexibly deployable tactical response robot with a completely electric drive, Magirus expanded its product range of robotic vehicles at the Civil Protect trade fair in Bolzano in September 2021. The company was taking the next logical step in the field of robotic, remote-controlled firefighting and emergency vehicles. The Magirus Wolf R1 was specially developed to meet the significantly increased requirements of complex, high-risk operations. It combines performance and multifunctionality that are unequalled in this class.

The Magirus Wolf R1 tactical robot allows firefighters to stay out of harm’s way in conditions of intense heat, collapse dangers, hazardous materials investigations or poor visibility, while persevering on the spot with complete precision. Specialised camera systems enable all-round visibility; robust data transmission solutions ensure that the operations command is always supplied with the latest live images and videos. The all-electric crawler drive with 1,050 Nm torque allows the Wolf R1 to move purposefully and quietly on the most difficult surfaces and to act flexibly.

Its performance is particularly useful for high-risk firefighting, reconnaissance, and security tasks. The operational robot has a tractive force of up to four tonnes and reaches a top speed of up to 15 km/h. Its battery capacity is particularly high and can function without tools and can be almost endlessly extended by means of an exchangeable battery. Furthermore, the Wolf R1 features an intuitive and flexible control via radio remote-controlled visual guidance with a range of up to 150 metres, or alternatively, as command control via a system carrier vehicle with a range of up to 2,500 metres.

Tactical mission support

When used with Magirus’s TacticNet tactical operations network and drone escort, the robot holds unrivalled potential, opening up a new level of safety and maximum transparency for mission commanders in difficult-to-access, large-scale, munitions-laden areas, forest fires, tunnels, or the reconnaissance of hazardous situations.

The tactical operations network offers an unprecedented overview of the entire operational area which gives the incident commander a complete overview of the entire operational area at all times live and in real-time allowing the best possible decisions and the best possible action. The WiFi-based and location-independent network also offers the possibility of integrating any number of units and task forces.

The network’s services range from establishing a WiFi-based local network and the provision of livestreams from camera and thermal imaging drones as well as combining map information, images and deployment positions of vehicles and personnel to the map-based selection of units for effective command and control of task forces.

Thanks to the integration of a wide range of information sources, the incident commander and decision-makers on all levels have access to all relevant information quickly, comprehensively and even under challenging circumstances such as limited visibility or difficult terrain conditions. On this basis, the right decisions can be made effectively, allowing the deployment task forces and equipment with maximum safety and efficiency.

TacticNet spans a robust, local mesh operation area network in which participants are linked together via the monitor in the command vehicle, separate tablets and mobile phones. It is location-independent and can be expanded as required. TacticNet allows to superimpose static maps and dynamic images of the respective operational areas as well as information on the locations and status of task forces and vehicles, for example, and, in future, also infrastructure data. HD video communication provides access to unfiltered live information in real-time for everyone involved in the decision-making chain.

The more complex an operational situation is, the more important it is to have up-to-date and comprehensive information. TacticNet provides a decisive safety advantage by displaying the live positions of all units and restricted areas, for example: restricted areas can be directly taken into account in the instructions of incident commanders, avoiding danger zones. Particularly in complex situations such as rapidly spreading building fires, extensive forest fires or large fires in industrial plants, TacticNet offers a completely new quality of situation assessment and provides an extremely valuable basis for quick, targeted decisions, enabling even more successful operations.

Across the Alps

Eight years after the unveiling of the first robot from the AirCore family and only several months after its premiere, the history of Magirus’ remote-controlled and remote-operated tactical units continued with the handover of the first Magirus Wolf R1 in Ehrwald on 18 May 2022. In an extraordinary ceremony on Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, the company handed over the world’s first tactical response robot to the Ehrwald Volunteer Fire Department in Austria.

Björn Scherer, Chief Fire Inspector of the Ehrwald Volunteer Fire Department, is particularly proud of the latest, sustainable expansion of the brigade’s technology and equipment: “In Ehrwald, we are a small, but very innovative fire brigade. The topography and tourism pose special challenges for us. The range of operations is very diverse, yet all the locations must always be quickly and safely accessible – especially off-road, in tunnels and in underground garages, this is not always easy. We have been searching for a long time for solutions to quickly reach deployment scenes that are difficult to access without putting our firefighters in danger. The Magirus Wolf R1 response robot allows us to do just that.”

A new era begins

On the part of the District Fire Brigade command and the District Fire Brigade inspectorate, represented by District Fire Brigade Commander Dietmar Berktold and District Fire Brigade Inspector Konrad Müller, a clear commitment was made to innovative, effective and, above all, protective and supportive equipment for the emergency services.

“The tactical response robot allows firefighters to remain outside the danger zone in the event of intense heat, danger of collapse, hazardous material investigations or poor visibility, while the robot is in action right there with full precision,” says Berkold. “The attached subframe developed for Ehrwald enables the most flexible mounting options for diverse firefighting equipment.”

Thomas Hilse, Magirus CEO, backs this: “Being able to hand over the first Magirus Wolf R1 on the Zugspitze is truly exceptional. Within special applications, robotic and networked solutions are developing rapidly and offer far-reaching advantages in the field. As a tactical operational robot, the Wolf R1 brings safety and efficiency, but also precision, flexibility and tremendous performance.” The Magirus Wolf R1 was developed together with its partner Alpha Robotics Deutschland GmbH and has already been extensively tested and used in practice by fire brigades in Lower Saxony.

According to Hilse, the handover is a further step in “Next Generation Firefighting”, which is already available to emergency services today and clearly demonstrates Magirus’ innovative strength in this field. The company will consistently pursue this path in the coming years and thus provide fire brigades all over the world with the most modern and reliable technology.

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

Powering Up: Emergency One gears up for Interschutz 2022

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The UK’s largest manufacturer of fire and rescue vehicles, Emergency One, is set to attend Interschutz in Hannover on 20-25 of June. The company’s Managing Director, Mike Madsen, says the team are will be showcasing its offer to new and old customers alike, gearing up to present not one but two new appliances at the show.

After a successful launch of the world’s first fully electric fire engine the E1 EV0 in 2020, Emergency One is set to introducing the newest E1 EV0 to the public at Interschutz. The new E1 EV0 is fully equipped with Alison eGen Power 100D electric axle, providing optimal performance without the emissions. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the E1 EV0 mark II operates on battery power for both drive and pump capabilities. An additional onboard smart charge allows the user to extend its driving range and pump duration if required.

The eGen Power 100D electric axle integrates two high-speed electric motors and a multi-speed transmission, eliminating the need for additional drive shafts and support structures, allowing it to fit neatly between the wheels and leaving critical space for battery storage. With continuous power of 536 horsepower (400 kilowatts) and peak output power of 738 horsepower (550 kilowatts), the eGen Power 100D is among the most powerful propulsion solutions in its class, with a design tuned for high gradeability and high-top speed without sacrificing efficiency.

This, says Madsen, ensures Emergency One’s fire and rescue trucks will continue to deliver on performance and reliability, fast acceleration, and manoeuvrability in an application where failure is not an option, and every second counts.

“We are proud that the Emergency One E1 EV0 (Electric Vehicle, Zero Emissions) is the World’s first all-electric pumping appliance fully certified to BS EN1846 standard,” says Madsen. “The EV0 exceeds the standard’s requirements for driving range and pumping performance at zero emissions, whilst the optional onboard smart charger provides resilience at protracted incidents.”

The latest generation of the EV0 was recently purchased by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) as it pledged to move towards more sustainable practices. The EV0 as specified for SFRS carries the same inventory as a traditional pumping appliance, is one of the first of its kind in the UK and is the first to feature an all-electric rear drive axle installation.

SFRS has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint along with many fire services globally, which proves to be beneficial as it is estimated that an electric appliance will reduce emissions by 66% compared with a diesel appliance. For comparison, a diesel engine appliance will omit around 10.79KgCO2e over a typical distance of six miles whilst an equivalent electric powered appliance will omit 3.46KgCO2e over the same journey.

Making a Splash

Emergency one’s new E1-Manticore range of appliances will also be present at Interschutz and mark the vehicle range’s first public appearance. Designed and manufactured for airport and industrial use, the ARFF appliances are available in 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 configurations, all of which are manufactured to meet the requirements of NFPA414 and the relevant ICAO standards for the vehicle size and type. The range comes with the option for a full High Reach Extendable Turret packaging in either 16m or 20m iterations and boasts the largest cab in its class.

The Scania DC16 power-plants propelling the vehicles ensure that the vehicle type is one of the fastest in its class and are available in several Euro Emissions Standards to meet our customers’ requirements globally. The E1 Manticore is also available with the E1 EV0 technology coupling it with the Scania DC16 power-plant in a hybrid parallel drive solution, producing over 1000bhp.

The 6×6 configuration is the most popular size and is armed with a 12,500 litre water tank, 1500 litre foam tank, an 8000 litre per minute water pump which feeds a 6000 lire per minute joystick controlled roof monitor as well as a 2000 litre per minute bumper monitor. The vehicle locker and can layouts are completely configurable to meet the end user’s requirements.

International expansion

Emergency One are the largest manufacturer of fire and rescue appliances in the UK and are now expanding further into international markets. Incorporating Clan Tools and Plant Ltd (who supply Fire and Rescue operational equipment), Madsen says that Emergency One Group prides itself in creating the best possible experience for customers, with each vehicle being tailored to suit individual needs and requirements.

As well as being able to supply electric and airport firefighting appliances, Emergency One also produce an extensive range of vehicles from light, medium and super tenders; aerials and turntable ladders, command and control and a variety of special builds.

Beyond fire and rescue appliances, with innovation at the heart of the business, Emergency One also has bespoke design technology solutions such as e1Fleet, ePumpcontrol, eCabControl and eCleanCab.

e1Fleet is the manufacturer’s optional data-logging which unit allows users to connect via the Internet to all e1fleet-enabled Fire appliances, showing the current position and operational status of the fire appliance in real-time.

ePumpControl features nine or 13 freely programmable back-lit function keys, where each switch can be allocated various functions, such as a pre-set pump pressure (either High or Low Pressure), PTO engagement, valve operation (or any other system control) etc. With one touch of a switch the pump can be operating (and regulating) at any given level.

eCabControl features nine freely programmable back-lit function keys. Each switch can be allocated various functions, including all E-1 controlled systems. Graphical display of all safety related functions.

And eCleanCab is the HEPA Filtration System which can be fitted into any crew cab with hassle free installation. Removing at least 99.97% of airborne particulates, the eCleanCab is the perfect solution to providing clean air.

Going global

Since the launch of the E1 EV0 back in October 2020, Emergency One has seen an increase in export sales, ranging from North America, Malta, New Zealand and most recently France. Recent developments include providing REV Fire Group with electrical vehicle solutions as their technology partners in order to help bring American style electric fire trucks into the market. REV Fire Group which consists of E-ONE, KME, Ferrara, Spartan Fire Chassis, Spartan Emergency Response, Smeal and Ladder Tower presented the first North American-style fully electric fire truck during the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis in April 2022. Madsen says this first vehicle marks the start of what will hopefully be a long term partnership, with many more builds to come.

Emergency One also recently secured an export contract for Electric Fire Appliances into Hérault Fire Service, France. Commenting on this news, Scottish Government Minister for Business Ivan McKee says: “Businesses such as Emergency One are using their expertise and ingenuity to unlock this potential. The new relationship with Hérault Fire Services has been secured against international competition and positions the company as a global leader in the sector. We congratulate Emergency One, wish it well and are delighted to support its efforts through the team at Scottish Enterprise.”

Madsen says: “Not only is the electric route safer for the environment but also the firefighters themselves and we are proud of the technology and progress to market of the E1 EV0 the world’s first fully electric fire appliance that highlights Scottish innovation.”

And on Interschutz he adds: “With the increase in natural disasters, political disagreements as a result of the Russian war against Ukraine and recovery from the corona virus pandemic, now more than ever it’s important for participants and attendees to come together and find solutions for the challenges of our time.”

Emergency One will be on stand R54 at the Interschutz trade fair in Hannover.

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

Exclusive: Avoiding catastrophe with vehicle fire suppression

by Breaking NewsFire SuppressionProducts

Johan Balstad, vice president, Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection, considers the new risks arising from the increased uptake of EVs

In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) is growing, meaning it’s time for recognition and understanding of how to mitigate the unique fire risks they pose.

A sustainable future

The number of EVs in use has been rapidly increasing, at 40% year and year, reflecting sustainability by encouraging better air quality, in addition to offering lower fuel costs by reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. This growth is only set to increase further, with improved battery technology and affordability supporting the shift for individuals, and EVs providing certain industries with cost effective, environmental solutions.

Moving forward, battery manufacturers are looking to improve the battery efficiency to cost ratio, in the hope of increasing adoption across the world. It’s predicted that battery technology is likely to increase the amount of energy density within the battery, as well as bringing about faster charging, to improve the consumer experience.

Rising risks

However, although EVs with higher energy density and reduced charging time are desirable, this can increase already rising the fire risks that EVs present.

Although much safer for the environment, EVs present their own unique fire risks that need to be understood in order to be effectively mitigated. Fires in these vehicles are less likely to occur than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, however, due to the chemistry of the battery and the type of fire that can occur, they present more intense fire risks, which can be catastrophic for passengers and operations.

There have been various reports of EV fires causing safety concerns to life and operations. For example, a crash turned fire, which killed three passengers in China and the destruction of 25 EV buses in a bus depot in Germany.

More recently, an EV bus caught fire in Paris, with the cause of the fire unknown and the reasoning for the successful evacuation attributed to passers-by, rather than a fire detection system.

Battery chemistry

The most common battery powering the shift to EVs is the lithium-ion (li-ion) battery, and it’s the chemistry within these batteries that’s causing rising fire risks.

Within the li-ion battery, there is a cathode covered in a sliver of aluminium and mixed-metal oxide ink and an anode covered in copper coated in graphite. Between these poles is a plastic separator in solvent, and during charge or discharge, lithium ions will move from or to the anode or cathode.

Should li-ion batteries experience increased heat, mechanical failure, overcharging or physical damage, this can cause the battery to short circuit. A short circuit will create excess heat, leading to a dangerous state called thermal runaway due to a reaction between the cathode and the flammable electrolyte within the battery.

Reducing fire risks

With EVs being picked up in almost every industry in the near future, there’s a necessity to understand the risks and how industries can protect against them.

  1. Equipment

Installing a fire detection and suppression system that is able to recognise that the battery is at risk of thermal runaway in its earliest stage can help to reduce the likelihood of extreme consequences to life and operations.

  • Battery management

Battery management systems are great for monitoring temperature, voltage and current in a li-ion battery. However, they can’t prevent thermal runaway should it occur suddenly, such as from a damaged battery due to a crash, for example.

  • Educating users

To prevent the catastrophic consequences of a li-ion battery fire, it’s important to educate all of those using an EV on its potential risks. By educating people on the ‘dos and don’ts’ of EV battery safety, fires are less likely to occur due to overcharging, poor management or insufficient suppression measures.

Detection and suppression

If thermal runaway is allowed to fully take hold, reignition is extremely common, and EV fires can burn for days, reigniting after the fire seems to have been defeated. Currently, the only way to make sure a fire is out completely, is total immersion within a pool of water.

This makes early detection and suppression key to reducing fire risk. Extensive research and testing from an EU-funded initiative, in collaboration with Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) and Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection, found that a battery suppression solution can be installed during the manufacturing process to provide an early fire warning system, in addition to spot cooling to prevent a battery reaching thermal runaway.

During this research, spot cooling was found to be the most effective technique to suppress thermal runaway following the detection of defects. Spot cooling should use a suitable suppression agent. Although fluorine foams have been used for years in fire-fighting due to their suitability, modern environmental concerns have led to bans on suppression agents containing fluorine, which are spreading across the globe.

Moving forward with EV safety

With the increase of EVs happening across almost every industry around the world, it’s important to fully understand fire risks. In addition to managing batteries and educating those about battery safety, installing appropriate fire suppression solutions is key to reduce risks and ensure a safe and sustainable future.

For more information, visit Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection.

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