End Of An Era, Bob’s Last Column

By Bob Barraclough

Editor’s Note: Bob Barraclough, this magazine’s chief columnist for many years, died Jan. 21. His heart had been failing for some time, but he was determined to continue writing for the fire service as long as he possibly could. This – Bob’s final column – was compiled with the help of his close, longtime friend and fellow apparatus expert Alan Saulsbury.

We need a good economical “tilt-multi-seat-cab” commercial chassis, much like a European Euro-Space chassis with a short wheelbase.

Traffic control support vehicles or trailers should automatically respond to incidents on interstate or dangerous highways.

Portable triangle-type traffic control devices can be mounted inside each cab door for immediate set-up around vehicle.

Nearly every day (for over 40 years) Bob and I talked. Guess the subject? Bob and I knew that our wives (Betts and Nancy) talked every day about us! They were jealous and called our love of the industry our “first family,” and they were “second fiddle.” It seems like both of us had a tough time in the “balancing act” of fire versus family.

Things were tough for both Bob and Betts during the last two years; faced with his deteriorating health, there were some real challenging months. Nevertheless, both were always upbeat, smiling and positive about the future!

In December Bob asked me for some help on his column for Fire Apparatus magazine. I dove into it with my usual passion. The following outline includes our predictions and opinions, which could be of “conversational value” to the fire industry. So here we go!

Vehicle Life. We will see the “life and duty cycle” of vehicles become longer due to acquisition costs and the durability of today’s apparatus and reductions of municipal funding. Maintenance of apparatus will become more important and a higher percentage of a fire department budget. Sub-contracting of apparatus maintenance and service will supplement fire department service centers or complete “privatization” of apparatus maintenance will be the next phase.

Today’s Apparatus. Both Bob and I have said, “Today’s apparatus are the best and safest units ever built in our country!” Why? Longer lasting diesel engines, superior body construction, pump modules, stainless steel piping, better engineering and manufacturing techniques. Typical suburban and rural fire pumpers now average a 20-year first-line life span, while our heavy-duty aerials are averaging 30 years in service! Refurbishment of heavy tip load aerials will increase over the next few years.

NFPA 1912 Refurbishment Standard. Question: Should the National Fire Protection Association seriously consider revising its 1912 Standard For Fire Apparatus Refurbishing to be mandatory every 10 years or at 50 percent of a vehicle’s useful life cycle? This has been common on aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles for years. This could incorporate safety improvements quicker on all in-service units and keep vehicles in top-notch shape for longer life cycles. In addition, the NFPA’s Annex D should be modified to reflect a more realistic life cycle period. We must think of innovative ideas to help the taxpayers and government budgets in these times.

Government Budgets. Along with a continued consolidation of village, county, and city governments, there will be a continuing trend to reduce or consolidate fire departments. Do we really need a $500,000 to $750,000 custom pumper every mile in some communities? Similar to the private sector, career fire departments will see 20-year retirement programs lengthened to 30-plus years, along with decreased benefits. Higher employee costs will exert pressure to reduce equipment and apparatus budgets.

Apparatus And Ambulance Purchasing. We will see an increased use of federal, state and regional group apparatus purchasing methods for municipalities, as well as Internet and/or “direct purchasing” of vehicles from manufacturers. Third-party private maintenance centers will have to increase, taking the place of fire apparatus dealer service centers. Online vehicle purchasing will result in more standardization and lower priced vehicles.

Purchasing Habits. With increased taxpayer pressure, government officials will turn forcibly to fire chiefs and truck committees to reduce the chrome-and-glitz vehicle budgets.

Apparatus Types. The use of combination multi-purpose vehicles will become the “standard” of the industry; all pumpers will carry EMS medical equipment. Fire department secondary vehicles will increase slightly in number, due to the need for support vehicles for flood lighting, communications and command, technical rescue, water rescue, decon/hazmat, breathing air services, rehab and natural disaster response. Chief Brunacini’s vision of providing complete community services has just begun!

Apparatus Industry. We will see a decreased number of fire truck manufacturers (there will be a new merging of companies similar to the ambulance industry). Smaller companies may not have the resources for mass electronic marketing, while some old-name companies may not be able to adapt to the changing needs of the customer base and the competitive nature of the industry.

Aerial Ladder Vehicles. Aerial apparatus will begin to move to smaller and lighter designs. Do we really use 120 to 200 feet of ground ladders? Ground ladders will become optional with future aerial standards (the same as the rest of the world). Aerial vehicles will have more compartment space with single-axle chassis configurations returning. European design electronic “envelope control” will slowly evolve into the North American marketplace. We will see 150-foot to 300-foot aerial devices and platforms, but 75-foot quints will continue to be the most popular. LED lighting of the entire rung area on aerials will soon be “standard” for the industry.

Ambulances. The impact of the new NFPA standard on ambulances will be swift and positive for both the industry and users. The ending of the old KKK standard is long overdue. Here are some suggestions for purchasers:

• Pinpoint the mission and type of ambulance desired.
• Consider a multi-purpose application and go to a heavier truck chassis for a longer life cycle.
• Think about the addition of a refurbishment standard and a NFPA 1911-type standard for inspection, testing, maintenance, and replacement for ambulances?
• Carefully review your ambulance chassis GVWR ratings for extra weight of rescue tools, floodlighting, generators and supplementary hand tools.
• Consider new stretcher loading devices due to lifting hazards.
• Consider whether the new NFPA standard should require third-party certification of seating, stretchers and other safety equipment on ambulances.
• Similar to NFPA 1901, all existing and new ambulances should have top speed limiting devices, seat belt alarms and vehicle data recorders.

Cab And Chassis Of The Future: We will see commercial chassis returning to the market place for both aerial and pumper applications. The “commercial versus custom” battle will move in the other direction to reduce apparatus costs. The reasons are evident:

• Virtually all major components are now available on either custom or commercial chassis for engines, transmissions and axles.
• We need a good economical “tilt-multi-seat-cab” commercial chassis; it would look like a European Euro-Space chassis with a short wheelbase versus our present four-door chassis with 250-inch-plus wheelbases (longer than many an aerial ladder).
• We will see increasing use of smaller diesel engines, and fuel tanks will increase to 75 gallons as a standard, with bio-fuels or LNG around the corner.
• Secondary braking devices will be standard on all emergency vehicles and not based on the GVWR rating.
• Electronic stability controls (ESC) will become standard.

NFPA Compliance And Third-Party Inspections. The compliance to NFPA standards will be essential for both new and in-service vehicles. Fire departments should consider some new alternatives:

• Standardize the use of NFPA 1912 refurbishment and NFPA 1911 inspection and testing standards for all emergency vehicles.
• Every new fire apparatus and ambulance should be inspected and certified by an accredited third-party agency for compliance to the entire applicable NFPA standard, not just a pump test.
• Annually every fire department vehicle should be inspected and certified by qualified emergency vehicle technicians to applicable NFPA, state and federal trucking laws and standards.
• Annual weighing of each apparatus. Overloaded vehicles should be removed immediately from service.
• Every fire department should have a tire replacement and inspection program.
• Institute annual apparatus cab and body corrosion and wiring inspections, as well as annual audits of all vehicle safety devices (hose bed covers, steps, railings, reflective stripping and equipment mounting).

Safety Aspects. The 2009 NFPA 1901 standard certainly “crossed the line” in new safety upgrades. Maybe we should consider more innovations in future standards:

• Double the number of spare SCBA packs and cylinders on each apparatus.
• Investigate various methods of on-scene rehab operations and facilities. Tents, awnings, chairs, tables, trailers or regional mutual aid resources should be part of every emergency operation.
• Require drinking water or liquid provisions on all apparatus, as well as disposable towels and clean-up provisions.
• Require immediate deployment of highway safety devices within 1,000 feet of every emergency incident.
• Require highway safety vests and traffic control devices on all existing emergency vehicles (not just new apparatus). Consider a traffic control and support vehicle or trailer for interstate or dangerous highways.
• Portable triangle-type traffic control devices should be mounted inside each cab door for immediate set-up, in addition to reflective and flashing cones.
• Require portable LED warning devices for pump panel and operating areas around the vehicle.
• Require reflective red and white striping on the side rails of all ground ladders.
• Install apparatus access ladders with non-slip steps, hand rails and lighting in place of steps or folding steps when climbing over 60 inches from ground level.
• Install yellow, reflective or lighted hand rails on apparatus.
• All lower first step surfaces should be of the aggressive type, designed for the life of the vehicle; every folding or permanent step area should be lighted and equipped with suitable hand or grab rails.
• Install GPS equipment and back-up cameras on new and existing apparatus.
• Add hose bed area safety devices to prevent falls during reloading.

Personnel Safety. Here are a few of our predictions:

• Defensive firefighting will become the “acceptable standard” in structure fires with initial internal attack reserved for life saving purposes.
• Electronic monitoring will be used for location and for medical conditions for all firefighters.
• All emergency vehicles drivers will be drug tested, medically qualified and CDL-licensed with retesting every five years.
• All ambulances and apparatus will be retrofitted with response and on-scene surveillance cameras.
• External name tags, photo IDs, bar coding and vital information will be required for all people at an emergency scene.
• Rehab and “monitored recycling” of firefighters will become standard.
• SCBA equipment will be required for every firefighter at every fire, even after extinguishment and overhaul.
• A mandatory life cycle will be required for SCBA air packs on apparatus (not just the cylinder).
• Every firefighter will be required to have a personal SCBA mask, and 100 percent safe and sanitary decon cleaning will be required for every SCBA after every use.
• Age limits will be set for volunteer firefighters, drivers, officers and fire police involved in first-line duty. Heart attacks are still the number one killer.
• Annual medical testing and monitoring of all emergency response personnel, career and volunteer, will be required.
• Reflective vests will be required for ambulance personnel at all times.
• Bulletproof vests will be provided on apparatus in certain high-risk areas.

Equipment Of The Future. There will be increased use of ground and surveillance robots, small portable helicopters and drones for remote supervision of emergency scenes.

Fire Stations. Smoke detection with automatic reporting should be required in every fire department with no exceptions. All new fire stations should be equipped with automatic sprinklers (where water supply exists).

Conclusion. Bob and Alan offer these final suggestions and predictions:

• Expect to do more with less.
• Expect reduced budgets for people, apparatus and equipment.
• Consider refurbishing every apparatus on a 10-year schedule.
• Defensive firefighting will be the most “revolutionary” change in operations.
• Cultural changes will place severe pressure on fire department management staff, unions and individual firefighters. Many chiefs and officers will be caught between the past and future with the “electronic era” (which is really scary for older employees).
• Taxpayers will no longer have an open check book ready for a monster parade truck or to outspend the neighboring fire department.

Bob Barraclough was the best compromiser and negotiator in our industry, but he would not back down on a safety item or evaluating a new innovation for apparatus. You could hear a few manufacturers screaming at every NFPA meeting. Some said, “Bob, you stepped over the line this time!” Nevertheless, he battled for the firefighter at every NFPA meeting.

Most 70-year-old men are sitting on a beach or playing golf. Right up to his last day on earth, Bob had the passion to work and dream about leading-edge industry improvements.

The late Peter Jørgensen, the founder and publisher of Fire Apparatus magazine had the same passion and outspoken personality as Bob Barraclough. May they both live in peace and continue to converse on our fire industry in heaven.

Editor’s Note: Bob Barraclough was a 50-year veteran of the fire service and fire manufacturing industry. He was chief columnist for Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine and a 22-year member of the NFPA 1901 Fire Apparatus Standards Committee. An organizer of the annual FDSOA Apparatus Specification Symposium, he was on the Board of Directors of the Congressional Fire Services Institute and was a past president of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association. Barraclough served as a consultant to Rosenbauer America and was called upon as an expert witness in litigation involving fire industry products. His career included executive positions at E-ONE, Hale Fire Pumps, National Foam, Span Instruments and Class 1.

Alan Saulsbury is the president and owner of Fire Apparatus Consulting Services, LLC of Homer, N.Y., and the former owner of Saulsbury Fire Apparatus.

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