Firefighters face numerous hazards on the job, and vehicle crashes are among the most dangerous. To mitigate these risks, fire apparatus manufacturers have implemented several advanced safety features designed to protect firefighters in the event of a crash. These innovations not only enhance firefighter safety but also improve the overall performance and reliability of fire apparatus.
Innovation roundup
Let’s consider some of these many innovations and their impact on firefighter safety.
- Vehicle data recorders (VDRs), also known as “black boxes,” are now standard in fire apparatus. These devices collect crucial data such as vehicle speed, acceleration, deceleration, engine speed, throttle position and seatbelt status. This information is invaluable for operator training, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, and providing legal protection in the event of a crash. By understanding patterns and behaviors, fire departments can implement better training programs to reduce the risk of accidents.
- Electronic stability control (ESC) systems help prevent rollovers. Fire apparatus are prone to rollovers given their top-heavy characteristics – a common cause of firefighter injuries. ESC uses sensors to monitor the vehicle’s movement and automatically applies brakes to individual wheels if it detects a loss of control to help steer the vehicle back on track. ESC technology is particularly beneficial for large, heavy fire apparatus that are more prone to tipping over during sharp turns or slippery conditions.
Enhanced rollover protection systems (EROPS) are designed to protect firefighters in the event of a rollover accident. ROPS are designed to protect firefighters during rollovers by reinforcing the crew cab’s structural integrity using roll bars and reinforced frames that help prevent the cab from collapsing, thus safeguarding the occupants from being crushed.
EROPS also works in tandem with airbag systems to provide maximum protection during rollover accidents. Here’s how they control the deployment of airbags:
- Advanced sensors: ROPS are equipped with sophisticated sensors that detect the onset of a rollover. These sensors monitor the vehicle’s movement and vertical orientation in real-time.
- Crash detection algorithms: When a potential rollover is detected, the system’s algorithms assess the severity and likelihood of the rollover. This assessment helps determine the appropriate timing and sequence for airbag deployment.
Airbag control unit: The ACU receives data from the rollover sensors and processes it to decide when to deploy the airbags. The ACU ensures that airbags are deployed at the optimal moment to provide maximum protection to the occupants.
Airbags in fire apparatus are strategically placed to protect firefighters in various crash scenarios. In addition to front airbags, side curtain airbags provide protection in the event of side impacts, helping to cushion and protect firefighters from severe injuries. Advanced airbag systems used in passenger vehicles and light trucks are now being used in fire apparatus to provide additional protection during a crash. These airbags are designed to deploy in a controlled manner, cushioning firefighters and reducing the risk of injury:
- Sequential deployment: In the event of a rollover, airbags are deployed in a controlled sequence to cushion the occupants and prevent injuries. Curtain airbags, for example, deploy from the roof to protect the heads of the occupants, while side airbags provide additional support.
- Integration with seatbelt systems: ROPS work in conjunction with advanced seatbelt systems, including pretensioners and load limiters, to keep occupants securely in place during a rollover. This integration ensures that the airbags and seatbelts work together to minimize injuries. Pretensioners tighten the seatbelt immediately upon sensing a collision, reducing the forward motion of the firefighter. Load limiters then allow some belt material to spool out in a controlled manner, reducing the force on the firefighter’s body and minimizing injuries.
- Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) prevent the wheels from locking up during sudden braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control. This feature is crucial for avoiding collisions and ensuring the safety of firefighters on board. Note: Driver/operators of fire apparatus should not pump the brake pedal with ABS. Instead, they should for follow the “3-Ss of ABS: Stomp on the brake pedal, Stay on the brake pedal, and Steer in the direction of the skid.
- Enhanced lighting and warning systems that include LED lights and enhanced optical warning devices increase the visibility of fire apparatus on the road. These systems help alert other drivers and pedestrians, reducing the risk of collisions.
- Crash-resistant fuel systems on fire apparatus are now designed to prevent fuel leaks and fires in the event of a collision. These systems are built to withstand impact and protect firefighters from potential flammability hazards.
- Improved ergonomics for seating and controls help reduce fatigue and improve the overall comfort of firefighters during long shifts. Adjustable seats, lumbar support and strategically placed controls make it easier for firefighters to operate the vehicle safely and efficiently.
Regular safety inspections and maintenance
Manufacturers, along with NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, emphasize the importance of regular safety inspections and maintenance to ensure that all safety features are functioning correctly. This initiative-taking approach helps identify and address potential issues before they lead to accidents.
Fire department personnel should conduct regular checks to identify and address any potential issues, keeping the apparatus in optimal condition and ready for safe operation. All driver/operators of fire apparatus should be required to thoroughly read the Vehicle Operations manual provided by the manufacturer of their fire apparatus with particular focus on the aforementioned items that have been added to reduce the risk to firefighters when aboard fire apparatus that’s in motion.
Seatbelts in focus
So, with all of these technological advancements, why aren’t firefighters using the installed seatbelts 100% of the time when the fire apparatus is in motion?
I encourage all fire department leaders to ask the following questions of the firefighters and officers in their fire department to see what the seatbelt usage is in their fire department:
- Firefighters: Do you wear your seatbelt 100% of the time?
- Officers and drivers: Do you enforce the seatbelt SOP?
- Fire chiefs: Do your members wear their seatbelts?
What can you glean from the responses? Give your members the opportunity to explain, in an anonymous format, their perspective on seatbelt compliance.
Fire apparatus manufacturers continuously innovate to enhance the safety of their vehicles, protecting firefighters during transit and in crash situations. By implementing the many features listed above, manufacturers have made significant strides in reducing firefighter injuries and fatalities. But all the technology in the world can’t protect firefighters from injury or death in a vehicle crash if those firefighters are not wearing their seatbelt. Please, take the Seatbelt Pledge, and encourage your fellow firefighters to do the same.
