FFIC - May 2024

SYSTEMS FOR PROMOTION

INSIDE

COMMENT

This edition’s cover story is a well researched examination into the drawbacks and advantages of seniority-based promotion systems, and fostering advancement. Fire Chief Vince MacKenzie also elected to cover the makings of a good leader in the back page’s Volunteer Vision. The subgenre to this big topic lies in identifying potential leaders. Leadership qualities must be identified and nurtured, and as MacKenzie articulates well, training is formal and informal. Great leaders have a specific set of attributes, and motivations play an important part of that.

Consider this quote from the corporate world by Rand Fishkin, the CEO and founder of the market research company SparkToro: “I worry today when an individual contributor is great at their job and expresses an interest in people management. I worry that some significant portion of that expressed desire doesn’t come from a true passion for the responsibilities of people managing, but instead exists because they want to level up their career and/

Motivation and emerging leaders

or influence and believe this to be the only path.”

When a member of your organization expresses a desire for leadership, how do you identify their motivations? Is their motivation important to you or are either acceptable?

In reflecting on motivations, I cruised the Internet researching the very generic and much discussed topic in the fire service of leadership attributes. Across all articles I read, one trait seemed to emerge that seemed to speak in an overarching manner to a number of core leadership requirements, like ethics, integrity and communication skills. That trait is selflessness, and being an organization fundamentally based in protecting and being of service, this quality ought to be found in abundance in Fire. Individuals that go above and beyond, who give credit to others easily, who always seems to be lending a helping hand without seeking a spotlight…these are the rocks of many organizations, forming a backbone of generosity in time and talents.

ABOUT 40% of wildfires in B.C. are caused by human activity, reported the Government of British Columbia. Lightning causes about 60%. THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT created a FIRE PROTECTION GRANT, amounting to $30 million, to be disbursed over the next three years.

Two volunteer firefighters who died trying to rescue two people trapped by floodwaters northeast of Quebec City last May lacked proper training and equipment, Quebec’s workplace safety board has found, reported The Canadian Press.

Of course, people have personal motivations — we all have bills to pay and personal pride and status in play — but the leaders I admire most care very deeply about the responsibilities they've been tasked with. This inwardly driven selflessness translates into a great communicator (who sees communication as a two-way street), a person curious about the world and those who orbit in it, someone who is caring and thus empathetic, who is ambitious on the base of integrity and success of the whole, and most certainly adaptable. Great leaders are are not just born that way. They are mentored and coached to reach this side of their potential, and it’s a great and important responsibility of current leadership to carry out this work for their people and organizations.

LAURA AIKEN Editor laiken@annexbusinessmedia.com

28% THREE IN FOUR fire-related deaths in 2021 occurred in a residential fire, reported Statistics Canada in October 2023.

On March 5, the Massachusetts Superior Court denied, in part, the NFPA Motion to Dismiss a lawsuit filed by the IAFF. The decision allows the union to continue its case against the NFPA for its promulgation of Standard 1971, governing firefighter protective gear.

of volunteer departments report that their firefighters pay for outof-pocket expenses, such as mileage, gear, equipment, tools, gas and more, showed the 2023 fire census conducted by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.

STATION TO STATION

Ontario to give out $5,000 bonuses to wildland firefighters

Ontario plans to give front-line wildland firefighters and pilots a $5,000 bonus and make 100 of those jobs permanent in an effort to recruit and retain more workers.

But the union representing those fire rangers says it’s little more than a drop in the bucket and will not fix the “dire and ongoing crisis.”

Natural Resources and Forestry

Minister Graydon Smith says the province wants more people fighting wildland fires and is planning a recruitment blitz ahead of the start of the wildfire season that begins in April.

The majority of the 660 forest firefighters in the province are parttimers and the union representing them has long said that part-time work, along with low pay, are major problems in retaining them.

Smith says the government is working on longer-term plans to stabilize the workforce, which will include the purchase of new equipment, including water bombers.

Premier Doug Ford says Ontario plans to buy new water bombers, but says the manufacturers cannot build them fast enough.

Canada had its worst wildfire season ever last year and Smith says they are seeing more fires per year in Ontario over the last decade.

“We want to have more people fighting wildland fires in Ontario and so this is a recruitment and retention tool, both,” Smith said in an interview.

“It’s a tight labour market out there and it can be challenging and we also want to keep them around and we want to keep that knowledge in the system.”

Smith said a robust forest fire ranger program will also allow the province to help other provinces and territories.

More than 500 Ontario fire rangers fought blazes in British Columbia and Northwest Territories last year.

The province will also give one-time $1,000 bonuses to unionized wildland firefighting support staff.

Markham Fire transitioning all fire trucks to non-toxic bio-based gel

Markham Fire & Emergency Services (MFES) is transitioning its entire fire apparatus fleet to a non-toxic biobased gel with the goal of improving the health and safety of its firefighters, residents and the environment.

Ontario has created financial incentives to boost wildland recruitment and retention.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union said the government has ignored wildland firefighters’ recommendations to fix the staffing crisis.

“Instead of being proactive and focusing on real solutions — like recognizing wildland fire workers for the work they do and compensating them properly, or ensuring they have the coverage they need for the risks they face — this government is choosing PR stunts,” JP Hornick, president of the union, said in a statement.

“They’re more concerned about suppressing criticism than protecting our air quality and human life.”

Hornick said the union accepted the one-time bonus, but added it was “a take-it or leave-it, one-sided decision.”

There were more than 700 forest fires in Ontario last year that burned 441,000 hectares of forest, three times the average over 10 years.

Researchers have warned that it will likely be another tough year, with widespread droughts, early snowmelt and lower-than-usual precipitation through the winter.

– The Canadian Press, March 22, 2024

“The city of Markham and MFES takes the health and safety of our staff, residents, visitors and our natural environment very seriously,” said MFES Deputy Chief Matt Keay in a press statement. “Once we identified the risk associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – in our fire fighting foams, we immediately began looking for safer alternatives.”

MFES partnered with FireRein and PPE Solutions to replace its fluorinated fire fighting foam, which contains PFAS, with the fire suppressant Eco-Gel. The substance is a non-toxic water additive that suppresses both Class A and Class B fires. It is designed so firefighters will need to use less water to knock down both regular fires and hydrocarbon fuel fires. The gel suppressant is already in use in several other industries, including wildfire and mining.

“The Markham Professional Firefighters Association supports any innovation based on making Markham's firefighters and residents safer,” said MPFFA president Andrew Ireland in a news release. “The removal of PFAS containing foam and the conversion to a safer alternative is fully supported by the MPFFA.”

The non-toxic gel has been tested in the DRAGO unit, an auxiliary vehicle that shoots mist over 200 feet with a width of 50 feet wide, and found that it increased reach by approximately 20 per cent while improving the effectiveness of fire suppression, reported MFES.

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THE FIRE HALL BULLETIN

Classic Fire + Life Safety strengthens its presence in Western Canada

Classic Fire + Life Safety integrated Legacy Fire Protection into its brand and restructured its Western Canada leadership team.

The companies announced their partnership 12 months ago and have since worked closely to determine the best way forward to achieve their goal of becoming Canada’s premier national fire and life safety company, stated a press release.

Matthew Neil is now director of operations and Adam Shackleton is director of sales and business development for Western Canada. Carl Pollard, previously president of Legacy, continues in his role as vice president, Western Canada, to oversee growth and strategic partnerships in the region. Technicians, fitters and office staff will maintain their roles and functions through the integration.

The decision to unite under the Classic banner was made after collaboration with employees and senior management teams of both companies, and follows the successful integration of Integrated Fire Protection in April 2023.

Legacy Fire Protection was established by David Pollard in 2006 with a focus on delivering fire protection solutions to customers in the Calgary area for both new construction and renovations.

In April 2023, Legacy Fire Protection, Photon Electrical and Integrated Fire Protection joined Classic Fire + Life Safety as part of the group’s expansion into Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Since 2020, Classic Fire + Life Safety has partnered with a total of 11 companies.

PROMOTIONS & APPOINTMENTS

BLAKE CLARKSON was promoted to fire chief in Port Coquitlam, B.C. Clarkson formerly served as deputy fire chief of administration and support for the department. He has 18 years of experience in the fire service.

The City of Melfort, Sask., hired LEONARD WHITNEY as its new fire chief. He has nearly 20 years of experience with the department, having worked his way up from firefighter to driver, master driver, lieutenant, captain and now chief.

In Ontario, DAN PARENT is Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue’s new assistant fire chief of operations. Parent is a 30-year EMS and fire fighting veteran, starting his career in 1991 as a paramedic with Chatham & District Ambulance Service in Wallaceburg, Ont.

MARK VANWERKHOVEN is the new fire chief in Grande Prairie, Alta. VanWerkhoven was promoted from his role as deputy chief of communications. His background includes roles with STARS, EMS and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Town of Essex appointed JACEY BROCKMAN as its new deputy fire chief. He is a third-generation firefighter who began his fire service career when he joined the department as a volunteer in 2001.

Fire Chief DEANNA KIRWIN is moving from the Zorra fire department to the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office to be the academic manager for the Ontario Fire College. .

RETIREMENTS

Fire Chief PREBEN BOSSEN is retiring from the Grand Prairie Fire Department in Alberta. Bossen’s fire service career spanned 40 years and he was honoured with Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Medal in 2023.

Assistant Chief JOHN PRAILL is retiring from Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue. Praill joined the department in 1987 and spent 37 years serving his community.

IAN JOSEPHSON, fire chief with the Chilliwack Fire Department, retired on March 15 after more than two decades with the department, and 11 years as chief.

TREVOR PIKE has retired from the Sechelt Fire Department in B.C. on Feb. 28. His career with Sechelt started in 1989 as a volunteer firefighter, then a career firefighter, and chief for the past eight years.

Deputy Chief KEITH CASSIDY retired from South Bruce Fire Rescue after 46 years with the Teeswater and South Bruce fire departments.

LAST ALARM

BRUCE BURRELL, former fire chief of the Calgary Fire Department, passed away on March 11 at age 65 after complications related to a lung transplant he underwent in 2021. Burrell was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017. He was the fire chief for Calgary from 2005 to 2014 and commanded the Calgary Emergency Management Agency. Burrell was honoured with the full-time Fire Chief of the Year award by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs in 2012. He was president of the CAFC from 2009 to 2011.

Ret. Fire Chief BILL O’NEILL died on Feb. 14 at the age of 71. He spent more than 32 years in the fire service, joining the Georgina Fire Department in 1980 and becoming a career firefighter in 1987. He was promoted to fire prevention officer in 1990 and became the deputy chief in 1998. O’Neill was appointed fire chief in 2001 and remained at the helm of Georgina Fire until his retirement in 2012.

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LEADERSHIP FORUM

By Matthew Pegg, Fire Chief, Toronto

Matthew Pegg is the chief with Toronto Fire Services, having previously served in Georgina, Ajax and Brampton, Ont. Contact Matthew at matthew.pegg@toronto.ca and follow him on Twitter at @ChiefPeggTFS

VENTURING INTO THE WEEDS

I challenge you to peruse, for any amount of time at all, the shelves of your local bookstore or library in the “management and leadership” section without finding numerous authors who caution leaders about the perils of venturing into “the weeds”.

It is unquestionably true that many good leaders have found themselves oblivious to the iceberg ahead as a result of being too deep in the weeds on an issue. Likewise, many leaders also struggle to calibrate their focus and role as they progress into increasingly senior leadership roles, often preferring the safety of remaining within their particular comfort zone, therefore staying in the weeds.

I am a believer that, generally speaking, the more senior a leadership position you hold, the more horizon-focused you need to be. Senior leaders must remain focused on the destination, setting strategy and charting the course for both the team and the organization. They must remain vigilant for obstacles, storms and other pitfalls that lie in wait for the unsuspecting and improperly focused team in order to make proactive and timely course corrections to avoid the storms ahead.

Analogies abound for this leadership truth, and my favourites generally come from aviation. Leadership and management scholars caution us that we tend to “fly to where we are looking” and assure us of near-certain doom if leaders dare delve into the tactics and tasks of a particular issue.

Just remember, sometimes the thickest and scariest weeds a leader can dive into are their own.

I am a firm proponent of maintaining separation between strategy, tactics, and task, especially during crisis and emergency. I also agree that, as leaders, we ought to be focused on where we are going while relying on our team to get us there safely and efficiently.

But neither life nor leadership is that absolute. While horizon-focused leadership is both wise and necessary, there are times when even the most senior of leaders needs to dive into an issue.

This is where the magic happens, where things can quickly go awry and where shortcuts tend to be taken. We can learn an awful lot about those around us, and indeed about ourselves, with a good trip into the depths of what is happening around us.

Modern leadership and management science has attached impressive-sounding technical terms to this idea of diving into the weeds now and again. Concepts like continuous quality improvement are born here and industrial efficiency models such as Lean, Six Sigma and ISO 9001 rely on the intentional and focused scrutiny of every detail of a process or function for efficiency’s sake.

There is one important point that is easy for us all to lose perspective of: Every issue is both a horizon and weeds issue at the same time. My issues as fire chief are both horizon issues for a deputy chief and in the weeds for the city manager. A manager’s issues are horizon issues for a supervisor and are

in the weeds for a director.

As a leader, don’t be afraid to take a deep dive into areas of your organization and how your teams deliver results. It is often enlightening and amazing what you will learn and experience when you take some time to explore these places, and a considerable amount of clarity comes from wandering through the inner workings of the machine now and again.

Just make sure that someone is watching the horizon while you venture off into the depths, and make sure that you don’t get stuck there. After all, if you are privileged enough to be in a senior leadership position in your organization, you owe it to yourself and those who rely on you, to return to the strategy and horizon-oriented focus in due course.

When it comes to addressing problems, new leaders tend to focus on understanding what happened. Better, more experienced leaders focus on why this particular problem happened. The very best leaders among us, however, also focus on how they personally contributed to this issue, and how they can adjust their behaviour or performance as part of the preventative action moving forward.

It takes perspective to understand each of those factors, so don’t be afraid to take a deep dive to achieve that understanding.

Just remember, sometimes the thickest and scariest weeds a leader can dive into are their own.

By Keith Fredin , Assistant Deputy Chief, Edmonton

Systems for PROMOTION

Avoiding apathy and encouraging leadership in Canadian fire departments

Many Canadian fire departments function with seniority-based promotional systems. While there are many advantages to these systems, including fairness and the promotion of more experienced firefighters to higher ranks, there are many drawbacks. Are those experienced firefighters actually more qualified to be in a position of leadership? Does experience in fire fighting make them more prepared to lead others? Deal with crew or firehall interpersonal conflict? Engage with employee questions or needs surrounding personal growth? Health and wellness resources? Training and accountability? Leaders can be trained, but what motivates them to want to learn? If all one needs to do is ride the escalator to the top and promotion is all but guaranteed, there is little impetus to learn about leadership. This lack of leadership learning culture can hinder department perfor-

mance both in the halls and on calls, interfere with organizational goals and missions, impair succession planning and slow efforts to increase fire department diversity (Catano et al., 2013; Noe et al., 2012; Shelton, 2010).

So, with all that, what can a department do? With collective bargaining agreements, unions have been reluctant to move away from seniority-based promotional systems, citing concerns for fairness (Shelton, 2010). There is certainly validity in those claims, where the measures used for promotion in merit-based systems are often written tests and/or interviews. The former has difficulties in assessing leadership in action and the latter is prone to bias. Assuming collective agreements are unlikely to change, there are a few strategies that administrative or leadership teams can use to improve leadership learning culture and reduce apathy. This article aims to give a brief overview and basic guide to thinking more strategically and planning ahead for success through performance management, employee appraisals and succession and strategic planning.

INCREASING EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

THROUGH PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

How can a department fight apathetic employees? Performance management is the concept of guiding employees to make decisions that align with organizational goals. While it can imply the action of “performance managing” employees who are not doing their jobs, in this context the more broad decision-making (non-punitive) themes will be discussed. Gruman and Saks (2011) recommend creating a holistic system of performance management and employee annual (or





more often) appraisals that centre around station officers and above to engage with firefighters on their goals and needs. They suggest including:

• Goal-setting: Ask, how can personal goals relate or tie into the department’s goals? When these two are aligned, the chances of them being fully supported are much higher as they become mutually beneficial to employer and employee.

• Psychological contracts: Talk about staff’s general wellbeing and what they expect for their goals. Remember, though, if you commit to something as a leader, you have to follow through or your legitimacy could be called into question.

• Training wants and needs: Firefighters are passionate. Let them tell you what they want and need and get to know department or municipal resources available to make it happen.

• Leadership’s role: Keep promoting what is done best in fire departments, which is learning on the job. Let others shadow and empower those you lead to learn and talk about your job and how you do it – it will probably be their job one day.

SUCCESSION PLANNING

Succession planning is the process of preparing current employees for future roles. It’s important because:

• It allows for business continuity in stressful or trying times, such as budget cuts.

• It helps develop leadership skills in existing staff.

• It provides internal candidates for future leadership positions, which provides an applicant pool of individuals with institutional knowledge, saving time and money (Belcourt & McBey, 2010). So how can leaders encourage succession planning? It’s done by simply providing leadership learning opportunities. There are leadership portions to many NFPA programs, including 1021, Fire Officer levels 1-4. This is an excellent option when your department is willing to pay for a pre-packaged plan. If something more internal is wanted or needed, the department could develop a plan to provide education funding from external universities, colleges, or general business leadership conferences. Other options include looking at internal municipal options: are there programs within your area for other municipal employees? Ultimately, no matter which path is chosen, there is a cost; be it in staffing loss or through financially backing programs. However, as Belcourt and McBey (2010) state, much evidence supports the long-range return on investment for investing in your own staff. Moreover, if you want strong leaders when you cannot choose who might be promoted due to seniority, you might just have to pay more to train them all to a base level. While creating a base level of leadership, the department can focus efforts on designing a system to help engage with those more interested in personal growth to have access through time, money, or both.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

This is the part where everything starts to come together. A strategic plan needs to be developed to guide department decisions. Strategic plans are important as they provide broad direction and can unify staff to one common goal. However, scholars suggest these plans must be

designed in a way that engages as many staff as possible to promote buy-in for the plan (Bryson et al., 2018; Elbanna et al., 2016; More et al., 2012). Not only does the strategic planning process act as a feedback loop back to engagement and performance management, it drives further employee engagement. There is a lot of discourse on how to make a strategic plan, but the basics start with a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, where each of these categories can help to identify areas specific to an individual fire department’s situation. Another example is the Balanced Score Card (BSC) (Kaplan & Norton, 1992). It suggests looking as holistically as possible at an organization through different lenses:

• The customer perspective: How are we seen in the community?

• The internal perspective: How are we seen by our own staff?

• The innovation and learning perspective: How can we improve?

• And the financial perspective: How are we seen by our municipality? Our stakeholders?

Using these basic guides as a simple guide and researching more specific plans and examples, department leaders can tie together performance management, succession and strategic plans to improve culture. This article speaks to improving leadership, but the same process can be used for a variety of culture changes. From improving equity, diversity and inclusion to enhancing general accountability. Leaders need to lead by example, be transparent, communicate openly with employees and work collaboratively with as many stakeholders as possible to drive positive changes in systems that can be prone to apathy.

References

• Belcourt, M., & McBey, K. J. (2010). Ascertaining HR supply. In Belcourt, M. (Ed.), Strategic human resources planning (4th ed., pp. 189–223). Nelson Education.

• Bryson, J. M., Edwards, L. H., & Van Slyke, D. M. (2018). Getting strategic about strategic planning research. Public Management Review, 20(3), 317–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2017.1285111

• Catano, V. M., Hackett, R. D. & Wiesner, W. H. (2013). Recruitment: The first step in the selection process. In Belcourt, M. (Ed.), Recruitment and selection in Canada (5th ed., pp. 207-262). Nelson Education.

• Elbanna, S., Andrews, R., & Pollanen, R. (2016). Strategic Planning and Implementation Success in Public Service Organizations: Evidence from Canada. Public Management Review, 18(7), 1017–1042. https:// doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2015.1051576

• Gruman, J. A., & Saks, A. M. (2011). Performance management and employee engagement. Human Resource Management Review, 21(2), 123–136. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2010.09.004

• Kaplan, R. S. & Norton, D. P. (1992, JanuaryFebruary). The Balanced Scorecard—Measures that Drive Performance. Harvard Business Review. https:// hbr.org/1992/01/the-balanced-scorecard-measuresthat-drive-performance-2

• More, H. W., Vito, G. F. & Walsh, W. F. (2012). Organizational Behaviour and Management in Law Enforcement (3rd ed.). Prentice Hall.

• Noe, R., Hollenbeck, J. R., Gerhart, B., Wright, P., &

Eligh, L. E. (2012). Strategic human resource management: Gaining a competitive advantage. McGraw-Hill Ryerson

• Shelton, D. S. (2010, March). Seniority Based Promotional System of the Baton Rouge Fire Department. National Fire Academy. https://www. hsdl.org/?view&did=695188

Keith Fredin is an Assistant Deputy Chief in Edmonton. He comes from an operations background as a firefighter and has been a member of Edmonton’s fire department since 2010.

BACK TO BASICS

By Mark van der Feyst

Occupant drags

Occupants trapped inside a residence require our intervention to locate them and then remove them from the structure. The removal process needs to be quick and simple by utilizing exit points in the structure to our advantage. Using windows and exterior doors that are located nearest to the location of the occupant is going to be the best way to remove them.

When we find a person, we tend to want to remove them using the same path that we took into the building. Most times, this going to be the front or main door of the residence. Depending upon where the person was located, the main point of entry may be too far of a distance to drag, resulting in delays in getting the person out as well as fatiguing the rescue team members.

The closest exit point may be the bedroom window, the rear exterior door, the kitchen door into the garage, the patio door, etc. The main point here is to not waste time and effort dragging a person all the way through the structure just to exit the main door (see photo 1).

Locating the occupant is going to be conducted by searching – whether with a hose line searching off the line while advancing in to suppress the fire or without a hose line. Once located, they need to be removed. This will involve a drag on the floor of some type. We need to remember the fire environment that we are working in demands us to be low and working low: below the heat layer. We therefore need to remove the occupant in the same working plane which will be low and on the floor.

If there is a low heat, high visibility situation inside the structure, then we can work up high, standing up and using other conveyances such as chairs, walking assist, fore and aft carries due to the fact that there is not a dire need to remove them from an untenable environment. In an untenable environment, the conditions will dictate the need and will drive the need to remove the occupant immediately –closest exit possible.

In photo 1, you are going to see a saying that we need to remember when locating and removing an occupant – “drag as you find”. This saying refers to the position and orientation that you find the person. For example, if you were to locate an occupant on the floor and you came across their feet first, meaning their feet are presented to you first, then you are going to drag them or remove them also feet first. If you were to locate an occupant head-first, then you are going to remove them or drag them head-first. The time that needs to be taken to orientate a person so that they are always going out of the building head-first is a waste of time for both the firefighter and more importantly, the occupants themselves.

Mark van der Feyst has been in the fire service since 1999 and is currently a firefighter with the FGFD. Contact him at Mark@FireStarTraining.com.

This saying refers to the position and orientation that you find the person.

There are two main drag techniques: head-first and feetfirst.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Our textbooks have shown and instructed us to always remove a person going head-first, but the reality is the occupant wants to be removed immediately due to the environment that they are exposed to, and the fact that they want to live and not perish in a fire.

In photo 2, we are seeing two main drag techniques: head-first and feet-first. With our head-first drags, there are a couple of options for us to choose from to assist with the drag. The first option is the wrist drag. This is our default drag that most firefighters will want to use – grabbing the wrist and pulling on the arms. The wrists are not the biggest part of the body to grab with structural fire gloves on and allow for the firefighter’s hands to slip off easily multiple times during the drag. This only adds to the frustration and fatiguing of the firefighter.

The second option is the chicken wing drag. This is an adaptation from the EMS world in which we are grabbing under the arm pits with our arms, bear hugging the occupant around

the chest but with the occupant’s wrists in each of the firefighter’s hands. The occupant will look like they are “chicken winging” their arms but instead, the firefighter has full control of the wrists, bear hugging them in front of the occupant’s chest, and is able to drag them low along the floor to the exit point.

The third option is to use webbing around the upper torso of the occupant’s body. In this option, a closed loop of webbing is used to wrap around the upper torso under the arm pits of the occupant. Using a girth hitch, the webbing loop is secured around the chest allowing the firefighter to drag the occupant out of the building. Having a piece of closed looped webbing about 10 feet or three metres in length will provide better leverage for pulling using the leg muscles more and also provide the opportunity to have two firefighters pull if needed.

With the feet-first drags, the feet of the occupant are being dragged out first toward the exit point. The two options here are going

to be by the ankles with the hands or with webbing. The ankles of the body are attached to the biggest bones of the body, which are the femur and tibia bones. The joint between the tibia and the ankle is also larger in circumference than the wrist allowing for the gloved hand of the firefighter to grab and pull with. The upper torso of the body stays on the ground which is the heaviest part of the entire body. This makes it easier to drag because only the legs are being elevated and lifted up off the ground.

Using webbing is the same as described with the head-first method except the webbing is wrapped around the ankles using a girth hitch. When dragging the occupant feetfirst, the arms of the person will start to move upward towards the head and protect the head while it is being dragged.

Removing a person from the building may sound easy but will require some basic skill sets that will enable the firefighter to perform these types of rescues so that they are both effective and efficient with their actions.

By David Moseley

Welcome to WILDLAND FIRE FIGHTING

Editor’s Note: When David Moseley, a longtime wildland firefighter contributor to Fire Fighting in Canada, learned that his stepson and his girlfriend were headed off to do contract wildfire fighting for the first time, he was compelled to sit down and share some of the valuable lessons he learned over his many decades on the frontlines. He then shared his letter with Fire Fighting in Canada, and we like nothing more than sharing experience amongst the fire service! With his blessing, here is the advice he offered his loved ones. Thank you Dave!

Hello,

Well, gosh, you are starting wildland fire fighting. I feel the need to try to share some of my knowledge and

experience. You had your training, you will have your supervision, I know that. However, one of my sayings (I have a lot of them!) is that in over 30 years of fire fighting, they have all gone out. The fire is really not the important thing. Your safety is. So, I will try to share a few pearls.

FIRE BEHAVIOUR

Keep learning, studying, and asking questions of the old hands. I learn on every fire still. Be curious and engaged. While you are new and will need to focus on your tasks, you also need to observe what’s going on around you. That’s kind of the definition of situational awareness and it is what keeps you safe. While it takes time to learn the tasks, the more you learn and know your work, the more attention and brain power you have to watch the big picture. This should be really obvious and prominent in your supervisors; they should be looking at the big picture and not overly focused on tasks.  Some new supervisors are very task oriented because that’s what they know, and that’s not great. Firefighters should be head down working, but supervisors better have their heads up and on a swivel.

LEFT The author at Lac La Biche County wildfire in May 2021.

You will have learned about the wildland fire behaviour triangle. Here are a few key points for each part to review.

Fuel: The biggest hazard is fine flashy fuels, and in Canada that usually means grass.  It is starting to cure now, dry out and die, so it will become increasingly easy to burn.  The hazard of a wall of black spruce burning is obvious, but grass is something people underestimate and fire can move through it fast; with enough wind faster than you can run. Two metre flames are not uncommon in grass and can kill you. If you find yourself surrounded by unburned grass on a windy day near a fire, that’s not great. Follow your LACES.

Weather: Wind is the biggest danger. Thunderstorms and cold front passage are often the worst, as both wind direction and speed can change rapidly and unpredictably. Pay attention to the forecast and also observable wind changes.

Also be aware of the burning period and peak burn. Fire often sits down and looks harmless before noon, when temperatures are lower and humidity is higher. Between noon and 7:00 pm is peak burn and what was nothing in the morning can take off.

Crossover is when temperature in degrees Celsius is higher than relative humidity in percentage.  That means fire will ignite and spread easily, smouldering fire can ignite into open flame, and of course this usually occurs during peak burn period.

Topography: You will likely be working in the mountains where both topography, and it’s interaction with weather, can be more complex. So, again pay attention and learn.  The biggest thing though, is slope. It’s very simple. On steep ground, fire moves faster, and you move slower. Factor that into you thinking.

In Mann Gulch, Storm King, and many multi-fatality fires, the three common factors were fine flashy fuels, steep slopes, and unexpected changes in wind speed/direction.  Always think of that.

LACES

Acronyms are a pain, but 18 watch outs, 10 fire orders…sure worth studying but you can’t remember them in a pinch and need to focus. So, there’s LACES. I go so far as to focus primarily on two of them – COMMUNICATIONS and SAFETY ZONES.

There should be communications with all firefighters at all times. I hope every individual firefighter has a radio. If not, you must have someone in your immediate work group with a radio. Always know your supervisor’s and your call-sign and ensure you can contact each other. Lookouts should be communicating and know what they are looking at, and what is important to communicate. You shouldn’t be assigned that role with your experience, if you are, be very clear on trigger points — what you are looking out for.  Often, we just default to all supervisors, all aircraft, as lookouts.

Safety Zones are often the black, burned area, and that’s great, I love it. Consider a few things though. It should be big enough, allow you, say, two times the flame length in clearance from unburned threatened fuel. That could be four metres, it could be 200 metres. Be wary if your black is just surface burned with dried out but unburned crown fuels, especially with ladder fuels. Really I don’t believe that IS a safety

LEFT Pony Creek Fire, Alberta, June 2023

ments, and move slowly and smoothly with eyes on the rotors, the ground/footing, the pilot.  Don’t rush around helicopters. And, of course, trees are a danger. I have been guilty of carrying on as the trees fall around me. Don’t do that. Root burn will make it worse, black spruce and tamarack are bad for root burn, and aspen and poplar may just be falling apart anyway. Winds increase the hazard. If trees are coming down you should back out. You may need a spotter. Discuss with your supervisor.

We focus on avoiding entrapment by following LACES, rather than surviving being burned over.

zone. Also consider alternate, updated safety zones as your work area changes and you progress down the line. Always know where your safety zone is. Escape Routes get you there and Anchor Points (which some leave out and just use LCES) simply means starting your fire line from a safety zone. Walking 300 metres through unburned fuel to the fire is not anchoring. We always like to anchor, but only insist on it in higher fire hazard conditions, when it is likely the fire may move faster than we can. LACES are no joke — know them and follow them. Following LACES is the reason we don’t use fire shelters in Canada (though they have at times in B.C. and may again now). We focus on avoiding entrapment by following LACES, rather than surviving being burned over. I have only ever experienced very cautious and preventative use of safety zones, where firefighters were sent there out of caution rather than clear or immediate need (likely entrapment).  That is a good thing and good leaders will give that direction calmly without alarming firefighters. Being sent to your safety zone doesn’t mean it was a close call.  However, if you are ever ordered, or determine yourself the need, to access your safety zone in an emergency, remember only two things: DROP EVERYTHING AND RUN.

OTHER SAFETY

Of course, fire entrapment is not the only hazard. Heat (hydrate!), bears, driving (the most dangerous thing we do) and working around helicopters. My one piece of advice working around helicopters is to slow it down. I consciously slow down my move-

PPE

I have always found safety glasses way more practical than goggles. It’s a good idea to wear them all the time, however I insist on them only for the person on the nozzle.

Wear your gloves. Grit on hoses will cut your hands, and soot means carcinogens. You do not want black hands, it’s not cool.

Some firefighters think it is cool to have filthy sooty Nomex, that it shows what a mean dude you are. That’s ridiculous when soot equals carcinogens. I am curious how long you are expected to wear the same Nomex, how much they issue you. I would prefer a clean set every day for what you’re doing, realistically I don’t know what they provide or expect.

Speaking of carcinogens, the best way to handle smoke is stay out of it. You can’t always do that, but most often you can (mopping up, start from upwind). If they give you respiratory protection use it as directed, however what really helps is avoidance.

Ash pits are another serious hazard with it being so dry. Make sure your trouser bottoms are sealed. Velcro straps may be adequate, or you may need to use electrical tape. Think of it as getting a soaker, except hot ash and coals in your boot instead of water. You don’t want that.

Well I’ll leave it at that, those are the highlights.  That and follow your gut, they’re only trees.  Have fun, stay safe and of course, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

David Moseley is a forest officer with the Government of Alberta, and officer with Lac La Biche County Fire Rescue in Alberta, focused on operations. His other areas of interest include instructing, CISM and wildfire investigation. Contact him at david.moseley@gov.ab.ca.

TRAINER’S CORNER

By Ed Brouwer

Training exercises for better communication

There are several simple ways to build confidence in your members regarding communicating clearly what they see not only upon arrival, but throughout the fire incident.

Whether you are a rookie or a veteran, the sound of your pager going off releases chemicals in your brain that give you a heightened sense of caution, adrenaline, and anticipation…and even a bit of fear.

It is important to note that this applies not just to you, but every member of your household.

In the mid 1990s three members of our household were volunteering in Joe Rich Fire rescue. It was chaotic when those pagers went off in the middle of the night. There was nothing quiet about my two sons and I heading down the stairs and out the door. My poor wife left behind in the dark, literally and also figuratively in not knowing where we were going or what awaited us when we arrived. There was always an audible sigh of relief when

we returned safe and sound.

When a firefighter arrives on scene those chemicals (heightened sense of caution, adrenaline, and anticipation) that the sound of the pager released in their brain are still very much active. Sometimes they can cloud our vision, or worse cause tunnel vision.

If you are the incident commander, your high-viz vest may have two large letters reading “IC” imprinted on the back, but that does not guarantee that you do see. Do you know the importance of what you are looking at? For example, the meaning of the smoke or flame colour. It may be beneficial to review these topics if you are unsure.

The first arriving fire officer or firefighter (paid-on-call) has the responsibility for selecting and putting into action the initial plan. Note I said, “initial” plan. As situations change so should your plan. Stay flexible in your attack plans. Always have a plan “B” worked out before you need it! It has been said that there are three

ABOVE

For a practice night, take your members to three different buildings, for example a public school, seniors’ home and a local business, and do a walk around to start.

phases to managing an emergency incident: Panic, Confusion and Remorse. If you are looking for an alternative to those three phases let me suggest: Think, Plan and Act.

The first step is perhaps the most difficult, and that is to think! Someone once told me, “you don’t have time to think at an emergency.” If that is true it proves our need for pre-plans. Preplanning allows you to become familiar with potential challenges in your fire protection area.

Any time you are out and about in your area, take note of local occupancy types. Look for anything that may present fire ground problems. This type of information filed in the back of your mind may help you identify the problems and solutions while controlling the incident.

Here is a suggestion for a practice night. Take your members to three different buildings. We were able to use a public school, a seniors’ home, and a local business. I strongly suggest

Ed Brouwer is the chief instructor for Canwest Fire in Osoyoos, B.C., a retired deputy chief training officer, fire warden, WUI instructor and ordained disaster-response chaplain. Contact

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you inform the owners that you are coming.

Do a simple walk around. Do not offer any information regarding what your members should be noting. In fact, say very little, let your members make their own observations. If the owners will let you do a walk through, that would be even better. However, do not spend too long in one place. It should be a quick walk around, and then on to the next place.

When you get back to the fire hall, divide the members into four teams. Have each team choose a note taker and equip them with pen and paper. Then ask them a series of questions such as: What was the street number? What side of the building was the gas meter on? How many entry points were there? Where was the nearest hydrant? Were there any overhead hazards?

These are just a few examples. I am sure you will have no trouble producing a good dozen or so questions. Do this for each of the places you visited. Although some of your members may be long-time residents, they might be surprised at how tough this is. Strange how you can walk by a building and not see what could be of life saving importance.

One of our members asked me, “Do you want us to case the joint?” I smiled and said, “Yes, exactly!”

When you go into a local business look at the floor plan, look for points

ABOVE

For this practice, find four pictures showing houses at various stages of fire involvement.

of egress, or things that could hinder a rescue operation.

Whether full-time, paid-on-call or fully volunteer, there is one universal fire ground challenge that we all need to address, that being communications. It is impossible to competently manage any emergency incident if your fire ground communications are a mess.

The following practice outline could be added to the one above, however I would suggest you take a second night to address the communications issue.

Before the practice find four pictures depicting houses at various stages of fire involvement such as a single-story house with smoke showing but no flames visible, a two-story residence with flames coming through the roof and a single-family residence with flames coming out of the garage. Print them out on separate sheets of paper.

At your practice choose four mem-

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bers to act as dispatch. Take them out of the room and bring them somewhere in the building out of sight and earshot of your remaining members. Divide them into teams of two, one as the note taker the other as the radio operator. Each pair should have one radio (each on a different channel). Just use two members if you cannot work out the different radio channels. Be sure they have some blank paper and a pen.

Inform them that each dispatch team will be given information regarding a fire incident over the radio. Each team is to act as dispatch. One person operates the radio, the other will attempt to draw out (not list) the information as it is presented. (It works better if they think they are in competition).

Now go back to your members (no extra charge for the work-out), and after dividing them into two teams, have each team sit in a row (one behind the other) far enough apart that one team cannot see the picture the other team has. Give the first person in each row a radio and have them go ahead and pair up to one of the dispatch teams in the other room.

Once that has been successfully accomplished, inform the teams that each team member will be given an opportunity to use the radio and act as an IC. When given the radio they are to contact their dispatcher (use proper radio protocol) and describe one thing they see in the picture you are going

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to give them. Once dispatch acknowledges the message (and does not ask a question), the radio and picture are passed to the next person in line. Now they call dispatch and using proper radio protocol describe one thing they see. This repeats all down the line and if needed it can come back one at a time to the front. Once you have explained it and there are no questions, you begin.

Both teams are going at the same time. To make it challenging, give each team a similar picture but not the same picture. As each team is overheard by the other it may benefit your members to see how that influenced what they saw or thought they saw. The same will hold true for the dispatcher teams. Once you feel there is nothing else to share with dispatch, have the dispatchers return to the room and share their findings. This practice has always proven to generate engagement from our members, and that is golden.

Here is a quick and dirty practice scenario. Visit your local real-estate office and see if you can get some pictures of buildings that have a floor plan attached. Or you may find some online as well.

Simply give each person a picture of the house (front view only). Be sure to keep the floor plan out of their sight. Ask them to draw out on the blank side of the picture what they believe the floor plan to be. Once everyone has completed their floor plans, ask one member at a time to explain how he or she came up with their floor plan. Then hand out the picture of the actual floor plan so they can compare it to theirs. This is a good time to do some old-fashioned brainstorming with questions regarding window sizes, window groupings, venting stakes on the roof, roof lines, attached or detached garages, chimneys, etc.

This sounds easier than it really is. Remind them this type of pre-event knowledge could be a game changer. Knowing where the bedrooms are most likely to be during a middle-of-the-night fire may be the difference between a rescue and a recovery.

Thanks for your time, I would love to join you one practice night, I am sure the coffee would be bad, but the fellowship would be great. Until then, stay safe and remember to train like their lives depend on it.

4-9-4 Ed

Brouwer

By Manfred Khin

THERMAL IMAGERS AND DISASTERS

How can thermal imagers assist during a natural disaster?

Natural disasters are exactly how they sound: a disaster. With each natural disaster that occurs, we learn something new and can better prepare for the next. The fire service is a key responder during most disasters, so staying educated, prepared and up to date on the latest technology is arguably one of the important things when discussing how to respond to a natural disaster. The technology we use today is ever evolving, resulting in more research, better communication, and more thorough education. This also results in bettering our overall knowledge of disaster preparedness.

Thermal Imagers (TIs) are perhaps one of the most high-tech tools we have in our arsenal for fighting fires, which is why they are also used when responding to emergencies that involve water, confined spaces, trenches, vehicle extrication, and search and rescues.

Natural disasters are happening more frequently these days, which means more mudslides, forest fires, tornados, hurricanes and extreme flooding conditions, resulting in missing persons and lives being lost. As mentioned earlier, the fire service is a key responder to

these disasters and their willingness to embrace the latest technology advancements is why firefighters are well prepared to face these disasters when they occur.

RESCUE SITUATIONS

When dealing with rescue situations during natural disasters, firefighters can use thermal imagers for a wide range of effective operations. Highly skilled urban task force technical search and

rescue teams often own several TIs, or have access to them, and understand the TI’s powerful technology. There are thermal imagers with exclusive technology for specialized rescues, such as building collapses or long-range surveillance. Some crews use what are called gimble mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) TIs, which are mounted either on the side or underneath on helicopters for search and rescue. These specialized TIs are well-suited for specific operations, but not practical for fire departments that respond to structural fires. For the most part, TIs used for the fire service are relatively simple in comparison. Since first responders are typically first on the scene, they most likely will be using a TI designed for fire fighting.

Those used for the fire service are typically fix-focused and short-range tools, designed mostly for interior fire attack. However, these TIs can detect a human body from several hundred feet away or more, depending on the temperature of the surrounding background and overall environmental conditions. To search a wide area, such as an industrial facility or an expansive open area, a TI can be invaluable for conducting the search, performing risk assessments, or assisting in prioritizing resources.

When conducting a confined space rescue scenario in a cellar or basement, following a disaster such as a mudslide, flood or tornado, the fire fighting TI is

a valuable tool. It is also an extremely beneficial tool that allows crews to easily see their surroundings and navigate in the dark when lighting is unavailable. In these situations, the fire fighting TI can help locate trapped or injured victims and bring them to safety. A TI can also be used during confined space rescue to delay a structure collapse or secure the scene. When conducting victim searches, firefighters should look for out-of-place heat signatures from a hand, foot or other extremities, protruding from debris, under tables or surrounding objects. Fire fighting TIs make the search and rescue process faster and more effective, revealing critical details, even without a fire present.

You can save lives when using a TI during a natural disaster. For example, take a storm that has gained strength early in the afternoon and has formed into a violent tornado that rips through a community. Even with the technology of early warning systems in place, its residents don’t always have time to take shelter. Things happen in an instant and the tornado touches down and destroys homes along its path. A TI can help locate victims throughout the scattered debris, but it can also help find safe ways in and out of dangerous areas.

LIMITATIONS

A TI is not affected by daytime versus nighttime conditions and gives emergency responders the ability to see in limited visibility. If your TI has a zoom feature, you can easily investigate the streets for fallen trees,

power lines, or other hazards that may be blocking the way. You can identify collapsed or unstable structures, structural cracks that are forming and buildings that are smouldering or on fire.

When smoke is present in a disaster, it can cause confusion. A TI can see through the smoke and help locate victims. In other disasters, such as a condo building or crane collapse, a TI can be used to help locate victims who are trapped or buried in rubble. Note: there are limitations to using a thermal imager in that it cannot see through anything, nor can it see into the depths of water. Searching for people who may be stuck in trees that were swept away in raging flood waters or have sought refuge on rooftops are other locations we should not forget to look at. A TI can also help the fire fighting crew plan and navigate through dangerous territory by avoiding cables and dangerous debris that could injure emergency responders.

First responders who have access to thermal imaging technology when disasters strike can help save lives. None of us know when the next disaster might hit but using a thermal imager can help us be better prepared to face the challenges.

Until next time, stay safe and train often.

Manfred Kihn is a 19-year veteran of the fire service, having served as an ambulance officer, emergency services specialist, firefighter, captain and fire chief. A member of Bullard’s Emergency Responder team since 2005, he is the company’s fire training specialist for thermal imaging technology. E-mail him at manfred_kihn@bullard.com.

By Kirk Hughes

Wildf ire PREVENTION

Worth the pound of cure

A dismal winter across most of Canada, void of snow and moisture, has heightened the fire risk across the country, with many experts predicting yet another active, long and devastating wildfire season.

As the fire service prepares for this threat, many departments are taking a tiered approached on not only how to respond to wildland incidents, but also how to mitigate or prevent them from taking hold in the first place.

Often, we think of wildland fires as being relegated to the areas surrounded by forest or nestled in transition zones with thick vegetation and brush, but interestingly enough, the battleground has moved from the traditional threats associated with “forest fires”, to areas that, in the past, worried less about interface fires. That change has several

ABOVE

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factors associated with it, from urban sprawl, to drought conditions, right up to the prevalence of certain construction materials. Finding an innovative way to tackle protecting against the risk of wildfires is a challenge on its own, but preparation and prevention are two key ingredients that should be explored.

“Preparing for wildfire season” was often a phrase heard around fire halls or bases, usually around spring. These days, preparations are done year-round, and not just at fire halls, but more and more at the community level. The first tier of preparation must be focused on the individual resident, and what they can do to mitigate the danger to their property. The first resource that comes to mind is FireSmart Canada, a nationwide program designed to help Canadians increase their neighborhood resilience to wildfires. Using science-based programs, FireSmart has developed practical and effective tools to aid residents in assessing risk, not only for their homes, but for businesses, industries and communities alike. Their work is

well thought out, focusing on simple tasks that make a notable difference, such as landscaping with resilient tree types, pruning and crowning of dead or dying branches and removing dry underbrush, reducing the fuel that allow wildfires to take hold and spread. When combined with individual properties and homes this fuel load reduction creates a “defensible space” free from flammable liquids (such as barbeque propane tanks), external fuel sources like campfire wood and patio furniture. This increases the distance from flames to structures – restricting radiant heat from setting nearby items on fire. These recommendations, including simple to use and access checklists and templates are available free of charge on their website at firesmartcanada.ca.

Residents should also be encouraged to “be prepared” for wildfire emergencies, this includes reminders about evacuation plans and 72-hour kits. A resource often overlooked by residents are the provincial apps that report on new fire growth, potential risk and evolving smoke conditions. These can be found either on websites hosted by the provincial agency responsible for wildfire management, or on handy apps that can be linked to a cellular device with notifications and alerts. Technology is playing a stronger role in many areas of fire fighting, and especially in monitoring conditions that can exasperate wildfires. Having informed residents, particularly when wildfires are threatening communities, reduces anxiety and controls misinformation.

If residents and neighbourhoods are the first tier in the wildfire preparation, then the second tier has to be communities. This must be a partnership between the municipality and the residents, often fueled by volunteers, to spearhead the initiative to make their town “resilient” to wildfire. Although there are lots of steps that can be completed to strengthen community defenses, some of the more obtainable often involve preparing and

Creating a firebreak: Fire lines pre-positioned around the community can hamper the growth of wildfires.

Firefighter lighting a backburn: Reducing fuel loads near high-risk areas prevents wildfires from taking hold.

reinforcing existing fire breaks, ensuring water dugouts are accessible and maintained (some community volunteers will report water levels to local fire departments so that if there is a fire, they know that a certain dugout has adequate water supply) as well as complying with local regulations for burning.

The municipality has a major role too, usually as it pertains to regulations and legislations, some revolving around burn permitting, right up to construction materials required, spaces between housing, and rural water supply. Most people relate a municipality’s role in wildfire prevention with the work completed by their local fire departments. Although obvious, this is often the most important link in the tier chain. Firefighters not only train for wildfires, but they also ensure their crews are properly equipped to handle these threats, while balancing the response capabilities with the prevention aspect of the job. If a department hasn’t thought about wildfire prevention in the past, perhaps it is time to reassess the role that can be played. Reducing fuel load is the most obvious step that can be taken, and if that reduction is done through pre-emptive burning, that role is best left to trained firefighters – plus, it does make for good training. Controlling a burn, and removing fuel loads around areas of higher risk, such as railroad tracks, campgrounds and trails, promotes regeneration of new vegetation by “greening” up the area while reducing a known hazard. Another role a municipality can play is to create “fire breaks” either by the creation of fire lines around a community, or the placement of natural barriers to stop the spread, such as the area around a roadway provided it is kept clear and clean. Depending on the wildfire risk a community can face, some other examples could include the pre-placement of water tanks, stockpiling of

foam reserves or a more aggressive approach, maintaining adequate numbers of roof mounted sprinkler kits.

A component that shouldn’t get overlooked, is that of education. It is a core component of the fire service to educate people on the dangers of fire, and surely, that includes wildfires. Residents should be taught about how wildfires may start, including such things as all-terrain vehicle safety in wooded areas, soaking and stirring campfires to make sure they are fully extinguished, right up to being smart about accumulating flammable materials beside structures and homes. Education doesn’t have to follow the traditional classroom or session format, with social media reach ensuring that everyone has equal access to the message. Still, posters and ads in local newspapers and town bulletins can’t be overlooked either for their effectiveness.

The risk of wildfires cannot be ignored, and with another potentially busy season on our hands, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate wildfire strategies, including the efforts being put into preparation and prevention. Involving residents, local government and the fire service in a proactive, tiered approach to wildfire mitigation strengthens our community’s resiliency while promoting a collective understanding of wildfire risks. By co-operating together, the impact of wildfires can be lessened. Keeping informed with local developments regarding wildland fires, with an eye on preparedness, coupled with some preventative measures to remove fuel loads, promote proactive measures and make some alterations to local regulations with an emphasis on fire smarting, then the ounce of prevention could certainly equal the pound of cure.

Kirk Hughes is the Director of Protective Services and the Fire Chief for the County of Vermilion River in Alberta, Canada. Kirk previously served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as several fire services across Ontario, Manitoba, the NWT and Alberta.

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Toll free: 855-539-1911

Web: www.battleshield.ca

From concept, design to delivery, this Canadian owned and operated company has become a leader in the emergency vehicle service and manufacturing industry. Battleshield is equipped to provide on-site laser cutting and bending services to meet customers’ individual needs. We specialize in manufacturing custom pumpers, tankers, pumper tankers, pumper rescue, rescue units and custom refurbishments of any apparatus. In addition, Battleshield is a onestop shop for part sales, annual mobile pump testing, repairs, and preventative maintenance of all makes and models with a 24/7 emergency service. Our team encompasses highly specialized technicians (310T, 310S, EVT, CWB, CAN/ ULC, pump and electrical technicians), full-time engineers as well as passionate volunteer firefighters which is one of the company’s greatest strengths.

BEARSPAW PROTECTAPUMPSEPARATORS

927A Goldstream Ave.

Victoria British Columbia V9B 2Y2 Tel: 778-404-7385

Web: protectapump.com

Rural & Wildland pump protection is paramount, especially when shallow drafting in: Creeks — Lakes — Wetlands — Rivers — Oceans

Eliminate the pump destroying risks of: Pebbles — Weeds — Sand — Debris With the world’s only water / debris Separator aka “The Ultimate Portable Dry Hydrant”.

BearsPaw Separators significantly outperforms strainers by offering:

- Best pump protection for rural & wildland even in 12” / 30 cm depth or less

- No impact on aquatic life & habitat

- Consistent flows without cavitation 120-day money back guarantee — Made in Canada — 2-year warranty

See videos & testimonials by fire chiefs and locate a retailer near you at ProtectaPump.com

Serving All of Canada

AKRON BRASS COMPANY

2024 NATIONAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

BULLARD

1898 Safety Way

Cynthiana KY 41031

Tel: 859-234-6616

Fax: 859-234-8987

Web: www.bullard.com

In Canada: Graeme Cross, Regional Sales Manager, Tel: (613) 229-7000, Toll Free: 1-859-234-6616, e-mail: Graeme_Cross@bullard.com, website: www.bullard.com.

Bullard Fire Helmets and Thermal Imagers have reliably protected Canadian Firefighters for decades. Bullard products are trusted for their toughness, lightweight designs, and advanced technology.

Top Bullard PPE:

New! UST-LW Fire Helmet - The lightweight durability and customization options of the traditionally-styled USTLW make it one of the most comfortable fire helmets on the market.

New! XT Series Thermal Imagers - The latest thermal imagers from Bullard are sharper than ever, with X-Factor 2.0 Image Enhancement and features that give clarity in any scene. Demo one to see for yourself.

Talk to a Bullard expert or schedule a demo. To get started, contact Graeme Cross at Graeme_Cross@bullard.com, visit www.Bullard.com, or reach out to your local Bullard-authorized distributor. Serving All of Canada

CANADIAN SAFETY EQUIPMENT INC.

#3 – 2865 Argentia Rd. Mississauga ON L5N 8G6

Tel: 905-826-2740

Toll free: 800-265-0182

Fax: 905-272-1866

Web: www.cdnsafety.com

We supply Industrial and Fire SCBA’s, SCBA Decon Washer, Thermal Cameras, CAF Systems, Fall Protection, Bunker Gear, Fire and Rescue and Ballistic helmets, Fire Hose, Communications Equipment, Nozzles, Fittings, Hazmat Suits, Ventilation Fans, Gas Detectors, Confined Space Rescue Equipment, Water and Ice Rescue equipment, Industrial and Municipal Safety and Lone Worker Protection systems.

CARL THIBAULT FIRE TRUCKS INC.

38 Thibault St.

Pierreville QC J0G 1J0

Tel: 450-568-7020

Fax: 450-568-3049

Web: www.thibaultfiretrucks.com

We are a Canadian based company and we manufacture a full line of fire apparatus which includes aerial ladders, pumpers, tankers, rescue units and vacuum tankers. We provide parts and other related products.

Serving QC

CSE INCENDIE ET SÉCURITÉ INC.

5651 Chemin St-Francois

St. Laurent QC H4S 1W6

Tel: 514-737-2280

Toll free: 866-737-2280

Fax: 514-737-2751

Web: www.cseis.com

We supply Industrial and Fire, SCBA’S, SCBA Decon Washers, Gear Extractors and Dryers, Thermal Cameras, CAF Systems, Fall Protection, Bunker Gear, Fire, Rescue and Ballistic Helmets, Fire Hose, Communications Equipment, Nozzles, Fittings, Hazmat Suits, Ventilation Fans, Gas Detectors, Confined Space Rescue Equipment, High Angle Rescue Equipment, Ice and Water rescue equipment, Boots and Gloves. Everything for Fire Fighting, EMS, Law Enforcement, Industrial and Municipal Safety and Lone Worker Protection Systems.

COMMERCIAL EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT CO.

591 Chester Road

Delta BC V3M 6G7

Tel: 877-443-2626

Toll free: 800-665-6126

Web: www.comemerg.ca

Commercial Emergency Equipment is Canada’s expert supplier of emergency equipment. Commercial is the authorized dealer for Pierce, BME Fire Trucks, Maximetal, and Oshkosh Airport Products apparatus from Ontario to BC including all Canadian Territories. With a 75-year history, 350+ employees across Canada in six main branches, and 250,000+ sq. ft. of combined production and service space, Commercial has an unmatched parts, service, training, testing, and support network for emergency apparatus.

Commercial provides its customers access to industry-leading service and support including mobile EVT’s, pump testing, annual inspections and maintenance, a significant stock of on-theshelf parts, 24/7 emergency service and more. We warehouse an extensive inventory of OEM and aftermarket parts, tools, and equipment ensuring quick delivery and reduced downtime to our customers.

Serving

DARLEY

325 Spring Lake Drive

Itasca IL 60143

Tel: 630-735-3500

Toll free: 800-323-0244

Web: www.darley.com

You serve others. We serve you.™

Founded in 1908, Darley provides the highest quality pump, technology, and equipment solutions for first responders around the world. With origins in Midwest manufacturing, Darley offers a complete line of unmanned systems, immersive training technology, equipment and pumps. More information is available at www.darley.com.

Serving All of Canada

D&R ELECTRONICS CO/ LTD.

8820 George Bolton Parkway Bolton ON L7E 2Y4

Tel: 905-951-9997

Toll free: 800-538-7338

Web: www.dandrelectronics.com

D&R Electronics offers fleet vehicle solutions such as complex systems using mobile phones for desktop computing in vehicles to In-Vehicle Laptop/ Tablet Mounting Solutions, In-Vehicle Printers and Printer Mounts, Equipment Consoles, Interior/Exterior LED Area/ Scene/Work lighting, SAE Certified/ NFPA Compliant LED Emergency Lighting, LED Traffic Director Kits, Basic and Fully Programmable Siren/ Light Control Systems, Programmable Power Management Systems, Battery Protection Modules, Equipment Storage Solutions

D&R Electronics is an ISO 9001 Registered company that has been proudly designing and manufacturing emergency vehicle equipment in Canada since 1976.

Serving ON

DRAEGER SAFETY CANADA LTD.

2425 Skymark Ave., Unit 1 Mississauga ON L4W 4Y6

Tel: 905-212-6600

Toll free: 877-372-4371

Fax: 905-212-6602

Web: www.draeger.com/en-us_ca/ Safety/Firefighting

Contact us at +1 877-372-4371 to learn more about SCBA, live fire training systems, fixed gas and flame detector, mobile gas detector, thermal imaging camera, drugs and alcohol testing equipment and the rest of our portfolio. Product services and technical training courses are offered at our Mississauga, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta locations throughout the year. Arrange for service of your SCBA and gas detector now.

Serving All of Canada

EASY CLEANING & DECONTAMINATION FOR SAFER, LONGER-LASTING GEAR.

The need to remove on-the-job carcinogens from turnout gear and other PPE has never been higher. Ready Rack has been raising awareness about this issue for years and that’s why we offer a range of products designed to eliminate toxins entangled in your gear. Our products include highly specialized extractors, temperature-tracking drying cabinets, and Decon Ready™ science-based decontamination solutions. All are designed to enhance the health and well-being of firefighters while ensuring proper cleaning and effectiveness of your gear.

2024 NATIONAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

FIRESERVICE MANAGEMENT LTD.

34 Torlake Cres.

FIRE FIGHTING IN CANADA/

CANADIAN FIREFIGHTER

PO Box 530, 105 Donly Dr. S.

Simcoe ON N3Y 4N5

Tel: 289-221-6605

Fax: 888-404-1129

Web: www.firefightingincanada.com

Canada’s National Fire Publication since 1957.

Serving All of Canada

FIREREIN

108 Dairy Avenue, Unit 2 Napanee ON K7R 4B3

Tel: 613-354-9777

Toll free: 844-416-0977

Web: www.firerein.com

Eco-Gel™ from FireRein is a fire protection hydrogel which efficiently extinguishes Class A and Class B fires. Eco-Gel™ is the only firefighting product certified 100% bio-based by UL Environment and USDA, containing no PFAS or other fluorinated chemicals, making it safe for firefighters, ground water, plants, wildlife, and agricultural crops.

FIREHALL BOOKSTORE

PO Box 530, 105 Donly Drive S. Simcoe ON N3Y 4N5

Tel: 877-267-3473

Fax: 877-624-1940

Web: www.firehallbookstore.com

Firehall Bookstore is your headquarters for training & public education materials, providing resources to the Canadian Fire Service and its professionals including textbooks, DVDs, NFPA standards, and fire safety & prevention educational materials for community outreach. Product lines include: NFPA, IFSTA, Jones & Bartlett, Fire Engineering Books, Action Training Systems, Pearson/Brady, Exam Preps from Dr. Ben Hirst/Performance Training Systems as well as our Firehall Mall section offering gloves, lights, tools and accessories from A.J. Stone and ResQTech.

Serving All of Canada

Eco-Gel™ has been Recognized and Verified by UL for Class A and Class B fire suppression. You can use one agent for Class A and Class B fires - one agent for a house fire, structural exposure, brush fire, car fire, or fuel spill.

Eco-Gel™ by FireRein is compatible with standard firefighting apparatus and appliances. The viscosity of Eco-Gel™ allows it to “Stick & Stay” on horizontal, vertical and overhead surfaces; continuing to absorb heat and exclude oxygen; using 60% less water = less water damage = reduced salvage operations, and reduced loss.

To arrange a demonstration please contact us at info@firerein.com and/or visit our site at www.firerein.com.

Toronto ON M8Z 1B3

Tel: 416-251-3552

Toll free: 888-731-7377

Fax: 416-253-0437

Web: www.fireservicemanagement.com

We Clean, Test, Customize, Rent and Repair YOUR Gear. Canada’s premier facility dedicated exclusively to providing the best in bunkergear cleaning, decontamination, inspection and repair. We are NFPA 1851 compliant and UL verified for all cleaning and repairs to all materials including moisture barriers. We stock materials and trim for every brand. We’re a certified ISP so we can rebuild damaged components or add pockets and other features to suit your needs. We also offer FireTrack software to help you track your inventory and inspection history. Call us today to see how we can help your department.

FIRESERVICE MANAGEMENT TORONTO

34 Torlake Crescent

Toronto, Ontario M8Z 1B3

TOLL FREE: 888.731.7377

FIRESERVICE MANAGEMENT CALGARY

Unit 22, 2305

52 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 4X7

Phone: 403.287.0155

Serving All of Canada

FORT GARRY FIRE TRUCKS LTD.

RR 2, 53 Bergen Cutoff Rd. Winnipeg MB R3C 2E6

Tel: 204-594-3473

Toll free: 800-565-3473

Fax: 204-694-3230

Web: www.fgft.com

Fort Garry Fire Trucks is Canada’s oldest and largest manufacturer of high-quality fire apparatus offering a complete line of quality pumpers, tankers, rescues, aerial devices, and custom-designed and engineered specialized units. With headquarters based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, our customers emanate from cities, towns, and municipalities throughout Canada, the U.S., and abroad with the harshest weather, climates, and terrain. We boast one of the largest fire apparatus engineering departments amongst our competitors, devoted to the design and production of equipment for the most extreme conditions in the world. We are a Bronto Skylift articulated aerial platform dealer, as well as the exclusive Canadian distributor of Sutphen Corporation aerial ladders and platforms. We truly build “One Tough Truck” and boast over 100 years of quality.

COAST TO COAST SALES AND SERVICE NETWORK:

Brian Nash — Vice President – Sales –bnash@fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473 (ext. 3471) Cell: 204-981-7845

Chad Kamminga — Service & Warranty – ckamminga@fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473 Direct Phone: 204-594-3478

REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES: Atlantic Canada — Adam Baldwin –abaldwin@fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473 (ext. 2006); Cell: 902-888-9806

Eastern Ontario & Quebec — Peter Somerton – psomerton@fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473 (ext. 2005); Cell: 613-859-5747

Central & Southwestern Ontario — Jimmie Adam

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473; Cell: 613264-7206

Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Northwestern Ontario — Chris Pilek–cpilek@fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473; Cell: 204296-1915

Alberta — Taylor Young – tyoung@ fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473 (ext. 3466); Cell: 204-298-9923

British Columbia — Al Anderson & Bryan Anderson – Fire Power Emergency Apparatus – alan@firepowerplus.com or bryan@

2024 NATIONAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

firepowerplus.com

Phone: 1-250-668-2673 or 1-250327-1904

Northwest Territories — Rick Penner –rpenner@fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473 (ext. 2024); Cell: 204-981-5118

Manitoba / Northwestern Ontario / Nunavut Aboriginal / Northern Sales Manager — Ron Lavallee – rlavallee@ fgft.ca

Toll-Free: 1-800-565-3473; Cell: 204791-1167

Yukon — Gil Bradet – Nordique Fire Protection

sales@nordiquefire.ca; Phone: 867334-6603

United States (West) — Lloyd Hamilton – US Fire Equipment lloyd@usfireequipment.com; Phone: 253-863-1301

United States (East) — Philip Vander Molen – Vander Molen Fire Apparatus vmfire@verizon.net; Phone: 315-9527787

Serving All of Canada

FSI® NORTH AMERICA, A DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY INTERNATIONAL INC.®

311 Abbe Rd. Sheffield Lake OH 44054

Tel: 440-949-2400

Fax: 440-949-2900

Web: www.fsinorth.com

FSI – Serving the Life Safety Market worldwide since 1997

FSI North America® is a Full line supplier of mobile, portable and fixed DAT® series hazmat decon shower systems that include traditional water/solution based decon from first responder to multi line mass casualty systems, electrostatic equipment only decon, and Far UVC 222nm Disinfection.

FSI® TEAS® (Temporary Emergency Air Shelters) shelter systems, offered in a broad range of size and configurations, for Command, Isolation, Drive Thru Flu/ Covid Shot, Field Hospitals/Alternate Care from 10-1,000 beds, Sleeping, Fire Fighter Rehab, and Temporary Morgues.

FSI® offers a complete range of Isolation Chambers, Rooms, Shelters, and Bed/Chair systems.

FSI® also offers a complete range of sizes and configurations of Trailer Systems, Rescue Boats, and EMS supplies such as the FSI Transporter Disposable Backboards, Triage Tape Systems, FSI Medical Field Cots, Trauma Kits, and Mortuary supplies such as body bags.

Serving All of Canada

HALE PRODUCTS INC.

607 NW 27th Ave.

Ocala FL 34475

Tel: 352-629-5020

Toll free: 800-533-3569

Web: www.haleproducts.com

Hale Products, Inc. is a leader in fire suppression pumps, plumbing, valves, CAFS, electronics, gauges and ES-key multiplexing systems. Committed to offering the highest level of service and performance for rescue personnel and truck manufacturers, Hale Products offers brands such as Hale, Class 1, Godiva and SAM. Hale Products is a trusted brand of IDEX Fire & Safety.

HURST JAWS OF LIFE

711 North Post Road

Shelby NC 28150

Tel: 704-487-6961

Web: www.jawsoflife.com

HURST is the only manufacturer of the Jaws of Life® brand. There is no equal to saving lives. The company’s commitment to research and development and dedication to quality engineering and manufacturing has resulted in a line of innovative products known for outstanding safety, durability and performance. HURST Jaws of Life Inc. is a unit of IDEX Corporation, an applied solutions company. For more information about HURST Jaws of Life, please visit www.jawsoflife.com.

IDEX FIRE & SAFETY

711 N. Post Rd.

Shelby NC 28150

Tel: 800-537-2659

Web: www.idexfiresafety.com

IDEX Fire & Safety brings trusted brands together to deliver innovation in both customer experience and integrated solutions that revolutionize performance and technology to make the fire ground and rescue scene safer to save lives.

KOCHEK CANADA

62 Bradwick Dr., Vaughan ON L4K 1K8

Tel: 416-602-0404

Web: www.kochek.com sales@kochekcanada.com

Robin Lewis, Customer Service laura@kochekcanada.com

Laura Kenyon, Regional Director Serving All of Canada

MATJACK/INDIANAPOLIS INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

2320 Duke St.

Indianapolis IN 46205

Tel: 317-359-3078

Toll free: 800-827-3755

Fax: 317-359-3079

Web: www.matjack.com

Manufacturer of Matjack airlift bags - 120/150 and 175 psi. high pressure along with flat lift HP airbags, medium and low pressure cushions, along with Jumbo Safelift cushion sets, a complete line of underwater air lift bags, Matsack Hazmat tank sealing equipment, Pipe sealing plugs and Hosecat- a firehose coupling and uncoupling assist tool. Serving All of Canada

MAXIMETAL INC.

9345, 25e Ave.

Saint-Georges, QC G6A 1L1

Tel: 418-228-6637

Toll free: 800-510-6337

Fax: 418-228-0493

Web: www.maximetal.com

KROWN CORPORATE/ KROWN RUST CONTROL

35 Magnum Drive

Schomberg ON L0G 1T0

Tel: 905-939-8750

Toll free: 800-267-5744

Fax: 905-939-8710

Web: www.krown.com

Krown Rust Control is a Canadian Company that manufactures penetrate/ lubricant corrosion products that are used in the industry to extend the life of vehicles and equipment. Krown has been in business for over 36 years and currently have over 300 locations in North America.

Serving All of Canada

MAXIMETAL, an Oshkosh Corporation company, is a dynamic, innovative company with 40 years’ experience designing and building optimized intervention vehicles for Fire & Emergency as well as Power & Utility customers. OUR MISSION: To support those who keep our families safe and comfortable by designing and building vehicles that stand out for their quality and ingenuity. MAXIMETAL is represented by Canada’s most robust apparatus dealer network, coast-to-coast. Find your dealer here: www.maximetal.com/find-a-dealer/ Serving All of Canada

CANADIAN SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS PROUD TO BE A DISTRIBUTOR FOR THE INTERSPIRO RESPIRATORY PROTECTION LINE. THEIR STATE OF THE ART S9 INCURVE IS ONE OF THE MOST COMFORTABLE SCBAs YOU WILL EVER WEAR. GIVE US A CALL AT 0182 OR EMAIL US AT INFO@CDNSAFETY.

No company has a richer history in respiratory protection than . Their innovations have become industry standards, time and

PORTABLE GAS DETECTION

MASS DECON SYSTEMS

•Heavy Duty Air Berms – FSI utilizes extremely heavy duty air berm construction in all DAT® series mass casualty portable hazmat decon shower systems FSI uses the same 1100Dtex, quadruple overlapped and glued berms found in our wide range of transom rescue boats –known for the extreme conditions they are subjected to

•Extremely Rapid Deployment – FSI Portable Shower Systems are compact, fully integrated, and supplied complete in a heavy duty carry sleeve/bag FSI Shower systems inflate virtually unaided – with the use of compressed air, or via a supplied electric inflator/deflator with a hands-free connector within minutes (size of unit and method of inflation dependent) The inflatable decontamination shower units are meant to be deployed simply and quickly – with modest training and few personnel

The Solo SCBA Decon/Washing machine was designed and built for one purpose only…to protect Fire Fighters from Cancer causing agents found in the Smoke and residue left on their SCBAs. As an added bonus it can clean Gloves, Boots and Helmets In addition, it substantially lowers the time spent decontaminating firefighter equipment. The SOLO is the only SCBA decon machine that meets both NFPA and CSA standards.

ü REDUCED HEALTH RISK ü SAVES TIME 2/PKS IN 8 MIN ü EASY TO USE

Qualified by MSA, SCOTT, DRAEGER & INTERSPIRO for cleaning their SCBAs.

WASH/DECON TWO SCBAs In 8 minutes. Also cleans, boots, gloves Aand helmets.

NOW AVAILABLE IN SINGLE OR THREE PHASE

The Hasty Search Kit™ has been specifically configured for urban search and rescue teams, “enhanced" rescue squads, regional task forces and SUSAR teams who are seeking a high quality, easy to use, cost effective, all-in-one technical search system for their standard equipment cache The Hasty Search Kit™ comes complete in one easy to store case and is designed to be both easily transportable and rapidly deployable anywhere disaster strikes

The kit includes the Delsar® LifeDetector® Mini system that provides seismic detection of victims and the all new SearchCam Recon III for visual search and location operations

With the FirePRO Series, outfitting every firefighter with a costeffective, lightweight thermal camera has never been easier or more economical. The FirePRO 300 boasts a high-resolution sensor of 320 x 240, while the FirePRO 200 offers a robust 200 x 150 sensor resolution. Both enable firefighters to regain their bearings in challenging, low-visibility conditions.

AttackPRO™ Series cameras are the decision-making weapons of choice for captains and commanding officers. Designed for simplicity and durability, AttackPRO and AttackPRO+ deliver superior image performance and are built to withstand drops and extreme temperatures. Find the seat of the fire, direct primary search crews, and effectively attack the fire with enhanced clarity and detailed colorization.

AttackPRO+ is everything you love about AttackPRO but with the NFPA 1801-2021 certification.

AttackPRO's Mixed Gain mode allows firefighters to see detail in the hottest and coolest regions of the scene at the same time without freezing and switching modes. Mixed Gain simplifies and improves thermal imaging for the fire service.

2024 NATIONAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

MEIKO CLEAN SOLUTIONS CANADA, INC.

P.O. Box 21138, Meadowvale Postal Outlet

Mississauga ON L5N 6A2

Tel: 416-817-8518

Toll free: 800-55-MEIKO

Web: www.meiko.ca/en_us

PPE contamination is real, and it’s dangerous. At MEIKO Protect, we’re here to help you take fire hall safety and hygiene to the next level. Say goodbye to manual cleaning and invest in MEIKO’s professional PPE processing solutions.

Our TopClean Series equipment washers use time, temperature and chemo-mechanical action to provide exceptional cleaning for masks, SCBA packs, bottles, helmets, boots and more. They wash every crevice and surface of your PPE to effectively remove dangerous toxins and residues. Years of scientific research went into the design that delivers the same level of clean, every time.

As the leading global manufacturer of cleaning and disinfection technology for nearly 100 years, MEIKO equipment can help reduce firefighters’ exposure to contaminated gear. MEIKO Protect is committed to supporting the health of firefighters – before, during and after a fire. After all, we have an important goal in common: protecting life. Serving All of Canada

NEDERMAN CANADA

5865 McLaughlin Road Unit 1

Mississauga ON L5R 1B8

Tel: 866-332-2611

Web: www.nederman.com

With 80 years of experience and well over 100,000 installations, Nederman offers diesel exhaust extraction systems designed specifically for emergency and fire vehicles. From the planning and design stage to installation, commissioning and maintenance support Nederman is your clean air partner. Nederman Magna Systems reliably capture 100% of dangerous diesel exhaust emissions with source capture technology that prevents fumes from traveling throughout the station. Exhaust fumes are removed right at the tailpipe – the most efficient method. Our system design supports ergonomic attachments and quick-release when speed is required for fast station exits. Magna Systems have no coiled hoses or loops and saves space between trucks. Nederman’s wide variety of product solutions are trusted at thousands of fire stations around the world with high quality construction and exceptional performance that maximized protection.

Serving All of Canada

ONTARIO LAUNDRY SYSTEMS INC.

5-7475 Kimbel St.

Mississauga ON L5S 1E7

Tel: 905-673-1308

Toll free: 888-669-4837

Fax: 905-673-0408

Web: www.ontariolaundry.com

Exclusive distributor in Ontario of Electrolux Professional, Wascomat & washers and dryers, and Staber Industries drying cabinets which meet all NFPA 1851 recommendations of laundering Firemen’s Turnout Gear. We offer a large selection of equipment, replacement parts and carts. Our extensive parts and service department offers complete installation and training on operation and maintenance of all equipment.

PERIMETER SOLUTIONS

8000 Maryland Ave., Suite 350 Clayton MO 63105

Tel: 314-396-7343

Web: www.perimeter-solutions.com

ONTARIO FIRE TRUCK INC.

1397 Old Hwy 99

Dundas ON L9H 5E3

Tel: 905-628-3324

NFPA

c/o Firehall Bookstore, PO Box 530, 105

Donly Dr. S.

Simcoe ON N3Y 4N5

Tel: 877-267-3473

Fax: 877-624-1940

Web: www.firehallbookstore.com

Canadian distributor for NFPA standards, Fire Prevention Week™, Sparky the Fire Dog® and other public education items.

Serving All of Canada

Headquartered in St, Louis, Missouri, Perimeter Solutions (NYSE: PRM) is a premier global solutions provider, producing high-quality firefighting products and lubricant additives. The company produces PHOS-CHEK® long-term fire retardant, first approved in 1963 by the United States Forest Service for use in aerial firefighting. Over the past 60+ years, the PHOS-CHEK brand has expanded into firefighting equipment, as well as Class A and Class B foams, helping firefighters in Canada and around the world save countless lives and property. PHOS-CHEK is just one of the many brands of products that Perimeter Solutions develops that impact critically important issues of life – issues where there often is no room for error and the job doesn’t offer second chances. At Perimeter, we characterize the solutions we develop as ‘Trusted Solutions That Save’ because it underscores what we do for our customers and the world at large.

Toll free: 800-474-6698

Web: ontariofiretruck.com

Ontario Fire Truck Inc. is Ontario’s first choice for Fire Apparatus Service & Sales. We are your first and only call for Fire Apparatus Service, Sales & Testing! We offer you the finest repairs in the industry; we offer a 24 hour, 7 days a week service. All of our service staff is fully licensed Class “A” & “T” both provincially and EVT certified. We are fully insured and have over 30 years experience to provide the best service at your location. Our fully stocked mobile service trucks travel all over Ontario! Why take your truck anywhere, we come to you for both Service and Testing!

Our Sales staff has over 80 years combined experience in the fire industry, we offer only the finest Seagrave Fire Apparatus, and Our Company believes only the best will do! We are the authorized sales and Service Company for Seagrave fire apparatus and equipment companies.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains, long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

Serving All of Canada

READY RACK BY GROVES INCORPORATED

818 Trakk Lane Woodstock IL 60098

Tel: 815-337-9780

Fax: 815-338-8640

Web: www.readyrack.com

At Ready Rack, we engineer customizable PPE storage systems from wall-mounted, mobile, and freestanding lockers to heavy-duty hose and bottle racks — all meticulously crafted from robust tubular steel for years of durable station organization. We also offer Decon Ready™ science-based decontamination solutions alongside our highly specialized extractors and dryers. Ready Rack is the single source of innovative PPE solutions for any house. For more information contact your local Canadian Distributor. We proudly serve All of Canada.

Serving All of Canada

RELY ON US… WHEN WE’RE RELYING ON YOU.

The Canadian fire service is facing unprecedented new and unique operational challenges. As needs change, take advantage of our customer experience, centered around listening to you and sharing our rich and diverse repertoire of solutions. Relying on our experienced team of technical advisors and on-sta firefighters, MAXIMETAL can help you take your truck from a brainstorm of ideas to your ideal in-service piece of equipment, proudly built in Canada. Our satisfied customers range from the smallest fire halls to some of North America’s largest fleets. Visit our web site today and contact us to begin planning

A FEW OF OUR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS:

2024 NATIONAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

RESQTECH SYSTEMS INC.

189 Bysham Park Dr.

Woodstock ON N4T 1P1

Tel: 519-539-0645

Toll free: 800-363-7370

Fax: 519-539-0646

Web: www.resqtech.com

ResQtech Systems Inc. is a Canadian family-owned and operated fire apparatus and equipment supplier since 1985. Offering a complete line of innovative products, ResQtech is your source for the latest in fire apparatus and equipment. Supported by in-house technicians and full stocked parts inventory, ResQtech is committed to service after the sale.

Resqtech Is headquartered in Woodstock, Ontario and provides the ability to shop after hours at the Resqstore.com.

Serving All of Canada

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOENIX

Head Office: 6415 Golden West Ave.

Red Deer AB T4P 3X2

Tel: 403-347-7045

Toll free: 800-494-4210

Fax: 403-347-7049

Web: www.rockymountainphoenix.com

Rocky Mountain Phoenix is your onestop-shop for top-of-the-line innovative fire truck and fire equipment products and services. We offer a comprehensive line of emergency apparatus and emergency equipment, brands you know and trust; Rosenbauer, MSA, Innotex, CET Fire Pumps, HURST Jaws of Life, Akron Brass, Haix, Key Hose, MSA Cairns, Task Force Tips, Ready Rack, Firecraft and many more.

We service what we sell. We provide 24/7 service for all your emergency fire apparatus and fire equipment through our Shop Service and Mobile Service. Annual fire pump testing, fire truck and fire equipment service and repairs for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, PEI and all of Canada’s Arctic.

Visit Us: rockymountainphoenix.com

BRANCHES: 103-2285 Queen St.

Abbotsford, BC V2T 6T3

Tel: 604-864-7303 | Fax: 604-8644938 | Toll Free: 1-888-815-0500

320 Logan Rd., Bridgewater, NS B4V 3J8

Tel: 902-298-0415 | Toll Free: 1-844530-4003

Serving AB | BC | MB | NB | NS | NT | NU | PE | SK | YT

ROLLNRACK, LLC PO Box 328 Mukwonago WI 53149

Tel: 262-565-7833

Fax: 262-363-2034

Web: www.rollnrack.com

THE ROLLNRACK HOSE MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM is customizable for your firefighters. Streamline hose management with a priority on safety and efficiency. The Power Roller can drain and roll a 100’ length of LDH in 30 seconds. LDH rolls are rocked into or out of the units. Hose rolls are loaded with two firefighters onto stationary rigs improving safety. No one rides on moving rigs when loading hose. Our Efficiency Package saves you money. The FASTBACK will roll up either hand lines or forestry hose. THE ROLLNRACK SYSTEM improves your firefighter’s quality of life immediately. MADE IN THE USA.

Serving All of Canada

SAFEDESIGN APPAREL LTD.

34 Torlake Crescent

Toronto ON M8Z 1B3

Tel: 416-253-9122

Toll free: 877-253-9122

Fax: 416-253-0437

Web: www.safedesign.com

Specialists in Firefighters’ Protective Clothing. From Helmets to Bunkergear to Boots and Stationwear, we’ve got you covered from head to toe. Our team is knowledgeable and trained to ensure a proper and professional fit. Our brands: Globe Bunkergear, Hoods and the amazing Globe Boots, Cairns Helmets, Shelby ‘Firewall’ Gloves, PGI Hoods including the BarriAire Particulate Blocking Hood, PGI Wildland clothing, Black Diamond Footwear, Workrite Stationwear and Horace Small Uniforms. If you would like to hear from a rep in your area please call us today – 416-253-9122

Serving All of Canada

SANI GEAR INC.

545 Trillium Dr., Unit 4

Kitchener ON N2R 1J4

Tel: 519-893-1235

Toll free: 888-660-1840

Web: www.sanigear.ca

Sani Gear Inc. is a verified ISP (Independent Service Provider) located in Kitchener, ON, and in Gatineau, QC. Sani Gear completes advanced cleaning, hydrostatic testing, advanced inspections, and full repair services, using all NFPA compliant materials. All services provided meet NFPA 18512020 edition, and are recognized by all manufacturers as a warranty center in Canada. Established in 2003, we have gained the trust of all departments from small volunteer services to large full time services. We pride ourselves on providing the same level of service to all of our customers no matter the size of department.

SEATS CANADA INC.

1800 Bonhill Road Mississauga ON L5T 1C8

Tel: 905-364-5843

Fax: 905-364-7822

Web: www.seatscanada.com

We offer a complete line of quality Emergency Vehicle seating for driver, officer, crew, wall mount and jump seats. Engineered for comfort and safety, these seats have easy exit flip-up split headrest and are manufactured in a wide variety of covering material.

Serving All of Canada

NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, 2024 Edition

$212.35 | Item #92124

Make sure you are complying with the most current guidance to help support your opinions and avoid challenges to the validity of your investigations.

NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, provides the roadmap for scientific investigation methods used to formulate fact-based opinions on incident origin, cause, responsibility, prevention, and the damage and injuries that can arise in such cases.

NFPA 1010, Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters

$204.15 | Item #101024

The inaugural edition of NFPA 1010 consolidates four standards into one. NFPA 1010, Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters, integrates NFPA 1001, NFPA 1002, NFPA 1003, and NFPA 1005 into a single standard that establishes a common set of criteria for fireground personnel, including support person, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, airport firefighter, land-based marine firefighter, and apparatus driver/operator.

NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2024 Edition

$219.20 | Item #10124

NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, is the most widely referenced source for occupant safety strategies. The latest updated edition of the code applies to nearly all types of occupancies and structures, including residential, business, mercantile, health care, daycare, and assembly occupancies. NFPA 101 is relevant to life safety in all stages of a building life cycle and in both new and existing structures, covering everything from fire protection to hazardous materials and emergency communications.

2024 NATIONAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

VECTOR SOLUTIONS

STARFIELD LION

23 Benton Road

Toronto ON M6M 3G2

Tel: 416-789-4354

Toll free: 800-473-5553

Fax: 416-789-5475

Web: www.starfieldlion.com

Starfield Lion has a legacy and ongoing vision of introducing PPE that is designed to ensure the health, safety and performance of the first responders who serve our communities. Your safety is our top priority. Your needs drive our innovations, we listen and develop the solution.

Serving All of Canada

STEDFAST

230 St. Charles St. S. Granby QC J2G 3Y3

Tel: 450-378-8441

Toll free: 888-673-8441

Fax: 450-378-1558

Web: stedfast.com

For over 90 years, Stedfast has been at the forefront of engineering innovative coated and laminated protective barriers. Our revolutionary advancement in moisture barrier technology provides outstanding protection and enhanced durability. Our barriers meet and exceed the NPFA 1971 standard, ensuring the protection you need.

Choose Stedfast and Choose Confidence.

SUPER VAC

3842 Redman Drive

Fort Collins CO 80524

Tel: 970-297-7100

Fax: 970-297-7099

Web: www.supervac.com

A one-stop shop for all things ventilation, Super Vac offers the largest lineup of PPVs, spanning from 8- to 80-inch blades, as well as smoke ejectors, rescue saws, rehab misters, smoke curtains and more. Super Vac’s lineup includes its popular battery fan that works with DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee and HURST batteries.

Serving All of Canada

SUTPHEN CORPORATION

6450 Eiterman Road

Dublin OH 43016

Tel: 800-726-7030

Web: www.sutphen.com

Founded in 1890 by C.H. Sutphen, Sutphen Corporation currently stands as the largest family-owned and operated fire apparatus manufacturer in the United States. Built on the foundations of family, innovation, and service to firefighters and communities around the world, Sutphen Corporation has been a fire industry staple for over 130 years.

Serving All of Canada

TRIMTAG TRADING INC

15 Wertheim Court, Suite 704

Richmond Hill ON 74B 3H7

Tel: 905-763-7300

Fax: 905-889-6409

Web: www.trimtag.com

Trimtag Trading Inc is a uniform and regalia supplier. In the case of Firefighting clients Trimtag supplies all metal products, from badges to bugle collar dogs and lapel pins; fabric products, from shoulder crests to epaulettes and all bullion material for your honor Guard Uniforms.

Trimtag respects everything you do. This is why you can trust TrimTag as your custom uniform insignia supplier. We take care of the smallest details identifying your organization within ranks and to the public. We see your visibility as vital, whether in urgent life or death and emergency situations, or when performing routine and ceremonial services.

WE STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH YOU AS YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR UNIFORM INSIGNIA

Serving All of Canada

10805 Rancho Bernardo Rd., Suite 200

San Diego CA 92127

Tel: 519-820-7751

Toll free: 877-944-6372

Fax: 858-487-8762

Web: www.vectorsolutions.com

Vector Solutions delivers the industry’s most comprehensive suite of software for operational readiness. The platform includes tools for managing training, operations, assets, and staffing. With Vector Solutions you can track Fire and EMS training requirements, compliance tasks, mandatory inspections, controlled substances, employee scheduling, live skills assessments, and much more. Find us online at www. vectorsolutions.com/fire.

Serving All of Canada

WATERAX INC.

6635 Henri-Bourassa W. Montreal QC H4R 1E1

Tel: 514-637-1818

Toll free: 855-616-1818

Web: www.waterax.com

Trusted by wildland firefighters around the world, WATERAX sets the industry standard by developing innovative, portable fire pumps and water-handling equipment designed to withstand demanding applications and rugged environments. With a time-tested legacy of reliability, WATERAX carries on its mission to place powerful, precision engineered pumps into the hands of the men and women who need to move water to protect our forests and most cherished natural resources from the ravages of wildfires!

A Modern Pump for the Modern Firefighter - Maintaining the tradition while moving technology forward: the MARK-3® Watson Edition plugs right into your existing MARK-3® water-moving systems. It will set a new benchmark of excellence for high-pressure fire pumps in the wildland firefighting community for generations to come. The MARK-3® Watson Edition is an entirely new platform that boasts exciting modernized features including the first ever purpose-built engine for a wildland pump.

Serving All of Canada

WATEROUS COMPANY

125 Hardman Ave. S. South St. Paul MN 55075

Tel: 651-450-5000

Fax: 651-450-5090

Web: www.waterousco.com

C.H. Waterous started Waterous Engine Works Company in 1844 in Brantford, Ontario and then expanded to South St. Paul, Minnesota in 1886. Since then, Waterous has been the leader in the manufacturing of fire pumps for our everyday heroes. At Waterous, we have been and always will be firefighters.

Serving All of Canada

WFR WHOLESALE FIRE & RESCUE

LTD.

129-7155 57 St. SE

Calgary AB T2C 5W2

Tel: 403-279-0400

Toll free: 800-561-0400

Fax: 800-561-0400

Web: www.wfrfire.com

WFR Wholesale Fire & Rescue is Canada’s equipment destination for fire & rescue equipment. This family owned and operated business has been serving firefighters since 1986 and endeavours to continue our history of supplying you our best products and unquestionable service and support.

Serving All of Canada

VOLUNTEER VISION

By Vince MacKenzie, Fire Chief, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador

The sidesmany of leadership

While formal leadership training is very important, and I will never argue that it is not, we can never underestimate the skills that lie within us to be the informal leader as well.

If you are in the fire service and reading this column at this moment, whether you realize it or not, that says a lot about you. It means that you are interested in your fire department enough to continue your education, seek knowledge, and build a better understanding of what makes you and your fire department tick.

By simply reading trade journals, like this Volunteer Vision column in Fire Fighting in Canada, it is my hope to help you along your journey in building your leadership skills and ability.

I am a believer that there is leadership in everyone, and some develop it well, but some not so well. I would like to briefly explore my opinion on what makes good leaders in us all.

Every member of the volunteer fire service is a leader. Just by the act of stepping up to volunteer puts you in front of the community in the efforts to keep your town safe. As you learn the skills of being a firefighter and interact while working with others, leadership skills emerge from you and your team. That happens during calls, in training, and in social interactions every day and we hardly think about it.

Good firefighters make a conscious effort to ask themselves difficult questions and examine themselves quietly. If you don’t, I would offer that you give yourself a little attitude check from time to time. It is refreshing most times and hopefully your answers show that you display positive leader-

ship energy, you contribute positively, and build your fire department in your actions and words. You don’t have to have a rank or title to be a good leader.

We are also plagued with people that have bad leadership skills. As your fire department moves through time, everyone’s skills, or lack of, emerge in formal and informal leadership, and an atmosphere is created. You don’t have to have a rank or title to be a bad leader.

There are many definitions of leadership in the fire service. Many firefighters have different prospectives on what makes a good leader and cannot completely define it, but they know a good leader when they see or experience one. They also know when they see bad leadership, and that’s where problems can lie in your fire hall.

In your fire service career, you have no doubt seen both sides of leadership. You have experienced those people who you know are genuinely good, those people you consider mentors and hopefully want to learn from and be on their team. You have also experienced those leaders that are negative and somewhat toxic. I don’t think you consider them mentors, but these individuals can bring down an organization and make it difficult to be around. That is where good leadership needs to triumph over bad leadership, but it is not always obvious when the department faces a challenge.

Leadership positions can be formal and obvious, but for most who are

Vince MacKenzie is the fire chief in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L. He is an executive member of the CAFC and current president of the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association. Email Vince at firechief@townofgfw.com.

exceptional leaders, their skills emerge over time and may not be that clearly seen.

One of the first things to keep in mind is that all situations you experience are a lesson in leadership. Don’t underestimate your experiences and lessons learned over time. There are many firefighters who want to stack up certificates on their wall and present themselves as good leaders. Many are because they have taken the time and energy to do formal education. But it does not stop there because there will always be emerging and sometimes different challenges that will test everyone’s leading skills.

I have contributed to many fire service associations over my career and those discussions are always around how to build better fire departments and fire officers who are both experienced and upcoming leaders. We speak of offering learning opportunities at conferences and courses that can be taken as formal learning is always important for professional development.

But I believe our core leadership abilities come much more informally than that. It has been the experience of our daily fire service lives that really makes those courses and seminars more valuable only because we have lived through some challenging stuff. It also takes a good attitude to make it through those times in the first place. Experience helps you to embrace formal learning on a different level.

The fire service concentrates on a lot of formal skills and learning. We must; it’s a technical job that we do under challenging situations to say the least. While formal leadership training is very important, and I will never argue that it is not, we can never underestimate the skills that lie within us to be the informal leader as well. Good leaders examine themselves first, consistently asking am I doing these people right? Are you someone you want to be around all the time? Good leadership always lies with a positive attitude first. How is yours?

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Jeff Darley Retires After 45 Years of Service

Congratulations to Jeff Darley on his recent retirement after nearly five decades with Darley! Jeff graduated from Marquette with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and began his career part-time with Darley in 1974, and full-time in 1981 working as an engineer, shop supervisor, assistant Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, leading Darley’s Chippewa Falls, WI, pump manufacturing facility.

Jeff comments, “Hard for me to believe that my 45-year career at Darley ended with my retirement celebration in December. It has been awesome working with Team Darley employees, both present and past, the OEMs, fire departments, first responders and all our customers around the world. The relationships I developed and the memories I have will never be forgotten. The change in the world’s fire and emergency services from the 1970s to the 2020s and beyond has been incredible. The changes Darley and our team have gone through have been amazing. You all made my work at Darley so rewarding. Thank you for the relationships and memories I have made with you. Thank you for using Darley products. Thank you for serving those that serve. Work hard, play hard, enjoy life!”

Jeff will remain on Darley’s Board of Directors. We thank Jeff for his years of service and wish him well in his retirement!

After graduating from Miami of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Steve entered the US Navy. In his 24+ year career as an officer in the SEAL Teams, he deployed to numerous countries and combat zones around the world.

CONTACT DARLEY

During deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Steve commanded the Joint Special Operations Task Forces charged with conducting the United States’ highest priority missions against Al Qaeda, Taliban and Iraqi enemy forces. He earned his Master’s Degree in National Security Affairs at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington DC. His service awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star (two awards) and the Combat Action Ribbon (two awards.)

After retiring from the Navy in 2004, he was hired by Aon Consulting as a Senior Vice President of Sales, and most recently served as CEO of MAX Digital Software as a Service company in the Automotive Industry. He also served on Darley’s Defense Advisory Board. Steve commented on joining Darley full time; “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Team. Darley has a rich history with the Department of Defense that spans almost 100 years, and I am proud to help protect and grow that amazing legacy.”

Jeff Darley in front of a 1936 fire truck in our Chippewa Falls showroom.

Steve “Fitz” Fitzgerald, SEAL Team officer (Ret) & former software CEO

The 3rd generation Darley Executive Team was appointed in 1997 with Peter, Paul and Jeff Darley.

Darley Selects Navy SEAL Captain as New Chief Operating Officer

Jeff Darley traveled extensively internationally over the years, including many trips to China.

FSJA recently featured Jeff Darley.

The Darley Defense Advisory Board at our December 2023 meeting at Darley’s Itasca HQ.

PAUL DARLEY

One Team Darley.

While in college some 40 years ago, I remember learning about business life cycles and fearing that our own 80-year old family business would be in trouble if we didn’t reinvent ourselves.

Companies, and all organizations, go through life cycles, and family businesses are even more prone due to the generational component.

As Darley moves into our fourth and soon fifth generations of family members at the helm of our 116-year-old business, it’s more critical than ever that we reinvent ourselves. Those of us in the third generation are stepping back more and allowing the next generation of Darley family members, and other key leaders at Darley, to take the reins.

We thank Jeff Darley for his lifetime of contributions to Darley, and know our pump division is in good hands under the leadership of our new Vice President of the pump division, Greg Field.

We are excited to bring on Steve “Fitz” Fitzgerald as Chief Operating Officer for our defense division. As a Navy SEAL, Steve has lived a life of service to our country, coupled with vast experience in the corporate world. He is a Level 5 leader who will help lead and mentor our growing defense team, and others, with humility and purpose.

Recently, our managers made the pilgrimage to our headquarters for our semiannual management meeting. As we tweaked the fourth year of our five-year strategic plan, Operation B25 (with our goal to be a $1 billion business by 2025) I was reminded of my father who at a young age told me, “Paul, when you see headlines in the newspaper on a major incident like a natural disaster, war, fire, etc., there is usually an opportunity for us to help and serve.” We are moving into a lot of new markets and reinventing ourselves.

We will keep our 2024 company theme of “One Team Darley” at the forefront, and passionately bring solutions to our first responder customers across all the markets we serve.

At Darley, we all feel the higher calling to serve you. You serve others, we serve you.

Paul C. Darley President & Chief Executive Officer

pauldarley@darley.com

Cell: 1-708-267-6288

Featured Partner: Daytona International Speedway

Under a recent four-year agreement, Darley has become a proud provider of firefighting pumps and related equipment to the Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Under this agreement, Darley provided a new customized skid unit to DIS that will be used on rapid response incidents.

Darley logos have been placed on the product skid unit and all DIS track employees now have the Darley logo prominently displayed on their helmets. The agreement also calls for announcements to be made regularly via the public address messaging throughout all DIS NASCAR events.

Daytona International Speedway, known as the World Center of Racing since 1959, is known for its 31˚ high banks and fast speeds around its 2.5 mile tri-oval. Troy Willrick, director of event & emergency services notes, “When you have vehicles approaching 200 mph, there will be incidents where rapid fire extinguishment may be necessary, and we trust Darley’s pumps to provide that protection.”

Darley provided a custom Fast Attack 2 complete with a Pro Poly tank, Whelen light package and Hannay reel.

According to Darley Engineer Steve Chamberlin, “Our employees always take pride in their work, and many of them are racing enthusiasts, so this job had a lot of special meaning to them.”

Featured Product: Darley Introduces New 25HP EFI Honda Engine with Optional Dual Remote Panels

Darley is offering new technology allowing firefighters to start, stop and control RPM from inside the cab or at the pump with our new 25 HP Honda portable gasoline-powered engine. Other than remote control capability and critical engine data, this engine’s electronic fuel injection means that no choke is required, engine power is increased, and exhaust emissions are cleaner

Darley offers this engine coupled to a variety of both gear driven and direct drive pumps. Contact jimdarley@darley.com or visit darley.com/pumps for further details.

Daytona International Speedway Fire and Rescue Teams know their Darley Fast Attack Skid Unit will be there when they need it.

The team’s helmets feature a Darley logo on the back.

The custom Fast Attack 2 skid unit features a Pro Poly tank, Whelen light package and Hannay reel.

Control RPM from inside the cab or at the pump with optional dual remote panels.

The 25hp EFI is available on the Fast Attack 2.

Darley Showcases Innovation at FDIC

Command Vehicle Package (CVP): Darley Partners with Ford & Microsoft to Develop New Command Vehicle

In the critical moments of an emergency, losing the ability to communicate can be disastrous. Effective response hinges on solid and dependable communication: a responsibility that weighs heavily on incident commanders. Darley’s Command Vehicle Package (CVP) is designed for these situations.

The CVP integrates smart network aggregation to create a resilient backhaul which uses a mix of data long term evolution (LTE) and satellite communication technologies to always find the strongest network signal. Imagine the reliability of your home computer, but in the field: three LTE network signals plus a satellite antenna ensure you stay connected, even in the toughest environments.

The redundant backhaul is essential for our “Data First” command and control center, transforming it beyond a mere advanced telephone. This approach enhances public safety agencies’ communication, collaboration, proactive challenge resolution, risk mitigation, and ensures a faster, coordinated response in critical situations through Azure-based partner solutions. The integration of Artificial Intelligence empowers Public Safety decision-makers to revolutionize command and control across various scenarios, anywhere.

There is no advanced training required to operate this technology as it is intended to allow you to focus on your existing first responder SOPs. Darley is collaborating with industry partners such as Microsoft, Ford, IP Access, Dejero, Kymeta, Hypha, DroneSense, Stealth Power and others to bring this new solution to life. If you desire to advance the future of your incident command, consider a CVP for your future fleet.

Electric Vehicle Fire Response Solutions You Can Count On

Access to electric vehicle response solutions is crucial for first responders. Darley offers important components for quickly aiding in emergency response efforts to control EV fires.

The universal EV plug establishes scene safety, safely disabling electric vehicles and preventing unintended movement. The car’s 12-volt electrical system will still work (windows, lights, seats).

The AVL Stingray™ One brings vehicle battery fires under control safely, efficiently, and quickly. The system directly cools the battery from the inside and thereby interrupts the chain reaction (thermal runaway) of the battery cells. Even though a healthy battery pack should never be penetrated, extreme situations might require extreme measures. While the AVL Stingray interrupts the thermal runaway and fire spread, it is best to tow, transport and store the vehicle using the Darley fire blanket to ensure protection from possible re-ignition. Shop edarley.com to purchase today.

Darley Introduces New Robotics, Drones, and VR/AR Products

Virtual Reality (VR) training is rethinking how current and future first responders prepare for real-world challenges, proving itself as a trusted tool in the training ecosystem. At Darley, we’ve been at the forefront of this VR evolution since 2016, constantly pushing the boundaries of VR technology to ensure the best training results. We focus on repetitive practice to develop muscle memory and provide a distraction-free safe environment crucial for effective learning. We understand that one size doesn’t fit all in training, so if our current VR solutions don’t perfectly align with your needs, we’re ready to find the right fit. Contact our team today, and let’s work together to equip you with an efficient and practical training experience.

The Shark Robotics Colossus weighs 230 lbs. and offers ten mission modules. The Parrot ANAFI sUAS is demanded by the US DoD & federal agencies.

Darley Launches New European & Battery-Powered Electric Pumps

Darley is committed to providing the most comprehensive and innovative pump solutions in the fire market. We have been listening to our customers and working to develop modules that OEMs can offer either as a standard package or with custom options. With electrification continuing to rise, we are offering pumps with an electric motor. We have also partnered with Esteri, a Finnish company with a complete line of EN pumps, to deliver for world markets. Our focus on innovation is matched by our commitment to quality, and we continue to offer the highest quality products backed by the best warranty in the industry and low cost of ownership.

Darley partnered with Esteri to offer EN pumps to the world market.

Darley is offering pumps with an electric motor.

Darley was featured in Ford’s booth at this year’s Chicago Auto Show that included Darley’s 1926 fire truck. Booth 3557 Preview Now!

The Darley car fire blanket controls vehicle fires in electric, hybrid and combustion engines.

The first command vehicles were donated to the National Park Service (NPS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM.)

The universal EV Plug prevents unpredictable movement in EVs, establishing scene safety.

The AVL Stingray™ directly cools the battery from the inside.

The Parrot ANAFI sUAS is demanded by the US DoD.

Darley and Microsoft at a recent exhibition in Texas.

Shark Robotics Colossus firefighting robot. NEW

See What’s Happening Across Darley

New Commerce Site Coming Soon

Connect with Darley Defense at SOF Week

An improved shopping experience built for your needs is coming soon!

We’ve spent 15 months redesigning the digital shopping experience for our fire, business, and government customers. Getting the assets you need should be smooth. We’ve combined the best of consumer internet shopping with your specific needs. The result is a powerful experience where you and your team can discover products, build lists, quote, and buy in minutes.

Sign up to be the first to enjoy our new site.

The new store drops soon. Scan the QR code, or go to edarley.com/email-signup, and we will let you know when the new store launches. Until then, you can shop now at edarley.com.

Pump Modules Help Reduce Backlogs

OEMs continue to look for ways to reduce cost and improve throughput. Many of Darley’s OEM customers are shifting to standard pump modules. The shift to module standardization stems from a need to control cost, enhance supply chain reliability, and improve on-time delivery. Additional benefits of a standard pump house include; improved interoperability on mutual aid calls, quicker training, reduced maintenance costs and much more. Darley’s Tactical Division has been working closely with OEM partners to establish standard module offerings. Our efforts focus on high run models with little to no variability from one truck to the next. The results are cost competitive high-quality modules. Darley’s modules are 100% made in America and come with an industry leading pump warranty.

Darley is offering standardized costcompetitive, high quality pump modules.

30 Fast Attack Skid Units Sold Into Latin America

Darley was awarded a contract for 30 Fast Attack skid units, sold into Latin America.

The skid systems, outfitted with Darley 1.5 AGE18V gear driven pumps and Odin Foam Flurry ATP systems, are being delivered to local fire departments to enhance local firefighting capabilities. The customer stated, “We have found Darley’s customer service and responsiveness to be second to none.”

For more details on the Fast Attack units, contact jimdarley@darley.com

Designed to fit into standard 8' pickup truck beds, the Darley Fast Attack skid units are ideal for all 1" & 1.5" discharge needs.

For SOF Week in Tampa this year, May 6 - 10, we’re excited to showcase new connections of unmanned systems through our digital integration work with Persistent Systems. Our display will include partners Parrot, Aerovel, Ghost Robotics, and MARTAC. By connecting these sensors through the Persistent Systems network, we are able to provide enhanced situational awareness, target recognition and beyond line-of-site range. These technology integrations will increase capability suites for supporting SOF operators in their mission-critical needs.

Email georgemccullough@darley. com to schedule a meeting with our team during the show.

Does Your Department Have a Drone Program Yet? If Not, We can Help.

Drones provide invaluable capabilities including real-time assessment from a safe distance, search and rescue and tactical support.

Drones have become a crucial asset in transforming the first responder profession. With their ability to provide real-time situational awareness, assist in search and rescue missions, offer aid in disaster response, and safely inspect hazardous environments, drones are now a pivotal member of your team. The use of advanced cameras and thermal imaging technology has made all of this possible. Drones have significantly improved the efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of emergency operations. Trust Darley to provide the newest member of your team.

Tactical Pumper™ Gaining Traction

Darley’s Tactical Pumper™ commands a favorable market response. Customers throughout the Americas continue to look to Darley for their initial attack vehicles. Darley’s recently released CV515 Tactical Pumper™ is in a league of its own. The vehicle provides users with a 1500 GPM NFPA rated pump, a compressed air foam system, and has 400 gallons of on-board water storage. This industry leading fire apparatus is becoming the first choice of rural fire departments. Customers cite its agility, when paired with its capabilities, as the reason for choosing Darley’s Tactical Pumper™. Rural departments throughout North America have been pleased with its drivability, pumpability, and firefighting capacity. Dealers and fire department personnel are encouraged to reach out to us for more information on stock trucks and future builds.

The Ghost Robot has tactical and fire response applications.

The tactical pumper is available on the CV or the Ford F550 chassis.

Tim Dewitz Staff Mfg Engineer timdewitz@darley.com

Just Ask Engineering

Question:

What is Darley doing to attract CNC operators and tradespeople?

Asked by: Dave Thompson Machine Tool Instructor/Program Director

Answer.

It is important for manufacturers like Darley to be involved with technical education to help create a prepared workforce. There is a dire need for the expertise of businesses to educate students in a way that is real, relevant, and useful. Partnering with schools can also help improve a company’s community presence, increasing awareness of their company and products. This initiative can also help address many educational goals such as the ability to stay current with workforce technological changes while helping schools meet their budgetary requirements.

Manufacturers can offer numerous benefits to educational institutions, some of which may be familiar while others may be new to the campus.

Internships are a great way for both parties to test each other out without making a long-term commitment. The intern obtains real world experience while helping fill labor gaps. Inviting experts from industry to assist

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in educational machining labs can provide enhanced knowledge on emerging technologies. The use of advisory boards can help focus curriculum on skills needed, allowing students accelerated access to career opportunities.

Material donations are always helpful and ease budgets. Unused excess bar stock and end cuts that are too short for regular production can be highly beneficial to technical education labs, as they can provide material for students to machine. Additionally, unused equipment taking up valuable floor space collecting dust may be more valuable if repurposed for use in an educational lab setting.

Lastly, there are many misunderstandings about the working conditions in the industry that can be cleared up by visiting in person. Guided tours of the factories allow students to see for themselves the clean, well-lit, and comfortable environment that includes efficient LED lighting and heating and air conditioning systems that help machinists maintain precise machining tolerances for closer fits. Mist collection and air purification systems have also improved the air quality, and lifting aids and hoists reduce the physical strain on workers. Guided tours for students can be a fun and informative experience for both the company and the students. Students really are our future, and our legacy.

Keep up to date on the latest industry news and developments at Darley by subscribing to Inside Darley. Delivered to your inbox every two months, Paul Darley shares Team Darley highlights, innovative product announcements, and links to articles from strategy and leadership to defense and fire industry news.

The current issue focuses on upcoming FDIC innovations, partnerships with Microsoft and Ford, takeaways from FAMA’s spring meeting, and key legislative updates. You can watch past episodes and subscribe to our channel at darley.com/ resource-type/inside-darley. Thanks for watching!

Darley Pumps & CAFS Protect South Africa

Industrial Fire & Hazard Control, a company based in South Africa, has developed a new wildland firefighting vehicle called the SENTRY Wildland Interface Pumper. The vehicle is built on a MAN TGM18.240 commercial 4x4 chassis and fitted with a Darley Hornet CAFS and Darley HM500 PTO driven pump with a Trident FOAMATE ATP system.

The SENTRY offers an Elkhart Sidewinder deck monitor and Elkhart BrushHawk bumper turret, all operated from inside the cab. A HyperSight thermal imaging camera is fitted to the BrushHawk.

Built for a mining company in South Africa for wildland urban/mining interface type fires, the SENTRY is designed to ensure maximum impact at the fire incident with a “go anywhere” capability.

Industry experts provided students with experiential learning in a nearby Tech Ed facility.

The SENTRY Wildland Interface pumper features a Darley ODIN Hornet CAFS and HM 500 PTO-driven pump.

The Rig features great articles on operation & maintenance on today’s apparatus.

High school Tech Ed students recently toured our Chippewa Falls, WI facility.

Tune in to bi-monthly episodes of Inside Darley to stay updated on the latest industry news.

PETER DARLEY

Better

INSIDE DARLEY

Darley Gives Back Growing to Get

Celebrating success can boost morale, increase motivation, and foster a sense of pride and accomplishment among employees. It also reinforces a company’s values and goals, and reminds all of the importance of their contributions to the company’s success. In the last few years, many companies have experienced significant changes and challenges. Darley has met these changes as we have adapted to new ways of working and we have continued to implement new technologies and processes to support our employees and customers.

This led to 2023 being a breakthrough year for Darley as we saw a tremendous growth in sales and opportunities. And it didn’t just happen as my Dad used to say. We have strong and innovative business strategies, effective leadership, a dedicated and skilled workforce, and our embrace of adopting to change has allowed us to meet the changing and sometimes challenging market conditions. We continue to be focused on launching new products, expanding into new markets, and forming strategic partnerships. We also remain focused on customer satisfaction, efficient operations, and sound financial management.

This year, we also celebrate the retirement of Jeff Darley, whose career spanned over four decades. Jeff’s experience, involvement, and leadership made significant impacts on the fire and emergency industry. Jeff has been a fearless leader, a great role model, and a true pioneer in the industry. He has been in the trenches when times were tough, but if you know Jeff, you know that he also likes to celebrate the good times. Jeff is a man of integrity, encouragement, and he fights for ideals. Most importantly, he is caring and a friend to many.

Our aim is not to grow to get bigger, but we are growing to get better. We are seeing gains in scope, scale, capabilities, know-how and talent. We want to thank all of our employees, our partners and our customers for their loyalty and support.

In Bowie, Texas, residents recently faced a challenging situation when a boil water notice was issued. This type of alert, often triggered by a drop in water pressure, warns the community that their water may not be safe to drink without boiling it first. Such alerts can cause significant disruption, requiring people to boil water for drinking, cooking, and making ice to eliminate harmful bacteria.

During this difficult time, Darley donated a trailer load of the Darley Safe Water box, approximately 5,000 gallons of safe water, to the affected residents. This provided much-needed relief and support until the local water was deemed safe again. “In a time of crisis, when our city was in dire straits, Darley came through with water for our citizens until our own water was safe to drink. Thanks a million.” -Douglas Page, CPM Fire Chief, City of Bowie, TX.

Team Darley volunteered their time with Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) to contribute packing 33,264 meals at a recent event. Darley supports over 250 charities each year.

Darley & Liberty Mutual Celebrate 95-Year Partnership

In our fast-paced world filled with constant change, it is refreshing to highlight sustained relationships that are integral to the fabric of Darley’s long-term success. This year, we are excited to celebrate the 95-year insurance partnership between Darley and Liberty Mutual. In fact, Darley is Liberty’s longest tenured client! Thank you to Liberty Mutual’s and Arthur J. Gallagher’s risk management teams for their continued partnership and guidance!

Employee Profile: Greg Field VP of Pump Division Manufacturing Operations

Greg Field joined Darley in 2016. He and the outstanding team at our Chippewa Falls, WI, location proudly designs, manufactures, and assembles centrifugal pumps for the DoD and worldwide civilian firefighting industry.

Greg is a graduate of Marquette University with a BS degree in engineering. He also proudly served in the US Army Reserve (USAR) for 8 years, initially as a combat engineer and then later as a drill instructor.

He has over 30 years of experience with such companies as Johnson Controls (building automation) and Woodward (power generation and aviation) involving progressive roles of responsibility in electro-mechanical technology development, lean manufacturing, and new product development.

Peter Darley Executive VP / Chief Operating Officer peterdarley@darley.com

Outside of work, Greg enjoys the great outdoors, restoring antique tractors and trucks, spending time with his family, and helping whenever he can in the local community. If you were to ask Greg about his passion, he would say “Serving others, especially those who serve. Each day at Darley, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the world and feel blessed to be part of an outstanding team that takes pride in this and puts to the forefront of everything we do.”

Greg and his wife, Kimberlie, a registered nurse, are both natives of the area and have three wonderful children: Gevin, 28, Megan, 24 and Teagan, 22.

Darley Safe Water Boxes being handed out to citizens of Bowie, TX during crisis.

Team Darley helped pack meals at a recent event.

Darley leadership, along with our partners from Arthur J. Gallagher and Liberty Mutual, meet at Gallagher’s headquarters for our annual strategy meeting.

Darley maintains a large inventory for immediate delivery.

Pump School: At our tuition-free school, you learn everything from pump theory to hands-on maintenance and repair of Darley pumps and accessories. With continuous improvement, we recommend OEM service centers attend at least attend at least every five years.

CAFS Academy: Learn how to maintain, service and operate your CAFS. Cost is free to all pump school attendees.

Pro Poly / PolyBilt: Learn to weld and repair PolyBilt bodies and Pro Poly tanks following pump school at our facility in Augusta, WI.

Darley Pump School Dates

Oct 8 - 10, 2024 | May 6 - 8, 2025 | Oct 7 - 9, 2025

Email pumptraining@darley.com to register.

Classic Catalogs Since 1908

If you visit our Itasca HQ, you will see a painting commissioned by William S. Darley, which was also featured on Catalog 111’s cover in 1935.

Next Gen Darley

Hunter Darley

Hunter Darley, son of Ryan and Chelsea Darley, and big brother to Bayleigh, is 4.5 years old. He is a hockey fanatic. This year he joined the Wayzata (Minnesota) hockey program and is spending his weekends on the ice “skating fast and scoring goals.” When he’s not at the rink, he enjoys going hunting with Grampa the Bear (Jeff Darley), fishing on his pontoon, swimming, building Legos, and playing at the trampoline park.

Hunter has an admired reputation for asking everyone questions for as long as they will answer. He attends school at Kinderberry Hill where he’s learning to read and write in preparation for Pre-K in the Fall.

Hunter is a very sweet boy with a motor that never stops. If hockey doesn’t work out, he might consider a job serving firefighters and first responders like so many in his family have done.

There are currently 31 fourth and 19 fifth-generation Darley family members who are descendants of William S. Darley.

Darley Demander Spotlight

Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) Fleet Standardizes on Darley Pumps

The Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) is one of the largest fleets in the USA, with over 600 personnel covering more than 8,000 square miles, and protecting more than 500,000 citizens. Their fleet includes 500 emergency response vehicles operating out of 47 stations. KCFD has standardized on Darley pumps and Pierce PUC pumps since 2014 and has been using our pumps on Type 3 and Type 6 Engines since 1990. They recently took delivery of seven Type 1 Pierce Engines, and a Pierce Tiller.

According to the KCFD Fleet Manager Ron Fox, “Darley has served us well over the years. Their pumps are easy to maintain, and the firefighters appreciate the reliability and quiet operation.”Learn why fire departments demand Darley at darley.com/pumps KCFD recently added seven Pierce PUCs to their fleet.

Navy Orders Nine E-One ARFF Trucks with Darley PSP 2000 Pumps

The US Navy recently ordered a new fleet of nine Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) trucks with 1000-gallon tanks and Darley PSP 2000 pumps. These compact Navy ARFF trucks were developed based on the US Air Force Transportable specification, which also allows the trucks to be easily staged at older Navy bases.

The Darley PSP 2000 allows pump and roll performance in a compact package and is capable of producing 1800 GPM at 200 PSI.

The first two Navy ARFF vehicles are being delivered to the Naval Air Station (NAS) in Kingsville, TX.

Darley Dealer Kimtek Celebrates 40 Years

In 1984, Kimball Johnson founded Kimtek Corporation, designing fire safety and life-saving equipment. He founded Westmore Fire-Rescue in 2000 and, as chief of the department, saw a need for off-road fire and rescue equipment.

Since that time, Kimtek has manufactured over 4,525 fire skid units mounted on UTVs and pickup trucks. Almost without exception, every single unit has featured a Darley Davey or Darley portable pump.

Kimtek opened in 1984 and recently celebrated 40 years of excellence.

Kimball reflected, “Darley has been an amazing partner. We know that we can rely on them for prompt deliveries and great quality, and we just enjoy doing business with the Darley family. They have our backs.”

Kimball and his wife, Penny, are still very active in the business, but they are looking forward to passing the torch to their daughter, Chelsea, and her husband, Dan Cummings, in the future to continue growing their family business. To learn more, visit kimtekresearch.com

Recent Pump School graduates.

These Navy ARFF trucks can fit inside a C130 aircraft for rapid deployment.

The Darley PSP 2000 is capable of producing 1800 GPM at 200 PSI.

Kimtek has manufactured over 4,525 skid units mostly equipped with Darley Davey or Darley portable pumps.

Operational Focus on Innovation, Collaboration & Sustainability

IL Fire Service Home Day - June 6, 2024

Last September, Darley’s Board of Directors and Fire Advisory Board visited our pump and tactical divisions located in Chippewa Falls, WI. We were proud to showcase our operations and hard-working employees who tirelessly keep everything running smoothly while exceeding customer expectations. All our board members were impressed by our state-of-the-art operations, our safety measures, our innovation, our quality, and the efficiency of our production processes. We are grateful to have such a diverse group of highly experienced and respected board members that help us determine our strategic direction and provide us with valuable insights and guidance.

During that same time, we gathered to celebrate John Monpas’ retirement after 47.5 years of service. John, a world class machinist, produced precision pump components that went on to save countless lives and property. We wish John the very best and our sincere gratitude for all he has done and accomplished in his time with Team Darley and throughout his life!

TEEX and Darley Partner to Advance Thought Leadership

For the past two years, the TEEX Leadership Symposium has been a platform for the Darley essay competition winners to spotlight their unique insights. Kyle Matousek and Kerry Henderson, our 2022 winners, delivered a talk on “Genuine. Compassionate. Authentic. These aren’t just Safe Space Words,” while Dr. Lindsay Judah, the 2023 winner, captivated the audience with her talk on “Action, Alliance and Awareness: the 3 As Needed in Today’s Fire and Emergency Services.”

The National Fallen Firefighter Foundation (NFFF) and Darley’s 2024 Essay Competition invites thoughtful contributors to address the persistent challenges of institutional and interpersonal resistance to change within the fire service. This competition seeks innovative solutions to foster a culture of acceptance and support, moving beyond mere compliance.

Entrants are encouraged to offer original insights for actionable change, with substantial rewards including a $3,000 first place prize, publication and speaking opportunities. Your submission represents a commitment to shaping a diverse and evolving fire service where every individual is valued and respected.

Make sure to mark your calendars for the next symposium in Frisco, TX, January 20-22, 2025. Learn more about the 2024 essay competition and submit your essay at darley.com/essay-competition.

Federal programs to support the fire service such as the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and SAFER program are critical to the health of the fire service.

To assist in the effort, Darley is again working closely with the Illinois Metro Fire Chiefs and Triton College to run our 18th annual Illinois Fire Service Home Day. It will be hosted on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Triton College. We hope you can join us.

Darley Seen on NBC Drama Chicago Fire

In Season 12, Episode 5 of NBC’s Chicago Fire, character Joe Cruz uses the Darley catalog to gain inspiration on how to market his new product invention. Keep an eye out for the new issue of the Darley Fire Equipment Catalog coming soon! You can request a current copy of the catalog at edarley.com/equipment-catalog

Connect With Darley Worldwide

Darley Exhibits at Over 100 Tradeshows Annually

Apr 8 - 10 Sea Air Space National Harbor, MD

Apr 18 - 20 FDIC International Indianapolis, IN

Apr 23 - 25 MDEX Program Warren, MI

Apr 30 - May 2 Modern Day Marine Washington DC

May 1 - 5 Ontario Assoc of Fire Chiefs Mississauga, ON

May 6 - 8 ANG DCP Conference Denver, CO

May 6 - 10 SOF Week Tampa, FL

May 14 - 16 LANPAC Honolulu, HI

May 17 -18 Harrisburg Fire Expo Harrisburg, PA

May 18 -19 National Guard Assoc of MI (MIARNG) Detroit, MI

June 12 - 15 NY Chiefs Syracuse, NY

June 17 - 19 NFPA Orlando, FL

June 17 - 21 Eurosatory Paris, France

June 24 - 28 SkillsUSA TECHSPO Atlanta, GA

Aug 14 - 16 FRI - IAFC Dallas, TX

Aug 22 - 26 NGAUS Detroit, MI

Sept 3 - 6 AFAC Sydney, Australia

Sept 8 - 13 NTOA Law Enforcement Conference Kansas City, MO

Sept 10 - 12 Ft. Moore Expo/Maneuver Warfighter Fort Moore, GA

Sept 21 - 25 Fire Rescue Canada Montreal, Quebec

Oct 1 - 3 GSOF European Symposium Bratislava, Slovak Rep.

Oct 14 - 16 AUSA Arlington, VA

Darley’s catalog is spotted on Chicago Fire.

Home Day includes an overview of funding, demos, and displays.

John Monpas retired after 47.5 years of service.

Darley’s Board of Directors and Fire Advisory Board recently visited our pump and tactical manufacturing facility in Chippewa Falls, WI.

Dr. Lindsay Judah was our 2023 Thought Leadership Essay Competition winner.