According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US firefighters are three times more likely to die on duty than the average worker in the country. So in the period from 1992 to 1997, the number of dead rescuers was 16.5 per 100 thousand workers, compared with 4.6 among other specialties. The death toll of firefighters even surpasses the figures for the same period among police officers, the rate of which is only 14.2 deaths per 100,000 law enforcement officers.
During the period 2000-2003, the mortality rate among rescuers decreased, but only slightly. For example, in 2001, over 100 firefighters died while on duty. official duties in the house of the World shopping center, undermined by terrorists on September 11, 2001. A total of 345 New York firefighters died then. In comparison, 87 firefighters died in 1998 and 102 in 2002. Approximately half of all deaths occur directly in the process of fires.
According to the US Fire Administration, in 2001 there were just over one million firefighters in the United States. Among them, only 193.6 thousand people were professionals, others were volunteers employed in other areas and are called up to fight against the elements only in emergency situations. This number of volunteers is mainly due to strictly economic factors: it is more profitable for municipalities of small towns not to retain full squad professionals, and, if necessary, to mobilize fellow citizens to fight the fiery element. In this way, the locality saves on costs. The disadvantages of such a system include the fact that amateurs are approximately three times more likely than specialists to die during fires.
Long-term monitoring shows that the majority of firefighters in the United States die during the cold season. The main enemy of firefighters are not injuries received in the process of extinguishing a fire and performing other official operations, but prolonged stress and severe overexertion. So, in 56% of cases, fire brigade workers died due to heart attacks and oncological diseases. Injuries were the cause of 28% of deaths. In other cases, American firefighters have been stuck in a flaming building, passed out, or died in accidents.
It so happened that firefighters in America not only and not so much fight fire, but also perform a wide range of other rescue work. For example, with Hurricane Isabel, which covered the States in September 2003, firefighters had to fight, who carried people out of flooded buildings and cleared the streets from broken trees. During recent emergency shutdowns electricity in all major settlements northeastern United States and Canada, while millions of residents were completely without electricity for 36 hours, firefighters performed a variety of rescue operations. Only in New York itself, 80 thousand emergency calls were recorded in one night. Among them, firefighters released more than 800 people from elevators stopped in skyscrapers.
In addition, the profession of a firefighter is relatively poorly paid. So in New York, which is on the list of the most expensive cities to live on the planet, a firefighter receives about $33,000 a year. And for comparison, according to the US Department of Commerce, the average resident of America in 2000 received about $29,000.
However, the not very high salaries of firefighters in the United States do not mean at all that it is so easy to get into the service. Applicants for the role of firefighters, likewise, both boys and girls, must be at least 18 or 21 years old (depending on state regulations) and have perfect vision. A candidate for fire fighting equipment must be in excellent physical shape and not have any health problems. But the main and decisive criterion is the intellectual abilities of the future employee. He must have, at a minimum, a diploma of complete secondary education, where there are good marks in physics, mathematics, computer disciplines, etc. The future rescuer must complete a compulsory training course (Eng. Fire Service Training). The course is based on two sections - theory and practice. During the study of theory, such disciplines as health care, the basics of construction and architecture (carefully study ventilation, topics of resistance to materials, etc.), etc. On practical exercises endurance in the process of assessing the situation, the speed of making the right decisions, and so on are checked. American firefighters are regularly tested and take exams.
Most of the US fire truck fleet consists of models that were built to order by private companies. The peculiarity of such machines is that they are created on the basis of civilian models of vehicles modified for specific state needs. Among the companies specializing in the production of fire trucks, we should especially note Mack, GVC, Peterbilt.
Classification of fire trucks in the United States
All models fire trucks are divided into 2 large groups:
1) Classic. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that they are an ordinary truck that has been modified and converted to perform firefighting operations. Most truck manufacturers in the United States have models in their arsenal that, through retrofitting, turn into traditional fire trucks. These car models include Peterbult 330-370, as well as International 4000-7000. Such cars have a double cab design, and are also equipped with an elongated chassis.
2) Custom. They belong to the category of models without a hood. These vehicles have a wagon-like cabin that can accommodate up to 12 people in full uniform. The chassis is assembled by the manufacturers themselves, and elements such as the gearbox, engine, axles are ordered separately from third-party suppliers. As for the placement of the engine, its traditional location is in front of the cab. Although the US fleet includes models that have an engine at the rear of the vehicle.
Fire truck brand Ahrens-Fox
This manufacturer of fire trucks has gone down in history automobile structure as the best selling and successful brand. The first model appeared in 1888. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Ahrens-Fox model was released, which had an engine internal combustion, located in the far part of the rear axle.
The company has been having financial problems lately and has been bought out by well-known company in this industry Mack. In 2003, Ahrens-Fox re-entered the market, but the rights to it were bought out by HME.
American LaFrance fire engine brand
Despite the French name, this company has nothing to do with this state. The name of the company comes from the name of its founder. The company has existed on the market of fire trucks since the end of the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, a model was presented that had a knee ladder, the height of which exceeded 33 meters. On this moment it is the standard of quality and reliability not only within the USA.
However, with its pioneering work, American LaFrance honors the traditional fire engine industry. This is manifested in the fact that on the cars of this company the first chain drives appeared only in 1935, and diesel engines were installed only in 1966.
In the second half of the 20th century, the company produces new model fire truck, which was called "700". Its peculiarity lies in the fact that it went through a series of changes that contributed to its transformation into the famous version of the Century fire engines.
Manufacturer Emergency One
The peculiarity of this company is that it is a newcomer to this industry. It was first registered only in 1975. At the moment, the company produces more than 800 vehicles a year, being in the top three in the United States in the production of fire engines for various purposes. Fire departments of almost all states have at their disposal vehicles of this manufacturer.
Emergency One positioned itself as a salesperson fire fighting equipment suitable for all types of work. However, throughout its existence, the company specialized in the production of fire trucks equipped with chassis, which were mounted on american jeeps and SUVs. The company worked in most cases on order, supplying models without hoods.
Thus, we can conclude that the market for fire trucks in the United States is represented by big amount manufacturers who specialize in various areas of fire fighting. A number of companies produce models that are a modification of traditional trucks and SUVs, and some companies supply only models assembled in their own workshops based on American components.
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American fire engines tend to be longer and wider than European ones - there are simply no medieval narrow city streets in the USA. no and common standards: each division orders a car to its taste
Carrycot equipment
includes a fire monitor, a boom control panel and an air supply system: while on the platform, firefighters can not consume oxygen from their own cylinders.
Cradle
to rescue people and deliver fighters to the source of fire. The computer automatically maintains the cradle in a horizontal position with any movement of the boom.
Slewing and lifting boom
9.4 meters long with a platform with a load capacity of 680 kg and hydraulic pump with a capacity of 7500 liters per minute.
Hydraulic supports
prevent the machine from tipping over with the boom raised. The computer does not allow you to move the boom into a dangerous position.
Receiving fitting
for a fire hydrant. The car's own tank is designed for 1100-1900 liters. Inside the tank there are perforated partitions to dampen water vibrations during movement.
Combat crew cabin
accommodates up to 10 people. Inner space designed to meet noise and vibration standards, there is climate control.
doors
have a special design without protruding parts both outside and inside. Even when the door cannot be fully opened, the firefighter can freely get out of the vehicle without getting caught in his clothes.
Stainless steel
not cheap, but practical and durable. Lightweight stainless steel body panels save pounds of weight to hold more water.
Electronics
and all electrical equipment vehicle, including beacons LED lamps, powered by two independent energy systems.
Fact!
fire truck lift seagrave costs about $1.1 million. Vehicle length - 12 m, height - 3.3 m. Engine Cummins has a capacity of 500 liters. With.
Technique. FDNY-a park
rescue vehicle
Division vehicles FDNY Rescue called the workshop on wheels. Freeing the victims from the rubble, the fighters use hydraulic scissors, saws, climbing equipment.
tank truck
Main fire truck FDNY carries 500 gallons (about 1900 liters) of water to the fire, powerful pump, hose equipment and a team of ten people.
technicalHaz-Mat
On fires with hazardous chemicals (emergency chemical dangerous substances, they are hazardous materials) leaves the tandem from the main rescue vehicle and technicians with special tools.
mobile hospital
Medical Unit Machine EMS MERV replaces several ambulances. In it, doctors can provide assistance to several victims at the same time.
Photo: Legion-media (x4), Peter Stehlik
The famous manufacturer of fire fighting equipment, the Rosenbauer concern, continues to amaze with the design and capabilities of its fire fighting vehicles. So, recently the American branch of the company introduced newest series standard pozharki Avenger ("avenger").
The firefighter looks very aggressive, its chopped design with other recent developments of the concern. In addition to the bright design, the Avenger stands out with some solutions that are unusual for American fire engines.
The seats in the cockpit are attached to the guides, as in aircraft, which allows you to quickly change their number. The cabin is finished not with plastic, but with aluminum with a special coating - this should increase the service life. But the outer body panels, on the contrary, are made of plastic, which is indifferent to rust, and light.
As for the units, the Avenger is equipped with Cummins engines power from 380 to 450 hp Gearbox - "automatic" Allison. For better maneuverability, the front axle of the Hendrickson Steertek brand has an angle of rotation of the wheels as much as 64 degrees.
Like others similar machines, Avenger is made on a modular basis. Depending on the requirements of the buyer, it can be equipped with one of three body options, as well as different models pumps of our own production.
