Cantankerous Wisdom: Gimme a Second Truck Company
For 20 years we’ve talked about the merits of having a second ladder truck dispatched on structure fires.
5 min read
Bill Adams
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Cantankerous Wisdom: Paul Harvey, Money, and Ladder Trucks
Two recent Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment articles sparked my interest.
7 min read
Cantankerous Wisdom: Rubber Goods and Raisins
During one morning coffee with the Raisin Squad, I had mentioned something about turnout gear, also known as rubber goods in the old days.
5 min read
Cantankerous Wisdom: Hubris, Arrogance or Common Sense?
When a gaggle of ex-fire chiefs get together and starts telling stories and fighting fires of years past, the gloves occasionally come off.
6 min read
Fire Apparatus Observations: Post Show Analysis
Often, photographs taken in haste at the show are brought home and later analyzed without the benefit of notes.
5 min read
Cantankerous Wisdom: Salvage Covers or Tarps?
Why did many fire departments ditch the heavy canvas salvage covers?
9 min read
Apparatus Purchasing: ISO and NFPA Equipment Lists
Ancillary equipment is minor, loose, and auxiliary equipment. It includes everything that is loaded on a truck before it is put in service.
8 min read
2024 FDIC Apparatus Observations – Part 2
Observations include features I personally liked, or disliked, and some I don't understand. Vendors were not interviewed.Â
6 min read
2024 FDIC Apparatus Observations – Part 1
Observations include features I personally liked, or disliked, and some I don't understand. Vendors were not interviewed. —Bill Adams
4 min read
Apparatus Purchasing: 2½-Inch Discharge Valve Controllers
The controllers used to operate 2½-inch discharges is the subject. No preference is made. The intent is to make purchasers aware.
19 min read
FA Viewpoints | What’s the Most Important Apparatus Innovation in the Past 30 Years?
Bill Adams and Ricky Riley tackle the question, “In the past 30 years, what is the most important apparatus innovation?â€
10 min read
Cantankerous Wisdom: Figuratively or Literally Ugly Fire Trucks?
The consensus of the Raisin Squad is I should not call any fire truck ugly.Â
7 min read
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