Abstract: Systems and methods for fire suppression systems are disclosed. The methods may include operating the fire suppression system in a first configuration. The methods may further include shifting the fire suppression system from the first configuration to a second configuration in which pumping of foam concentrate to the upstream side of the water pump is stopped and in which foam concentrate is pumped to a downstream side of the water pump. The fire suppression system may be operated in the second configuration whereby a portion of the water pumped from the water pump is combined with foam concentrate to supply a first one of the plurality of manifolds, and another portion of the water pumped from the water pump is provided without foam concentrate to supply a second one of the plurality of manifolds.

Abstract: A vehicle including an aerial device movable from a first position to a second position. A computer control system includes a sensor that detects an operational parameter of the aerial device when the aerial device is in the first and second positions. The sensor outputs first and second signals for the operational parameter when the aerial device is in the first and second positions. When the aerial device is in the first position, the computer control system generates a first graphical representation of the current operating ability of the aerial device in response to the first signal and displays the first graphical representation on the electronic display. When the aerial device is in the second position, the computer control system generates a second graphical representation of the current operating ability of the aerial device in response to the second signal and displays the second graphical representation on the electronic display.

Abstract: A vehicle including a body and an aerial device operable to rotate, extend, and retract relative to the body. The vehicle further includes a control panel, an electronic display, a computer control system, and an aerial elevation sensor that senses an elevation of the aerial device, wherein the computer control system receives a piece of data corresponding with the elevation and generates a graphical representation of the current operating ability of the aerial device based on the elevation that is displayed on the electronic display of the control panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fire suppression systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fire suppression system comprises a water supply system, a foam concentrate supply system, and a foam concentrate recovery system. The water supply system includes a water pump and a water supply line. The foam concentrate supply system includes a foam pump and a foam concentrate supply line, the foam concentrate supply line fluidly connected with the water supply system to facilitate mixing foam concentrate provided by the foam concentrate supply system with water provided by the water supply system. The foam concentrate recovery system includes a recovery pump fluidly connectable with the foam concentrate supply system to facilitate the extraction of foam concentrate from at least a portion of the foam concentrate supply system. The system and method can also include circulating foam concentrate to promote mixing and hinder the congealment of foam concentrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fire suppression systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fire suppression system comprises a water supply system, a foam concentrate supply system, and a foam concentrate recovery system. The water supply system includes a water pump and a water supply line. The foam concentrate supply system includes a foam pump and a foam concentrate supply line, the foam concentrate supply line fluidly connected with the water supply system to facilitate mixing foam concentrate provided by the foam concentrate supply system with water provided by the water supply system. The foam concentrate recovery system includes a recovery pump fluidly connectable with the foam concentrate supply system to facilitate the extraction of foam concentrate from at least a portion of the foam concentrate supply system. The system and method can also include circulating foam concentrate to promote mixing and hinder the congealment of foam concentrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fire suppression systems are disclosed. The methods may include operating the fire suppression system in a first configuration. The methods may further include shifting the fire suppression system from the first configuration to a second configuration in which pumping of foam concentrate to the upstream side of the water pump is stopped and in which foam concentrate is pumped to a downstream side of the water pump. The fire suppression system may be operated in the second configuration whereby a portion of the water pumped from the water pump is combined with foam concentrate to supply a first one of the plurality of manifolds, and another portion of the water pumped from the water pump is provided without foam concentrate to supply a second one of the plurality of manifolds.

Abstract: A vehicle including a body and an aerial device operable to rotate, extend, and retract relative to the body. The vehicle further includes a control panel, an electronic display, a computer control system, and an aerial elevation sensor that senses an elevation of the aerial device, wherein the computer control system receives a piece of data corresponding with the elevation and generates a graphical representation of the current operating ability of the aerial device based on the elevation that is displayed on the electronic display of the control panel.

Abstract: An electronic display for an aerial device is provided. The electronic display replaces a traditional load chart including the operational parameters of the aerial device being used. The electronic display electrically connected with a computer control system connected to a sensor for collecting at least one piece of data relating to the operational parameters of the aerial device. The computer control system calculating the current operational parameter of the aerial device based on the at least one piece of data collected by the sensor and updating the operational parameters of the aerial device and displaying a graphical representation of the updated operational parameters on the electronic display.

Abstract: Embodiments of a slot bar configured to secure one or more sheet materials are disclosed herein. The slot bar being configured to receive one or more retaining strips. The slot bar includes a base section and a first slot base extending substantially perpendicularly from the base section. The base section and first slot base define a first ledge region. The slot bar also includes a first slot wall extending from the first slot base and a first slot arm extending from the first slot wall. The first slot arm is also substantially parallel to and spatially disposed from the first slot base. The first slot base, the first slot wall, and the first slot arm define a first slot configured to receive the first retaining strip so as to secure a first sheet material between the first retaining strip and the first ledge region.

Abstract: Embodiments of a storage compartment for self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) are provided. The storage compartment includes a deployment mechanism to facilitate efficient and ergonomic donning of the SCBA. Advantageously, the storage compartment is closed off from the cabin of a firetruck and is accessed from the exterior of the firetruck so that any chemicals that off-gas from the SCBA are contained in their own compartment separate from the interior of the firetruck's cabin. The SCBA are able to be deployed from the storage compartment in a variety of different ways. Each embodiment of the deployment mechanism is configured to deploy the SCBA from an elevated position within the storage compartment to an exterior position that is roughly at the level of a firefighter's back.

Abstract: Embodiments of a storage compartment for self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) are provided. The storage compartment includes a deployment mechanism to facilitate efficient and ergonomic donning of the SCBA. Advantageously, the storage compartment is closed off from the cabin of a firetruck and is accessed from the exterior of the firetruck so that any chemicals that off-gas from the SCBA are contained in their own compartment separate from the interior of the firetruck's cabin. The SCBA are able to be deployed from the storage compartment in a variety of different ways. Each embodiment of the deployment mechanism is configured to deploy the SCBA from an elevated position within the storage compartment to an exterior position that is roughly at the level of a firefighter's back.

Abstract: An ergonomic hose load platform for a fire fighting vehicle is provided. The ergonomic hose load platform includes a platform and at least one pivot mount defining a pivot axis. The platform is pivotable about the pivot axis to open and close the platform.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of a mount for joining a substructure to a vehicle frame. The mount allows the substructure to float on the frame by permitting vertical movement of the substructure relative to the frame. Further, the mount restricts lateral and fore/aft movement of the substructure on the frame, helping to reduce any further contributions to frame torque. The mount is joined to the frame at a lower end and has a crook-shaped or C-shaped profile that wraps around an alignment tab of the substructure. Further, a rubber pad is provided on the alignment tab, and the mount has a structure, such as one or more stops, bolts, or pins, that extends downwardly around or through the rubber tab. It is the downwardly extending structure allows for the vertical movement of the substructure while also preventing substantial lateral and fore/aft movement of the substructure relative to the frame.

Abstract: An electronic display for an aerial device is provided. The electronic display replaces a traditional load chart including the operational parameters of the aerial device being used. The electronic display electrically connected with a computer control system connected to a sensor for collecting at least one piece of data relating to the operational parameters of the aerial device. The computer control system calculating the current operational parameter of the aerial device based on the at least one piece of data collected by the sensor and updating the operational parameters of the aerial device and displaying a graphical representation of the updated operational parameters on the electronic display.

Abstract: An ergonomic hose load platform for a fire fighting vehicle is provided. The ergonomic hose load platform includes a platform and at least one pivot mount defining a pivot axis. The platform is pivotable about the pivot axis to open and close the platform.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of a mount for joining a substructure to a vehicle frame. The mount allows the substructure to float on the frame by permitting vertical movement of the substructure relative to the frame. Further, the mount restricts lateral and fore/aft movement of the substructure on the frame, helping to reduce any further contributions to frame torque. The mount is joined to the frame at a lower end and has a crook-shaped or C-shaped profile that wraps around an alignment tab of the substructure. Further, a rubber pad is provided on the alignment tab, and the mount has a structure, such as one or more stops, bolts, or pins, that extends downwardly around or through the rubber tab. It is the downwardly extending structure allows for the vertical movement of the substructure while also preventing substantial lateral and fore/aft movement of the substructure relative to the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of galvanically isolating a first metal piece from a second metal piece are provided. In particular, the first metal piece and the second metal piece are different metals or alloys, and the first metal piece and the second metal piece are secured together with a fastener. The method includes the step of bonding a first metal strip to the second metal piece such that the first metal strip prevents direct physical contact between the first metal piece and the second metal piece. The method also includes the step of bonding a second metal strip to the second metal piece such that the second metal strip prevents direct physical contact between the fastener and the second metal in an axial direction. Embodiments of a laminate structure are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a slot bar configured to secure one or more sheet materials are disclosed herein. The slot bar being configured to receive one or more retaining strips. The slot bar includes a base section and a first slot base extending substantially perpendicularly from the base section. The base section and first slot base define a first ledge region. The slot bar also includes a first slot wall extending from the first slot base and a first slot arm extending from the first slot wall. The first slot arm is also substantially parallel to and spatially disposed from the first slot base. The first slot base, the first slot wall, and the first slot arm define a first slot configured to receive the first retaining strip so as to secure a first sheet material between the first retaining strip and the first ledge region.

Abstract: An ergonomic hose load platform for a fire fighting vehicle is provided. The ergonomic hose load platform includes a platform and at least one pivot mount defining a pivot axis. The platform is pivotable about the pivot axis to open and close the platform.

Abstract: A high-strength structural joint is provided. The high-strength structural joint includes a first component of a first material, a second component of a second material. The second component of the second material defines a channel. The high-strength structural joint further includes a third component of a third material. A chemical bond joins the first component of the first material and the third component of the third material in the channel and the channel mechanically retains the third component of the third material.