Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.

Abstract: A fire truck operable to automatically refill a water tank comprises a first pressure transducer coupled to an intake inlet of the pump and operable to measure an intake pressure, a second pressure transducer coupled to a discharge outlet of the pump and operable to measure a discharge pressure, a first pump discharge pipe coupled between the discharge outlet of the pump and a fire hose, a second pump discharge pipe coupled between the discharge outlet of the pump and the water tank, a control valve disposed in the second pump discharge pipe, and a controller operable to automatically sense a low water level condition of the tank, and automatically control the engine speed, the pump speed, and the control valve so that adequate water supply to the fire hose via the first pump discharge pipe is automatically maintained while automatically refilling the water tank via the second pump discharge pipe.

Abstract: A system for automatically setting up a truck-mounted pump driven by an engine for pumping operation, comprising a transmission control having a visual indicator and coupled to a transmission of the truck, a pump control having a visual indicator and coupled to the pump, a prime control having a visual indicator and coupled to a prime pump, a master system control switch operable to receive operator input, and a main controller in data communication with the transmission control, pump control, prime control, and the master system control switch, the main controller receiving an input from the master system control switch to initiate pump setup operation, and automatically transmitting alert signals to the visual indicators of the transmission control, pump control, and prime control to provide visual guidance to the operator in the proper sequence of steps to set up the pump for pumping operation.

Abstract: A system resides on a fire truck carrying at least one fire hose in a hose bay. The system comprises a target device coupled to the at least one fire hose, a proximity sensor coupled to the hose bay and operable to detect the presence and absence of the target device, and a controller coupled to the proximity sensor and control valve and operable to enable opening of the control valve in response to the proximity sensor detecting the absence of the target device indicative of a substantially complete removal of the at least one fire hose from the hose bay of the fire truck, and operable to disable opening of the control valve in response to the proximity sensor detecting the presence of the target device indicative of the at least one fire hose remaining in the hose bay of the fire truck.

Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.

Abstract: A dryer system for a firefighting ensemble comprising a housing having an air intake port and an air outlet port, a forced air assembly including a heater and a blower accommodated within the housing, a plurality of flexible porous hose segments coupled to the air outlet port operable to receive and conduct forced air therefrom, and the plurality of flexible porous hose segments are operable to conduct forced heated air into elements of the firefighting ensemble to speed drying.

Abstract: A water supply control system for use with a fire hydrant comprises a four-way valve assembly having a first inlet port for coupling to a nozzle of the fire hydrant via a fire hose, the four-way valve assembly operable to selectively open and close the inlet and outlet ports according to an operating mode of the four-way valve assembly, a stable and sturdy platform substantially supporting the weight of the four-way valve assembly, a flexible tether strap secured to the platform at a first end and having a fastener at a second end for releasably coupling to the fire hydrant, a status indicator mounted on the four-way valve assembly operable to provide a visual indication of the operation mode of the four-way valve assembly, and a scene light mounted on the four-way assembly operable to provide high-intensity illumination.

Abstract: A vehicular integrated light assembly comprises a first and second pluralities of LEDs arranged on a circuit board, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second pluralities of LEDs. The light assembly further comprises a housing and at a lens hermetically sealing the circuit board and first and second pluralities of LEDs within the housing. The controller is operable to operate in a warning light mode in which the first plurality of LEDs emit a bright light in a first predetermined color and flash in a first predetermined sequence, and the second plurality of LEDs emit a bright light in a second predetermined color and flash in an alternating sequence from the first predetermined sequence. The controller is further operable to transition to a scene light mode in which the second plurality of LEDs emit a steady bright light in the second predetermined color to illuminate the surroundings.

Abstract: A fire hose deployment device for a firefighting robotic vehicle comprises a wagon body having a bottom and two generally vertical sides, a front tongue coupled to the wagon body and hitched to a rear hitch of the robotic vehicle. The wagon body has left and right wheels coupled to the wagon near the rear of the wagon body, and the wagon body carries a fire hose with a first end coupled to a nozzle on the robotic vehicle and a second end coupled to a fluid source.

Abstract: A fire hose deployment device for a firefighting robotic vehicle comprises a wagon body having a bottom and two generally vertical sides, a front tongue coupled to the wagon body and hitched to a rear hitch of the robotic vehicle. The wagon body has left and right wheels coupled to the wagon near the rear of the wagon body, and the wagon body carries a fire hose with a first end coupled to a nozzle on the robotic vehicle and a second end coupled to a fluid source.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted warning light system comprises a housing containing a central light surrounded by several sets of outer lights. A controller is programmed to light the central first, and then each set of outer lights in sequence, while at the same time increasing the intensity of the lights, so that the system appears to an observer to be a single light that is getting bigger and brighter. This creates the illusion that the vehicle is travelling toward the observer faster than it actually is, thus prompting the observer to quickly yield right-of-way.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for detachably retaining a body-carried device such as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is provided with strap-supporting arms for holding the shoulder straps of the device in a ready-to-wear position. At least a portion of each arm is movable from a generally horizontal, load-bearing or “working” position to a generally vertical, out-of-the-way or “rest” position. A spring or other resilient member urges the movable portion of each arm to the rest position, so the arms do not present a safety hazard to personnel in the area after the body-carried device has been removed from the bracket assembly.

Abstract: A vehicular integrated light assembly comprises a first and second pluralities of LEDs arranged on a circuit board, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second pluralities of LEDs. The light assembly further comprises a housing and at a lens hermetically sealing the circuit board and first and second pluralities of LEDs within the housing. The controller is operable to operate in a warning light mode in which the first plurality of LEDs emit a bright light in a first predetermined color and flash in a first predetermined sequence, and the second plurality of LEDs emit a bright light in a second predetermined color and flash in an alternating sequence from the first predetermined sequence. The controller is further operable to transition to a scene light mode in which the second plurality of LEDs emit a steady bright light in the second predetermined color to illuminate the surroundings.

Abstract: A firefighting apparatus comprising a controller, and a hydraulic pump driven by a power-take-off and operable to supply a hydraulic fluid under pressure. A water pumping subsystem is powered by the hydraulic fluid and operable to supply water under pressure to a conduit, wherein a flow rate of water is substantially regulated by controlling the hydraulic fluid input to the water pumping subsystem. A chemical foam subsystem is powered by the hydraulic fluid and operable to inject foam at a predetermined flow rate into the conduit, wherein the flow rate of the foam is substantially regulated by controlling the hydraulic fluid input to the chemical foam subsystem. An electrical power generator subsystem is powered by the hydraulic fluid and operable to generate electrical power, wherein the frequency and voltage of the generated power is substantially regulated by controlling the hydraulic fluid input to the electrical power generator subsystem.

Abstract: A bracket assembly for detachably retaining a body-carried device such as a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is provided with strap-supporting arms for holding the shoulder straps of the device in a ready-to-wear position. At least a portion of each arm is movable from a generally horizontal, load-bearing or “working” position to a generally vertical, out-of-the-way or “rest” position. A spring or other resilient member urges the movable portion of each arm to the rest position, so the arms do not present a safety hazard to personnel in the area after the body-carried device has been removed from the bracket assembly.

Abstract: A search line rescue system for use by rescue personnel to facilitate a safe search and rescue mission through an area of low to zero visibility is disclosed. The search line rescue system comprises a search rope having a first end configured to be attachable to a fixed point at an entry point, a central portion with at least one distance marker and a second end. The system further comprises a search device handle with a leading end and a trailing end wherein the search device handle is slidably coupled to the search rope. The search device handle comprises a rigid body, an automatic lock mechanism coupled to the rigid body wherein the automatic lock mechanism comprises a manual lock mechanism release, and at least one tag line attachment anchor. At least one locking directional indicator is securely coupled to the search rope at a desired location, and is configured to releasably engage with the automatic lock search mechanism of the search device handle.

Abstract: A control system for a pumping apparatus consisting of an engine-driven primary pump includes an intake pressure regulating system for maintaining the intake pressure above a preset low value, a discharge pressure regulating system for maintaining the discharge pressure below a preset maximum value, and a master controller for monitoring, recording, and controlling the intake and discharge pressure regulating systems and other components of the system. The discharge pressure regulating system includes a pump governor which varies the engine RPM and operates a relief valve in response to fluctuations in discharge pressure. The intake pressure regulating system includes a reserve tank that is automatically maintained at a preset level which determines the minimum intake pressure of the system. The system may also include a priming pump, foam tanks, foam pumps, bottled nonflammable gas, and an air compressor.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a pump driven by an engine are disclosed, including adjusting and measuring a speed of the engine with a controller electrically coupled to the engine, the controller having encoded therein a computer-readable method of controlling a pump; receiving a first discharge pressure at a first engine speed from a discharge pressure sensor coupled to a discharge line of the pump, and a second discharge pressure at a second engine speed from the discharge pressure sensor; determining a pump constant and an intake pressure in response to the first and second engine speeds; determining a maximum engine speed in response to the pump constant, the intake pressure, and a desired discharge pressure; and, limiting the engine speed to the maximum engine speed.

Abstract: A search line rescue system for use by rescue personnel to facilitate a safe search and rescue mission through an area of low to zero visibility is disclosed. The search line rescue system comprises a search rope having a first end configured to be attachable to a fixed point at an entry point, a central portion with at least one distance marker and a second end. The system further comprises a search device handle with a leading end and a trailing end wherein the search device handle is slidably coupled to the search rope. The search device handle comprises a rigid body, an automatic lock mechanism coupled to the rigid body wherein the automatic lock mechanism comprises a manual lock mechanism release, and at least one tag line attachment anchor. At least one locking directional indicator is securely coupled to the search rope at a desired location, and is configured to releasably engage with the automatic lock search mechanism of the search device handle.

Abstract: A focused floodlight is designed to provide uniform illumination throughout an emergency scene including a work area and an action area. The floodlight includes a light line and a reflector specially configured so that half the light illuminates the work area and half the light illuminates the action area. The reflector has four sections, each of which is shaped to reflect impinging light rays in a desired direction. Each of the four sections comprises a multitude of minute, individually aimed reflector elements which are designed so that the flux increases progressively as distance from the floodlight increases.