What lies ahead for apparatus in the next 10 years? Looking back is one way to predict what may be ahead, and in reading the current FAMA white paper report on new technology for today's apparatus, the reader will see that change has been constant. Like fire, change can be hard to predict but there are trends that would suggest that changes concerning apparatus won't slow down.

At a recent seminar, one of the messages that I heard loud and clear was that the fire chiefs felt they needed to do a better job with matching resources with incidents. An example of a matched response that one fire chief offered was their use of motorcycles equipped with fire-suppression systems for certain highway incidents. While we have seen smaller as a trend for the future, we weren't thinking that small, and that type of thinking will mean changes in design.

Departments wanting or needing to optimize their resources will probably look to apparatus that is more multi-functional. There has been more interest in transport-capable engines as well as more interest in ambulances with fire-suppression capabilities. As this happens, space on the apparatus continues to be a high priority; so, organization of tools and efficient methods of system integration become key necessities to achieve these goals.

Apparatus in the future probably will rely more on information centers that will keep everyone advised on where to go, what to do, who is where and how they are doing. The technology to track and monitor firefighters in any building is not far off and this type of information technology only is the beginning of the type of information that should be available and reported back to the apparatus.

A company in Sweden just designed low-cost, disposable, environmentally friendly, radio-communicating sensors to work with forest fire early-detection systems. If this type of technology has been developed for trees, then one would expect to see a lot more development on home and building sensors, with information ending up at the apparatus on the way to the scene. As firefighters are better armed to know what they are up against, they will be able to respond more effectively and efficiently.

Fire-apparatus manufactures have seen a lot of change due to new engine-emission requirements and changes will continue. Other environmental factors eventually may impact how apparatus are designed as well. Building safer apparatus continues to be a driving force for NFPA. At the end of the day, manufacturers and designs will continue to adapt to meet new requirements, technology and demands from customers.

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Or jump to another 2010 Decade Forecast perspective:

• Cultural Barriers
  By Kelvin Cochran, U.S. Fire Administrator
• Booming Woes
  By Denis Onieal, Superintendent, National Fire Academy
• Emerging Economy
  By Rob Brown, Chief, Stafford County (Va.) Fire Department
• Volunteer Issues
  By Philip Stittleburg, Chief, LaFarge (Wis.) Fire Department, and Chairman, NVFC
• Apparatus Advances
  By Peter Darley, President, FAMA, and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Darley Co.
• Expanded EMS
  By Gary Ludwig, Deputy Chief, Memphis (Tenn.) Fire Department, and Chairman, IAFC EMS Section
• Federal Deficits
  By Bill Webb, Executive Director, CFSI
• Safety First
  By Rob McLeod, Deputy Chief, Chandler (Ariz.) Fire Department, and Chairman, FDSOA
• Creative City Managers
  By Bill Wolpin, Associate Publisher/Editorial Director, American City & County magazine
• Renewed Hope
  By Meri-K Appy, President, Home Safety Council
• Budget Efficiencies
  By John R. Hill, President, Envizion Financial