The requirements for specialty hazmat vehicles have been evolving at a rapid pace for many years. Given the technology age in which we live, coupled with the economic times in which we are now operating, the size, component specifications and specific missions of these vehicles is evolving along with the times.

I recently sat down with Chief Richard Brenner from Clark County Fire in Nevada to discuss his newest hazmat vehicle built by SVI Trucks of Loveland, Colo., and its specific mission. When Clark County built its first hazmat vehicle many years ago, the unit was designed primarily to ensure enough storage space for the gear they needed to complete their tasks. There was only one small cabinet on the unit dedicated to electronic equipment, and all of the data resources they used were in printed form and stored in an on-board book cabinet.

Today, hazmat units have new sets of requirements. Most of the data used to identify the materials they encounter comes from Internet-based sites, as well as information stored on hard drives. One way SVI has been able to accommodated this new requirement is to provide a slide-out in the hazmat unit consisting of multiple work stations. Most of the units manufactured by SVI have built-in communication data racks. To receive and send data in the field, most units now come equipped with satellite dishes, cellular capabilities and external patch panels that allow quick connection to information lines. Some departments desire a lab area in the unit. Such an area typically consists of a stainless-steel work bench complete with an OSHA-approved fume hood with a filtration system. It also is common to see an external pass-through compartment to allow the sample used for testing to be brought into the lab easily and safely. Satellite systems allow an agency to send the results of the chemical analysis directly to the FBI, CDC or state laboratory, and get their response and recommendations in real time while on scene.

According to Brenner, the number and size of the monitors used to perform the functions have continued to grow year by year. All of these monitors are required to be plugged into a power source while sitting in the fire station, and when deployed on a scene. It is important to have the ability to bring enough external power to the unit in order to maintain the equipment and even run on-board systems such as data and air conditioning.

In addition to the growing number of monitors and computer-based information, the amount of equipment it takes to deal with all of the hazardous materials that firefighters have to deal with on a regular basis also is growing year by year. Deep “coffin” compartments on the roof of the vehicle are a good way to realize additional storage capacity. Using a rear staircase is one popular way to access these storage areas, allowing department personnel to safely access all of the equipment stored in these compartments.

The tough economic times we are experiencing is another reason for hazmat vehicles growing in size. The missions of specialty vehicles such as hazmat units are expanding to include many more functions to help justify the expense of the vehicle. Using the rear cab area with an L-shaped desk can provide two additional work stations. In addition to the computer and monitor at each work station there also is a radio communication module. We have seen a trend in recent years toward the use of laptop computers with docking stations in place of desktop computers. By adding an externally mounted 42-inch plasma TV that deploys from a side compartment, the unit becomes a very capable communication or central command vehicle. You also will see the use of multiple roof-mounted light towers on many of these units. This is an invaluable safety tool when deployed on a large-scale, nighttime scene.

Another common trend we have seen concerns the use of a camera system attached to a large mast that deploys from the hazmat vehicle. The use of this technology allows these units to set up miles from the hazmat spill. According to Brenner, this keeps the equipment and personnel at a safe distance from the danger and allows the team to have a bird's-eye view of the spill area. The team can devise the best plan of attack while being deployed from a safe distance. A related piece of equipment is a recording device. This can be as simple as a DVR system and as complex as a fully encrypted, multi-channel device that simultaneously records all data inputs and radio communications as they happen. Recording such information is a very powerful tool that can be used for training purposes, especially from the perspective of handling these incidents in a safer manner in the future. The encryption also makes the video admissible in a court of law if any such instance should arise. And with the use of satellite technology, you now have the ability to transmit and receive data in real time.

Customers who purchase a specialty unit such as a hazmat vehicle should be able to expect it to remain in service for as long as 20 years. Given this time frame, and the continually changing technology being used by hazmat teams, it is very important that customers allow plenty of space for future growth. A common business practice at SVI is to work closely with each customer to pre-wire for any possible expected items to be added later. For example, if the budget today does not allow for the light towers, satellite dish installation or even the satellite TV units, it is very cost-effective to pre-wire for these units during the build process. When such items are purchased in subsequent budget cycles, the only thing required is to install the unit on the roof, plug it into the existing wires and install the receiver in the data rack on board. It is a quick and easy solution that minimizes the down time of the unit in the future.

This year has brought with it the latest round of emission requirements imposed by the federal government. The result will be the most environmentally responsible vehicles ever produced. We also see in the future the use of much more efficient battery solutions, as technology continues to move foreword. This is especially relevant as we also anticipate electrical complexity and demand to increase as well. Another technology we expect to see become more prevalent is the use of solar energy to cool and power our specialty units into the future.

I feel it safe to say that if someone had been asked to predict in 1990 what the needs would be in 2010 for a competent hazmat unit, the vision would not have been as sophisticated as what we are seeing built today. Hence, it would be impossible to predict what the needs will be in 2030. But with careful planning and an eye on future growth, you can design a vehicle that will be very functional for its useful life in your department.

Michael Virnig is president of FAS Emergency Vehicles.

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