Every year brings new ideas to improve the performance and safety of emergency vehicles. This year was no exception as several manufacturers introduced a variety of new products and configurations.

The Pierce Ultimate Configuration grabbed a lot of attention early in the year with its redesigned pump installation that provides more storage space and results in a vehicle that is easier to use, service and maneuver. The PUC features a pump that is driven by the automatic transmission power take-off. Pump-and-roll capability is standard. The intake and discharge connections are mounted just above the frame rails, with compartments and crosslays located above them. The pump panel is on the driver's side in a compartment to the rear of the pump. A full-size compartment to the rear of the cab on the officer's side is designed to hold EMS, rescue or other equipment. Because the pump installation requires less room, the body can provide significantly more compartment space and a shorter wheelbase.

Rosenbauer introduced its new Roadrunner pumper/aerial configuration that allows a single operator to control the pump, aerial, foam system, monitor and generator from a working position at the rear of the apparatus. The Roadrunner features a 68-foot rear-mounted aerial ladder with a radio-controlled monitor. The control panel has a raised operator's platform located above the rear pump connections. This location provides direct visual control of the aerial and monitor, as well as line-of-sight visibility along both sides of the apparatus. It also keeps the operator safely off the ground, out of traffic and away from charged hoses. The design should appeal to departments with limited staffing on the initial response, where the crew may have to put an elevated master stream into operation while preparing for an interior attack.

Crimson Fire also developed a new aerial design with its 28-foot Boomer that combines an elevated master stream, light tower and remote hydraulic power connections with several other features. The boom itself can be used to lift objects. According to the company, the device offers many of the advantages of an aerial at about one-third the cost.

The latest innovation in ambulances came from Medtec. The company's engineers worked with Winter Park (Fla.) Fire Rescue to redesign the interior layout and improve the safety of medics riding inside the ambulance box. One of the most significant changes was replacing the side bench seat with an individual contoured seat equipped with a five-point restraint system. To eliminate the need to have medics stand unrestrained while giving CPR, the department specified mechanical CPR devices.

Several other apparatus manufacturers introduced new models with a variety of cab and chassis improvements. E-ONE now offers its Quest cab with better visibility, more interior room and a quieter cab environment. The rear wall is designed for three evenly spaced seats to give firefighters more shoulder room and allow easier elbow movement. The redesigned Ferrara Inferno XD cab features a plastic-free cab interior, easier cab entry and exit, and numerous chassis improvements to both accommodate the new 2007 diesel engines and provide better access for service technicians. The new Spartan Furion has a custom chassis with a wide galvanized steel cab at an affordable price.

The major apparatus builders weren't the only ones to introduce new products. Several component manufacturers also announced innovative designs for use on emergency vehicles.

The Waterous Advantus foam injection system uses two highly accurate sensors and a flow meter to constantly monitor the foam-to-water ratio. The system makes constant adjustments automatically to ensure optimum foam effectiveness with a minimum of wasted foam concentrate. The Advantus should be attractive to departments that use foam frequently and need a system that delivers an accurate mixture, especially when used with compressed-air foam.

The Weldon division of Akron Brass introduced a new LED perimeter warning light known as the Diamondback. The new light is significantly brighter than older LED lights and is characterized by excellent directional visibility, customized flash patterns and unique serviceability. The Diamondback is specifically designed for use on emergency vehicles and provides a light output that exceeds NFPA, SAE and KKK-A-1822 industry requirements.

Task Force Tips completely redesigned its Jumbo BIV with an oversize waterway and triple surface coatings to produce a corrosion-resistant ball intake valve that can deliver 2,000 gpm with only 3-psi friction loss. The 30° elbow swivels 360°, allowing hose connections from any direction with minimal kinks and coupling stress. The controls feature a position indicator and slow-close mechanism to meet NFPA standards.

Kussmaul Electronics introduced several innovative products for apparatus this year. Among them is the Auto Current F-6, which can sense very low current flows and is used to detect open compartment doors on apparatus equipped with LED compartment lighting. Another is the Auto Charge SD automatic battery charger which varies the voltage to speed the recharging cycle and features several built-in warning systems to protect both the charger and the batteries.

Better performance and improved safety have always been important goals for fire apparatus and equipment manufacturers, and the products that came to market in 2007 were designed meet those goals.