Over the past few years there have been several trends in vehicle components, laws and standards. These trends are going to shape the future of fire apparatus, and their effects will be both good and bad.

On the positive side, these trends will produce apparatus that are safer, more effective and less harmful to the environment. On the negative side, some of these same trends also will result in apparatus that are more expensive, more difficult to maintain and less varied in options. Here’s a brief look at what fire apparatus buyers might expect in the next few years.

Engines. Buyers don't have to look any further than next year to see one significant trend that will have a major impact on apparatus — and on all diesel-powered vehicles. The 2007 diesel engine emission laws are expected to require larger cooling systems, more exhaust components and special fuel and oil. All of these changes are expected to add cost and restrict the use of certain options. Maintenance procedures will include periodic cleaning of particulate filters with specialized, and expensive, equipment. In 2010, an even tougher emissions law takes effect and will require further changes to diesel engines.

Tires. Another trend involves tires. Most manufacturers design their tires for commercial truck applications, where miles are more important than years; basically, tires are expected to wear out long before they rot out. As a result, the stabilizers in many tire rubber compounds are formulated to offer protection for only a limited time. Failures can include sudden sidewall blowouts or bead separations. Right now, some tire recapping companies advise scrapping a tire if it’s more than 5 or 6 years old, which may become a federal law in the near future. In any case, fire departments that keep apparatus in service for 10, 15 or 20 years should expect to replace the tires once, twice or even three times during the life of the apparatus — even if there’s very little tread wear.

Other vehicle components. The commercial truck industry is being drawn toward applications with the highest use, such as over-the-road freight hauling, construction and petroleum distribution. By contrast, the fire service is a very low use. As a result, many commercial truck components will be designed primarily for non-fire applications. This will limit the availability of certain components or may make those components more expensive. One example is the limited exhaust configurations available with some 2007 engines. Four-door cabs on commercial chassis may be in question in the future.

Warning lights. The current NFPA 1901, Automotive Fire Apparatus, defines the location, direction, mode of operation, color, minimum flash rate and minimum optical power (a combined measure of flash energy and flash rate) of warning lights. It does not define the individual flash duration, maximum flash rate, maximum optical power, flash sequence or requirements to use steady-burning lights in some situations, among other factors. The Society of Automotive Engineers is currently conducting a study to determine the most effective combination of warning light factors to warn and control other traffic. The study is specifically looking at ways to minimize or eliminate the so-called "moth effect" in which some attention-impaired motorists are actually drawn toward emergency vehicle warning lights, rather than away from them. The findings of the study may be the basis for future federal laws regarding warning lights.

NFPA standards. NFPA standards continue to have a significant impact on apparatus, and that impact is expected to increase in the future. Not only will the current NFPA 1901 and 1906 standards affect apparatus design and performance, but the upcoming NFPA 1911 will affect apparatus maintenance and testing. These standards carry considerable legal weight as "industry standards" and will be the basis for determining liability in many cases involving injury or death. Fewer manufacturers will be willing to deviate from the standards, and fewer departments will be willing to specify non-compliant apparatus.

Operator training. Not only will apparatus change in the future, but the people operating them will change, too. Although some states currently require nothing more than an automobile driver's license to operate fire apparatus, insurance companies and occupational safety agencies are going to get involved if an untrained driver is involved in an injury accident. Not only will departments risk the possibility of stiff fines for failing to provide proper training for their personnel, but insurance carriers may restrict damages on the grounds that the lack of training contributed to the accident. Add the fact that many modern apparatus have more complex operating systems, and you have lots of good reasons why departments should ensure that all their drivers are adequately trained.