Robert Barraclough, longtime industry expert on emergency apparatus and foam systems, passed away this morning at his home in Plano, Texas. He was 70.

Barraclough served as a fire marshal on the USS Enterprise and spent 25 years as a volunteer firefighter. He worked in engineering and sales for National Foam, and was in sales for Hale, E-ONE and Class 1. Barraclough was a president of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association, served on the board of directors for the Congressional Fire Services Institute and National Fire Protection Association committees. He was also one of the founders of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association’s annual Apparatus Specification and Maintenance Symposium. Most recently, he was a consultant for several manufacturers, including Rosenbauer America.

Barraclough was author of numerous articles on fire apparatus in fire publications and a columnist for Fire Apparatus. In 2004, he was presented with the Joe Fishelson Award at the Fire Department Instructors’ Conference in Indianapolis. The award recognizes an individual who “gives back” to the fire and emergency service industry, according to Sam Goldwater who presented the award to Barraclough.

“Barraclough is a person who gives back to the industry through his participation in the National Fire Protection Association, the Fire Department Safety Officers Association and working with the Congressional Fire Services Institute," he said during the presentation. "Bob continues to share his knowledge at conferences and through articles in all the trade magazines. … He will be the new measuring stick for this award and for candidates in the future.”

Barraclough is survived by his wife, Betts; son, Scott; daughters Holly and Shannon; and three grandchildren. No services are planned at this time, but a memorial service will be planned later in the year.