Study Reveals U.S. Firefighters Face Critical Shortages

A recent study fromthe U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, reveals that many firehouses across the U.S. lack adequate funding for some of the most essential firefighting tools.

Among the greatest needs are communications equipment, protective gear and training. To call attention to the many ways firefighters contribute to their communities and to help promote awareness of their long list of needs, Circuit City's new firedog services brand recently launched "firedog Across America." The national online essay contest invites Americans to nominate their local firefighters for outstanding service andthe chance to win $550,000 in much needed donations.

"Firefighters risk their lives everyday to protect us. However, as the U.S. Fire Administration study indicates, many firehouses are in seriousneed of additional resources," says Peter Weedfald, senior vicepresident and chief marketing officer, Circuit City Stores, Inc. "Through'firedog Across America,' we hope not only to demonstrate our appreciation for firefighters' dedicated service, but also promote awareness across the country of their equipment and training needs."

The 2006 U.S. Fire Administration study -- "Four Years Later -- A Second Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service" -- was co-authored by theNational Fire Protection Agency. Based on responses from more than 15,000 firehouses nationwide, the results indicate a serious need in the areas of equipment and training.

Findings indicate that an estimated:

-- 65 percent of fire departments do not have enough portable radios to equip all emergency responders on a shift.

-- 60 percent of fire departments do not have enough self-contained breathing apparatus to equip all firefighters on a shift.

-- 66 percent of departments have at least some personal protective clothing that is at least 10 years old.

-- 14 percent of departments protecting communities with populations less than 2,500 have no ladder/aerial apparatus but have at least one building four stories high or higher in the community.

-- 36 percent of fire departments deliver emergency medical services (EMS), but have not provided formal EMS training to all involved personnel.

-- 63 percent of fire departments involved in wildland firefighting have not provided formal training in those duties to all involved personnel.

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Automaker Produces 1st Fuel Cell Firefighter Vehicle

DaimlerChrysler has introduced what the automaker calls the first fuel cell-powered fire response vehicle. The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District will operate the Mercedes-Benz F-Cell as a supervisor's vehicle in the Sacramento, Calif., area.

Fuel cells release energy from the reaction of hydrogen with a catalyst and oxygen. This clean technology operates at a high level of efficiency and is true zero-emissions. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles emit only pure water vapor as exhaust. The U.S. federal government is pursuing research to replace gasoline-powered cars with fuel cell vehicles and create a "hydrogen economy."

Outfitted with decals, lights, sirens and a coat of bright red paint, the Fire Service Mercedes-Benz F-Cell is a look into the future use of fuel cell vehicles. The demanding operation of the vehicle will produce valuable data to help develop fuel cell technology, DaimlerChrysler says. The new fire response F-Cell joins the first fuel cell powered police car, also built by DaimlerChrysler, which operates in Michigan with the Wayne State University Police Department. These two vehicles are the first hydrogen fuel cell powered emergency response vehicles in the world, the automaker says.

"This program exhibits how DaimlerChrysler is taking on the challenge for industries and governments to create viable alternative-fuel solutions," says Mark Chernoby, vice president - advance vehicle engineering, Chrysler Group. "We're pleased to be a driving force in this team effort to develop zero-emissions transportation."

The Fire Service Mercedes-Benz F-Cell will be refueled at a BP Energy hydrogen refueling station located at the California Fuel Cell Partnership. Delivering hydrogen fuel cell vehicle experience to the fire service, the F-Cell contributes to the development of appropriate solutions for hydrogen transportation safety.

DaimlerChrysler says it has spent more than $1 billion in fuel cell vehicle research and development. No other manufacturer has accumulated more data or driven more zero-emissions miles -- almost 2 million, the company adds.

The DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicle fleet is diverse -- in addition to several research vehicles, it also includes medium-duty fuel cell Dodge Sprinter vans and more than 35 Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses, which operate in Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia and Singapore. As part of the world's largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles, DaimlerChrysler has 32 fuel cell vehicles in customer hands within the United States and more than 100 around the world.

The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell is a reflection of DaimlerChrysler's leadership in fuel cell technology, the company boasts. The entire fuel cell system is housed in the floor of the vehicle, leaving full use of the passenger and cargo spaces. It has a range of approximately 100 miles and a top speed of 85 mph. The electric motor develops 88 hp (65 kW), enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 16 seconds. The fuel cell stack has been developed by theDaimlerChrysler cooperation partner, Ballard Power Systems.


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