Helping to keep firefighters healthy during cover assignments

Last year, leading US firefighter advocate Billy Goldfeder wrote an article on the importance of having compatible systems among fire departments with automatic or mutual aid agreements:

“It’s vital to understand that if you are going to assist or ask for assistance on a regular basis, the departments must have common policy, guidelines, standards and operational goals as well as compatible equipment, from radios to hose couplings and so much more.”

You can read the full story at:

https://www.firehouse.com/safety-health/article/12347643/close-calls-mayday-mayday-mayday-but-no-answer

Plymovent recognizes that equipment compatibility should include the vehicle exhaust removal systems being used at fire stations. Fire personnel have shared with us when this has been an issue:

• A vehicle from a neighboring department or a county unit is filling in for another department.
• A specialized fire apparatus, such as a hazardous materials vehicle, used on a regional basis, is temporarily stored at different stations for training purposes.

In situations such as cover assignments (NFIRS Code 571), firefighters should expect to gain use of the exhaust removal system that’s installed at the neighboring station.

The challenge occurs when a vehicle that is configured for the Magnetic Grabber^® enters a neighboring station that has the Pneumatic Grabber^® (compressed air) system installed.

That’s why Plymovent provides the Bayonet Quick Lock. This adapter easily attaches by hand to the vehicle’s Magnetic Grabber tailpipe adapter, making the tailpipe compatible with the Pneumatic Grabber nozzle, as well as other third-party systems that use a similar tailpipe adapter. The Plymovent team will continue to explore other nozzles and adapters as needed, so please let us know how we can help you make your system compatible with neighboring stations.

Visit the Bayonet Quick Lock page to learn more.