Black boxes

[ex-commish 490]

Do any departments represented here use black boxes in thier rigs? If so do you see any benefit and what brand do you use. Thank you.

[sympathomedic 383]

I attended a lecture by A Dr Nadine Levick at 60 control a while back. She has made a second career of studying EMS accidents and the deaths and injuries they cause. She recommends these things very highly. She has a website : http://objectivesafety.net/

[voltage1256 42]

Just to clarify the same "black box" that serves its purpose of data recording in an aircraft?

[38ff 250]

Yes it does. They are offically called Vehicle Data Recorder (VDR's)

All current newly built trucks to NFPA 1901 (2009) standards have them as per NFPA standards. They record braking, acceleration, lights, seatbelts, and a few other things, all second by second, as soon as you turn the power on to the truck before you start the engine.

I know the new engine in my station has a USB plug where a laptop with the software can download everything at the click of a mouse.

Here is one manufacter's VDR product.

http://www.fireresearch.com/seatmonitor-components.php

A good rule of thumb is if you have a 2009 or later truck with the chevrons on the back, it's a real good bet you have a VDR on it also. (The chevrons are also part of the 2009 1901 spec)

A decent article is posted here about them.

http://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/index/display/article-display/8069703493/articles/fire-apparatus/Volume-13/issue-11/departments/keeping-it_safe/big-brother-vdr-issues-are-numerous.html

Edited September 7, 2011 by 38ff

[voltage1256 42]

Interesting... Turning? calculates if the driver was close or outside the suggested turn and can tell at which point the truck rolled? Do they have voice recorders or just data? I think voice plays an important roll as well....

[38ff 250]

The FRC product only has data, no voice. There are other brands out there, but I am not familiar with them. Class 1 is another manufacturer of VDR's also

http://class1.com/Main/Products,976,976.aspx

Edited September 7, 2011 by 38ff

[voltage1256 42]

IMO its important to have both a Data and Voice Recorder.

[38ff 250]

I wouldnt doubt it either has, or will be talked about in the next edition of 1901..