The US fire vehicle has come a long way since the first fire apparatus was tested in Cincinnati in 1853. So what does the future hold for truck design? Three experts came up with some surprising insights, writes Ann-Marie Knegt

A joint international rescue exercise organised by Hungary and Romania involved firefighters, rescue teams and civil defence departments from over 10 nations. Lieutenant Tamas Tímár, Hungarian Disaster Management, Hungarian Civil Defence Force (Békéscsaba), took part in EU-HUROMEX 2008 and writes about this truly international project.

That the use of foam continues to cause headaches for firefighters became obvious during the Fourth Firefighting Foam Conference that took place in July in the Reebok Stadium (UK). Here are some of the highlights of a most thought-provoking event.

Facilities that offer courses to train firefighters, be it for civilian, military or private company applications, make good targets for environmental campaigners due to the necessary burning of fuel and water use involved in the training process. Jon Severs looks at the environmental impact of fire training.

Paging is a continually evolving sector of the mobile communications industry. It plays a vital role in helping to initiate and coordinate an effective emergency response. Here Chris Jones, CEO of PageOne, outlines how the recent launch of two-way paging in the UK will ensure this continues to be the case.

TETRA digital radio has oft been hailed as the great enabler to – amongst others – interagency communications with law enforcement and medical responders. Fire & Rescue reveals some of the applications that TETRA will bring, and finds out some of the issues that fire brigades may need to be aware of as regards TETRA communications with partner agencies.

RescueVac pushes survival rates in trench rescue up by 80 per cent and cuts out digging operations. Ann-Marie Knegt talked to Dave Adler, the man who pioneered this innovation.

When on his home turf in Queens, New York, FDNY firefighter and rescue instructor John Tew often faces trench rescue operations. Pointing out that this type of incident is easily one of the riskier rescue disciplines, he takes us through the correct process on a step-by-step basis.

Recently DSPA.uk invited a number of fire and rescue services to view an innovative firefighting technology that aims to improve the speed of fire knockdown at incidents and buy firefighters time. The demonstrations comprising dry sprinkler aerosols were staged at Chiltern International Fire’s training facility near High Wycombe in the UK.

Serving Officer Gary Fleming looks at the evolution of PPE for female firefighters, and examines some of the challenges still to come.

How useful would it be to know the exact welfare status of firefighters on the fireground, in real time? Or being able to accurately analyse the fitness levels of firefighters quickly and easily in the gym? F&R looks at the latest technology.

San Diego is currently better prepared than ever to face the challenges of the wildland fire season, recently retired Fire Chief Jarman tells Fire & Rescue

A frustrated Gary West of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (UK) analyses why there continues to be a lack of belief in, and understanding of, the benefits of using PPV to deal effectively with fires.

Tayside Fire and Rescue Service, based in Scotland, recently reviewed the fuel efficiency of its fleet with help from The Energy Savings Trust, a UK non-profit organisation, which provides a service to private and public organisations on how to reduce carbon offset. Following the review, the brigade implemented initiatives in conjunction with Triscan Systems, a fuel management solutions provider.

Jürgen Boss, Marketing Manager of Supplied Air Respirators, MSA Europe, tackles this thorny issue.

Composite pressure vessels using aluminum liners with glass, Kevlar or carbon reinforcement fibres have been
available for over 30 years. But how aware is the industry of their performance and dramatic weight reduction compared to aluminum or steel? Pierre Tecon from Florida-based Structural Composites Industries (SCI) focusses on  developments in long service life cylinders

Christian Emrich, a German Rescue Engineer and Master student at the Cologne University of applied sciences, has written an operational standard for Rescue Ventilation following a thesis on the subject. He shares his findings with Fire & Rescue magazine.

Ferrara has launched a new fire truck that combinesthe majority of firefighting disciplines in one vehicle.