Fire truck ergonomics: Features ensuring safety of firefighters and helping in smooth operations

The advanced fire trucks play an instrumental role in keeping our society safe from the threat of fire. The firefighters also take a big risk with their life while fighting with flames to keep the communities safe. The modern fire fighting vehicles manufacturers are now developing new-generation fire trucks with advanced design, superior features. These advanced fire fighting vehicles ensure safety of the firefighters and assist in conducting fire fighting operations.

Fighting a battle with fire is itself dangerous, and there are other risks such as working around heavy lifting equipment, managing bulky equipment. Hence, the fire departments give priority to truck ergonomics before including them to their fleet. The new, efficient fire trucks are more comfortable for firefighters, and they deliver flawlessly during the firefighting operations. Let us learn more about the ergonomics of fire trucks:

• Better and comfortable seating arrangement: In the new advanced fire trucks, there is enough room to accommodate firefighters of different heights. The seats of the new-generation fire trucks are comfortable and easy to adjust. Certainly, such features greatly enhance the level of comfort for the firefighters. The firefighters are supposed to navigate through a high-stress environment. Hence, the ergonomic designs play a crucial role in mitigating potential risks.


• Modern interior climate control system: It is important to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the fire truck. The interior environment of the fire truck should be safe for the occupants. There should be a proper flow of air to keep the side windows and windshield clear. Even small features help in diminishing the level of risk.


• Easy to reach control and switches: It should be easy for the driver and other firefighters to easily activate/deactivate systems. The switches and control of the firefighting truck should be conveniently located. The firefighters must find it easy to operate them without excessive bending or stretching. From operational control, interior climate control system, to scene lighting, the controls/ switches must be located conveniently. The convenient accessibility can enhance the effectiveness, accuracy and speed of task completion. It should be easy to operate switches so that emergencies can be handled in a much better way.


• Dedicated compartments: For the firefighters, it should be easy to access their protective gears. In modern fire fighting vehicles, there are dedicated compartments to store equipment and gears. Such arrangements keep everything organized, and firefighters find it easy to handle emergencies.


• Modern lighting system: In the modern fire trucks, there are modern lighting systems. The new-generation fire trucks have advanced, bright LED bulbs that enhance visibility. It is very easy to spot the fire truck from a distance, and the general public can be alerted that a fire fighting vehicle is on a fire suppression mission.


• Sturdy grab bars and handholds: On the modern fire truck, you will find robust handholds and grab bars that are strategically placed to assist firefighters. It should be easy for the firefighters to climb in and out of the vehicle or when they manage their equipment.

Whether your fire fighting department is looking for aerial fire trucks or large-size fire trucks, pay special attention to ergonomics and invest in a vehicle after considering all the technical aspects.