The most current edition of NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus, went into effect in January 2010 and included a number of new requirements improving fire apparatus performance, reliability, and safety. One of those safety provisions placed a mandatory requirement that all apparatus compliant with NFPA 1901 include a vehicle data recorder (VDR) similar to the “black box” on an aircraft. VDRs record a number of modern apparatus parameters, including vehicle speed, acceleration, deceleration, engine speed, throttle position, antilock braking system (ABS) events, seat occupied status, seat belt status, master optical warning device switch position, time, date, and other data.

Many fire industry leaders were the driving force behind this VDR requirement as a solution to help with one of the most disastrous and preventable problems facing today’s fire service. All too often we hear or read about firefighters being injured or killed as a result of vehicular accidents involving fire apparatus. In most cases, these accidents were and are preventable. When used as a proactive tool, the VDR, combined with a proper operator training program and continuous improvement, can be of real value to your department. Read More.

This article originally appeared in Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment, Sept, 2013.