New Products Hitting the Market

Are you considering purchasing a new fire truck or refurbishing your apparatus but need help figuring out where to start? We have some innovative, state-of-the-art products for you to check out.

Let’s start with a new nozzle for your hose. The SAM Smart Nozzle with N2P Technology is a great place to start. It is designed to work with the SAM Water Control System. With N2P technology, the nozzle system communicates with the pump through SAM, providing the nozzle operator with unprecedented information and control. The SAM Smart Nozzle’s wireless communication allows the attack crew at a fire scene to know water availability by tracking the water supply, operate at rated nozzle pressure and flow, and charge the hose line on-demand without tying up the pump operator or communication line. It is integrated with Akron Turbojet™, Assault™, and Smooth [...]

What Is a Clean Cab Concept?

It might be surprising to learn that one of the leading causes of death for a firefighter is cancer. Firefighters face increased carcinogen exposure when inhaling airborne chemicals at fire scenes and settling on firefighters’ gear. According to a study by the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, cancer caused 90% of firefighter deaths in 2018, up from 85% in 2015.

Why does this happen? Contaminated gear is often placed into the cabs after a fire, and the interior of the apparatus cab is rarely decontaminated. The contaminated particles attach to their gear and transfer to the apparatus. Once the trucks return to the station, contaminants adhere to the walls and other equipment, resulting in the off-gassing of contaminants. Exposure [...]

Fire Department Spotlight: Centreville Fire Department (NB)

Ritchie Shaw was asked to join the all-volunteer Centreville Fire Department (New Brunswick) 16 years ago by another member. He’s never left and was promoted to fire chief five years ago.

Shaw says he’s had all kinds of experiences during his time with the department, “some good, some difficult,” but his most memorable? “When my son became a member in 2011, following in my footsteps,” Shaw says. “He’s very passionate about his work here, and I love that.”

Centreville is a small community in Carleton County, New Brunswick. It is located two miles from the border of Maine. There are a few family-owned and independent businesses in town. Centreville also has three churches—the St. James Anglican Church, St. Paul’s United Church, and the Centreville Baptist Church. [...]

Metalfab Gets Ready for MHL Cup Playoffs

The Metalfab MHL Cup Playoffs officially began on Friday, March 17th, and is off to a great start. In the Eastlink North, the top-seeded Edmundston Blizzard host the Miramichi Timberwolves while defending league champion Summerside Western Capitals host the Campbellton Tigers. In the Eastlink South, the Truro Bearcats hosted the Valley Wildcats in Game 1 of their semi-final series on March 19th, and regular season champion Yarmouth Mariners are home to the Pictou County Weeks Crushers. The championship trophy will be presented to the league champion in late April.

Metalfab is excited to be a part of the games as title sponsor. “As both the MHL and Metalfab are community-minded organizations, this partnership is a great fit,” Metalfab Ltd. Business Development Manager Ryan Stacey said at [...]

Walk-In vs. Walk-Around Rescue Units: What You Need to Know

In addition to the pumpers and the tankers, almost every department has a rescue unit, which is basically a toolbox on wheels. It brings all of the required equipment to the scene, and it can also be used as transportation for firefighters to the location from the fire hall.

It’s important to know that there are two main types of rescues to consider: a “walk-in” and a “walk-around.”

Walk-In Rescues

When your department is working at a scene, having all of your equipment readily available and easily accessible is key. The spacious interior of a walk-in rescue is configured with numerous cabinets and workstations to accommodate the various tasks your team needs to perform in the line of duty. When [...]

Steps Required to Build a Custom Fire Truck

It’s time to replace a fire truck and you’re considering a custom build. There is a lot to consider. Below are a few tips to review before making a final decision.

First, you must determine your budget. Is this doable this year? What exactly will you require for the new apparatus? The more components you want to add, the more expensive it will get. Think carefully, make a checklist, and review it with your accountant.

Next, review the truck you are replacing. It’s an older model, so it won’t have all of the latest state-of-the-art equipment; however, it has been reliable for a number of years. What do you like about it? What do you dislike? And what needs to be updated [...]

 Metalfab Gives Back through Curling Sponsorships

As a community-oriented company, Metalfab is always looking for ways to give back. In fact, we consider every purchase of one of our fire trucks as a partnership between Metalfab and the region that buys the unit. Curling sponsorships are just one way we try to give back to these various communities and customers.

Currently, we are sponsoring three firefighter curling provincial associations, and we are sponsoring the 2023 Canadian Firefighters’ Championship: Firefighter Provincial Curling Championships in Charlottetown/Montague, PE.

It really takes a special type of person to be willing to risk his or her life to save others. Because of this, the camaraderie that exists between fellow firefighters is something not seen in any other profession or association. and the kinship between these men and [...]

Spotlight Product: Automatic Traction Chains

Fire departments don’t have the option when their pagers go off to wait until icy roads thaw out. They need to respond quickly and safely. Automatic traction (or snow) chains are an option that assists firefighters to get to their calls safely. This is an extremely valuable option, especially for departments located in the northern regions.

Here’s the concept behind the product: they are chains that can be deployed to run under the tires of a truck to allow them to stay put on icy roads. Moreover, there are many different manufacturers such as OnSpot, InstaChain, and Rudd, to name a few.

The good news is these chains are easy to use. With a simple push of a button, the fire truck’s automatic traction chains are activated. An [...]

Department Spotlight: Grand Falls, NB

In New Brunswick, Grand Falls Fire Department Chief Charles Kavanaugh grew up half a block from the local fire hall and remembers running outside every time he heard the fire alarm. “I’d run up to the corner to see which direction [the trucks] were going,” the chief recalls. At the age of eight, he started hanging out at the fire hall to watch the firefighters in action. “I guess I never really left,” he exclaims.

Kavanaugh has been with Grand Falls for over 40 years. He was made deputy chief 20 years ago and became chief in 2008.

Because he’s spent so much of his life with the department, he says his favorite aspect of the job is getting to meet so many new people who later become good friends. “I [...]