Waterflow Control in the Hands of Nozzle Operators
Experts say a healthy customer repurchase rate is between 20% and 40%. For the SAM System, that number is blown out of the water with a 100% repurchase rate nationwide with trusted OEMs.
So, why is SAM so popular with crews who have experienced it firsthand? We put it to the test with the SAM Challenge at FDIC 2024 to find out.
FDIC International 2024 in Indianapolis brought together over 36,000 fire and rescue professionals for North America's premier firefighting event. This year, Hale Products' SAM system—a revolutionary water flow control solution—took center stage in the SAM Challenge, a live demonstration highlighting its impact on fireground operations.
SAM was put to the challenge against traditional pump operations and attendees witnessed firsthand how SAM’s automation reshapes firefighting efficiency and safety. Firefighters from across the country took the SAM Challenge and experienced the features that make SAM simpler, faster, and safer.
The SAM Challenge: Demonstrating Automation in Real-Time
Benefits of New Technology on the Fireground
The SAM Challenge was a time-based competition that pitted a traditional fire truck with manual pump controls against a SAM-enabled truck equipped with automated water flow technology. Attendees observed how SAM’s system allowed operators to manage pump operations with unprecedented ease and control.
In this demonstration, SAM proved its ability to streamline critical functions that traditionally require extensive manual input and focus. With SAM, all essential components, including pumps and valves, integrate seamlessly through a touchscreen interface that automates water flow, pressure adjustments, and tank levels. As a result, operators could focus less on intricate machinery and more on managing the needs of the attack crew and overall fireground dynamics.
The video recaps of the SAM Challenge capture the reactions of firefighters who experienced this technological leap firsthand. Participants of the challenge commented on the intuitive and user-friendly interface, noting how SAM's automation made them feel more in control, even in high-stress situations. Their feedback reinforced the message that SAM simplifies and enhances fireground safety, a vital feature when seconds count.
SAM Challenge Recap 1
SAM Challenge Recap 2
SAM Challenge Recap 3
The Challenges of Manual Pump Operations
Manual pump operations, while reliable and time-tested, come with their own inherent inefficiencies. These can complicate fireground operations, especially during high-stress situations. Traditional pumping systems require operators to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. This can make even the most experienced crews vulnerable to human error, increase cognitive load, and place an unnecessary physical burden on pump operators.
Here are some of the known challenges firefighters say they face with manual pump operations:
- Time-consuming adjustments and monitoring of gauges, valves, and pressures.
- Delays in delivering water to the attack crew.
- Misjudgments of tank refills or hydrant pressure fluctuations.
- Missed calls for water.
- Heightened stress levels and increased cognitive load limit situational awareness.
- Staffing shortages put fire crews at a disadvantage.
- Training requires a steep learning curve for newer recruits.
These challenges significantly impact firefighting crews. When the mission is to save lives and property, we must start looking at new technologies to overcome these challenges. SAM was designed as a modern solution that empowers crews to do their jobs simpler, faster, and safer.
The Impact of SAM Technology on Firefighters
At its core, the SAM system pre-programs pump operations to simplify and accelerate firefighting efforts. By removing the manual demands of pump operation, SAM allows firefighters to move faster and reduce risks. Here’s how SAM aligns with Hale’s century-long commitment to innovating simpler, faster, and safer fireground solutions:
1. Simpler Operations
SAM integrates Hale's traditional components, such as pumps and valves and their controls, into a streamlined touchscreen interface control panel. This reduces the need for manual adjustments, allowing operators to manage water flow without time-consuming hands-on pump operation. SAM’s design enables firefighters with varying experience levels to perform consistently and enables even less experienced firefighters to manage water flow confidently.
2. Faster Response Times
SAM’s automation enables faster line charging, pressure control, and water flow adjustments. By automating these processes, SAM can shave critical seconds off response times, allowing firefighters to get water to the attack crew quicker. This
was the most beneficial eye-opening aspect of the SAM Challenge. Participants were repeatedly surprised by just how much time SAM saves them. This speed translates directly to improved outcomes on the fireground, where every second saved can mean fewer injuries, less damage, and more lives protected.
3. Safer Fireground Operations
One of the primary safety benefits of SAM is that it allows pump operators to monitor and control water flow from a safe distance. Dual control panels on each side of the truck keep operators away from the most hazardous areas, giving them greater visibility of the fireground and a safer place to operate. Furthermore, SAM’s automation minimizes errors and helps prevent equipment misuse, contributing to a safer fireground for all team members.
Understanding SAM's Impact on Fireground Efficiency
Six Key Benefits of SAM
Designed by a seasoned firefighter with nearly 20 years of experience and a deep understanding of fireground challenges, SAM integrates advanced features that solve operational and safety issues faced by today’s firefighters. Let’s take a closer look at these benefits:
1. Improved Safety Through Dual Controls:
Featuring dual control panels, SAM allows pump operators to select the safest position, minimizing exposure to hazardous situations and offering greater visibility of their crew and fireground. This layout keeps operators safer without sacrificing control in the process.
2. Reduced Communication Needs:
Pump operators and attack crews traditionally rely on frequent radio communication to adjust water flow. SAM’s automatic pressure control reduces the need for these updates, freeing up radio channels for emergency communications and ensuring faster responses.
3. Equalized Skill Levels:
SAM’s programming simplifies pump operations, enabling newer firefighters to perform at a level closer to that of seasoned professionals. It is intuitive and easy to learn. This reduces skill disparities among operators and supports fire departments facing staffing shortages or limited training resources.
4. Injury Reduction:
Injuries related to over-pressurized handlines or water flow pressure issues are significant concerns in fireground operations. SAM’s programming ensures handline pressures remain consistent and safe. Additionally, tank filling can lead to spillage and freezing in cold weather, creating slip hazards on the ground. Tank filling with SAM minimizes these spills, reducing fall risks and making the fireground safer in icy conditions.
5. Enhanced Decision-Making Through Real-Time Data:
SAM provides real-time data on tank levels, hydrant status, and line pressure, enabling pump operators to make informed decisions without hesitation. This transparency builds confidence, allowing firefighters to take a more aggressive approach to extinguishing fires.
6. Consistent Water Flow Management:
Hydrant pressure fluctuations can disrupt water flow, complicating fire suppression efforts. SAM’s automated switching between hydrant and tank water sources stabilizes water pressure, providing a steady supply to the attack crew and reducing disruptions.
Built on Hale's Legacy of Reliability
Since 1914, Hale Products have been trusted for producing reliable and durable firefighting equipment, and SAM exemplifies this legacy by incorporating the same trusted components firefighters rely on today. By incorporating Hale’s proven equipment with advanced automation, SAM brings a familiar yet future-focused approach to fireground operations. SAM isn’t a standalone innovation; it builds on Hale Products’ proven track record of innovation with industry-leading pumps, valves, and controls.
Innovation Firefighters Can Rely On
SAM represents a significant leap forward for the firefighting community. By automating critical aspects of pump operation, SAM enables firefighters to focus on what matters most: quick, decisive action in the face of emergencies. For fire departments looking to enhance safety, streamline operations, and improve team readiness, SAM offers a solution that is as intuitive as it is powerful.
The SAM Challenge at FDIC 2024 demonstrated that SAM isn’t just another technological tool; it’s a game-changer for fireground safety and efficiency. As more fire departments adopt SAM, Hale Products is leading the charge in modernizing fireground operations and empowering firefighters to work smarter, faster, and safer than ever before.
The SAM Smart Nozzle: A Closer Look
The SAM Smart Nozzle, powered by N2P Technology™ (Nozzle-to-Pump), is designed to communicate seamlessly with the SAM Water Control System. The benefits of this advanced technology lie in the details — giving the nozzle operator complete control over the water flow and real-time data about water availability, tank levels, and even the source status. This empowers firefighters in unprecedented ways, allowing them to act faster and respond to evolving fireground conditions with far more agility and confidence.
4. Simplified Pressure Adjustments
The SAM system simplifies pressure control, adjusting the pressure based on the needs of the fireground and considering factors like elevation changes. Firefighters can rely on a consistent and safe water flow, allowing them to focus on the task without worrying about fluctuating pressures.
5. Quick Response to Hose Kinks and Loss of Pressure
The SAM Smart Nozzle notifies the SAM Control Center if it detects a kinked hose (pressure is low at the nozzle, and SAM increases the pressure at the valve, but nozzle pressure does not increase). To overcome this, SAM will increase pressure up to 25 psi. However, it will cease increasing pressure before any damage can be done to the line.
6. Seamless Integration with Trusted Akron Brass Nozzles
The SAM Smart Nozzle is compatible with the trusted Turbojet™, Assault™, and Smoothbore nozzles. Thus, fire departments can upgrade without overhauling their entire systems, ensuring a smooth transition for departments already using Akron Brass equipment.
