A critical measure of the effectiveness of first responders – firefighters, paramedics and police – is response time. Response time is the time required to arrive on scene from the moment an emergency call is received. An important factor to further shorten response time in emergency situations is arriving at the scene safely.
The necessity for short response time is vital to ensuring the safety of the community no matter the traffic conditions, the weather or the nature of the emergency. Achieving the shortest response time possible is key for saving lives or property at risk.
Despite all the advances in technology, sometimes common sense and the correct tools for the situation are all a first responder needs to do their job safely and in a timely manner. Icy, snowy roads, for example, may keep most people safely in their homes, but first responders are duty bound to respond no matter the weather conditions.
Traction and traction devices
Preparation for ice and snow conditions should begin before you hit the road. Equip your vehicle properly with a traction device ideal for your travel area and overall needs such as reliability, durability, costs of initial investment and maintenance. Each device has its pros and cons, and none is ideal in every condition so choosing an optimal method will require careful consideration of your specific needs. Traction and road grip are crucial to maintaining control of your vehicle while traveling in ice and snow conditions.
Traction is the friction between a drive wheel and the road surface. If you lose traction, you lose road grip. Vehicle traction can be defined as the friction between a drive wheel and the road surface. If your vehicle loses traction, it’s crucial to get it back.
Traction in all types of weather must be considered as well. The proper tire, its tread pattern, and load rating, along with the correct suspension help to ensure daily safe travel. Traction devices such as automatic tire chains provide surefooted traction when traveling on days when the adverse conditions of snow and ice are present.
Simple tire chains are an effective tool for making your way on slippery roads. Alternatively, using automatic tire chains to avoid manual mounting time could be key to saving critical response time and possibly lives and property. More importantly for first responders, the driver will not be at risk outside of the vehicle because the system can be engaged from the safety of the cab while already in motion saving critical response time.
Automatic tire chains
Onspot has built a solid reputation due to its successful research and design for nearly four decades. The Onspot system is built to absorb shock and to withstand the hostile environment found underneath the emergency vehicles.
The physical function of Onspot can be described as simply utilizing a wheel fitted with chains (chain wheel) in place of wrapping traditional chains around the tire. The chain wheel is guided and held to the inside of the tire where centrifugal force allows the individual chain strands to extend beneath the drive wheel. Onspot matches the function of traditional tire chains without the need to exit the safety of the cab to install them.
The Onspot system is permanently mounted to the vehicles’ rear suspension and allows the operator to engage and disengage tire chains at the flip of the dashboard switch without stopping to enhance traction and reduce braking distance on snow and ice in forward or reverse. Safety and convenience are available anytime you require extra traction with Onspot.
For more information, go to www.onspot.com
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