More Air – More Time for Firefighter Air Safety
February 4, 2025
More Air, More Time
High-Rise and Big Box structures are absorbing America's landscape. The Firefighter Air Coalition (FAC), the nation’s leading authority on firefighter air safety and management, brings to light the need for More Air, More Time. By introducitng firefighters to the latest technologies related to firefighter air safety, through intensive training programs the Coalition delivers , best practices and training that optimize time as a critical factor for the firefighter in these mega buildings.
Through More Air, More Time™, a new movement for firefighter air supply, FAC joins forces with a growing list of partners and sponsors to highlight technology that provides firefighters with More Air. Through air standpipe systems, continuous breathable air solutions, SCBA charging, mobile air storage, and other custom tools, Johnson Controls, Lifeline Firehose, Arctic Compressor, Bauer Compressor, are providing More Time for the firefight.
Air is the Firefighter’s Lifeline
An SCBA will give a firefighter approximately 14 working minutes on one cylinder of air. Manufacturers and industry leaders are constantly looking for ways to increase or extend the working air supply - because AIR is a firefighter’s lifeline. Without air – nothing can be done. The three necessary elements for fire attack are: Firefighters, Water and Air. Without air, there is no interior attack for protection during search and rescue. Withotu air - there is no fight.
Firefighting Operations have to Adjust to High-Rise Buildings
Building landscapes are changing across the country. High-rise structures maximize land use in urban areas. In contrast, industrial warehousing and distribution centers are consuming rural areas. Firefighters' air supplies are challenged by the sheer size and magnitude of these buildings. “Through the More Air, More Time movement it’s our hope to educate municipal leaders, developers and risk managers about the obstacles fire departments and firefighters face in protecting these huge buildings and the citizens inside,” said Mike Gagliano, President of the FAC.
Preparing for High-Rise Landscapes
In its continuous mission to educate firefighters about the complex fireground operations associated with high-rise development, the Coalition is also a sponsor for the for the 9th annual International Tall Building / High Rise Fire Safety Conference, a 3-day workshop at the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC) April 7-9, 2025. Last year delegates from 22 countries attended to learn and discuss the profound challenges associated with high-rise structures.
From citizen safety. firefighter response, command and control, low staffing responses, and much more – nearly every topic associated with these vast buildings is critical to emergency operations and outcomes. Firefighters in urban areas with cranes drifting throughout the city landscape should register to attend this workshop.
“The sheer size of these structures is almost impossible for departments to staff without advanced air technology that gives firefighters a continuous air supply. Many departments must keep staffing in place to haul air cylinders up numerous flights of stairs. That process alone limits manpower and does not provide for continuous operations. To ensure effective fireground operations and prioritize citizen survivability – that can no longer be acceptable," said Gagliano.
Visit aircoalition.org to learn more about More Air, More Time. Join the movement by starting the conversation with your community leaders, developers and risk managers. Speak up and speak out. Whether it’s high-rise or big box, chances are, there is one your backyard and you will need More Air, More Time for the firefight.
About the Firefighter Air Coalition
The Firefighter Air Coalition (FAC) serves as a dedicated advocacy organization focused on enhancing firefighter education and training as that relates to firefighter air safety. It emphasizes the implementation of best practices in air management across tactics, operations, and strategies. The Coalition also addresses associated technologies pertinent to air resupply, aiming to improve citizen safety and prolong the lives of firefighters, while integrating relevant scientific research and findings.