In an effort to improve the safety of responding personnel and help eliminate hearing loss, The Hartsdale Fire Department has begun to phase in use of wireless communications head sets. Pictured below is Commissioner Fred Overing, who was a big proponent of the project and approved the expenditure, trying out the head sets with apparatus operator FF Doug Palmesi. The head sets allow all responders on the apparatus to talk to each other hands free through the head sets, and with the push of a button, utilize the head set as the apparatus radio. The noise cancelling feature prevents outside noise such as the siren from interfering with communication between the responders, as well as on the radio. The wireless feature and range of the head sets allows them to work outside the rig for all important functions such as backing the apparatus or operating at the pump panel.