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Battalion Chief's Command Vehicle
So the adventure continues for me in the Logistics Section for my department. An old Fire Captain, turned loose in the office. What a concept. The latest research I had to do was spec-ing out a new Tahoe and Suburban for our line Battalion Chief's in regard to both communications equipment and emergency lighting. I'm starting from scratch here but have just completed the R&D on the components and it's that info that I am sharing with you today... Failure to prepare is preparing for failure... Hopefully, I've my homework here. Please feel free to send your thoughts on this design which was developed by one of our best field Battalion Chief's. This post includes both the materials listing (sans any labor costs) and what the vehicle looks like using these components. This vehicle is designed to be a working vehicle and in my opinion is a very strong design model for others to copy. TCSS, SB Mike
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Battalion Chief's Command Vehicle
Add On's for Communications, Lighting, Command and Control...
Headliner Mounted Mini-Speaker for Scanner
Havis-Shields Co. Center Console (www.havis.com)
*You need to also order a mounting bracket and trak mount for the console.
Console Add-Ons: Map Light, (2) 12-volt power sources and install two radio heads, unitrol siren control and radio frequency scanner (with 800mHz capability).
Rear Lift Gate Hatch: Installed LED Amber Warning Lights (only visible when hatch is open)
Grill Lights Red/Red Split
Side Lights (2) on Front Fenders
Headlight Flasher Unit
Kenwood Radio 12-volt Charger
Bendix King Radio 12-volt Charger
Cole Hersee Dual Battery Selector and Disconnector Switch
Battery Cables (25-feet estimated for hook-up)
Lug Nut Ends (6) attached to the Cables
Kenwood TK-790 UHF Mobile Radios (2) with Control Heads (Front & Back)
Unitrol Siren and Emergency Lighting Control Unit
Bearcat Trunk Tracker Scanner
and more...
EXTERIOR PHOTOS:
INTERIOR PHOTOS:
REAR COMMAND BOX:
This is what we will be using in the future for command boxes. One important point to consider about these (and why we have to wait and budget for them) is that they cost >$3,000.00 each. But they are worth every penny. You get what you pay for here. I am sure many of you have been using these for years.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department Battalion Chief's Command Vehicle
Add On's for Communications, Lighting, Command and Control...
Headliner Mounted Mini-Speaker for Scanner
Havis-Shields Co. Center Console (www.havis.com)
*You need to also order a mounting bracket and trak mount for the console.
Console Add-Ons: Map Light, (2) 12-volt power sources and install two radio heads, unitrol siren control and radio frequency scanner (with 800mHz capability).
Rear Lift Gate Hatch: Installed LED Amber Warning Lights (only visible when hatch is open)
Grill Lights Red/Red Split
Side Lights (2) on Front Fenders
Headlight Flasher Unit
Kenwood Radio 12-volt Charger
Bendix King Radio 12-volt Charger
Cole Hersee Dual Battery Selector and Disconnector Switch
Battery Cables (25-feet estimated for hook-up)
Lug Nut Ends (6) attached to the Cables
Kenwood TK-790 UHF Mobile Radios (2) with Control Heads (Front & Back)
Unitrol Siren and Emergency Lighting Control Unit
Bearcat Trunk Tracker Scanner
and more...
EXTERIOR PHOTOS:
INTERIOR PHOTOS:
REAR COMMAND BOX:
This is what we will be using in the future for command boxes. One important point to consider about these (and why we have to wait and budget for them) is that they cost >$3,000.00 each. But they are worth every penny. You get what you pay for here. I am sure many of you have been using these for years.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Very nice. I wish I had set up my vehicle to have a center surface for portable radios/chargers but opted to keep the factory center console arm rest/glove box. I do have a somewhat similar Havis center console custom made for the Explorer, with 3 Kenwood heads and siren box.
One thing I need to do is label the radios and microphones so someone else can get in and use the right radio for the right purpose. I don't know if you have considered that, but it's an easy task.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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What a great idea. Can you be more specific Joe in regard to labeling, such as RADIO COM 1 and RADIO COM 2? I'm adding some more interior shots of the rig to give a clearer picture in regard to the entire set up. ms
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Permalink Reply by Tom Eades on
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Michael; one idea that was just recently brought to my attention is to put some low profile LED lights on the bottom edge of the rear door; it allows you to have the door up without losing your warning ability...
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I have 3 radios in the console - low band, VHF and UHF. I still haven't decided how to label the heads but the microphones will be labeled on their tops. Mine are mounted the same as in your vehicle so someone looking at the console will be easily able to tell which one to pick up.
We have a fairly good label maker at the fire house but I've also considered a black sharpie pen.
For the heads there is about 1/4 inch above and below the heads, so I am leaning toward working something up on the computer, laminating it and sticky-tape mounting to the radio face plate.
If time permits and you're interested I'll take a couple of pictures.
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I'm in the process of downloading the rest of the photos that show this box. I will also include photos of the boxes that we are going to. The wooden boxes will no longer be used in our command vehicles.
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Also, the clipboard holder does not fold nor detach. What do you recommend for the Chief to be able to drive and write at the same time... ?
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I think this link could serve as a good sounding board for folks to share how they do it. People can pick and choose what they like. Photos make the point very clearly. Please share. TCSS, Mike
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Hey Tom, Thanks for the input. I did mention this in the text above... I didn't know about it until I talked to chief officers from Hiltonhead Fire Deparment, NC. Do you have photos of this in action yet? Does anyone? I still have to have them installed when they arrive. TCSS, SB Mike
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Permalink Reply by Mick Mayers on
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I like the layout of it. We are using a Suburban and have a similar rear work area, but honestly, the size of the Suburban is just too much for all the driving I have to do in it. I'd rather have something about the size of what you have there. Our command box is the same type as yours and it is nice, but jeez, they add a ton of weight to the vehicle. I think our logistics folks are going with an aluminum version in our next go-round (since the one I'm in is scheduled to be replaced in the next year or so). I definitely like your center console better than the one we have.
I'll be saving some of these pix to discuss with the Loggies. Thanks for sharing.
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Hey- just replied below- but who did you talk with at our department? (And we're in SC).
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Was it you or Ted that turned me on to the led lights in the raised up hatch lid. I am so doing this. When the hatch lid is raised, there is no longer any visible rear amber warning lights...
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