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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on January 31, 2011 at 4:44pm

Neighboring department had one, it was used extensively. The question is what is it's intent? it becomes problematic when the boom is intended to be a substitute for a small aerial ladder. for use as an elevated master stream with some utility considerations it's fine.

But cost-effective as use for an aerial, it's not practical. Is it 55'? That can be a problem if, again, you are going to be using the boom as an acess ladder. With property set-backs, parked cars, tress, and other common obstructions you will have problems.

Consider a 65' or 75' quint apparatus instead.

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Permalink Reply by Zach Pfeifer on January 31, 2011 at 4:55pm

75' are nice we have one it works good, we like it.

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Permalink Reply by Erik Wood on January 31, 2011 at 5:07pm

I think it also largely depends on the type of community you service. What are most of your structures, and what kind of response (how many respond to the initial call) do you have.

I agree that maybe a Qunit is the way to go.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Jakubowski on January 31, 2011 at 6:21pm

If you are looking at an elevated master stream, take a good look at the Snozzle. It has a lot of advantages. Module mounts in the center of the apparatus, as opposed to many telescoping elevated master stream devices. This makes the hose bed essentially unobstructed from the rear. Snozzle module adds about 2' or less to the length of the vehicle and the nozzle is set up to discharge over the cab - can almost be used tactically as you pull up straight onto the fire. Minimal space needed for the jacks - A frame type drop that is useful for tight spaces. Can come with 2 nozzles - the standard is a 1250 GPM adjustable fog nozzle and a piercing nozzle. The piercing nozzle was intended to be used for aircraft operations - you can spec a smoothbore nozzle instead and have the best of both worlds, a fog and a smoothbore nozzle on the tip.

No - I don't work for Snozzle, but specified one for an industrial site about 9 years ago (2 other sites used the specs to purchase similar apparatus) and have recommended it to others, including another dept. local to me who just replaced their previous squirt with a Snozzle apparatus. Their previous apparatus is actually still for sale and is in decent shape - http://www.hartsvillefc.org/

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Permalink Reply by Everett Roberts on February 1, 2011 at 11:23am

Thanks for the quick reply. The intent of our tele-squirt would be to give our aging 75' aerial a rest and run as a "quint". The majority of runs would be of an engine company nature. The Boss wants a Tele-squirt, a true quint is out of the question as of now.

We're interested in the KME Fire and Pierce tele-squirt products in particular, but are willing to check out other manufacturers. The committee will be at FDIC checking out all the options.

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Permalink Reply by John M. Scheibel on February 1, 2011 at 3:32pm

Hi ~ I agree with everyone on here, that a Squirt Tele Boom or Snozzle needs to fit the Bill. I am in a FD that has/had 3 TeleBooms, and have used them effectively. We also have 2 Aerial Devices too. To add a little incite into this equation, have you considered the Midship mounted Teleboom, by E-One. I am not rep' ing the Company, but this unit adds more into the equation. It offers you 3 Distinct abilities. With the Boom mounted midship:
#1 It makes the Apparatus literally have an un obstructed Hosebed for Supply, or a variety of hose in the rear vs a Rear mount

#2 It makes positioning the apparatus easier, because it takes the guessing away on the driver as to how far do I need to pull the Engine Forward to operate the boom ; it's right behind them, so to speak

#3 It allows the Apparatus operator to set it up and operate right from the Pump Panel; outriggers and all. As I say in my Classes," It gives me One more FF on the Fireground, because now the AO can place an Exposure Line or Blitz Attack using the Boom", and essentially never leave the Pump Panel.

In closing, any piece has to have a place, and if you can justify it..then Full Speed ahead. Congratulations on your consideration of the Boom.

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