While crusing the FD websites, I noticed that some companies have alot of support vehicles. One department only had 2 engines but 4 support vehicles, mostly chiefs and presidents sedans.
We have the state hazmat unit, a rescue 3 engines ambulance and field piece and only one support unit, a van. Are we doing something wrong? Should we get rid of a couple of engines and get a Tahoe or two....J/K
2 engines, 1 reserve engine. Chief, DC both have a car. PU for towing the education trailer. A small suv for Community Education. But with the newest add of a training chief, it may go 5 'cars', 3 engines.
my dept. has two tahoes. one for the chief and one for the assistant chief. we also have a brush truck which only seats two. ive used all three before to go to my FF2 class practicals. the chiefs tahoe was brand new when i took it talk about driving with you but puckered i was scared to death some one was going to hit me. they didnt thank god.
engine rescue 2 tankers{tenders for yall that call planes tankers} and a "utility" vehichle...we use that for fire police, wild fires, hazmat...transporting more people, training...a bunch of different things
As for support vehicles, we have our equipment van, the chief has his own vehicle that the city pays for. The three deputies use their own vehicles (being that we are volunteer). We also have an old school bus that we converted into a disaster management vehicle, which we house in the fire hall.
We have a rescue squad which we use for rescue and support, carries about 9 firefighters (not counting our driver and officer) with 4 airpacks for fire support plus our beverage mini fridge and such. We also have a 4WD pickup, which we use for transport of up to 5 people, placing early warning signs for accidents, as well as towing our rescue boat.
Other equipment: 95' E-One platform, 2 pumpers, 2 tender/tankers (pick your favorite term), and a 4wd pickup built to function for grass and brush fires... plus our Chiefs pretty little Durango..
My VFD has six brush trucks, one 3K tanker/pumper and two hand me down former LEO Crown Vics. One Crown Vics is equipped with EMT-B stuff used by our first responders assisting the county's EMS ambulances and the other by the Chief and AC. Additional we sometimes use our POVs for support, get 'er done. Support vehicles are necessary but shouldn't take away more funding then needed. Fighting fires is number one. TCSS
My department has one first due ladder and engine, 3 reserve engines, 1 reserve ladder, and a 3500k tanker/tender. We also have a command apparatus, 2 brush trucks, BC expedition, BC F-150, haz-mat trailer, kids fire safety trailer and 1 utility F-150. We might make one of our reserve engines a rescue engine and we're in the process of building a new fire station. We only have two stations at the time and respond to about 2800-3000 calls a year and mutual aid calls.