My department is specking out a heavy rescue pumper all in one. We are a small volunteer dept. So when respond we would like to have the es centrals all in one apparatus's. Does anyone have any pic or specks? We believe it will be dull axle truck.
Permalink Reply by FETC on December 7, 2008 at 8:03am
Glen,
It all depends on your department's needs. I personally like the two piece or three piece response to a good MVC, but if your organization can't drum up that kind of manpower then you are wasting good money on something that doesn't fit. Now if you are looking to go to Rescue-Pumper because the lack of manpower, or save $$$ by not running two pieces, then who is going to man the pump/line/or fill out all of the important functions that my three companies are doing all at once?
If you are a small rural department, then an all-in-one is probably a better fit for total costs, (1 unit instead of 2) My department is replacing a 1993 4 man cab freitliner medium duty rescue with a much bigger 6 man cab, heavy rescue, it needs to be custom made to fit into our 1800's station but (no-water or pump) with some new equipment/accessories for just under 500K. Alot of our specialized equipment for trench, collapse, confined space, paratech struts, low/hi pressure airbags etc will move over from the old rig. You may want to shop around for prices on that Rescue/Squad though, looking at some of the other suggested prices.
Auburn, NH. just had one built in this years 2008 crappy economy, actually it is enroute from Ocala, I think the guy from Auburn told me, E-One, 1500gpm/1000 tank with both 30gal A & B Foam for around $450K. Not sure on their equipment and accessory package.
Permalink Reply by Glen on December 7, 2008 at 9:40am
It is not about the money right now. Wejust don't have the man power. We are a small town with I 95 going threw it. We are replacing 2 older trucks 20 years plus for this one.
Money not an issue??? Good for you, then there are only a couple of other considerations. Size…you know this thing is going to be huge, will it fit the station? How about you’re other roads? Pump size and location; front, side/top, rear? I would say to add foam capability’s. And probably weight loaded. Does everyone in your dept agree this is what you need?
We also are a small rural dept that covers a major interstate and for years struggled with a vehicle to handle our equipment, old trustees did not want us to be out their. We have purchased through the years, ¾ ton van, bread truck, old snap-on truck, and now we currently have a custom heavy rescue. It was a tough call for us and our new trustees to take funds for pumper replacement to purchase a rescue, we bought used. Our SOG is to roll the rescue on every call then complement it with a choice of different pumpers depending on need. I firmly believe that you need at least 600gal of water for a car fire, or foam, I say this to the people who roll a brush truck to car fire/MVA sooner or later it will come back to bite you, as in to little to late. I know where you are coming from; I understand manpower shortage and the problems with covering a major roadway. Spec a loaded cadie, and trim from there
Having recently been on a new rescue pumper commitee, just my personal opinion, the pierce PUC was one of the better choices out there. I do not know your departments specific needs, just saying they make a nice engine
if you are a small volunteer dept. you will not need a dual axle truck, those are seen on pumper-tankers and tactical rescues which do hi-low angle rope rescues we have a 16ft box 2009 GMC Topkick on order and out of about 400 calls a year 200-250 are accidents with rescues and we are now currently operating with a rescue pumper and that truck serves us fine so my advise is save your money on a big flashy truck get the one big enough to suit your rescue call volume and use your left over money to buy some new rescue tools or somthing.
Permalink Reply by Glen on February 4, 2009 at 10:35pm
To help everyone out this truck we went to see in Kendall NY. This what we are looking at. But we need to change a few things. This web site will help http://www.kendallfire.com/New_Kendall_34.html