At our weekly work detail last night, I had to help another firefighter figure out how to put in our SCBA's in the jump seats in the new rescue. I hadn't done it myself, but as I stepped out of the truck, I proclaimed "Yep, in 18 years and 6 truck purchases, this is by far my favorite"
It's a new rescue that replaced a worn and torn late 70's utility van.
Well, in 30+ years of fire service I have seen them all. 54 & 55 GMC's as front line attack engines, a 68 Gerstenlagher Heavy Rescue on a 32' frame, with real wood interior cabinets and wall to wall carpeting. Had a 5 speed manual tranny and i swear, only about 4 of us in the Department could drive this white whale proficiently.
But then I got old, and I only do corporate stuff and to tell the truth, I'm not exactly sure whats in this Baby (pic attached) but we just took deliverly of this 40' Red & Black BEHUMOTH Heavy Rescue/Pumper by Seagraves with dual tandem wheels. It does everything but put the band aids on. Check this rig out. and if you go to our website at tauntonfd.org you can view all our apparatus and click on the compartment doors to show whats inside. Go ahead....check us out!
My favorite would have to be our first Snorkel, and the Fire Service's first too. A 1959 GMC chassis, with a 65' Pitman Snorkel Boom. A Chief from Chicago came up with the idea, but turned down the tandem axial because of the streets in Chicago. Bedford Park bought it instead. It was replaced in 1979.
My favorite is engine 54-4 it is our draft peice its a Autocar/ Allegainy with a 1750gpm pump but it has done 2300gpm on a fire and we have yet to find something than fill tankers faster.
I've really come to appreciate our KME rescue pumper. 8 man cab, topmount pump controls, light tower, built in foam tank and eductor. Back in my old department we had a Hahn 106' ladder with Hale pump and an 85' waterway. It was an operators dream.
No doubt for me it is our 167' Bronto Skylift articulating Platform. I was an operator/driver on it, then became a field trainer and now I am the Lieutenant on it. Over 86,000 pounds, she is no light weight. The third boom articulates which makes it do things a stick just can't do. 4 wheel front steering and almost 500hp help with the driving chores. When we show up, people take notice!
Sorry, it can't just be one. I submit our matched rescue and pumper pair built by Fort Garry. With 12 SCBA between the two of them, built-in triple Holmatro Core reels, high angle, ice water, and a 4 bottle cascade and fill station built right in they make a killer pair for 28 volunteers to fight a major structure with.
2007 HME Silverfox with two 1 3/4" full crosslays in the front bumper holding 200' each, for fast deployment (and a lot easier re-bed) 1250gmp hale pump and 1200 gal. water