Apparatus dimensions

[Guest chief865]

Anyone ever have problems with a new or existing piece of apparatus getting into tight locations?

We're in the process of building/buying a new scene engine and currently have it spec'd out a lot bigger than what we're used to. I was wondering if any department may have a similar situation.

I think we should expect a couple more "dings" than usual, but other than that, don't feel we'll have problems.

By the way, I'm talking a couple more feet longer than the largest truck (tanker) we currently have. The committee's belief is that the drastic improvements in turning ability will overcome the length.

[Guest 786XP]

I guess it would depend on your primary response area (residential, rural, urban, etc.).

Several departments have taken a proactive approach to "minor" accidents by having more durable apparatus. Most of the apparatus resources (FAJ, Fire Apparatus News, etc.) have recently focussed on relatively easy ways to improve apparatus resistance to minor contact accidents.

Probably the Department that has best addressed this issue is the FDNY. It may be worth the trip to inspect their new deliveries and see some of the creative design ideas that they have incorporated into the rigs.

Be careful to make your first-in apparatus the size of a ladder truck. Many departments experimenting with the "TQC" (Total Quint Concept) have learned the hard way about trying to fit a 35-40 foot rig into a residential driveway or limited-access roadway.

One "wedged" first-due truck can really screw up your plan of attack if their is no other way in for responding units.

[Guest]

hey chief865

you should figure out what you need on your rig as far as tank size,hose bed capacity, size of cab 6,8 or 10 man and specialty equipment like foam system,genorator and light tower, then start getting demos in of the approximate size truck. don't rush this process becuase you can be stuck with the wrong truck for a long time. do your home work because the salesman will only build the truck the way you tell him to. new apparatus does turn alot better but you need to have demos! your going to spend alot of money in the near future, the salesperson should go out of there way to get there apparatus into your town. if they don't move on to the next sales person. we have looked and driven the new tak-4 independant front susspention by pierce and it was very impressive. it turns on a dime and rides really smooth. we all have the same problem. we want a small truck but we need to put a ton of equipment on it. goodluck!

[PVFD113 6]

We just went through a similar design--well for the last 2 years. We need a rig as short as possible--we came in a foot or so longer than the engine it is replaceing--yet it is still 5' shorter than the tanker. We went with a 1,000 tank (we need it) but not a "T" tank--we went up with it so we could have full height, full depth compartments. We gained alot of space compartment wise. We have a 6 member cab also. We did away with 1 cross lay (have 2 still) and moved it to the side step well, hydr. ladder rack(keeps it up and out of the way. The design for the truck is a pumper/rescue. It carries a set of Holmatro rescue tools, air bags, as well as being first due on the "B" side of town. We put alot of time and planning into this rig--and with any luck--we will see our hard work sitting in our garage early in April.

[Remember585 815]

The new engine we are awaiting was given alot of thought, mainly in regard to the overall size. Some of the things we are getting and the reason(s) are listed next to it.

10 man cab with 8 seats. 2 reasons for this - 1. We wanted more room for the crew and 2. We installed a cabinet to store the rechargables (portables, TIC, lights, etc.)

10" raised cab. We didn't want too high of a cab to affect the OAH and we wanted a little more room so the guys didn't feel confined.

750 gallon tank. We have 2 Engines with the 1000 gallon tanks and this puts the hosebed way too high. We opted for the smaller tank to cut down on this and the overall weight of the rig. We caught criticism for not getting a 1000 gal. tank but we have learned over the years that most of the fires we handle are either put out with the current 500 we have or we need a hydrant / water source anyway.

We also made the new rig out to be only 18" longer then the current one (I am 90% sure on this) to avoid having a rig that is hard to fit in some of our tighter areas. One way we accomplished the shorter OAL was to pick the "medium" size pump panel.

We also went with the full height compartments to accomodate all of the equipment we carry. The main focus of our new rig committee was to design a rig that was self-sufficient. Coming in just short of a quint, we pretty much accomplished this, and I for one can't wait to see the end product.