Is New Massachusetts Quint Too Dangerous?

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Is New Massachusetts Quint Too Dangerous?

SARAH MACDONALD

Courtesy of Metro West Daily News

NATICK -- The firefighters union president is asking that the department's largest truck, in the shop for repairs, not be returned to duty because its malfunctions endanger firefighters and residents. 

However, Fire Chief James Brien said the truck will be returned to duty if the manufacturer can answer questions about what went wrong. 

"There are some questions we need answered, and we'll have to wait and see if they explain to our satisfaction what happened," Brien said. 

The custom-built truck, called a quint, has been sitting in a Walpole repair shop since an accident in February. Firefighter union President Danny Hartwell said the truck's rear axles, which can be steered separately, turned on their own as the truck traveled to a call. 

"The back end wrapped around a tree and there was nothing the guys could do about it," Hartwell said. "Imagine if a woman was walking with a baby carriage down that sidewalk. It's an accident waiting to happen." 

The truck manufacturer, Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton, Wis., examined an onboard computer and determined the accident was not caused by a mechanical error. However, the analysis also showed human error was not a factor. 

"How can that be?" Hartwell asked. "Nobody's giving us any answers." 

Pierce agreed to cover the cost of repairs, which included replacing the rear steering, said Jeff Fournier of Minuteman Fire & Rescue Apparatus, the company's Massachusetts dealer. 

"There's a fire truck accident every 10 minutes. These things happen every day," Fournier said. 

The town has scheduled a meeting with Pierce representatives next week to discuss the truck, which cost $657,000. 

According to the manufacturer's Web site, the Natick truck, the Pierce Quantum, is a top-of-the-line model. The ALL-STEER option, which the town added, promises better maneuverability and "fail-safe operation." 

Hartwell said the February incident marked the quint truck's third unexplained malfunction, but Brien said earlier minor accidents were the result of the truck's newness. 

"It was just people getting used to it," Brien said. 

The quint truck has a controversial history in Natick, beginning with its arrival in 2002. Town Meeting approved the purchase on recommendation from then-Chief Richard Fredette. Advocates for the truck said it would represent a change in how the department fought fires, since the quint can be used as a ladder and pumper simultaneously. 

But fire officials say the truck, which seats 10 firefighters, is used solely as a ladder during fires because the department can only assign two firefighters to operate it. 

"The pump was never used and we never would," Hartwell said. "We don't have the manpower, and we voiced that opinion from day one." 

Because of the onboard water pump, the quint does not have space to store special equipment, including pieces used for trench rescues and hazardous material spills, Hartwell said. 

"We've got that stuff in trailers in the back but if you go to a call and have to wait for the trailers to be hauled out, what good does it do?" he said. 

Brien, who was chosen as chief in part because of his opinion the town should buy the truck, said the quint is worthwhile. 

"The fact we haven't utilized it more is probably a good thing. If you see it, there's probably a big fire," he said. 

Yesterday, the truck sat in a repair bay at Minuteman Ford in Walpole, waiting to be picked up by Natick firefighters. Brien said he intends to return the truck to duty, as long as Pierce representatives provide some explanation for the accident. 

"We should have more answers next week and we'll go from there," he said. 

What is Natick's quint fire truck? 

Custom built by Pierce Manufacturing in 2002 

Cost: $657,000 

Weight: 35 tons (required improvements to Marion Street bridge for safe passage) 

Name derived from the five functions of the truck: pump, water tank, hose, ground ladders and aerial ladder. 

Key feature allows the truck's rear axle to be steered separately. 

Minor accidents during first three months of use attributed to driver error. 

In the latest incident, the truck's back end steered itself off the road and into a tree. The manufacturer has agreed to cover the cost of repairing the rear steering.

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Interesting!! After reading that though, I have to ask why would someone buy a Quint if they're not going to use it for what it is? In the article it says they don't use the pump, and never will. Also what is the purpose of a 10-man cab when only 2 Firefighters respond on this rig. To me it sounds like the right hand didn't know what the left was doing!!

As for the Quint being dangerous. I can't answer that. Although the Fire Dept. that my Fire Academy worked with has a 1999 ALL-STEER Pierce Quint, and they've never had any problems with the rear wheels steering on their own.

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Here's a photo of the rig in question, from www.firenews.org :

http://www.firenews.org/mass/NatickL1new.jpg