Prototype Unit
The California Office of Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue division, recently completed construction of a prototype heavy rescue/fire fighting apparatus. Exclusive of the work by the division, the cost of the apparatus was $106,000.
The unit is a standard, 1000-gpm pumper that also has rescue and extrication capabilities. Features include a front winch of 8000-pounds capacity, a 20,000-pound capacity rear winch, and front, rear and side Imoin assemblies. Principle modules of the apparatus include a 565-gallon water tank, ladder compartment and foam systems with pre-connected lines.
A wide assortment of electric rescue tools are also provided.
Module construction was contracted to independent manufacturers, jointly funded by a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant and the State of California.
The project was undertaken to permit hands-on testing and evaluation of the feasibility of combining heavy rescue and fire suppression capability in a single vehicle and applying modular construction concepts to fire apparatus.
