APPARATUS DELIVERIES: The Sturgeon Bay (WI) Fire Department uses its MARION mini-pumper

By John M. Malecky

The Sturgeon Bay (WI) Fire Department uses its MARION mini-pumper for response to accidents, medical calls, and wildland firefighting, says Chief Tim Herlache. The jurisdiction has many seasonal homes with narrow, winding driveways that the unit can access.


Features/Equipment:

  • FORD F-550 XL Super Duty, 4 × 4 chassis with 141-inch wheelbase and two-seat cab;
  • NAVISTAR Power Stroke 325-hp diesel engine with automatic transmission;
  • pump-and-roll capability with HALE HP single-stage 500-gpm pump in enclosed panel, ¾-inch booster reel in center/front compartment over pump, 1¾-inch preconnect (rolls out of pump panel side), and ELKHART sidewinder bumper turret;
  • UPF 250-gallon water tank;
  • AMDOR roll-up compartment doors, compartment for long storage items on curb side, and ladder compartment built into sides and rear of vehicle;
  • wheel chock compartment in driver side wheel well to keep ground clearance and 80-pound absorbent hopper in curbside wheel well (photo inset);
  • RAMSEY four-ton portable winch with front and rear receivers;
  • HURST Centaur rescue tools;
  • MEDTRONIC AED; and
  • two FRC telescoping floodlights behind cab.

The College Station (TX) Fire Department replaced a 75-foot aerial with this AMERICAN LaFRANCE midmount platform. Assistant Chief John Mies says it runs as a dedicated truck company. It has a low travel height for maneuvering around the city. The department also protects the Texas A&M University, which has a growing number of three-story apartment buildings.


Features/Equipment:

  • Eagle 148 chassis with 268-inch wheelbase and six-seat cab with EMS cabinet;
  • DETROIT Series 60 515-hp diesel engine with ALLISON 4000 EVS automatic transmission;
  • HALE 8FG single-stage, 2,000-gpm pump with two 1¾-inch crosslays;
  • UPF 300-gallon water tank;
  • 100-foot platform with 1,000-pound payload, 18-foot outrigger spread, and two ELKHART monitors (Scorpion manual and Vulcan RF electric);
  • aerial rescue package (Stokes basket with brackets, straps, and anchor points) and two holders on platform for roof ladders;
  • six wheel well sleeves for spare SCBA cylinders;
  • HOLMATRO rescue tools;
  • MEDTRONIC Life Pak 12;
  • three HANNAY reels (two electric, one hydraulic); and
  • light and power with HARRISON 10-kw hydraulic generator, eight HAVIS SHIELDS floodlights (three on cab, two on rear of body, two under platform, one between monitors), and two HAVIS SHIELDS COLLINS spot/floodlights on platform.

The Bryn Athyn (PA) Fire Departmentuses its TOYNE pumper as a first-out unit, says Chief Engineer Samuel Yardumian. It is designed with a short wheelbase to handle narrow roads, hilly terrain, and dense traffic.


Features/Equipment:

  • SPARTAN Gladiator Classic chassis with 186-inch wheelbase and eight-seat cab with 10-inch raised roof;
  • CATERPILLAR C13 430-hp diesel engine with ALLISON 4000 EVS automatic transmission;
  • WATEROUS CMU two-stage, 1,500-gpm pump with Eclipse Class A foam system with Advantus proportioner, 1¾-inch front bumper line, two 1¾-inch crosslays, three rear discharges (one three-inch to a wye, one three-inch to AKRON Mercury ground monitor, and one two-inch), and TFT Monsoon monitor with Extenda-Gun;
  • CFP 600-gallon water and 50-gallon foam tanks;
  • ZICO hydraulic ladder racks on both sides with 120 feet of ground ladders;
  • four wheel well sleeves (holds six spare SCBA cylinders and two hand fire extinguishers);
  • PHILLIPS Heart Start AED; and
  • three FRC floodlights (one brow and two behind cab).

Hand entrapped in rope gripper

Elevator Rescue: Rope Gripper Entrapment

Mike Dragonetti discusses operating safely while around a Rope Gripper and two methods of mitigating an entrapment situation.
Delta explosion

Two Workers Killed, Another Injured in Explosion at Atlanta Delta Air Lines Facility

Two workers were killed and another seriously injured in an explosion Tuesday at a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility near the Atlanta airport.