SPECIFYING AND PURCHASING A RESCUE TRUCK

Specifying and purchasing a new rescue apparatus can be a very rewarding experience or a disaster, depending on how well you have done your advance research.

JUSTIFICATION

Justification is the first step in any apparatus purchasing plan. If local officials are to allocate the necessary funding, they must be convinced that the purchase is needed. Justifying the purchase will most likely be easier if the rescue unit is replacing an existing apparatus that is in service. In that case, emphasize the following points:

• Increased firefighter safety. Over the past 10 years, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) apparatus standard requirements have increased firefighter health and safety dramatically. Items such as the fully enclosed cab, reduction of cab noise levels, slip-resistant stepping surfaces, antilock braking systems, adequate scene lighting, auxiliary braking devices, and state-of-the art warning light systems are just a few examples.
• Reduced maintenance costs. As the apparatus ages, all components are subject to fatigue and normal wear. It is not uncommon to find that older apparatus manufactured of cold-rolled steel requires refurbishment after as few as 10 years, because of rusting. Engines, transmissions, and all auxiliary components suffer from years of responding at full power from a cold start. As the apparatus become older, it is also more difficult to locate replacement parts.
• Increased reliability. The newer electrical components, load management systems, and increased battery and alternator capacity make newer apparatus much more reliable with regard to starting and performing its mission.
• Increased efficiency. In most cases, the response area’s rescue requirements have probably changed since the last rescue truck was purchased: A new highway that has increased your calls for motor vehicle accidents may have been built in your jurisdiction, or new industrial occupancies, which have increased the need for rescue services, may have been constructed. Another consideration is whether the new rescue unit has the capabilities to deal with initial actions at a haz-mat incident. Gone are the days of a gasoline “wash-down” at a motor vehicle accident!

When you justify a piece of apparatus, you must clearly define “want” vs. “need.” You may “want” the ability to run four air-operated jackhammers from a compressor on the apparatus, but do you really “need” that capability? Probably not, unless you are located in a serious earthquake zone.

DEFINE OR REDEFINE YOUR MISSION

What functions are the new apparatus expected to perform? Identifying the areas of rescue capabilities will, in turn, dictate the tools that will be necessary to perform the mission. Following is a list of basic rescue functions and equipment:

• fireground search and rescue operations,
• thermal imaging for heat sources and victim location,
• vehicular extrication,
• heavy lifting capabilities,
• rescue from entrapment (industrial accidents),
• high-angle rope rescue,
• surface water rescue,
• scuba water rescue,
• swift water rescue,
• ice rescue,
• metal cutting,
• masonry cutting and breaking,
• collapse rescue,
• shoring and rigging,
• confined space rescue,
• hazardous gas and confined space air monitoring,
• trench rescue,
• mechanical hand tools,
• elevator rescue equipment,
• electrical lighting and power supply,
• emergency medical services treatment and patient handling, and
• other functions particular to your specific jurisdiction.

COMBINATION UNITS

A mistake often made when purchasing rescue apparatus is trying to combine too many functions into one unit. When tempted to specify one of these “do-all” rigs, you should consider the following questions:

• Do you really want to sacrifice precious cargo space for a mini-command center that will probably be too small to function efficiently at the emergency scene?
• Do you need a huge onboard generator that can power City Hall or the local hospital during a disaster? Wouldn’t the apparatus be more useful under these conditions if it were free to respond to genuine rescue calls?
• Will trained rescue personnel be required to stand around filling breathing air cylinders from an onboard system when they could be more useful elsewhere?

Although combination units are not right for everyone, combining functions might help justify the purchase in some departments where the number of technical rescue and fire calls is low. Haz mat, medical transport, command center, electrical power generation, and self-contained breathing air cylinder refilling are just a few functions that might be considered. Be aware that all of these additional functions increase the price, size, and weight of the apparatus and tend to distract from its primary mission.

OUTLINING THE BASICS

The first step in specifying a rescue apparatus is to obtain NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. Read and understand the chapters that apply to “Special Service Fire Apparatus,” which includes rescue trucks, haz-mat units, command units, lighting, and breathing air units.

The following basic areas should be addressed when purchasing a new rescue apparatus:

• Will a custom (manufactured exclusively for the fire service) or a commercial chassis best serve your purpose? Customs have larger, roomier cabs and can generally accommodate a wider selection of chassis components. Four-door, business-class commercial chassis are more economical and have become very popular with the fire service.
• How many responder riding positions will be needed, and where should the seating be placed? Answering this question might help you decide whether a custom or commercial is right for you. If your normal crew is four members, specifying an apparatus with a 10-person cab and an eight-person crew bench in the box adds cost, weight, and size to the apparatus. Be realistic. A few riding positions more than your normal response will generally be suitable.
• Based on the personnel and equipment weight and the terrain of your response area, what size engine and driveline will be needed? Manufacturers can provide a computerized report of the engine/transmission performance at various grades for your consideration before you commit to the largest engine available.
• What type of body style do you need? A “walk-in” rescue has an aisle from which members can access interior equipment compartments. Sometimes, access is provided from the cab and a rear door.

A “nonwalk-in” has within the body full-height compartmentation from side to side. All access is from outside compartment doors. With this style, there is no wasted space for the aisle. It is also more suitable for carrying larger objects, such as 4- 3 8-foot sheets of plywood or longer shoring members.

The manufacturer must also be made aware of any concentrated loads you intend to carry in the bottom of the compartments. Items such as heavy oxygen and acetylene tanks, some heavy jacking equipment, and tools such as jackhammers might damage the compartment’s bottom if it is not properly reinforced.

• How much space is necessary, and what is the weight of the equipment you intend to carry? This will help define the physical size of the apparatus, engine horsepower and transmission requirements, and the number of axles and their capacity.

Often the size and construction of the fire station determine the maximum size of the apparatus. Another determining factor here is your locality’s roadway system: Will the apparatus be too large or too heavy, or have such a poor turning radius that it will hamper your response to calls?

The NFPA apparatus standard allows 3,000 pounds of equipment to be carried on a special service apparatus. Most modern rescue units surpass this figure by a significant amount. It is imperative that the manufacturer be aware of the weight of the equipment you intend to carry so that it provides the proper axle weight ratings, suspension, braking, and tires needed to carry the load safely.

Don’t forget to leave room for expansion. Many rescue trucks are filled to capacity with mounted equipment and look perfect when first placed in service, but what happens in a year or two when additional capabilities and equipment are added?

• What kind of compartment doors should you specify? Standard box-pan hinged compartment doors have been used successfully for many years. They are relatively simple with few moving parts, but they project out into traffic when open and sometimes make it difficult to remove equipment from a compartment, especially when the apparatus is near parked cars.

The European rollup-style compartment doors have become very popular in recent years. The first ones were available only in “natural” aluminum finish and used compartment space where they rolled up at the top. The manufacturers have addressed these concerns. Rollups the same color as the apparatus are available, as are doors that follow the contour of the top of the compartment so that they don’t take up as much space. Rollup doors make it easy for two firefighters to approach a compartment to remove a heavy piece of equipment (such as a generator), and they don’t get knocked off accidentally when pulling out of quarters. They do, however, have numerous moving parts that could become a problem if not properly cleaned and maintained.

Depending on the security of your location, locking compartment doors might be a worthwhile investment. Locks are available for both door styles.

• What special requirements do you have for mounting and storing equipment? The manufacturers have numerous interesting options available in this area. They begin with the simple shelf and rollout tray and go on to pull-out, drop-down drawers; hinged panels; sliding panels; metallic peg boards; and even a lazy-Susan turntable-type of device to make equipment accessible.

Specialized modules for air cylinder storage, lifting air bags, and hydraulic rescue tools can also be provided. Also available are detachable ramps that facilitate removing heavy equipment mounted on wheeled units from compartments.

Rooftop compartments are also available on some units, but consider issues such as safety with regard to reaching the storage area and lowering heavy equipment.

SPECIALIZED SYSTEMS AND FEATURES

Line voltage electrical installations. Just about every rescue truck has provisions for line voltage electrical capabilities. The first consideration should be the type of power source and whether it is going to be a fixed system or a removable portable unit. Some common fixed units are diesel- or hydraulic generator-powered or Power Take Off (PTO)-driven.

The diesel generator has provided reliable service for many years. It consists of a small diesel engine that drives the generator and usually receives its fuel from the apparatus diesel tank. A positive feature of this type of unit is that it is independent from the apparatus engine and can be left running even when the apparatus is turned off. It does, however, add weight, take up compartment space, and require maintenance of the additional diesel engine.

The PTO generator, attached to the transmission, is driven by the apparatus engine. To produce electricity, the PTO is engaged, and the engine revolutions per minute (RPM) setting is adjusted to the proper level. This is a relatively simple system that does not require much maintenance. Some limitations are the unit’s size and mounting location: The drive shaft between the PTO unit and the generator generally must be on the same level.

The hydraulic generator has become popular. It operates in the following manner: A hydraulic fluid pump, driven by a PTO unit, drives a hydraulic motor to spin the generator. Most of these units will operate over a wide range of engine RPM and are quite reliable. They can also be configured to operate while responding so that area lighting can be turned on as the unit arrives on the scene.

Also available is the portable or removable alternating current (AC) generator. Generally, these units are powered by gasoline and are smaller in output than the fixed units. The obvious advantage of this type of unit is that it can be operated on the apparatus or taken to the emergency scene, if it is remote from the access point.

The next consideration is how to use the electricity being generated. Fixed quartz lighting wired into the control panel is usually installed on the apparatus. A whole variety of raised light towers is also available for extensive scene lighting.

Receptacles mounted to the apparatus are handy for powering portable cord reels at the scene. Remember to specify receptacles in locations that might require AC power, such as fixed hydraulic rescue tool pumps mounted inside compartments or inside the work area of a command center.

Power rewind cord reels are also very popular. As a word of caution when specifying cord reels: Keep the cord length as short as practical, and specify that the wire size be as heavy as necessary to perform the desired task. There is a considerable voltage drop in electrical cords. If you intend to use a heavy-draw appliance, such as an electric jackhammer, a light-duty cord will not be able to supply the needed power.

• Hydraulic rescue tool equipment. Apparatus builders can supply a wide variety of mounting accessories for hydraulic rescue tool equipment. In addition, mounted reels and a fixed electrically powered pump can provide a very reliable operating combination for the hydraulic tools, if the apparatus can approach the incident closely. You must also consider provisions for mounting the portable hydraulic power unit.
• Breathing air. Some rescue units are equipped with cascade or breathing air booster pumps for replenishing self-contained breathing apparatus. This installation is generally quite heavy and can take up a considerable amount of space. The 1999 edition of NFPA 1901 also requires an enclosed fill station that will contain the fragments in case of a cylinder failure.

If an air system is installed on the apparatus, it would be worthwhile to install a pressure regulator and utility air reel for the use of air-powered tools. Many people make the mistake of connecting a utility air reel to the vehicle’s air brake system. In most cases, this system will not be able to provide the volume of air needed for tools such as an air chisel or impact wrench for a sustained period under adverse conditions.

• Command center. In some cases, the interior of a walk-in rescue can provide an “out-of-weather” area for the incident commander to use. If this type of installation is required, it should be air-conditioned and have sufficient lighting for the command staff. Consider drawers to hold maps, marker boards, and stationery supplies. Rescue equipment should not be mounted in the same area; the retrieval of the equipment could interrupt operations at the command post.
• Winches. Many rescue trucks are equipped with a winch for rigging heavy objects on the front, rear, or in both areas. The NFPA standard indicates that the minimum capacity of a vehicle-mounted winch must be 6,000 pounds and must have at least 100 feet of cable. If you think heavier capacities are necessary, specify them. Winches can be electrically or hydraulically operated.

Specifying a technical piece of equipment such as a rescue truck takes a great deal of thought and research. After determining the functions the apparatus is expected to perform, the truck committee should obtain as much information as possible by attending local apparatus exhibits; questioning various vendors with regard to the types of equipment and accessories they can provide; and, most importantly, visiting with other fire departments that have similar equipment in service. With the proper preparation, specifying a rescue truck can be a very rewarding experience.

Specifying and purchasing a new rescue apparatus can be a very rewarding experience or a disaster.

Photo 1:Carefully evaluate whether any special equipment, based on your jurisdiction’s needs, should be included in your rescue truck specifications. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.)

Photo 2:The size of the rescue unit will depend on the fire station’s dimensions and the type and weight of the equipment carried. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.)

Photo 3:Rollup doors provide better access for removing heavy equipment from compartments. (Photo by author.)

Photo 4:The apparatus builder can make provisions for neatly mounting equipment. (Photo by author.)

Photo 5:With sufficient planning, a great deal of equipment can be carried in an orderly fashion. (Photo by author.)

Photo 6:Retrieving equipment from rooftop compartments is simplified with this step installation. (Photo by Ron Jeffers.)