Alan M. Petrillo
The Hummelstown (PA) Chemical Fire Co. No. 1 needed to replace an aging pumper but wanted to do so by building a combination vehicle-one that could serve as a first-line pumper as well as a rescue truck. The department found what it needed with Alexis.
"We're an all-volunteer department and sometimes have scarce staffing during the day," says Charlie Cogan, Hummelstown chief. "We had a pumper that needed to be replaced, and our rescue truck runs a lot because it handles a lot of mutual aid. So, we decided to spec a vehicle that can handle almost anything with a crew of five-whether it be fire suppression or a rescue."
|
The Hummelstown (PA) Chemical Fire Co. No. 1 chose Alexis to
build a rescue-pumper that would replace an older pumper and
worn-out rescue in the department's fleet. (Photos courtesy of
Alexis.) |
Cogan says the department put together a committee composed of line officers and the fire company president and treasurer. "We determined what we wanted on the vehicle and started out with a $1 million truck. [We] tweaked it back to what our budget would stand," Cogan notes. "Once we got a good idea of what we wanted in the vehicle, we sent our specs out to a list of different manufacturers to see what they could do for us."
Ultimately, five companies placed bids for the Hummelstown vehicle. "We wanted a pumper first and a rescue second, along with a Class A foam system and a light tower," Cogan points out. "This is our first vehicle with a light tower, and we wanted a big enough generator to handle that light tower as well as all the other power requirements on the vehicle. Alexis is the one we chose to build the truck."
|
The rescue-pumper carries a Hale QMAX 150 1,500-gpm pump
with a left-side pump panel, a 750-gallon water tank, and an
integral 30-gallon foam tank.
|
Filling Multiple Roles
Rick Debroisse, owner of I.M. Apparatus, the Alexis dealer for Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, acknowledges that Hummelstown wanted to design a multifunctional piece of apparatus. "They wanted a front-line pumper merged with a rescue because this apparatus would be their first-due piece in their own district as well as for mutual aid," Debroisse says. "They wanted all the multifunctional capabilities we could offer, including space for all the equipment that goes along with it."
Dirk Jordan, lead sales engineer for Alexis, says the rescue-pumper design Alexis came up with for Hummelstown "allows a combination of the best of both worlds. They wanted a low hosebed, lots of compartment space, and upper storage compartments on the roof." He adds, "When you go for a low hosebed and a big water load, it's a challenge to put in deep compartments because there is only so much space available, but we were able to do it. In addition, Hummelstown wanted a short turning radius on the vehicle, which we also were able to give them."
|
<
Read more
- 841
- Article rating: No rating
Posted: Jan 10, 2014
Performance Advantage Company Handlelok #1004 provides an adjustable positive locking method to secure a wide variety of tools and equipment. The Handlelok can accommodate many tools at a grip range of 1⁄8 to 1¾ inches including, but not limited to, axes, hammers, pike poles, pry bars, halligans, brooms, shovels, and so on. The Handlelok is molded from high-quality materials, is NFPA-compliant at a rated load of 10 pounds, and is guaranteed for life. It is available in three different colored straps including yellow, black, and orange. It also includes a soft textured pad for extra grip. It is weather- and UV-resistant, nonconductive, and can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Standard and PAC TRAC mounting hardware is included. www.pactoolmounts.com, 888-514-0083
David Clark Company Series 3400 headsets provide crisp, clear communications and effective hearing protection in high-noise environments. They are engineered to be compatible with David Clark Series 3100, 3400, and 3800 Intercom Systems and Series 3000 Mobile Radio Adapters. The Model H3432 is a dual-ear, over-the-head style headset capable of affording comfort and communication clarity over long periods of time. It uses the M7-A electret, noise-cancelling microphone, delivering excellent speech intelligibility. The ear seals and headpad are specifically chosen for comfort in any temperature or environmental conditions. Noise-attenuating ear cups provide clear isolated reception of the connected parties by either intercom or radio while effectively protecting the user's hearing. They also feature adjustable headband spring assemblies for custom fit. Pivoting stirrup assemblies on both ear cups help ensure a precise fit. www.davidclark.com, 508-751-5800
TFT FoamJet low-expansion and multiexpansion foam attachments are designed specifically to enhance foam application performance through TFT's G-Force Series of fixed, selectable gallonage, and automatic nozzles. Both attachments are easily added or removed using a simple clamping mechanism that attaches to the nozzle's front bumper. Produced from lightweight polymers, both the low-expansion and multiexpansion attachments are suitable for Class A and flammable liquid applications. The multiexpansion attachment offers the highest foam expansion and finished foam performance with alcohol resistant foam concentrates (synthetics). The low-expansion attachment is ideal for protein and fluoroprotein concentrates. www.tft.com, 219-462-6161
Elkhart Unibody Electric Controllers (UBECs) are available in three versions. All three of Elkhart's controllers feature a 10 LED ultra-bright display, which indicates closed to fully opened status in 10 percent increments. The 10-LED ultra-bright display is visible in sunlight and automatically dims at night. A preset button is programmable for any position. Unibody Electric Controllers are suitable for operation with any supply voltage between 12 and 24 VDC and require no more than 10 amps. There are no additional modules to wire or mount. Their aluminum housings are sealed to a NEMA 4 rating. Unibody Controllers may be operated via external switches or networked for primary and secondary operation w
Read more
- 784
- Article rating: No rating