By Alan M. Petrillo

Generators come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types for use on fire apparatus, and generator manufacturers are using technology to bring their power-producing capabilities into the 21st century.

The assortment of generators available to fire departments for their rigs is wide, and where they are located on the vehicles varies according to need and vehicle size.

1 Harrison Hydra-Gen makes the Falcon MAS generator in 6-, 8-, and 10-kW models. (Photos 1-3 courtesy of Harrison Hydra-Gen.)

Designed for the Truck

Paul Newton, marketing director for Harrison Hydra-Gen, says Harrison builds its generators around the fire truck type it is to go on, resulting in eight models of generators used in the fire service. “Our Falcon, Vulcan, and Stealth series are basically the same generator, but each has a different footprint to fit a different spot on a truck,” Newton says. “Falcon is the shortest of the three and can be turned sideways instead of going across the middle of the vehicle.” Falcon uses the Harrison designation of MAS and is available in 6-, 8-, and 10-kilowatt (kW) models.

“Vulcan is the low-profile generator we make, the LPG, that typically will be placed under an aerial ladder,” Newton says. “Stealth MCR is the opposite of the Falcon; instead of being square and low, it is thin and tall, aimed at an aerial customer that doesn’t have to worry about generator height but might only have a couple of feet between the aerial and the body for it. All three of these models have self-contained hydraulic systems.” Vulcan is available in 6-, 8- and 10-kW sizes, and Stealth is available in 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-kW versions.

2 The Patriot MPC generator made by Harrison Hydra-Gen is available in models ranging from 10 to 30 kW.

Newton says that Harrison’s Stinger MSV “is designed as a smaller kW-rated unit in 3.6-, 4.8-, and 6.0-kW sizes with 15-, 20-, and 25-amp main breakers. Stinger is the smallest footprint generator in the industry and is optimized for LED lighting packages.”

Other models made by Harrison Hydra-Gen include the Modular Component Series (MCS) that is available in ratings from 3.6- to 30-kW; the Patriot MPC in 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, and 30-kW ratings; the Hornet NCM in 15- and 20-kW sizes; and the Avenger MDS in 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-kW models.

3 The Stealth MCR generator made by Harrison Hydra-Gen is tall and thin, aimed at aerial customers that don’t need to worry about generator height.

Modular Design

George Adams, vice president of sales at Smart Power,

Richard Marinucci

The components on fire apparatus can do just about anything a fire department desires (within reason). The parts continue to improve on reliability and ease of operation. Departments should evaluate their own situation to determine which components fit their needs, keeping in mind the types of calls expected, maintenance issues, and the ability to prepare personnel through training.

Reliability should be a major consideration. Regardless of service and warranties, vehicles that are not on the road do no good.

Component Choices

When you buy a car, whether it be from Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, or any of the others, you generally don’t get a choice of the various components in the vehicle. You get the engine, drivetrain, brakes, tires, seats, etc. that come with the vehicle. You are looking at the overall value of the automobile, and the make-up of the parts leads to the reliability, maintenance, and ease of use that you will evaluate. When it comes to fire apparatus, departments draft specifications and generally get to choose the parts they want when ordering custom fire apparatus.

It takes time and research to determine the components going into the next vehicle you purchase. Not only do you get to choose the engine, brakes, transmission, seats, and the like, but you get to pick the fire-service-specific parts. This includes the fire pump, fittings, foam systems, and anything else that makes sense to include. Picking out an SUV from Ford or GM doesn’t involve too much research into the details. Yet, with little experience going into the process, many departments begin to make selections.

I don’t know how much research is done when looking at components by individual departments. Some of the selection is based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. Sometimes it is personal preference. It may be based on what your mechanics want to work on. In the end, I am not sure it makes too much difference. I don’t know if any of the component manufacturers would be around too long if their parts weren’t reliable. Can we say conclusively which engine is best considering cost, reliability, and maintenance? Each has its advantage, but in the end it boils down to what the organization likes. It is not much different than an individual’s preference for a Ford or GM.

Component Reliability

When selecting components, reliability may be the most important factor. Trucks that are not in service as much as possible are a liability when it comes to service delivery. Fire trucks cannot be in the shop too often. The reason a vehicle is out of service is irrelevant. Whether directly tied to the end manufacturer or to one of the components, a piece not on the road is not doing the job. Consider items with the most reliability and durability. Those departments that choose to research should look at out-of-service time. This is not easy to find. You will need to contact your network and ask questions. There is no clearinghouse, so you need to ask around. The good news is that there probably are not significant issues, or a company would not last too long.

Ease of Use

Since the reliability of most components will not vary too much, you should next look at ease of use. You will need to provide training to your personnel. As everyone knows, there is more and more to learn in this business. Firefighters must know more initially and must also keep up on the basic knowledge. Ease of use allows for shorter training times, which frees up more of the sam

Richard Marinucci

The components on fire apparatus can do just about anything a fire department desires (within reason). The parts continue to improve on reliability and ease of operation. Departments should evaluate their own situation to determine which components fit their needs, keeping in mind the types of calls expected, maintenance issues, and the ability to prepare personnel through training.

Reliability should be a major consideration. Regardless of service and warranties, vehicles that are not on the road do no good.

Component Choices

When you buy a car, whether it be from Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, or any of the others, you generally don’t get a choice of the various components in the vehicle. You get the engine, drivetrain, brakes, tires, seats, etc. that come with the vehicle. You are looking at the overall value of the automobile, and the make-up of the parts leads to the reliability, maintenance, and ease of use that you will evaluate. When it comes to fire apparatus, departments draft specifications and generally get to choose the parts they want when ordering custom fire apparatus.

It takes time and research to determine the components going into the next vehicle you purchase. Not only do you get to choose the engine, brakes, transmission, seats, and the like, but you get to pick the fire-service-specific parts. This includes the fire pump, fittings, foam systems, and anything else that makes sense to include. Picking out an SUV from Ford or GM doesn’t involve too much research into the details. Yet, with little experience going into the process, many departments begin to make selections.

I don’t know how much research is done when looking at components by individual departments. Some of the selection is based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. Sometimes it is personal preference. It may be based on what your mechanics want to work on. In the end, I am not sure it makes too much difference. I don’t know if any of the component manufacturers would be around too long if their parts weren’t reliable. Can we say conclusively which engine is best considering cost, reliability, and maintenance? Each has its advantage, but in the end it boils down to what the organization likes. It is not much different than an individual’s preference for a Ford or GM.

Component Reliability

When selecting components, reliability may be the most important factor. Trucks that are not in service as much as possible are a liability when it comes to service delivery. Fire trucks cannot be in the shop too often. The reason a vehicle is out of service is irrelevant. Whether directly tied to the end manufacturer or to one of the components, a piece not on the road is not doing the job. Consider items with the most reliability and durability. Those departments that choose to research should look at out-of-service time. This is not easy to find. You will need to contact your network and ask questions. There is no clearinghouse, so you need to ask around. The good news is that there probably are not significant issues, or a company would not last too long.

Ease of Use

Since the reliability of most components will not vary too much, you should next look at ease of use. You will need to provide training to your personnel. As everyone knows, there is more and more to learn in this business. Firefighters must know more initially and must also keep up on the basic knowledge. Ease of use allows for shorter training times, which frees up more of the sam

Richard Marinucci

The components on fire apparatus can do just about anything a fire department desires (within reason). The parts continue to improve on reliability and ease of operation. Departments should evaluate their own situation to determine which components fit their needs, keeping in mind the types of calls expected, maintenance issues, and the ability to prepare personnel through training.

Reliability should be a major consideration. Regardless of service and warranties, vehicles that are not on the road do no good.

Component Choices

When you buy a car, whether it be from Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, or any of the others, you generally don’t get a choice of the various components in the vehicle. You get the engine, drivetrain, brakes, tires, seats, etc. that come with the vehicle. You are looking at the overall value of the automobile, and the make-up of the parts leads to the reliability, maintenance, and ease of use that you will evaluate. When it comes to fire apparatus, departments draft specifications and generally get to choose the parts they want when ordering custom fire apparatus.

It takes time and research to determine the components going into the next vehicle you purchase. Not only do you get to choose the engine, brakes, transmission, seats, and the like, but you get to pick the fire-service-specific parts. This includes the fire pump, fittings, foam systems, and anything else that makes sense to include. Picking out an SUV from Ford or GM doesn’t involve too much research into the details. Yet, with little experience going into the process, many departments begin to make selections.

I don’t know how much research is done when looking at components by individual departments. Some of the selection is based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. Sometimes it is personal preference. It may be based on what your mechanics want to work on. In the end, I am not sure it makes too much difference. I don’t know if any of the component manufacturers would be around too long if their parts weren’t reliable. Can we say conclusively which engine is best considering cost, reliability, and maintenance? Each has its advantage, but in the end it boils down to what the organization likes. It is not much different than an individual’s preference for a Ford or GM.

Component Reliability

When selecting components, reliability may be the most important factor. Trucks that are not in service as much as possible are a liability when it comes to service delivery. Fire trucks cannot be in the shop too often. The reason a vehicle is out of service is irrelevant. Whether directly tied to the end manufacturer or to one of the components, a piece not on the road is not doing the job. Consider items with the most reliability and durability. Those departments that choose to research should look at out-of-service time. This is not easy to find. You will need to contact your network and ask questions. There is no clearinghouse, so you need to ask around. The good news is that there probably are not significant issues, or a company would not last too long.

Ease of Use

Since the reliability of most components will not vary too much, you should next look at ease of use. You will need to provide training to your personnel. As everyone knows, there is more and more to learn in this business. Firefighters must know more initially and must also keep up on the basic knowledge. Ease of use allows for shorter training times, which frees up more of the sam