By Chris Mc Loone

The process for replacing a fire truck can be a very long one. It starts with assembling the apparatus purchasing committee; holding meetings to begin the planning for the new rig; sometimes arguing over various aspects of the new truck; and, all the while, the old truck gets older.

Things were no different for Weldon Fire Company in Glenside, Pennsylvania, as it began the process of replacing its 2002 Spartan/Saulsbury rescue truck built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis. When the truck landed in 2002, there was very little if any equipment left over from the 1989 Spartan/Saulsbury it replaced. Just about all the equipment was brand new, but that isn’t going to be the case for the next rig. This time around, the entire truck was stripped of equipment.

1 Members of the Weldon Fire Company in Glenside, Pennsylvania, stripped the equipment from its Spartan/Saulsbury rescue and remounted it in a Ferrara hazmat unit it borrowed from the Montgomery County (PA) Department of Public Safety in a little more than five hours. (Photos by author.)

The fire company’s apparatus purchasing committee did its homework, went to various trade shows to “kick tires,” met with different manufacturers, and eventually brought the purchase of a new rescue truck to the fire company body for approval. Chief Bud Gerhard made the presentation to the fire company members gathered for its monthly business meeting and secured company approval to purchase a new rescue truck.

That, as it turns out, was much easier than what ensued.

Selling the Old Truck

Truck committee members were reluctant to rush into selling the 2002 truck. The fire company had run into some difficulty selling the 1989 rescue truck and, for several months after taking delivery of the 2002 rig, it owned two heavy-rescue vehicles. There were different reasons for the difficulty selling the 1989 vehicle. One potential buyer just never showed up, and another potential buyer did not have the money he said he did. Also, the 1989 truck was a walk-through rescue. Even in 2002, the market for rescue trucks was changing, and walk-through trucks were not as popular at that point. So, it had its design going against it. Fourteen years passed, but the memory of carrying two rescue trucks was still very fresh.

The truck committee actually got permission to advertise the rescue truck in November 2015. The new truck is not set to be delivered until August or September 2016. So, the truck committee figured it had time to advertise and finalize the sale of the 2002 rescue truck. However, that all changed in early January.

2 Members of the Weldon Fire Company in Glenside, Pennsylvania, stripped the equipment from its Spartan/Saulsbury rescue and remounted it in a Ferrara hazmat unit it borrowed from the Montgomery County (PA) Department o Read more 388 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Mar 14, 2016 Engine Companies: Jacks of All Trades ...?   Richard Marinucci In major metropolitan areas and larger fire departments, there is delineation between engine companies and truck companies. In smaller organizations, there may not be the same distinction, and engine companies may be asked to do many more functions on the fireground and even other emergency responses such as emergency medical services (EMS). As these responsibilities expand, the expectation for quality service does not diminish. This is a great challenge for fire departments and firefighters who must embrace this. The role of the engine company is constantly evolving, and if you were to compare what was expected just a few years ago and what may be part of the job today, you may not realize how much has changed. Engine companies are asked to do more than deliver water. Some departments have licensed these vehicles to deliver paramedic service to supplement their EMS delivery system. Changes such as these have an impact on vehicle design, equipment storage, daily apparatus checks, and training for those assigned to the engine. Occasionally evaluating the functions expected of the engine company is a good idea. This would start with a review of the various responsibilities and corresponding equipment needs. The amount of equipment needed definitely affects space needs and usage of available compartmentation. For those organizations that license their engines for EMS response, they are very aware of the constraints placed on them as they look to fit everything into a suitable space. But, it is more than looking at the “extra” assignments. Engine Company Expectations Will the engine company be asked to do more than deliver water? Will it need forcible entry tools, laddering capabilities, and other more traditional truck functions? There are space considerations and there can be weight issues. Do you know your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)? Departments can continue to add weight to the point where they overload the apparatus. This can be very dangerous and lead to other problems. If your organization has changed what is being carried on your vehicle, have the vehicle weighed to make sure you are operating within acceptable limits. The questions don’t stop there. Is your vehicle routinely operating on the roadway? If so, the vehicle must be marked properly and in accordance with applicable standards. It must carry traffic cones and should consider arrow boards or directional lighting. While these may be obvious and not necessarily overtaxing in appearance, they are considerations that should not be approached haphazardly. The firefighters on the vehicle need to receive the proper training and be issued the corresponding safety equipment such as reflective vests. There should be some awareness of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). If all members assigned to a vehicle that responds to roadway incidents are not aware, they are remiss in their preparation and responsibilities. Often, engine companies are outfitted to begin an initial response to hazmat incidents or special rescue situations such as ice or water rescue, confined space, high-angle, collapse, or trench rescue events. The same questions still apply. Based on the organization’s desires to assign responsibilities to engine companies, the suitable equipment must be acquired. Then space must be found on the vehicle. If this is not all accounted for in an organized planning process, you may have overloaded compartments, equipment in places that are somewhat precarious, Read more 472 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Mar 14, 2016 Engine Companies: Jacks of All Trades ...?   Richard Marinucci In major metropolitan areas and larger fire departments, there is delineation between engine companies and truck companies. In smaller organizations, there may not be the same distinction, and engine companies may be asked to do many more functions on the fireground and even other emergency responses such as emergency medical services (EMS). As these responsibilities expand, the expectation for quality service does not diminish. This is a great challenge for fire departments and firefighters who must embrace this. The role of the engine company is constantly evolving, and if you were to compare what was expected just a few years ago and what may be part of the job today, you may not realize how much has changed. Engine companies are asked to do more than deliver water. Some departments have licensed these vehicles to deliver paramedic service to supplement their EMS delivery system. Changes such as these have an impact on vehicle design, equipment storage, daily apparatus checks, and training for those assigned to the engine. Occasionally evaluating the functions expected of the engine company is a good idea. This would start with a review of the various responsibilities and corresponding equipment needs. The amount of equipment needed definitely affects space needs and usage of available compartmentation. For those organizations that license their engines for EMS response, they are very aware of the constraints placed on them as they look to fit everything into a suitable space. But, it is more than looking at the “extra” assignments. Engine Company Expectations Will the engine company be asked to do more than deliver water? Will it need forcible entry tools, laddering capabilities, and other more traditional truck functions? There are space considerations and there can be weight issues. Do you know your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)? Departments can continue to add weight to the point where they overload the apparatus. This can be very dangerous and lead to other problems. If your organization has changed what is being carried on your vehicle, have the vehicle weighed to make sure you are operating within acceptable limits. The questions don’t stop there. Is your vehicle routinely operating on the roadway? If so, the vehicle must be marked properly and in accordance with applicable standards. It must carry traffic cones and should consider arrow boards or directional lighting. While these may be obvious and not necessarily overtaxing in appearance, they are considerations that should not be approached haphazardly. The firefighters on the vehicle need to receive the proper training and be issued the corresponding safety equipment such as reflective vests. There should be some awareness of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). If all members assigned to a vehicle that responds to roadway incidents are not aware, they are remiss in their preparation and responsibilities. Often, engine companies are outfitted to begin an initial response to hazmat incidents or special rescue situations such as ice or water rescue, confined space, high-angle, collapse, or trench rescue events. The same questions still apply. Based on the organization’s desires to assign responsibilities to engine companies, the suitable equipment must be acquired. Then space must be found on the vehicle. If this is not all accounted for in an organized planning process, you may have overloaded compartments, equipment in places that are somewhat precarious, Read more 471 0 Article rating: No rating Posted: Mar 14, 2016 Engine Companies: Jacks of All Trades ...?   Richard Marinucci In major metropolitan areas and larger fire departments, there is delineation between engine companies and truck companies. In smaller organizations, there may not be the same distinction, and engine companies may be asked to do many more functions on the fireground and even other emergency responses such as emergency medical services (EMS). As these responsibilities expand, the expectation for quality service does not diminish. This is a great challenge for fire departments and firefighters who must embrace this. The role of the engine company is constantly evolving, and if you were to compare what was expected just a few years ago and what may be part of the job today, you may not realize how much has changed. Engine companies are asked to do more than deliver water. Some departments have licensed these vehicles to deliver paramedic service to supplement their EMS delivery system. Changes such as these have an impact on vehicle design, equipment storage, daily apparatus checks, and training for those assigned to the engine. Occasionally evaluating the functions expected of the engine company is a good idea. This would start with a review of the various responsibilities and corresponding equipment needs. The amount of equipment needed definitely affects space needs and usage of available compartmentation. For those organizations that license their engines for EMS response, they are very aware of the constraints placed on them as they look to fit everything into a suitable space. But, it is more than looking at the “extra” assignments. Engine Company Expectations Will the engine company be asked to do more than deliver water? Will it need forcible entry tools, laddering capabilities, and other more traditional truck functions? There are space considerations and there can be weight issues. Do you know your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)? Departments can continue to add weight to the point where they overload the apparatus. This can be very dangerous and lead to other problems. If your organization has changed what is being carried on your vehicle, have the vehicle weighed to make sure you are operating within acceptable limits. The questions don’t stop there. Is your vehicle routinely operating on the roadway? If so, the vehicle must be marked properly and in accordance with applicable standards. It must carry traffic cones and should consider arrow boards or directional lighting. While these may be obvious and not necessarily overtaxing in appearance, they are considerations that should not be approached haphazardly. The firefighters on the vehicle need to receive the proper training and be issued the corresponding safety equipment such as reflective vests. There should be some awareness of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). If all members assigned to a vehicle that responds to roadway incidents are not aware, they are remiss in their preparation and responsibilities. Often, engine companies are outfitted to begin an initial response to hazmat incidents or special rescue situations such as ice or water rescue, confined space, high-angle, collapse, or trench rescue events. The same questions still apply. Based on the organization’s desires to assign responsibilities to engine companies, the suitable equipment must be acquired. Then space must be found on the vehicle. If this is not all accounted for in an organized planning process, you may have overloaded compartments, equipment in places that are somewhat precarious, Read more 394 0 Article rating: No rating RSS FirstPrevious4372437343744375437643774378437943804381NextLast Theme picker Section Quick Links   Fire Mechanics Documents EVT Discussion Forum Fire Mechanic Photo Gallery Training & Testing 2019 Scholarship Logo Wear Store Upcoming Events Theme picker Sponsors Fire Mechanics Section Board Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Chair Elliot Courage North Whatcom Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Vice Chair Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Vice Chair Mike Smith  Pierce County Fire District #5 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Secretary Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Secretary Greg Bach South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #1 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #1 Doug Jones South Kitsap Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #2 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #2 Paul Spencer  Fire Fleet Maintenance LLC Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #3 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #3 Jim Morris Mountain View Fire Department Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #4 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #4 Arnie Kuchta Clark County Fire District 6 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #6 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #6 Brett Annear Kitsap County Fire District 18 Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Director #5 Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Director #5 Jay Jacks Camano Island Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating Legislative Representative Posted: Oct 21, 2015 Legislative Representative TBD TBD Read more 3389 0 Article rating: No rating Immediate Past Chair Posted: Oct 20, 2015 Immediate Past Chair Brian Fortner Graham Fire & Rescue Read more 0 0 Article rating: No rating RSS Theme picker 2020 CAR SHOW Terms Of Use | Privacy Statement - Copyright 2025 by Washington Fire Chiefs Home Members About Us News Calendar Resources Documents Sections County Fire Chiefs FRWC WSAFM