OSHKOSH, WI—Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, has delivered 17 Oshkosh® Striker® Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles to airports operated by Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V (GAP) in Mexico. The deliveries include a variety of Oshkosh Striker configurations, including seven 4x4, eight 6x6, and two 6x6 with the Oshkosh-exclusive Snozzle® high-reach extendable turret (HRET). The deliveries, to airports throughout the country, were completed in November 2015.

“The Oshkosh Striker is synonymous with performance, reliability and durability, and this series of deliveries to GAP-operated facilities represents a continued vote of confidence in both the vehicle platform and our service and support team—led by Oshkosh dealer Atepsa,” said Jeff Resch, Oshkosh Airport Products Group vice president and general manager. “GAP is an excellent and well-respected airport operator, and we are proud to have this fleet of Oshkosh ARFF vehicles on front-line duty at these important airports throughout Mexico.” 

Autobuses Especializados SA (Atepsa) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is the Oshkosh dealer providing local service and support to GAP and its airports. With more than 20 years of experience, Atepsa is a national leader in sales, distribution, and maintenance of specialized fire and rescue apparatus.

Featuring advanced safety systems, the Oshkosh Striker delivers innovative fire suppression technology, unmatched chassis performance, and unsurpassed reliability and durability. The Oshkosh Striker 6x6 axle configuration, with Oshkosh TAK-4® all wheel and fully independent suspension, offers a smooth ride and exceptional off-road capabilities. The 670-hp, Tier 3 Deutz engine is mated to a seven-speed Allison electronic automatic transmission for smooth power delivery enabling acceleration from 0-80 kph (50 mph) in less than 32 seconds. The engine power pack components are readily accessed through walk-in doors on either side of the engine compartment for easier servicing. 

Available on the Oshkosh Striker vehicle’s full range, the Snozzle HRET features 50- or 65-foot lengths and can be equipped with a penetrating nozzle and color or forward-looking infrared cameras that enable firefighters to discharge from 1.5 meters (five feet) below grade to elevations as high as 19.8 meters (65 feet). 

Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V or "GAP" operates 12 airports in the Pacific region of Mexico. GAP provides services that contribute to the development of domestic, regional and international air transportation, while positioning its member airports as the most advanced of their kind through competitive management and operations, and continuously adapting to market demand. 

Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC has delivered 17 Oshkosh Striker Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles to airports operated by Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V (GAP) in Mexico. Autobuses Especializados, SA (Atepsa) of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is th

Chattanooga, TN—Many people would be surprised to learn how often firefighters respond to medical emergencies. The Chattanooga (TN) Fire Department responded to 17,453 incidents last year, and of those calls, roughly 48 percent of them were for medical emergencies. This week, the fire department will start a new pilot program that is designed to enhance responses to medical emergencies in Chattanooga. With this new initiative, three quick-response vehicles (QRVs) will begin responding to medical calls. They will be used in place of the large fire apparatus, which is what firefighters traditionally use, whether to respond to a fire, car wreck, or medical emergency. Mayor Andy Berke says the QRV program helps move city services toward one of his primary goals, high-performing government. "I am not content with running government the way it's always been run," says Berke. "My goal is for our city services to be even more efficient today than they were yesterday."

The QRVs are specially equipped Ford Explorers staffed with two firefighters who are trained to the EMT or EMT Advanced level. "We believe the QRVs will allow us to provide a quicker and more efficient response to medical emergencies," says Training Chief Phil Hyman, "and when it comes to medical emergencies, such as heart attacks and strokes, the quicker you provide care, the better the outcome for the patient."

Hyman says the training for those firefighters assigned to the QRVs has been completed and the program should become operational by the end of this week. The QRVs will be assigned to fire stations in the areas with the highest call volume for medical emergencies, including Station 5 on Willow Street, Station 8 on Hickory Valley Road and Station 19 just off Hixson Pike next to Abba's House. Hyman says the program will be evaluated carefully, but is optimistic the results will be positive. "If successful, we're hoping to further enhance our service by adding more QRVs in the future."