The Apparatus Architect-Part 24 Designing Rescue Squad Apparatus In the last installment of the Apparatus Architect we began our discussion on some of the considerations and design criteria when developing specifications for a rescue squad apparatus. One of the most important items for your apparatus committee to consider is developing a comprehensive tool and equipment list, which should include all of the current tools as well as any planned equipment acquisitions. After planning room within the rescue body for fixed equipment such as generators, light tower, air cascade and fill stations and reels, you can begin to assign locations for these major components. Once all tools and equipment are accounted for you want to insure that you have at least fifteen to twenty percent of the body cubic foot area left open for future expansion and new tools, which may be acquired as tool technology improves or the mission of the vehicle changes. This expansion area can be located anywhere on the body and should be specifically designated as an open location for future use. Many times departments make the mistake of predetermining a specific length of a rescue body, assuming that if they purchase a new apparatus that is two to three feet longer in length than the present unit, tools and equipment will automatically fit into place. Unfortunately, many of the tools and equipment that are carried by rescue squad units do not fit into standard size compartments and the clear door opening measurements become critical when sizing larger equipment such as rescue struts and hydraulic tools. Each piece of equipment that is to be carried should be measured and weighted prior to determining
where the tools will be located within the body. Taking the time to measure and weight the equipment will pay off when it comes time to identify a location for these tools inside of the body compartments. When the Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad set out to develop the specifications for their new rescue squad they enjoyed the advantage of having a great deal of experience with operating past units. After the unfortunate accident with their 1999 Seagrave/Saulsbury squad,(see Firehouse July, 2005 Apparatus Architect), the department worked to developing specifications for the replacement rig. Since a number of members had experience with apparatus, including several personnel who worked for the District of Columbia Fire Department, there was an excellent knowledge base which was used to develop the over 100 pages of specifications for the new rescue squad. Once the bid specifications were completed, the fire department sought proposals for the new rescue and three apparatus manufactures submitted bids. After careful analysis of each proposal the department awarded the contract to Seagrave for a two door tandem axle chassis and Marion Body Works for a 25 foot stainless steel rescue body. The chassis is a Seagrave model TG-00DA and is powered by a Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine through an Allison five speed transmission with a gross vehicle weight rating of 61,500 pounds. The chassis is built on a 218 inch wheelbase and the unit has an overall length of 36 feet 11 inches. The cab features a reinforced FDNY style bumper, vertical exhaust with a Wilburt light tower nested in between the cab and the front of the body. The stainless steel cab together with the reinforced bumper were built to enhance crew safety and these components together with proper mounting of all equipment mounted inside of the rescue body were credited with reducing the injuries to the crew that were riding on the squad on the day of the accident in February of 2002.
The new squad is equipped with dual generators including an Onan 35 Kw pto driven unit and a Koehler 20 Kw diesel driven unit. The body has two 1500 watt lights on each side and two 500 watt telescopic lights mounted at the rear as well as a 9000 watt telescopic style light tower. For vehicle stabilization work the squad has a 12,000 pound electric front mounted winch, a 20,000 pound hydraulic rear winch with side body mounts for a 5000 pound portable winch. The stainless steel rescue body was designed with ten exterior compartments which are outfitted with an assortment of reels including four electric cable reels which carry 200 feet and 300 feet of 10/4 cable, two 300 foot low pressure air reels for tools and four bottle cascade system with a Space Saver two bottle fill station. The squad is also equipped with an Amkus Ultimate rescue tool system, which supplies five 125 foot hydraulic reels within the forward compartment on the body. A great amount of thought went into the design of the interior of the body where there is a crew bench seat to accommodate six riding positions, four large storage cabinets that are equipped with heavy cargo netting and all hand tools are mounted on stainless steel shelves with appropriate 9G rated brackets. The body is provided with both heating and air conditioning, as well as a roof mounted escape hatch and sliding body windows. The complete tool and equipment list for the unit is quite impressive and the mounting systems used provide ready access to all equipment and make taking up after an incident much easier. The Berwyn Heights driver s training program consists of a written exam and map test on knowledge of streets, highways, buildings and addresses within their response area.
Practical driving skills start out in a parking lot with a prescribed course set up with traffic cones that require forward and backing up, loading dock, islands and offset maneuvers. This is followed by road driving for a minimum of ten hours or 100 miles with a qualified driver s training instructor. Finally, a written and practical exam is given that covers all of the components and equipment for each piece of apparatus. The driving program starts with operation of the department ambulance, then onto the tiller position for the ladder truck. After qualifying as a tillerman the next position is to become trained on the operation of the 1990 rescue squad unit. The final two driving qualifications include operation of the tractor for Truck 14 and then personnel can move onto the new Seagrave/Marion rescue squad apparatus. The Berwyn Heights Fire Department is justifiably proud of their latest apparatus acquisition and the many years of working with heavy rescue squad units is readily apparent with how well laid out the tools and equipment are on the new Rescue Squad 14. Even with the best designed apparatus and equipment whenever you are driving or riding on the rig you should always Expect the Unexpected. Do not think for one moment that an accident won t happen to you, because if you think that this cannot happen to your department, your wrong. In the next installment of the Apparatus Architect we will discuss some of the various generator components and their impact on the overall design process for your rescue squad. Appreciation is given to President Jim Ward of the Berwyn Heights Fire Department for providing information and comments that made this story possible.
PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR APPARATUS ARCHITECT PART 24 Digital photo #1: Squad 14 is a 2004 Seagrave/Marion built with a stainless steel cab and 25 foot walk in style rescue body. Digital photo #2: The body interior is equipped with a bench seat for six personnel with an enclosed storage area for folding, roof and extensions ladders together with several Clemmens and halligan hooks. Digital photo #3: The left side of the rescue body carries several electric cord reels, fans, portable generators, back up HRT motor and shoring blocks. By Tom Shand and Mike Wilbur Firehouse October, 2005