The SA 75 aerial quint Sutphen delivered to Columbia is on a Monarch heavy duty custom chassis with a 62-inch extended four-door cab and 10-inch raised roof with seating for four firefighters, three in SCBA seats.
The Walker Township (PA) Fire Company got two KME engines, a 2013 and 2010, from the Eddington (PA) Fire Company in a deal brokered by Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus. (Photos courtesy of the Walker Township Fire Company.)
As long as the rig has an adequate water supply, and no one is screaming on the radio to raise or lower pump pressures, pump operators might let the pump do its own thing. Regardless of the reason, a lackadaisical attitude might develop that could be inherently dangerous on the fireground.
The Mabscott (WV) Volunteer Fire Department had previously purchased two custom engines from Sutphen Corp., so when it decided it needed new pumper on a short wheelbase that would be maneuverable for mountainous terrain, it again turned to Sutphen to build the rig.
Mandating service requirements is admirable. However, purchasers should realize there can be and probably should be a difference in providing “service” applicable to warranty issues and providing general “everyday” service and general maintenance capabilities.
If the real intent of writing what could be considered proprietary dimensions is to ensure the success of a preferred vendor, then so be it. Just bear in mind that the decision to write such a specification may have to be justified in a public forum.
The Vestavia Hills rig is a 2003 Pierce Saber heavy rescue truck with seating for six firefighters, five of whom are in SCBA seats.
This narration covers the possible abuse or misuse of the “Bidder Complies” format. The Bidder Complies format is almost a fire service standard when writing purchasing specifications.
Sutphen stripped the entire vehicle down, blasted the triple wall frame with a zinc enriched primer for corrosion protection, and painted the frame black, which originally had been painted white.
Lately the fire service, warning light manufacturers, pundits, commentators, and safety gurus alike have advocated doing something about the glare or distraction of warning lights that people say can, could, may, or might be a cause or a contributing factor of accidents.
There’s been a fundamental change in the traditional “competitive bid” process used to purchase apparatus as well as noticeable changes in the attitudes of some apparatus buyers and sellers.
Some proponents of the concept advocate keeping turnout gear (personal protective clothing) out of the crew cab at all times. There is no questioning keeping contaminated gear out of the cab
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