Lone FF tanker ops

[billy]

You're building a new tanker. What specific items would you install to ensure a lone FF operation?

Who will share an SOG for 1 FF tanker ops??

[old timer]

Sorry on this one Billy, but it doesn't happen here


KEEP DOING IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS!!!!!!!

[mkc]

I believe the important thing to rember is that the truck needs to be firefighter friendly. Dump tanks should be accessible by one person safely. Dump chutes should be extendable and operational from cab. Truck needs to carry as much water as possible considering the streets, bridges, and ability of possible drivers to operate the truck. Last the truck need atleast one deck gun installed for use on various situations.

[sponge]

We get all of our new tankers in the area built as tanker/pumpers. I believe the minimum is 2000 gal tank (maybe 2500) and 1250 gpm pump, plus enough hosebed room for 1200' + of supply line and preconnects. This gives us the flexibility of using it as an attack engine, even if it doesn't have all the extra equipment our engines have.
As for lone man operations, a lot depends on how you operate. If you have to draft for water, the truck needs to be set up so that the driver can get the hard suction off and connected easily. I've seen a few tankers with the portatank and hard suction mounted on a hydraulic rack on the drivers side, which helps a lot.
If you fill at a hydrant, I'd have all the hook-up equipment (hydrant wrench, spanners, any required adaptors) near the pump panel, along with a short length of LDH on the step (preconnected to the intake if possible).
We keep a roll of 3" in a compartment next to the pump panel. For nurse-tanker operations, this lets the driver grab enough hose to quickly roll it out to the other rig without having to pull hose out of the bed, break it, and drag it around.
A side dump option (either at the panel or rear) is a good choice, especially if there won't be someone there to back you up to the portatank.

[pfire21]

We just received a new Semo 3,000 gallon tanker with a 500 gpm. pump (there is a picture of it in last months showcase). It isn't really fancy, but it is very firefighter friendly. A single firefighter has no trouble operating it during water shuttles. There are swiches for the rear-dump on the rear and in the cab, the porta-tank is also on a fold down rack.