2010 Brush/Attack Question

[Catch22]

FireDude you got all of that for 125k? Would like to see the spec sheet for it.

I'm sure a lot of what he listed as far as loose equipment didn't come on it (though it's possible some did). We spent $127,500 on ours and got a GMC 5500 4x4 with a 300 gpm, 31 hp pump piped into the apparatus fuel tank, 400 gallon water tank, 10 kW hydraulic genset, front bumper turret, HRT hose reels, and an electrical cord reel on ours. The Fords seem to run a bit cheaper because there's less body material (shorter cab=shorter body), at least in our experience that was true.

The trick is to avoid the "big boys" and find a smaller company that specializes in those apparatus. The big boys specialize in pumpers and aerials, so the quick attacks aren't really easy to convert their line to (that came from a rep of one of the big boys), so they charge more than the smaller shops that do just quick attacks.

[VChief101]

Catch22 thanks for the narrative. I have one question for anyone who wants to respond...We purchased our Engine through a grant in 2004, will take delivery of our tanker this summer from 2009 AFG, and have a 26 year old piece of junk brush truck, my question is are my chances pretty low in getting a brush truck? I know there is a lot of other stats that are looked at and I can bullett proof them but there is nothing I can do about our average fleet age.

[onebugle]

Catch22 thanks for the narrative. I have one question for anyone who wants to respond...We purchased our Engine through a grant in 2004, will take delivery of our tanker this summer from 2009 AFG, and have a 26 year old piece of junk brush truck, my question is are my chances pretty low in getting a brush truck? I know there is a lot of other stats that are looked at and I can bullett proof them but there is nothing I can do about our average fleet age.

If you don't apply your chances will be zero. Since there is a need for a brush truck go for it (all other needs have been met). Yes, your average overall fleet age will be low, but the computer will also look at the average age of the apparatus in the catergory you are writing for. In this case, the brush truck which has an age of 26 years will help your cause. Other stats such as number of wildland incidents and acres will help as well.

[VChief101]

If you don't apply your chances will be zero. Since there is a need for a brush truck go for it (all other needs have been met). Yes, your average overall fleet age will be low, but the computer will also look at the average age of the apparatus in the catergory you are writing for. In this case, the brush truck which has an age of 26 years will help your cause. Other stats such as number of wildland incidents and acres will help as well.

Thanks that was my thinking I was just hoping to hear it from someone else.

[firedude801]

FireDude you got all of that for 125k? Would like to see the spec sheet for it.

Price was a little under $134k. As noted, we got several things from other grants. HRT Hose reel/hose and electric hose reel partially paid for by state grant, and remote nozzle from previous AFG award. Also, have a lot of rescue equipment on unit from VSafe grant. We thought it was a very good price for what we got and had pretty much the same price from two companies. As Catch22 noted, the big boys want a lot more just to have to deal with the smaller price unit. One of the 'big' companies was about $50k higher.

[utfd704]

Price was a little under $134k. As noted, we got several things from other grants. HRT Hose reel/hose and electric hose reel partially paid for by state grant, and remote nozzle from previous AFG award. Also, have a lot of rescue equipment on unit from VSafe grant. We thought it was a very good price for what we got and had pretty much the same price from two companies. As Catch22 noted, the big boys want a lot more just to have to deal with the smaller price unit. One of the 'big' companies was about $50k higher.

If you could send a copy my way it would be appreciated as well, Thanks in advance

FFTparrish@yahoo.com

[bigJ164019]

Im starting to worry because our department only asked for 89K for one.

[SLY4420]

You should have no trouble building a pick-up truck style brush rig for $89,000. Might not be that "quick attack" larger style.

[jam24u]

BTW, To anybody whom I sent my QuickAttack/Brush truck narrative, I know I thought it was pretty good, but since Tampa I'm confident its crap now.

Please dont kill me. I was young an foolish then.

[grasstrimmer]

We are going to try for a brush/attack truck this year. We are a rural dept. that does not have a brush truck. Will that get called a new mission or do we have a chance. We currently just use our pumper for grass and brush fires.

[SLY4420]

Just about everyone fights brush fires so it's not a new mission. In fact, not having a brush truck can positively impact your competive scoring:

DHS believes that a greater benefit will be derived from funding an additional vehicle(s) to departments that own few vehicles like the type requested. As such, DHS assigns a higher competitive rating in the apparatus category to fire departments that own fewer firefighting vehicles relative to other departments serving similar types of communities (i.e., urban, suburban, and rural).

[onebugle]

We are going to try for a brush/attack truck this year. We are a rural dept. that does not have a brush truck. Will that get called a new mission or do we have a chance. We currently just use our pumper for grass and brush fires.

It's an existing mission as you handle grass/brush fires. When you answer that question in the "Request for Details" section make sure you answer as such. It will be:

"First-time purchase for the existing mission (do not currently own)"

If you choose "new mission" you will most likely sink the application as a new mission is the lowest of priorities.

[Catch22]

Im starting to worry because our department only asked for 89K for one.

You can still get a very nice rig for that amount. The ones you are seeing for the $100K+ typically have rescue-style bodies like ours.

You can still get something with a flatbed and some compartments and have a nice rig that's built more for brush than as an all purpose rig. To be honest, we rarely use ours for "brush" fires, other than to stretch some lines and supply water for our Polaris Ranger rig. But we use the heck out of it on grass fires. We have another unit that gets down in the brush and the rougher areas.

[bigJ164019]

Thanks yall, I feel a little better now.

[Clutchcargo1]

BTW, To anybody whom I sent my QuickAttack/Brush truck narrative, I know I thought it was pretty good, but since Tampa I'm confident its crap now.

Please dont kill me. I was young an foolish then.

Lots of things have changed from Tampa! I spent a lot of time on a live fire simulator and now changed direction. One of which is a brush truck. Our '67 Willys open cab army truck needs replacement according to the chief. So I am looking for any ideas on a brush truck narrative.

Brian

[jam24u]

Lots of things have changed from Tampa! I spent a lot of time on a live fire simulator and now changed direction. One of which is a brush truck. Our '67 Willys open cab army truck needs replacement according to the chief. So I am looking for any ideas on a brush truck narrative.

Brian

I mean its a decent narrative, but needs some things thrown out because it isn't any use to the peer reviewer. He doesn't need to know my town has recognized theaters and concert halls and other artsy fartsy crapola. Just list how many buisnesses and residential concerns by number and not by type. Also that maybe I shouldn't highlight that my population is only 148. More stuff to be thrown out as well.

[CalhounFire]

Can someone send me a narrative for this quick attack? I am new to this...kind of getting thrown into it! Anyway, our department needs a new rescue truck...DESPERATELY! As a matter of fact up until a few months ago, you had to put blocks around the tires to ensure it wouldn't roll off! Anyway, since we are rural I know those chances are that of a snowball in well...I like the idea of using this quick attack as means to remedy the problem and bring about added support to the fleet with the extra pumper!

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[mcfdrichey25]

Anyone out there in narrative land?? I REALLY need help with a brush/quick attack narrative. Anyone have a winning narrative out there?? I do have winning ops/safety grants if you're looking for a trade. Thanks in advance!! mcfdrichey@gmail.com

[thumb13]

I am as well looking a narrative for an brush/attack vechile. Right now we have two dnr trucks an 1985,1986 that we use for grass fires. we average 3-5 grass fires a year, a rural dept. with 35sq miles. we also have an 86 step van that we would get rid of with an brush/attack truck. anyone with ideas please send them my way.THANKS.


summer2snow@yahoo.com