New Rescue Truck...Getting close!

[dmleblanc]

Our new rescue truck is about 2 weeks away from completion...thought you might like to see some pics. (Please refrain from any "fire trucks are supposed to be red" type comments, I've heard 'em before )

Now if I can just get the pics to work....

Here are some pics taken several weeks ago before the body was built.

[Res343cue]

What was the truck designed as, Chief?

We've got a Ford F550 with a locally built body on the rear, but is way overloaded. What's yours going to be doing, what's going to be carried? Etc.

[dmleblanc]

Here are fresh pics from today...

[dmleblanc]

Here are the rest...

Res343cue....it's going to serve several roles for us....It will carry the necessary ISO equipment to function as a service company, so it will respond to all structure fires in that capacity. It will also respond to MVA's as a rescue truck...currently we have a rescue-style engine that carries the hydraulic tools, which works out OK, so I have not yet decided if we will transfer the tools to this unit...we may work at getting some supplemental equipment (maybe a combi tool or something like that) to complement the main tools on the engine. Also, it will be used for medical responses.

As you see in the next series of pics, the truck also has a fridge to carry water and drinks for rehab. On the same side as the fridge, there will be a roll-out canopy to create an awning, either for rehab or to serve as a command post.

The long roll-out tray on the passenger side will carry 16 spare SCBA bottles in 2 removable carrying racks. Since we had to go with the Ford F-550 instead of the International like we originally wanted (budget issue) we could not carry a full cascade system and filling stations as we had hoped (weight issue)....so we figured the next best thing was to just carry a bunch of spare cylinders....

If you've noticed, the particular shade of yellow seems different in the first series (just the chassis) as opposed to the recent pics. They used the wrong paint code the first time and had to repaint it. Fortunately we caught the mistake before they painted the body too

[Peetmoss]

Looks like a nice rig please post some pics when it's deliverd and all stocked up. I also really like the awning and fridge Idea.

[dmleblanc]

Here are some other pics I forgot I had, taken about a month ago during a visit to the shop....

[dmleblanc]

Here are some more....

[Res343cue]

Looking pretty good, other then the fact that the shop hasn't let it ripen up outside yet.... Had to get in a little ribbing over the yellow

I'll sneak down to the station and take some photos of our F550 tomorrow.

[pocambu]

Not sure if I missed it or not but who is the builder?

[backsteprescue123]

Very nice truck, looks like it is well designed.

[firefighter105]

Looking pretty good, other then the fact that the shop hasn't let it ripen up outside yet.... Had to get in a little ribbing over the yellow

damn, you beat me to it :|

[dmleblanc]

Not sure if I missed it or not but who is the builder?

I hadn't mentioned it...the builder is a local company, 5 Alarm Fire Apparatus in Bayou Blue, LA.

www.5alarmfireapp.com

They are a small outfit, started out doing mostly refurbs and maintenance but have been building more new units the last couple of years. Quite a few departments in my area have used them and I've driven and inspected several rescues and other apparatus they've built for other departments....they build a good quality product at a decent price, and they've been very responsive and good to work with during the design and building process (other than getting that paint code wrong the first time....but they took care of that with no problem).

We only had 2 bids to build this unit....5 Alarm bid $116,500 and Ferrara bid $148,000 for the same unit....no contest. And I find that 5 Alarm's quality and attention to detail is every bit as good (better in some instances) than Ferrara. They've been a pleasure to work with during the whole process and David Daigle, the owner, is very down-to-earth and hands-on in all phases of the construction.

Right now they are trying to get it ready for next weekend....we have a Family Day this Saturday for the fire department and we would really love to have it delivered that day....David says he'll try, but not sure if they'll quite make it...if not, it won't be more than a week or so after that. I'll post some pics of the finished product.

[firenresq77]

.,.,.,.,.,

[Weruj1]

I did like the built in fridge idea ................very cool.....(pun intended) ! sorry 77 !

[dmleblanc]

I did like the built in fridge idea ................very cool.....(pun intended) ! sorry 77 !

It's becoming a very popular option around here on some service units and even engines occasionally....we don't have anyone we can call on to bring drinks and refreshments to the scene, so we'd better bring them with us when we go. If you check out 5 Alarm's website in the apparatus pics, the rescue truck they built for Paradis has both a fridge AND a freezer...I saw it a couple of years ago at the State Firemen's Convention and decided then and there that we would put one on our next rescue truck.

[dmleblanc]

Yesterday's pics....starting on the striping and lettering, more of the trim installed (running boards, diamond plate, etc)

Probably be ready for delivery next week...

[Ledebuhr1]

what powers thoes fridges and freezer when they are sitting for a couple days? wouldent everything melt?

IT takes a long time for stuff to get to freezing temp, sometimes buy time it got that cold, we would be already back at the hall

[wfire32]

I am assuming they have some type of shoreline.

[dmleblanc]

what powers thoes fridges and freezer when they are sitting for a couple days? wouldent everything melt?

IT takes a long time for stuff to get to freezing temp, sometimes buy time it got that cold, we would be already back at the hall

Excellent point....the receptacle that powers the fridge is tied to the shore line, so when the truck is plugged in at the station there is power to the fridge, so the fridge is always running when the truck is parked in the station. There is no power to it when "on the road", but if we are going to be on scene for any length of time we can start the generator, which will also power the fridge.

I don't anticipate that we'll keep anything in the freezer anyway, so as long as the water stays reasonably cold it should work out OK.

[Res343cue]

Chief, they still haven't let it ripen up outside!