For the past five years, Rosenbauer, the world’s largest manufacturer of fire apparatus, has been working on a Concept Fire Truck (CFT). Rosenbauer, headquartered in Austria and the parent company of Rosenbauer America, recently unveiled that truck in the United States.
Boer said the concept truck is a glimpse into what future fire trucks might look like and how they might perform. The new pumper is powered by four electric motors, one at each wheel of the all-wheel drive, all-steer vehicle.
A series of batteries in the futuristic apparatus powers the unit for up to a half-hour to get the apparatus to the scene and then to operate. A diesel-powered auxiliary engine powers the pump and a generator, which can recharge the batteries in 15 minutes.
The cab features seating for eight occupants with two crew seats facing each other on the sides, much like seating found in the back of ambulances.
Rosenbauer said the apparatus is designed to lower emissions and save fuel and provides the same services as engine-driven apparatus while costing about the same as traditional apparatus.
The doors on the unit slide open, much like a bus and it can even kneel like a bus with varying travel heights achieved with suspension technology that allows vertically challenged firefighters access to upper shelves while adjusting to provide high clearance for rough terrain.
Rosenbauer said the company decided to show a lot of the technology that will likely be available soon so potential customers can react to the concept and Rosenbauer can tweak the design to meet customer needs.
For more information visit www.rosenbaueramerica.com
