Fort Worth Downsizes Apparatus for Some Runs

Nov. 18, 2015
Two attack units have saved on maintenance costs while increasing the department's response capabilities.

They say things are always bigger in Texas, but that isn't the case in Fort Worth.

The Fort Worth Fire Department has added smaller "attack" units to its response fleet to reduce wear-and-tear on apparatus and increase its response capabilities.

"We like to be at the forefront of change in the fire service," said Fort Worth Fire Deputy Chief Homer Robertson. "With the attack units, we have the ability to deliver service, save money and add flexibility in our responses."

The attack units feature bodies manufactured by SVI Trucks in Loveland, Colo., and are built on Ford F550 four-door cabs at a cost of $218,000 each.

Firefighting is handled with two 1 3/4-inch hoselines and a booster line. They carry 300 gallons of water with a 200-gpm Waterous pump. A built-in CAF system is supplied by a 20-gallon of Class A tank. 

Each rig carries a full complement of EMS equipment, including an AED, SCBA, hand tools and a chain saw. LED scene lighting is also available. 

Robertson stressed that they are not full scale mini-pumpers, which include manifold pumps, ladders and master streams. 

The program places the attack units at busy single company stations.

It's a hybrid operation at this time, which includes a dedicated two-person crew on Attack 31. Attack 29 is cross-staffed by the four-person crew assigned to Engine 29.

"With the attack units, we get a lot of service delivery and it offers us flexibility," Robertson said.

They are dispatched for medical emergencies, vehicle fires, motor vehicle accidents, downed power lines and other emergencies where a full-sized pumper isn't needed. Attack 31 is not dispatched to structure fires to help keep responders in service in that area.

The units have been used for event standbys and public relations events.

"With the weather we get here, we just need to hire back a few firefighters and we already have fully-equipped apparatus that are ready to deploy," Robertson said about the concept's flexibility during winter weather or damaging storms. 

The first attack unit was put into service about three years ago at Station 29, which is located 10 miles south of downtown. The growing response area includes single-family homes, large apartment complexes, light to heavy commercial establishments and several main roadways. 

In 2014, Engine 29 responded 1,235 times while Attack 29 rolled out the door 3,595 times.

Earlier this year, the department dedicated two personnel to staff Attack 31 around the clock. Station 31's response area has increased by thousands of residents in the last few years and continues to grow. Engine 31 responded to 3,700 calls for service last year.

He receives reports that indicate that Attack 31 is currently being used 65 percent of the runs out of the station while Attack 29 responds on close to 80 percent of the station's calls.

Overall costs are reduced based on the shift in runs being made by each vehicle, Robertson said. He estimates that the attack rigs will save $20,000 to $25,000 for each pumper, based on the costs of fuel, maintenance and extending their life cycle.  

Before the new vehicle, those pumpers required preventative maintenance three or four times a year. Now, Robertson says, they are only in once a year.

Worn tires are another big savings when they downsize. Each pumper tire costs $750, while the attack rig tires go for $250.

While the program is still in its infancy, Robertson's data shows that each attack rig could add another three years to a pumper's life cycle, which would save tens of thousands of dollars. 

The department plans to increase staffing to add another dedicated attack unit in 2016 and he hopes to continue growing the program.

Robertson summed it up saying, "We realize the importance of delivering a big service to our city, but it doesn't always need to be a big truck that does the job."

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