This edition of Apparatus Architects focuses on the issues of apparatus weight before and after delivery.
Hosts Tom Shand and Michael Wilbur compare the importance of your physical check ups with those of the vehicles you drive. They offer ideas to keep the weight at or below the listed gross vehicle weight rating.
They talk about the best means to measure the baseline weight of the unit, and the critical need for a certification of vehicle weight.
They also discuss maximizing the training drivers receive on new apparatus. While the manufacturer often trains you on new equipment, the architects say it's imperative that every member become familiar with every aspect.
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Related Links
• Emergency Vehicle Response
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About the Author
Tom Shand
TOM SHAND, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, is a 36-year veteran of the fire service. He works with Michael Wilbur at Emergency Vehicle Response, consulting on a variety of fire apparatus and fire department master-planning issues. Shand is a member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame.
Michael Wilbur
MICHAEL WILBUR, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, retired as a lieutenant in FDNY, where he was last assigned to Ladder Company 27 in the Bronx. He has served on FDNY's Apparatus Purchasing Committee and consults on a variety of apparatus-related issues around the country. Wilbur is a member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame. For further information, access his website at www.emergencyvehicleresponse.com.