Apparatus Displayed at FDIC Run Gamut of Types, Designs

Alan M. Petrillo

New chassis, evolved designs for pumpers and aerials, and scores of traditional apparatus and specialty vehicles populated the exhibit halls and Lucas Oil Stadium at the 2012 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC).

Ferrara Fire Apparatus

Ferrara Fire Apparatus debuted an all-stainless steel version of its Multi Vocational Pumper (MVP), built for West End Fire Co. No. 1 in Stowe, Pennsylvania. The pumper is the first all-stainless MVP Ferrara has constructed and is made with a 12-gauge stainless steel body and seven-gauge tubular stainless steel subframe.

Paul Christiansen, Ferrara’s marketing director, says the pumper, built on an Igniter custom chassis that seats six and has a 203-inch wheelbase, is powered by a Cummins ISL9 450-horsepower (hp) diesel engine, features an Allison 3000 EVS transmission, and carries a Hale QMAX 1,500-gallon-per-minute (gpm) pump and a 750-gallon water tank.

Ferrara also introduced the Ember Heavy Rescue Pumper. Constructed on an Ember custom chassis with a 186-inch wheelbase, it is powered by a Cummins ISL9 450-hp diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. Christiansen points out that its extended cab with a 12-inch raised roof seats six, and the rig carries a Hale QSLIM 2,000-gpm pump, a 1,000-gallon water tank, and Total Vision pump control panels on the left and right sides. The rescue-pumper has enclosed ladder storage, an oversized 72½-inch-wide hosebed, and 175 cubic feet of usable storage space.

Also in Ferrara’s booth was the FD-100 rear-mount aerial for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). Built on an Ultra custom chassis, the aerial has a four-door, split tilt stainless steel cab that seats six, with an eight-inch notched raised roof and stainless steel tubular subframe. The four-section ladder has a 100-foot vertical reach at 80 degrees and a 93-foot horizontal reach at zero degrees. The vehicle is powered by a Cummins ISX11.9 500-hp diesel engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission.

KME Introductions

KME introduced two new pieces of apparatus at FDIC, as well as new engine and transmission combinations.

Philip Gerace, KME director of sales and marketing, unveiled the company’s new 123-foot AerialCat rear-mount ladder built for the Westfield (IN) Fire Department. Gerace says the 123-foot AerialCat has an unrestricted 500-pound wet and dry tip load, a 1,500-gpm waterway, and a horizontal reach of 114 feet. He notes that the ladder has a 2.5:1 structural safety factor, being constructed of 110,000-pounds-per-square-inch (psi) steel. The 123-foot AerialCat is powered by a Cummins ISX-11.9 500-hp engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission and carries a Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump and a 300-gallon water tank.

KME also debuted a new rescue-pumper on a Predator chassis with a 187-inch wheelbase that carries full-height and full-depth compartments on both sides of the apparatus and has a MFD cab with 16-inch raised roof and full occupant protection. The vehicle, carrying a Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump and a Waterous Advantus 3 foam system, has an all-digital touch screen pump display that gives pressure and flow readings and serves as a central controller for all valves. The rescue pumper is powered by a MaxxForce 13 450-hp engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission.

KME’s display at FDIC included a 450-hp MaxxForce engine, a new rating for that model engine, as well as a pumper carrying a MaxxForce 13 450-hp 13-liter engine paired with an Allison 3000 EVS transmission.

Spartan ERV: New Brand, New Vehicles

Spartan ERV (Emergency Response Vehicles), a subsidiary of Spartan Motors and formerly Crimson, unveiled the Telstar telescopic articulating platform and a 4×4 wildland concept vehicle at FDIC, while Spartan Motors debuted the R XO crossover chassis and an advanced safety system.

Jim Salmi, general manager of Spartan ERV aerials division, says the Telstar consists of French manufacturer Gimaex’s 420TBI 138-foot-long articulating telescopic boom with a 1,000-gpm waterway. Its platform can pivot 45 degrees left and right and allows front, side, and rear egress. Built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis with a four-door six-person cab, the Telstar is powered by a Cummins ISX15 550-hp diesel engine and an Allison GEN IV-E 4000 EVS transmission and carries a Hale 8FG 2,000-gpm pump and a 300-gallon water tank.

The Type 3 concept truck Spartan ERV introduced is called the Spartan 4×4 Wildland and was developed in conjunction with Gimaex. Dennis Schneider, Spartan Emergency Response president, notes, “Being a crossover, it’s equipped to respond to residential and rural situations, which will save agencies money by allowing them to consolidate their emergency response fleets.”

The vehicle has a wheelbase of 138 inches for increased maneuverability, a side slope stability of 32 degrees, uphill starting capability up to a 60 percent grade, and a turning circle of 23.4 feet. It incorporates the new R XO crossover chassis and has a four-door cab that seats up to six people, a 60-mm steel roll cage, in-cab and remote CAFS operation ability, and full pump-and-roll capability. The Spartan 4×4 Wildland is equipped with a 500-gpm pump, a 400-gallon water tank, and an 80-gallon self-protection reserve tank.

Spartan Chassis introduced its Advanced Protection System, a blend of air bag and safety belt protections. The system includes a steering-wheel-mounted driver air bag, custom front and rear side full curtain air bags, officer and driver knee air bags, advanced seat belts with pretensioning and load limiting, a restraint control module, and outboard sensors around the cab perimeter.

E-ONE Offerings

E-ONE introduced a new apparatus model and several rigs with new enhancements at FDIC. For example, it debuted an HP78 eMAX aerial ladder built for the Fort Walton Beach (FL) Fire Department on a Typhoon long cab with severe-duty interior. Joe Hedges, E-ONE’s product manager of aerials and chassis, says the HP78 is powered by a Cummins ISL 450-hp diesel engine with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a Jacobs compression brake and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. It has an E-ONE 1,500-gpm low-profile split-shaft pump, a 500-gallon water tank, an enclosed side-mount pump panel, and triple speedlays with trays.

The 78-foot welded extruded aluminum aerial has a 2.5:1 structural safety factor, Hedges notes, with 750-pound wet and 500-pound dry tip loads. It incorporates a new electric-hydraulic aerial control system that allows creep settings and three stages of variable ramping.

E-ONE also displayed its first eMAX built on a commercial chassis-an International WorkStar 7400 four-door model with seating for five. The rig has a MaxxForce 9 330-hp diesel engine with exhaust brake, an Allison 3000P EVS transmission, an eMAX 1,500-gpm low-profile split-shaft pump, a 780-gallon water tank, and a 126-cubic foot hosebed.

A HP100 aerial platform E-ONE built for the Hendersonville (TN) Fire Department was on display, featuring a new 12-inch split raised-roof six-person Cyclone II cab with severe-duty interior. Hedges notes the vehicle incorporates E-ONE’s new Aerial Information System and laser jack pad spotting lights, where the system projects a laser dot on the ground to show where the jacks are to be placed. The truck is powered by a Cummins ISM 500-hp engine, with EGR and Jacobs compression brake and an Allison 4000P EVS transmission.

E-ONE also displayed a Tradition series wetside tanker for the Burnside (KY) Fire Department and Pulaski County Fire Commission; a Typhoon rear-mount pumper for Wissahickon Fire Company, located in Ambler, Pennsylvania; and an HP100 SideStacker aerial ladder for the Topham (ME) Fire Department.

Sutphen’s Rigs

Sutphen Corp. debuted two new rigs at FDIC-an SL 100 aerial ladder and an interface pumper.

Ken Creese, Sutphen’s director of sales and marketing, says the interface pumper’s four-door six-person cab has a half 10-inch raised roof, barrier-style cab doors, and an EMS compartment inside. The vehicle is powered by a Cummins ISL 9 400-hp diesel engine and an Allison GEN IV 3000 EVS transmission. It carries a Hale QMAX 1,500-gpm pump, a 500-gallon water tank, a 20-gallon foam tank, Hale’s FoamLogix 5.0 foam system, and a Hale HP 200 245-gpm diesel-powered auxiliary pump for pump-and-roll capabilities.

The SL 100 midmount aerial ladder was built for the Rockport (MA) Fire Department, Creese says, with a four-door, six-person stainless steel cab on a 230-inch wheelbase that is nine feet, 3¼ inches high. The vehicle has a Cummins ISX 15L 600-hp diesel engine, Allison 4000 EVS transmission, Sutphen Advanced Aerial Controls, and updated outrigger control display. The five-section aerial has a 750-pound tip load and mounts an Elkhart Scorpion RF monitor and Elkhart 2,000-gpm nozzle at the tip.

Also on display in Sutphen’s booth were an SPH 100 aerial platform, an SL 75 single-axle aerial ladder, a custom pumper built for the Fort Wayne (IN) Fire Department, and an SP 70 aerial platform built for the Watervliet (MI) Fire Department.

Rosenbauer Introductions

Rosenbauer debuted its new Commander chassis on three units: two custom rear-mount pumpers for the Oakdale (MN) Fire Department and the Herculaneum (MO) Fire Department and a 101-foot Cobra aerial platform for the Sioux Center (IA) Fire Department.

The Cobra platform features a 60-inch-long cab and aluminum body, triple frame rails, a Cummins ISX 500-hp diesel engine, an Allison 4000 EVS transmission, a V-Mux 12-volt electrical system, a Waterous CSUC20 2,000-gpm pump, a 300-gallon water tank, a Fire Research Corp. (FRC) In-Control pressure governor, Rosenbauer Smart Controls, and an aerial command seat.

Donley Frederickson, Rosenbauer’s national sales manager, says the Oakdale pumper has a stainless steel body, a CX 1,250-gpm pump, a Color-logic pump panel, a Foam Pro 2001 foam system, a 10-kW hydraulic generator, and a six-kW scene light tower. The Herculaneum rear-mount pumper has an extruded aluminum body, an S100 1,500-gpm pump, a Rosenbauer EZ foam system, a 15-kW hydraulic generator, a nine-kW 15-foot scene light tower, and the Green Star IrT deep cycle option.

Rosenbauer also introduced an enclosed aerial command seat on a T-Rex 115-foot articulating aerial platform for Canadian Natural-Horizon Oil Sands in Canada; integrated headsets and speakers in the driver, officer, and crew seats in Commander cabs; and an electronic display called efficient performance intuitive control (EPIC) that it developed in partnership with Elkhart Brass and FRC.

Pierce Expands Dash CF Line

Pierce Manufacturing announced its expanded Dash CF line at FDIC with a 105-foot heavy-duty ladder PUC. Michael Moore, Pierce’s vice president of business development, says the aerial features a 70-inch-long four-person cab with 11-inch raised roof that provides more space for the driver and officer, greater visibility through a large single-piece windshield, and a lower-to-ground two-step entry. The rig is powered by a Detroit Diesel DD13 500-hp diesel engine and Allison 4000 EVS transmission. Its 105-foot four-section steel ladder is rated at 750 pounds wet and 500 pounds dry tip loads.

Pierce also displayed a Velocity PUC pumper built for the Clayton-Winchester (WI) Fire Department with a 70-inch-long cab with a 10-inch raised roof, an 188½-inch wheelbase, a Cummins ISL9 450-hp diesel engine, and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. The pumper has a Pierce PUC 1,500-gpm pump, a Pierce Control Zone pump panel, pump-and-roll capability, and a 750-gallon water tank.

Also in the Pierce booth was an Arrow XT nonwalk-in heavy duty PUC rescue, built for the Manalapan (NJ) Fire District No. 1. The aluminum body is 23½ feet long and features Gortite roll-up doors; a PUC 1,500-gpm pump; a 500-gallon water tank; a Harrison 30-kW generator; and Will-Burt 20- and 15-foot towers, each with four 1,500-watt light heads. The rescue, which can seat seven, is powered by a Detroit Diesel DD13 500-hp diesel engine and an Allison 4000 EVS P transmission.

Marion Engine and IC Unit

Marion had two new units on display at FDIC: an Incident Command Unit for the Green Bay (WI) Fire Department and a custom pumper for the Northlake (IL) Fire Department. The Incident Command Unit has two rooms and a command desk with space for six personnel, says Shane Krueger, Marion sales manager, as well as a leveling system, a 20-kW diesel generator, a Firecom system, a camera mast, and a Whelen LED light package.

Marion’s custom pumper is on a Spartan Gladiator chassis with seating for five and a 10-inch raised roof cab powered by a Cummins ISL 450-hp engine. The pumper carries a Waterous 1,500-gpm pump, a 750-gallon water tank, PowerArc lighting, an Onan 10-kW generator, and an EMS cabinet behind the cab with exterior access.

Summit Units

Summit also displayed two new units at FDIC: a rescue-pumper for the Crescent Villa (KY) Fire Authority and a tanker for the Piner-Fiskburg (KY) Fire District. Erich Gausman, Summit’s sales and marketing manager, says the rescue-pumper is built on a Spartan custom cab and powered by a Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine and an Allison Gen IV-E 3000 EVS transmission. The rig carries a Hale QMAX 1,500-gpm pump, a 750-gallon water tank, a Hale Foam Logix Model 2.1 foam system, a ROM electric hosebed cover, a Zico Quick-ladder, a hosebed fall barrier, a Will-Burt light tower, and a Smart Power 20-kW hydraulic generator.

The tanker, he says, is on a Freightliner chassis with a Cummins 350-hp diesel engine and an Allison 3000 EVS transmission. It has a 2,000-gallon UPF Ellip-T-Tank with electric rear dump having actuation points in the cab and in the rear. A portable pump is plumbed to the tank.

Alexis Tankers and Pumpers

Alexis exhibited several pieces of apparatus at FDIC, including a custom pumper for the Carol Stream (IL) Fire Protection District, a wetside pumper-tanker for the Walnut (IL) Fire Department, and an Equalizer pumper for the City of Muskegon Heights (MI) Fire Department.

Dan Reese, general manager, says Alexis built the Carol Stream pumper with a low hosebed (62 inches high) fitted inside an L-shaped 750-gallon water tank. The rig has a Hale QMAX150 1,500-gpm pump, five 2½-inch and two three-inch discharges, a four-inch rear discharge, and two 1½-inch Mattydale preconnects.

The Alexis pumper-tanker is on an International 7400 four-door chassis with a MaxxForce 9 330-hp diesel engine and Allison 3000 EVS transmission. It has a 2,000-gallon water tank, a four-inch Fireman’s Friend tank fill, and a 10-inch square Newton manual swivel tank dump with a 36-inch extension.

The Equalizer pumper is on an HME 1871 W MFD xL 12-inch raised-roof chassis with a Cummins ISC 360-hp diesel engine, an Allison 3000 EVS transmission, a Hale 1,250-gpm pump, and a 1,000-gallon water tank.

American LaFrance Offerings

American LaFrance displayed a 65-foot TeleSQURT, built for the Valley Hill (NC) Fire Department on an Eagle 134-inch-long cab that seats six personnel. The vehicle, says Mark Hansen, customer delivery technician, has a Cummins ISL 400-hp diesel engine, an Allison 3000 EVSPR transmission, an ALF Twin Flow 1,500- to 2,000-gpm single-stage pump, a 500-gallon water tank, a Harrison 10-kW generator, and Whelen LED warning lights.

American LaFrance also showed two pumpers-one for the Sullivan County (TN) Fire Department with a Hale QMAX 1,500-gpm pump, a 600-gallon water tank, dual 30-gallon foam tanks, and a Foam Pro 2002 foam system and the other for the Hughestown (PA) Fire Department with an ALF Twin Flow 1,250-gpm pump, a 500-gallon water tank, and a Redi-Line 1.6-kW generator.

Custom Fire Rigs

Custom Fire showed a rescue-pumper and an Air/Light unit at FDIC. According to Wade Kirvida, sales engineer, the pumper is on a Spartan Gladiator chassis and powered by a Cummins ISX 500-hp engine and an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. The rig sports a Waterous CSC20 1,250-gpm pump, a 500-gallon water tank, a recessed front intake, Fire Research floodlights, and Whelen LED warning lights.

The Air/Light unit is on a Spartan MetroStar chassis and has a Cummins ISL9 450-hp engine, a Allison 3000 EVS transmission, a 40-kW mechanical generator, a Will-Burt telescoping light tower, and a 6,000-psi cascade system.

Seagrave

Seagrave Fire Apparatus displayed a Marauder II stainless steel pumper built for the Camden (NJ) Fire Department. The full-tilt-cab pumper has a 24-inch bumper extension, a Waterous CSU 1,750-gpm pump, a 750-gallon water tank, and a 30-gallon foam tank. Seagrave also showed a Marauder II 100-foot quint aerial ladder, all stainless steel, featuring a Cummins ISX 11.9 500-hp diesel engine, an Allison 4000 EVS transmission, a Waterous CSU 2,000-gpm pump, a 470-gallon water tank, and a 30-gallon foam tank.

Smeal

Smeal had a number of pumpers and aerials on display at FDIC, including a custom pumper for the Standardsville (VA) Volunteer Fire Department with a Waterous CSUC20 1,500-gpm pump, a 750-gallon water tank, and a 30-gallon foam tank and a custom pumper for the Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. (CT) with a Waterous CSXC20 1,500-gpm pump, a Pro Poly 750-gallon water tank, and a 250-gallon foam tank.

Smeal’s aerials on display included a 100-foot rear-mount aerial platform for the Johnson City (TN) Fire Bureau and a 105-foot rear-mount aerial ladder.

Fort Garry

Fort Garry Fire Trucks displayed a custom pumper on a Spartan MFD chassis with a 10-inch raised roof, a Waterous 1,250-gpm pump, a 1,000-gallon water tank, and a 30-gallon foam tank as well as a Terminator Urban Interface Apparatus on a Freightliner M2 4×4 chassis with a Darley rear-mount PTO 1,250-gpm pump and a 1,200-gallon tank.

Toyne

Toyne showed a pumper-tanker for Lafayette Township (IN) Fire Department built on a Spartan Gladiator chassis with a Hale QMAX 2,000-gpm pump, a 1,000-gallon water tank, a Harrison 15-kW generator, a Will-Burt Nightscan light tower, and PAC Trac swing-out and slide-out trays and boards in all compartments. Toyne also displayed a pumper-tanker built on a HME chassis with a bolted stainless steel body and carrying a Hale QMAX 1,500-gpm pump and 2,000-gallons of water.

U.S. Tanker

U.S. Tanker displayed a Guardian custom pumper on a Spartan MetroStar chassis with 10-inch raised roof, a Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump, and a 1,000-gallon UPF poly tank as well as a Heritage pumper-tanker on an International 4400 chassis, with a Hale QPAK 1,000-gpm pump and a 2,000-gallon APR poly tank.

VT Hackney

VT Hackney exhibited a heavy rescue built for the Otsego County (MI) EMS Rescue on a Spartan MetroStar chassis with a six-person cab and a 24-inch raised roof, carrying an Onan 25-kW generator and an electric Automatic Deployable Staircase at the rear of the unit for access to the vehicle’s roof. Hackney also showed a heavy rescue and air/light unit for the Jacksonville (NC) Fire and Rescue that has a Lima MAC 50-kW generator and a Will-Burt 20-foot telescoping mast with six 900-watt magnifying heads.

ALAN M. PETRILLO is a Tucson, Arizona-based freelance writer and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment editorial advisory board. He served 22 years with the Verdoy (NY) Fire Department, including in the position of chief.

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