Apparatus updates by Jack Lerch

Re-printed from Fire Apparatus Journal September-October 1998


THE TWO NEW TACTICAL SUPPORT UNITS, built by Saulsbury on 1998 International model 4800 chassis, entered service during May. Equipped with four-wheel-drive, they are somewhat larger than the two 1989 Ford/Saulsbury/Reading Units that they are replacing. One of the older units, formerly Tactical Support Unit 1, is being retained as a spare. The other has been disposed of. The two new units are each equipped with a Zumro Dive-Thru rescue boat mounted on top. This boat, with a capacity of eight persons or 2500 pounds, is powered by a 25-hp outboard motor. The gasoline powered Stanley hydraulic tool systems, powering various hydraulic tools, were removed from the two old trucks and mounted on the new ones. The new units each have a 28,000-watt power-take-off driven electrical generator. The enclosed light tower, mounted on the right side, behind the cab, is equipped with six 1500-watt lights. Numerous portable lights and power tools are also carried. A 12,000-ton capacity winch is mounted in the front of the vehicle.

The Tactical Support Units respond on multiple alarms, SCUBA operations, building collapses and other major emergencies. Each is staffed by one firefighter.

Aerialscope, now a division of FWD, was the only bidder on a contract to build two 95-foot tower-ladders. The FDNY hopes to be able to get funding for at least one more add-on tower to this pending contract. The contract for five 75foot tower-ladders is still pending, as is one for three 100-foot tillered aerials, plus an add-on of five more units to the six 100-foot Seagrave rearmounts currently on order.

Effective July 1, 1998, Engine Companies 18, 61, 252, 270, and 288 were designated Squad Companies. In addition, Engine 41, which has been operating as a squad but was actually designated as an enhanced engine, was also redesignated as a squad. Along with Squad 1, there are now seven squad companies in service. These are in addition to the five rescue companies.

In addition to their standard engine company equipment, each squad is also trained and equipped with ladder company tools and can function as either an engine or ladder at an operation. The squads will continue to respond on their first alarm boxes as engine companies. They will respond within larger, designated areas on working fires as manpower units, which the Incident Commander can utilize as either an engine or ladder company. To further enhance their capabilities, effective August 1, 1998, all seven squads and Rescue 5 were placed on line

as haz-mat technician units, with their members trained to the haz-mat technician level. Each of these units is assigned a second apparatus designated a haz-mat tender. Squad I operates a 1991 International/ Saulsbury. Squad 41 has been assigned the 1997 Chevrolet/Union City Body Company step van that had been assigned to Engine 23. Squad 288 had already been equipped with a 1997 Chevrolet/Union City Body Company step van. To provide apparatus for the additional squads, five 1998 Chevrolet/Union City Body Company step vans were purchased and assigned to Squads 18, 61, 252, and 270. The last of these was assigned to Rescue 5 and their former haz-mat van is now a spare for all of the haz-mat tenders.

Squads I and 41 are slated to receive custombuilt Seagrave rescue-pumpers shortly. The pumpers of the remaining five newly designated squads have been retrofitted with diamond plate tools boxes to accommodate the additional equipment carried.


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