Product Spotlight - Zico LAS Extender

  When looking at the design of your new truck, one usually looks at the height of equipment and tries to keep everything to be easily accessible.  In the case of ladders mounted on the side of the truck, it is hard to have higher compartments over the wheel wells just because it raises the ladders up and makes them hard to access.  Sometimes even with a Zico LAS (Ladder Access System) the ladders still aren't easily accessed.

Ziamatic (Zico) has released a new version of it's LAS.  It is the LAS Extend Down.  It is similar to the standard LAS rack, but it incorporates a pulley system to allow the ladders to extend down an additional 12".  This means you are able to increase the compartment heights while maintaining the ladders accessibility.

Cold Weather Operations

   A common discussion in the Fire Service is running a “Dry” pump versus a “Wet” pump during the cold winter months. If a pump will be exposed to freezing weather conditions for a significant amount of time, running a dry pump would definitely be recommended. This practice reduces the possibility of pump components freezing and will identify if the tank to pump and tank fill valves are sealing properly. Caution - If these valves are leaking with the drain valve open, this could cause a situation where the booster tank may be low and the drain valve could freeze open rendering the pump inoperable. To completely drain your pump, please follow the simple steps that are typically printed on a label on the pump panel.

   Since moving water does not freeze, the fire pump should be engaged and water circulated while on scene. If operating from the apparatus booster tank, it would be recommended to operate the pump with the tank to pump fully open and the tank fill ¼ from closed. If operating from an external water supply, the operator should ensure that some water is being circulated through a discharge or tank fill valve. Care should be exercised to limit the amount of water spilling on scene. This could cause the area around the truck to become icy during a long emergency call.

   The pump house heat pan should be installed every fall and removed every summer. If your unit is equipped with an optional pump house heater, it should be used all the time during cold weather operations.

 

What precautions does your department make to the Fire Apparatus during the winter months?

 

Recent Deliveries - Tyne Valley, PE - Metalfab Walk In Rescue

On March 09, 2013, the Tyne Valley, PE Fire Department received their new Metalfab Walk In Rescue Unit.  The rescue was tested and certified by ULC to meet ULC Standard - ULC-S515-04 for a SSV (Special Services Vehicle).  This unit is the department's second Metalfab unit.

The 18'-00" walk In Rescue body was mounted on a 2013 International 4400 Chassis.  The chassis was equipped with a 300 HP Maxxforce DT Diesel Engine.  There was a sealed pass through installed between the chassis cab and the Walk In Body to allow for communication between the people seated in the cab and the people seated in the body.




A receiver was installed under the front bumper.  This receiver could be used for mounting a
removable winch or placing tow rings for tie off points, amongst other possible usages.

The rescue unit was equipped with a Federal LED Warning Light System, 12V scene lights, 110V telescopic flood lights, 110V Tripod Flood Lights, and other lighting options.  There was also a 7kw Raven PTO Driven Generator installed on the unit.

The 18'-00" Walk In Body included low side exterior compartments, rear and right side access doors, four interior SCBA seats , an interior flip down command table, and interior storage for 32 sets of bunker gear.  There was also a four bottle cascade system installed in the rear left exterior compartment.

Metalfab would like to thank the Tyne Valley Fire Department for this purchase.

Throwback Thursday - Maitland, NS 1984 Metalfab Pumper/Rescue

 

 

 

Today's featured unit for Throwback Thursday is a Metalfab Pumper/Rescue manufactured for the Maitland, NS Fire Department.  This truck was delivered to the department on May 18, 1984.  This unit was the first unit Metalfab manufactured for a Fire Department in Nova Scotia.  It was also the first unit manufactured that had a pump and tank with the rear body being a Walk In Rescue.

This unit was equipped with a Hale M-75 625 IGPM Midship pump.  The steel water tank had a capacity of 300 Imp Gal.  The steel Rescue Body had exterior high and low side compartments on both sides of the unit as well as storage in the interior of the unit.

Spotlight Option - In Bumper Storage

  You can never have enough storage space on a Fire Truck.  Storage space is always at a premium.  When you extend the front bumper of the chassis, you open up a lot of storage options. 

  There are numerous different ways you can configure the storage in an extended front bumper.  Pictured above is how one department decided to utilize the storage.  In the center compartment is a hose well for a pre-connected 1-1/2" hose line.  They also have one storage compartment outboard of the chassis frame rails on each side of the bumper.  These wing compartments will be utilized for the storage of miscellaneous equipment.  On this truck, instead of using deck plate doors to secure the equipment and hose in the compartments, a red webbing will be used.  The webbing has the advantages of being able to see within the compartment without removing the webbing and it also allows for air flow in the compartments to assist in drying equipment.

  Does your department have an unique storage layout in the extended bumper of your trucks?

Exterior Sun Visors

One of the options I like to include on the majority of the quotations I prepare using a commercial cab is an exterior sun visor.   The exterior sun visor can either be polished stainless steel or painted.  The painted sun visor comes painted and installed from the chassis manufacturer to match the color of the chassis cab or in the case of a two tone cab, it usually comes in the same color of the upper portion of the chassis.  That being said, the sun visor can be ordered in any color desired.



Personally, I find this option really dresses up the exterior of the cab.  It is also a fairly inexpensive option when ordered with the chassis.  It is usually priced under $500.00 from the chassis manufacturer.  This comes completely installed, painted, and complete with built in clearance lights in the front face of the visor.



 

The most common statement I hear concerning the exterior sun visors is that most people believe that come with the chassis as a standard.  That is definitely not the case.  If you desire the exterior sun visor, ensure that you let your body builder know prior to ordering the chassis.  You can also review the chassis specifications prior to order, to ensure that it is included.  If you receive the chassis without the sun visor and wish to have one installed after the chassis is received by the body builder, it would be a fairly expensive addition.  The cost of installing the sun visor post receipt of the chassis would be upwards of $1,500.00.  

 

The exterior sun visor is a great option to inexpensively dress up the exterior of the unit. 

Tuesday's Tip - Drafting in Low Water Situations

Every Fire Department has a couple of water sources (ponds, streams, rivers, etc.) in their territory that could be a great asset while responding to a fire scene nearby.  The trouble with some of these water sources is that some aren't deep enough to allow the suction hose and strainer to be submerged and having sufficient distance between the strainer and the bottom of the water source.  This situation may lead to small pebbles, gravel, small rocks, etc. to be drawn into the pump, possibly causing expensive damage to the pump and also possible damaging the seals on the ball valves on the unit. 

One option to help alleviate this situation would be the use of a floating strainer.  The floating strainer floats on the surface of the water, alleviating the need for the strainer and suction hose to be fully submerged.  However, if the water source isn't deep enough to allow suitable distance between the strainer and the bottom of the water source then the potential of collecting debris into the pump is still possible.

Another option that could be used is to position a roof ladder above the water source horizontally.  The suction hose could then be tied to the ladder at a location that would keep the suction hose from being fully submerged, thusly keeping the strainer above the bottom of the water source.

Another similar option is to submerge a bucket or pail into the water source so that the top of the water source is above the top of the bucket.   The strainer would then be placed into the bucket.  The water would then be drawn from the top, reducing the chances of debris being drawn into the pump.

Taking precautions, as noted above, will help you utilize all of the assets in your territory in your efforts in protecting your department's service area while keeping costly pump repairs at a minimum.

What steps does your department take when drafting from a shallow water source?