markmets415

Was just joking. He is a truckie trapped in an engine guy role, and knows deep down real trucks are 100' and don't have pumps, or at least that's how he used to be. He's easily enticed by that. I witnessed it when Yonkers got their new ALF TL's. I think that's the first time they used the bucket to carry down an EMS patient. LOL.

(Sorry for hijacking, I'll shut up now)

Maybe a ladder could be in our future, maybe that might entice him , I know another ride in the bucket of old 8 ball would do it.

How many SCBA's are carried on the truck? Do you need to carry a PPF on the unit? Driver side above the Transverse, what is stored there? What low angle or high angle rope equipment do you carry? Water rescue equipment?

there are 2 SCBA, drivers side front compartment there currently is a PPV fan, hand tools, above there are a few ladder belts, rescue collar for water/ice rescue, four reels of water rope, four throw bags and four cold water rescue suits, we do not have any low or high angle rope or equipment at this point, definitely lacking in that area and an area that obviously needs improvement, we had just spoke about that very fact over the weekend and getting updated training there, there are very few of us that has attended any type of rope rescue training.

The generator and long boards and stoke baskets are in this compartment low, my thought was to have slide out trays installed over the generator area and long boards which would make better use of that dead area, see the area circles in orange. Also replacing the lightboxes with smaller more efficient LED flashlights as well would free up the front wall of this compartment. The compartment lighting is at the top of the opening to each compartment which takes up about 4" of height, an upgrade to LED strip lighting inside the inner tracks of the doors would also help too (lights circles in yellow) *Note* the PPV fan will be moved soon to our tanker as soon as the small electric fan returns from the powder coat shop.

There has to me more of you out there that run rescues that have a lot to offer or add here, so please add away, your input is greatly appreciated.

I like the truck for it's receiver hitches around 3 sides. Is the winch used as your primary stabilization point for vehicles? Point being, that's good. But were you aware that you can purchase at a cheap cost EYE HOOKS that slide into your receiver's? These EYE HOOKS can be used for multiple purposes. First is 1 person set-up. Second they take up very little space. Third pull the receiver pin, place in the EYE HOOK and re-pin. Takes about 10 seconds. Then purchase 25'-2" TOW STRAPS. Purchase Ratchet Straps also 2" with straps with HOOKS on both ends. Tow strap is connected multiple way's quickly at the receiver EYE HOOK. Ratchet strap attaches to the strap. Then finish off with another Tow Strap at the vehicle to be stabilized. Smaller straps can also be used to drape over vehicle tires that are on the high side of the vehicle on it's side and connect to Ratchet Strap. These straps can be utilized to tie off to other apparatus, trees, guardrails. poles, buildings and what ever else you can think of to stabilize unstable vehicles. Especially if you can't get the rescue close enough for stabilization work.

All these items are available at your local AUTO PARTS STORE. Ask to see their catalogs. The tensile strength of these straps are amazing better then CHAINS. Different set-up options are printed on the Tow Straps and the set-ups vary your working load limit's. Just roll up the straps and store. THEY DON'T RUST. THEY ARE LIGHT. THEY CAN BE CLEANED. TAKE UP LITTLE STORAGE SPACE. YOU CAN VISUALLY INSPECT THEM FOR DAMAGE. EASILY REPLACED. MULTIPLE USES. NO NOISE LIKE CHAINS MAKE. COME IN MULTIPLE WIDTH'S and SIZES.

Lets say you have 1 vehicle on top of the other. Use the Tow Straps and Ratchet Straps to bind the 2 vehicles together. Great for vehicles down embankments, preventing them from sliding further. And of course, make up multiple sets in milk crates. Keep it on the Transverse tray. What I like the best are milk crates are cheap. USUALLY FREE if you know where to look. 1 rescue tech. can carry numerous crates at a time.

Time how long it takes to set-up your winch. That is, REALITY TIME. Start to finish.

Keep it coming, great use of the receivers and surely more efficient, seems to be also a good point of anchor for rope work as well.

Is there a reason why? Just curious because most departments with your kind of setup have them.

Anemia and Wassaic are in the same town and their station is three miles from ours and they have air bags, also our neighbors to the South, Dover (JHK) have them as well

Do you guys have lifting Vetter airbags?

We do not have airbags

Sorry if I am blunt about things but I love rescue. It was my EMS career for 30 years. 25 on EMS/Rescue. Don't get upset.

PLEASE, do away with all that, what I call SCRAP WOOD. There is nothing standardized about it. 2x4s, 4x4s and 6x6s cut to a standard of 18". Also, cut 18" Wedges out of 4x4s to fill the gaps. DO NOT varnish or paint. That will create a slippery surface. It will also cover-up any cracks beginning in the wood. Cmon everyone? How much does it cost for wood cribbing? Someone getting hurt because no one could see the splitting occur? Place your cribbing in Milk Crates. You can also use to save money, SEAT BELTS cut for handles at the end of the cribbing. I saw in one of your pictures a cut that was used for drilling. Cut the Seat Belts out. Guess how much it costs to make cribbing handles? NOTHING. And they are very strong. Use washers to secure them to the ends.

Oh dam! the wife is yelling. Have to go. Be back later. LOLL

Not upset at all, and I agree 100% most of our cribbing is way past its usefulness and clearly needs to be upgraded and replaced, great idea with the seat belts, we have three cars at the station now, I think I shall take a trip there and see if I can get the seat belts while they are still there. We used to always use old pieces of 5" or 3" to place over with cut ends of the posts but I see they are now missing off the rescue, time for some more of those it seems too, they never cost anything either as we used hose that had failed the yearly testing.

Maybe I should explain myself better. Especially while owning a light rescue unit, knowing the PAYLOAD CAPACITY will allow you to figure out how much equipment can be carried on this vehicle. Weight is a major factor as apparently your motor is finding out. Weigh your current equipment. Then figure how much equipment and changes would be allowed. Pretty lights and paint jobs don't make the rescue. But efficient equipment, training and personnel is what makes a great rescue unit.

Also, can you give a detailed list of equipment currently on the rescue. I do have CONCERNS with certain items. But will explain with a list provided by you.

Keep safe and smart.

The vehicle is not overloaded and under it's payload, the Ford 6.0 liter has had issues with the turbo in many rigs and ours is not an isolated thing, so that issue has nothing to with what we are carrying.

http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/16/fords-power-stroke-diesel-causing-major-problems/

I will gather a list of what is on the rig and post it, I am interested in seeing what your concerns are, thanks in advance.

As far as pretty lights, paint and training part of the comment I know (hopefully) was made as a generic statement but if you know me I am very proactive especially when it comes to training and pushing beyond the so called "standard". I would say for a very small rural department that's located in an area without hydrants we have a pretty modern fleet of vehicles that not only perform well for US but is utilized often by our surrounding neighbors on mutual aid, we have not just stuck to the "traditional" ways of doing things and have embraced new technologies, researched items extensively and try to give our citizens the best possible protection we can.

Just a couple of tool suggestions Mark. First I would remove the red colored prying tool that is mounted on the right side in one of the compartments (its fork is poorly designed ... too straight and too thick) and replace it with a Fire Hooks Unltd. 30" Pro Bar:

http://firehooksunlimited.net/probars.html

I would also suggest adding a griphoist as well as several sizes of fabric and cable slings for moving heavy loads (much stronger than a basic come along - excellent for rescue work).

http://www.torqhoist.com/show_unique_product.php?product_id=105

Exactly the input I am looking for, thanks it's much appreciated

That's so awesome Rob,

Been to the Neeson upstate homesteads a few times for fire alarm activation, last one was just after his wife tragically passed away, call was at 2 AM and we entered the house and it was full of smoke, thankfully is was just a furnace malfunction.

Hope this movie gains you more opportunities in the future, when they need a crew for the rig on the next movie don't forget about your friends from BRAVO.

I would think a lot of it depends on how long you plan to keep the vehicle. A current model Ford F-550 or International Terastar would be able to handle mostly anything you could put on there, as well as be compatible with the chassis you already have. And give you another 20 years. Also, would upgrading the engine give you a warranty, and would the transmission be able to handle it? And would the current braking system on the current model chasis be able to handle the added weight?

Then you can slap a pickup bed on the old chassis and make it a Utility or Fire Police vehicle. .

A question from my big mouth....is the current rescue 4x4?

Yes Seth it is 4x4

We will be the last in our battalion, which is Bat4 in Eastern Dutchess, so Amenia, Millerton (2), Pine Plains and Stanfordville as well as Millerton's neighbors in CT., Lakeville has it as well.

You know if you got a 100' Midmount Tower Ladder without a pump you'd be seeing him in blue at that call. Sorry to get off track.

Because we are still down an engine, JHK is dispatched to assist for any structural fire calls plus Dan has full permission to run to any of our calls, he's actually closer to the firehouse than I am. Trust me Seth I would love to have him as a member.

Thanks for sharing. Very progressive design and layout. This rigs seems to be just as capable as a "heavy rescue" by obtaining a smaller footprint, turning radius and access options.

Thank you, yes for a small rescue it is was pretty well equipped and outfitted, we've just changed a few things to other pieces and would like to do some upgrading of a few compartments to make it a little more user friendly and organized. SIGNMAN here on BRAVO was our committee chair on this and also our tanker so I must give him props.

Maybe the first thing that should be investigated is? What will be the PAYLOAD CAPACITY of the new Chassis, including the current remounted compartment box?

Already in the works, getting all the home work on a new chassis, the current chassis only has 7000 miles on it so I for one tend to think a re-chassis is not needed, just some work on the motor, I have been told there are some kits or upgrades to the 6.0 liter that would cost around 5K, I am not a mechanic so if anyone out there knows about this please share, thanks!

Are those turn signal indicators in the back and the TA LED? If not, make sure you upgrade them to LED.

The brake lights, turn signals and arrow stick on the rear are all LED's

Sure would have been nice to see 12 at the call early this morning....just saying..LOL

The overheated washing machine at the DDSO?

I agree on utilizing the roof for storage.

Long 4 x 4's.....additional stokes...Little Giant ladder...a few 6 foot hooks (yes, useful in extrication and car fires)...

Dan there are two stokes stowed together there, lol we'll have more hooks then members, agreed on the little giant ladder, we won't be using the top, the tower light is there and the only thing changed there most likely is the heads to LEDs.

Wow! You sure do carry a lot on the rescue! I'm glad you got the approval for the updates, hopefully the firehouse will be next ;-)

If you're going to re-chassis, a Ford F-550 extended cab would give some more room to store turnout gear, SCBA's, and EMS supplies in a climate controlled area right where they are needed and free up compartment space- and probably still fit in the bay.

Also, wheel well compartments, an absorbent hopper up top, and a PTO generator may save space too. Replacing the light tower with LED floodlights would lessen the need for power.

As far as aesthetics, a BRAT bumper would look awesome and probably give some more space. Oh, and those really cool warning lights mounted under the mirror like on 69-12

Just my worthless useless 2 cents.

The fire district started a new building fund last year and that is a hot topic at this point, why pay the fire company rent each year when a new building can be built, the fire company does have another piece of property centrally located within the district outside of town but its a mixed bag of opinions as if this is a good spot to build plus there was some logs and debris placed there as fill which for a lot is ok but add a building on top well that's another story

Agreed on the chassis if replaced it will be at least an extended or crew cab, just for the extra space.

The speedy dry hopper was kicked around Monday at our first unofficial meeting.

I cannot foresee the replacement of the generator, its just a large cost factor when there really isn't anything wrong with the current one.

We are always excepting applications and I am sure the apartments in Wassaic are cheaper than where you are

ok that's all, so as I said, any input is greatly appreciated and welcomed, negative or positive, it's all good

a few last ones

more, the last photo shows the side receiver for the 8000 lb. portable winch, there is a receiver on all four sides of the rescue

other compartments, again anything you guys see, please comment, we are looking for ideas to make this unit more efficient

hydraulic tool compartments, with on board pump as well as a portable pump, 2 cutters, 3 rams, 1 spreader

compartments that need reworking, we'd like to have the paratech system set up so the arms and plates as well as the straps are all organized instead of thrown inside a bag (shown in the Scott black bag with the EMS items