Command/Light Rescue

[North_of_60]

Well, I am putting to gether a proposal for a Command/Light Rescue truck for our small community. I am trying to get lists of what different departments have in thier command/light Rescue vehicles so that I can compare that to my Current list of supplies that will be needed. If anyone has a list and can send it to me, I would be very appreciative. Suggestions are also good. This is the first truck that I am doing the spec's for, so i am open to suggestions. Probably looking at a Suburban or Excursion. Included equipment:

Highway Rescue Gear,
Emergency Medical Gear,
Basic Ice/Cold Water Recue gear
Incident command

We may also look at a using a Crew Cab Pick up.

To give you an idea of the area: Gravel Highways, Closest Fire Department and RCMP Detachment 60km to the West, Closest Jaws and Ambulance 125 km to the north. So we may be on our own for a while.

You can send lists to: north_of_60@fireahall.com

Thanks for your help.
Stay Safe,

North of 60

[medic8074]

Here are a few things that I've recommended/included on Command/Light Rescue Units:

Radios: Front Console/Control Center with or without Rear Control access also ?
Lighting: Emergency & Scene I.E. NFPA or Custom. Does your Dept. want a Light tower ?
Rear Storage: Roll out or Fixed Cabinet(s)/Tray(s) ? Command Board ?

Here are a few things you need to consider/decide on:

What are the intended uses/purposes of this vehicle ?
Patient transport capable or not ? < - - Another regulatory body.
Where can I get this vehicle (chassis) serviced ?
Do we need 2WD or 4WD ? Gas or Diesel ?
2 Doors or 4 Doors.
Warranty ?
Ventilation regarding Gas powered equipment I.E. Jaws/Spreaders.
Weight limits & restrictions ? < - - Huge for Warranty & Life Span.

Here are just a couple of likely the best Vehicle Upfitters in the USA.

http://www.odysseyauto.com/

http://www.flev.com/fl/default.aspx

http://www.autocrafting.com/emergency/default.asp

Have a look at what these companies offer/provide. These pics will/should have you and your Dept. in the decision making process.

If you have further questions post away I'm sure we can get you anwsers.

[ABFF37]

I talked about our district chief vans in a previous thread, so I'll quote what I wrote there. Our District Chief vans are the most commonly used vehicles to serve as command posts. Note that they are strictly to transport the district chief, his driver, and an assortment of specialized equipment. The chief's van doesn't carry any rescue tools, it's more or less a mobile command post. Oh and sorry about the little picture, it's the only one that I have of a district chief van and it's not the greatest.


Our district chief vans are equipped with a bunch of different items from the incident command prespective. The back is set up like a little office with two small shelving units/desks along the sides, as well as one along the back...plus two chairs.

They have a white board with dry erase markers, as well as several SCBA accountability boards and fire ground command boards. There is a TV and VCR, two motorola mobile radios, several motorola portable radios, a sattelite phone, and cell phone.

This is also the vehicle that will carry the district thermal imaging camera as well as the 3M temperature/heat gun. There is a digital and poloroid camera on board, as well as maps of every nook and cranny of the city, and all the surrounding municipal districts. It also carries all kinds of spare equipment for firefighters, like helmet parts, gloves, facepieces, radios, radio batteries and so on...typically stuff that may need to be replaced on the fly at an incident.

The city has a full sized camper bus used by fire and other emergency services at a large scale incident, as do the police. I have only been in the city/fire one once, and only briefly. It has a lot of the same as the d/c vans, minus the spare clothing and equipment. I do know that it has a fax as well as some sort of satelite link up system. It also has a pull down screen and projector. It does have full kitchen facilities, as well as washrooms.

AB

[North_of_60]

Medic8074

Great sites. The only problem is keeping my Champaine taste on a Beer (or maybe Pop) budget.

We need to have 4 wheel drive because of the roads and the weather that we get up here. 4 doors would be really nice so that we can carry more than two people. The patient Transport issue is a touchy one. Although we are not the ambulnce service, sometimes there comes a point where it is better to meet them halfway than wait for them. I do see your concern over ventilation for the Jaws etc. Diesel would be nice but it is not a deal breaker. Deffinitly 3/4 tom is the lowest we can go.

The more I think about it a Pickup is a better way to go (unless they make us have patient transport capibility, but maybe that means more money).

Thanks for all the help so far. Keep the ideas comming

Stay Safe,

North of 60

[DFCSmash]

No no no. Not a 3/4 ton 4x4. Not a 1 ton 4x4. They will be grossly overloaded by the time you get even close to what you want in the box!

Ford F550 or 650, GM Kodiak 4500 or 5500, Navistar equivalent or whatever make, but for sure a 1-1/2 or 2 ton.

The first thing an FD does with a one ton truck is to put a 2 ton load on it.

During the search for our rescue, we looked at a number of used Ambulances. All would be overloaded (over GVW) with 6 firefighters and PPE. No other tools or equipment.

Have a look at http:// www.firetec.com (US based site) or http://www.customtecfire.com/home-eng.htm (CDN based site) Both are sellers of used emergency vehicles and there may be something that suits your needs, or comes close for a fraction of new price! Nothing ventured, nothing gained as the old saying goes!

Check out the 1991 International Cayel Craft Ambulance. Don't forget to look @ the mini/midi pumpers too! (firetec)

[irsqyu]

Well, I am putting to gether a proposal for a Command/Light Rescue truck for our small community. I am trying to get lists of what different departments have in thier command/light Rescue vehicles so that I can compare that to my Current list of supplies that will be needed. If anyone has a list and can send it to me, I would be very appreciative. Suggestions are also good. This is the first truck that I am doing the spec's for, so i am open to suggestions. Probably looking at a Suburban or Excursion. Included equipment:

Highway Rescue Gear,
Emergency Medical Gear,
Basic Ice/Cold Water Recue gear
Incident command

We may also look at a using a Crew Cab Pick up.

To give you an idea of the area: Gravel Highways, Closest Fire Department and RCMP Detachment 60km to the West, Closest Jaws and Ambulance 125 km to the north. So we may be on our own for a while.

You can send lists to: north_of_60@fireahall.com

Thanks for your help.
Stay Safe,

North of 60
This is for the"Command" aspect of this vehicle.
Not sure what you mean by Incident Command Equipment, but if the IC will be operating this vehicle, it would be good to have a couple of RIT packs with basic equipment, also your Accountability setup( Board) or equivalent. If you only have one it would be a good idea to have a Thermal Imaging Camera on this vehicle. Make sure you also have a case or two of bottled water for rehydration at any call, fire or extrication, I'll bet you still sweat in turnout gear, even way up there, lol.:)

[FireChef]

I have found the ULTIMATE Light Rescue. It's the 7 ton International CXT, the largest production pickup truck on the market.

[ABFF37]

Make sure you also have a case or two of bottled water for rehydration at any call, fire or extrication...

Excellent point. We carry a tupperware box on out district chief vans, and rescues that is filled with powerade and bottled water. Pumps also carry the same, but not quite as many bottles. Man is a bottle of water ever refreshing after an hour of pulling a ceiling down at three in the morning LOL...

AB:)

[Firetruckguy]

Depending on your budget based on the equipment you want to carry and the space required for it you might want to look at a 1 Ton cab & chassis with either an extended cab or crew cab.

Depending on the weight of the equipment IE: Auto Extrication you might overload a Chev/GMC Suburban 2500 model (3/4T) as Ford's discontinuing the Excursion. Another thought might be as someone else suggested using a 3/4 or 1 T pickup truck again with the extended cab or crew cab and a canopy with a slide out in the rear for easy access for your tools and other heavier items.

If you wish more information or assistance send me an email and I'd be pleased to help.