ENGINES:
The department has 60 new engines (59 standard and one CAFS) on order and the
successful bidder is KME with the Predator cab. (See fire.kovatch.com for Newswire
information) The department is also in the final stages of adding on 12 additional
rigs for the 2006/07 year, for a grand total of 72 engines. The delivery for
the first prototype is scheduled for February with delivery of the remaining
units beginning in April at the rate of eight rigs per month.
Some of the changes for the new rigs:
Better cooling system
Improved air conditioning and heating
Improved defroster
Better hill climbing ability
More windshield visibility
Better noise, heat and sound insulation
Additional and improved emergency lighting
Jake brake
Transmission retarder controlled with foot brake
Electronic public address system
Better warranty on the engine
Tighter vehicle specification
QUINTS:
The department has seven quints on order with the successful bidder being KME.
They will be tractor-drawn 100' aerials without Class "A" foam or
a pre-plumbed waterway. The department is also in the final stages of adding
one additional quint for the 2006/07 year, for a grand total of eight quints.
Some of the changes for the new rigs include the above from the engines, and:
350 gallon water tank
Improved aerial use over the front of the vehicle
Shorter overall length than our current 75' tractor-drawn quints
Better axles
Better visibility and ventilation for the tiller position
Lower aerial stowage height
SQUADS:
Fleet Services has ordered vehicles for a complete change-out of all front-line
squads. This project is ongoing and the next batch of squads is currently on
order. All of the "new" squads can be identified by the rear LED tail
and emergency lights. The next batch of squads being ordered will have small
changes in the drug compartment and the addition of rear yellow LED turn signals.
PATROLS:
There are 23 of the new patrols inservice with another 10 being built for a
grand total of 33. The next ten should be done at the beginning of next year.
MIRV's:
Three Metropolitan Incident Response Vehicles are being built. They are on
a Freightliner chassis.
FIRV's:
Four Federal Incident Response Vehicles are being build. They are on Freightliner
chassis and designed for OFTA use.
COMMAND VEHICLES:
Three Regional Command Vehicles are being built with delivery expected before
next fire season. These will be on a Freightliner chassis and have command and
communications capability for large incidents.
HEAVY RESCUE:
The Heavy Rescue is being built. It is similar to the LAFD Unit with a longer
boom.
COMMUNICATIONS TRAILER:
One Communications Trailer with a tow vehicle is in the final stages of going
out-to-bid.
HAZ MAT VEHICLE:
One new Haz Mat vehicle is being designed for HM130. Presently, it is a two
axle vehicle similar to LAFD's. Once the specification is completed, delivery
could take 300 to 360 days.
LIGHT AND MOBILE AIR UNITS:
The department is looking into purchasing Light/Mobile Air units. Whether this
will be a combination unit or separate vehicles has not been decided.
PIO VEHICLE:
The rought draft for one PIO Vehicle is completed but no formal specification
is written.
MAPPING:
The rough draft for one Mapping Unit is completed but no formal specification
is written.
WATER TENDERS:
The word is that the department is looking at purchasing three new water tenders
but no formal written specification are being worked on at this time.
UTILITIES:
Several new utilities have been purchased, and additional units are being ordered.
?
See
Photos
This past April, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger temporarily pulled back his proposed ballot initiative to privatize all public employee pensions ? the one that would have eliminated death and disability benefits for widows and orphans of fallen firefighters. But when he made the tactical move, he also made a promise:
