Apparatus Update

by FF J. Batz

The department has begun receiving new apparatus in late 2007, the arrivals are expected to continue into 2009. Our KME rescue truck was received on October 18th of 2007 and placed in service November 21st.
The rig, although received in 2007, will be titled a 2008 model.

We originally reported delivery of engine company apparatus to start sometime in late November. The apparatus committee reported delays between KME and their planning, with some items being updated. Engine
13 was delivered January 24, 2008 and was placed in service February 6th, 2008 after all shifts were trained.

Engine 9 was delivered February 4th and was placed in service on February 7th.

Engine 1 will be delivered on Monday February 11th, anticipated arrival for Engines 11 and 3 will be February 18th & 25 respectively.

Engine Company Specifications:

KME predator chassis with raised roof
1500 GPM Pump, 500 Booster Tank
Length 31' - 1"
Width 98"

NFPA recommended chevron scotch-light rear NFPA recommended hose restraint covers NFPA update SCBA brackets (firefighter proof) Diesel Regeneration system (eliminates having to take the rig out on the highway to clean it out) Roll-Over protection system (when the computer senses the rig tilting it will cut back the speed to keep it upright) Hi Intensity eye-brow light on cab Rope style compartment lighting.

Engine 1 will be the first engine loaded with 4" supply hose. Current engine company 3 1/2" line will be phased out over time. The new hose is bright lime in color and has 3 1/2" couplings. The standard hose load for RFD engine companies includes 2 - 200' preconnects, 2 - 150' rear preconnects (also used for hi-rise packs), 700'-800' 2 1/2"
line, 1200'-1400' of supply hose, and a static bed of 400'-500' of 1 3/4". Spare nozzles, Foam equipment, hand tools and portable master streams are also carried. The new engines will be the first to carry LSB's and CID's located on the rear wall of the cab.

All apparatus was equipped with the most current safety features available at time of manufacture, exceeding NFPA standards. NFPA is seeking to mandate the chevron stripping in the next revision of the apparatus standard, Hose Covers were required in the last revision.