Apparatus updates by Jack Lerch
Re-printed from Fire Apparatus Journal January-February 2002
THIS COLUMN WILL COVER THE NEW deliveries and orders from the
regular, on-going contracts. The apparatus being ordered from the emergency
purchases following the World Trade Center disaster, are covered in a feature
article elsewhere in this issue.
Two 1000 gpm Seagrave
pumpers, from an add on order to the Seagrave pumpers delivered in 2000,
were delivered in mid-September. Originally slated for assignment to Engine
Company 69 and the Bureau of Training, they have instead been assigned to
Engine Companies 1 and 65. The new pumpers have Detroit Diesel Series 50
engines and Waterous pumps. A 2001 American LaFrance Eagle 1000 gpm pumper was
also delivered in September. Originally meant to be on loan for evaluation
purposes, FDNY purchased this unit. It has been assigned to Engine Company 34.
This is a tilt cab model with spacious seating for a six person crew. The
body was built by the R.D. Murray Division of American La France, and has a
Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine and Waterous pump. This is the first American
LaFrance pumper to enter FDNY service since the fourteen 1983 models.
One of those, repainted in October, 1997, is still at the Bureau of Training
outfitted as a caisson. It is most likely that the new pumpers assigned to
Engines 65 and 34 will be replaced with the high-pressure pumpers now on
order. The bid opening for the forty new 1000 gpm pumpers was delayed due to
the World Trade Center disaster, but was since awarded to Seagrave. This is for
regular budgeted replacements and does oes not include those ordered with
emergency funding.
Delivery continues on
the original order of nineteen 2001 Seagrave 100-foot rear mounts,
plus the now approved separate add on contracts of six and four, making a
total of 29 new units. Prior to September 11th, the first had been assigned to
the Bureau of Training and the next six to Ladder Companies 4, 29, 38, 49, 165
and 173. Ladder 4's apparatus was destroyed and replaced by the one originally
at the Bureau of Training. The next one, assigned to Ladder Company 8, was
actually delivered to the Shops a day prior to the disaster. The next four were
assigned to Ladder Companies 3, 11, 113, and 132, pushing back the eleven
listed in a prior
issue (Ladder Companies 27, 43, 55,
56, 61, 80, 116,125, 128, 140 and 176) in sequence. Those units have now all
either received their new apparatus, or soon will. One will also be assigned to
Ladder Company 10. Another new one has already been assigned to the Bureau of
Training and is so marked. Five Seagrave 100-foot tillers are also being
delivered.
The one 2001
Seagrave/Aerialscope 75 foot tower ladder, delivered in September, was an
add on contract to the similar 2000 models, and was slated to go to
Ladder Company 131 to replace their 1989 Mack/Baker foot tower.
Following the World Trade Center disaster, it was assigned to Ladder Company
18. Delivery started in October on the order of eight 95 foot
Seagrave/Aerialscope towers, plus add-on contracts for one and four, making a
total of thirteen new 95 foot towers being delivered. The first was
assigned to Ladder Company 119 replacing a 1989 Mack/Baker 95 foot
towerladder.
The new 2001 Saulsbury
hazardous-materials truck, built on a two‑door Mack MR chassis, was
delivered in September for assignment as the first piece of Hazardous Materials
Company 1. In size and appearance it is similar to the 1989 Mack/Saulsbury haz-mat
that it replaces. The second piece of this two piece company uses a smaller
1996 International / Saulsbury with a rear mounted crane. They respond
with an officer and seven firefighters on each tour and are quartered with
Squad Company 288.
A 2001 Workhorse step
van, with Grumman body, has been assigned to the Mask Service Unit, located at
the Fire Academy. Instead of carrying bottles, the interior of this truck is
outfitted as a mobile repair shop. The Mask Service Unit has also been assigned
2001 and 2002 GMC vans.
Bid opening for a
contract for thirty nine Ford diesel Excursions was held on October 22nd.
They will be used primarily as battalion chief vehicles.
In other New York City
apparatus news, the Gerrittsen Beach Volunteer Fire Department in Brooklyn, one
of ten volunteer units still operating within the city limits, has accepted
delivery of a new pumper. Built by Darley on a short wheel base, four-wheel-drive
2001 HME chassis, the apparatus has a 1000 gpm pump, 500 tank, and
compressed air foam system.
In closing this column,
we would like to acknowledge the civilian and uniformed employees of the Fleet
and Technical Services Division, under Assistant Commissioner Thomas McDonald,
Deputy Director Thomas Curti, Assistant Deputy Director Andrew Diamond at the
35th Street Shops, Deputy Director Michael Felice, Assistant Deputy Director
Anthony DeMaio at the 58th Street Shops, Director Robin Mundy Sutton and
Deputy Director Mark Aronberg. Over 170 damaged apparatus, cars, light vehicles
and ambulances were repaired, re-equipped and retuened to service during a remarkable one week period
following the September 11th disaster. Certainly a job well done.