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Apparatus updates by Jack Lerch Re-printed from Fire Apparatus Journal May-June 2000
A CONTRACT TO BUILD FOUR HUNDRED ambulances for the Bureau of EMS has been approved for McCoy Miller. This is one of the largest orders for emergency vehicles ever placed by any governmental agency. McCoy Miller, which has been building ambulances for Chicago and other cities for many years, was the low bidder for the contract. They will be built on the Ford F-350 diesel chassis and should be similar in outward appearance to the current fleet of Type I Ford F-350/Horton ambulances now in service. The contract calls for the delivery of eighty ambulances each year, over five years. Delivery should begin during the Fall.
The total delivery of twenty new 1999 and 2000 Seagrave 1000 gpm pumpers, whose assignments were listed in the last issue, should now be completed. Another order of eight additional Seagrave 1000 gpm pumpers is due in by August, as are the five 2000 Seagrave 2000 gpm pumpers which are slated for assignment to Engine Companies 72, 159, 207, 284 and 324 replacing their Mack/Ward 79 2000 gpm pumpers. The five 2000 Seagrave 1000 gpm rescue-pumpers are due in the Fall and are going to Squads 18, 61, 252, 270 and 288. The current 1998 Seagrave pumpers of 18 and 61, the 1997 Seagrave of 252 and the 1996 Seagrave of 270 will be reassigned to other companies, with the 1989 Mack/Ward 79 of 288 becoming a spare.
The three new 2000 Seagrave 100-foot tillers have been delivered and are being assigned to Ladder Companies 20, 34 and 10 1. Two identical tillers, from an add-on order, will be delivered by late Summer and are slated for Ladders 6 and 173. No other tillers are currently in the order or specification stage. FDNY is currently scheduling a bidding date for nineteen 100-foot rear-mount aerials. There are no plans to order any new I 10-foot or longer rear-mounts.
The remainder of the total order, plus add-on, of thirteen 1999/2000 Seagrave/Aerialscope towers, listed in the last issue, are all expected in within the next few months. No other 75-foot tower are currently in the "specs" or ordering stage. FDNY is preparing specs for the purchase of two, and possibly nine, 95-foot towers.
The new Field Communications Unit, built by American La France/Rescue Master on a Freightliner Model FL-106 chassis, is expected by the late Summer, replacing the current 1985 Mack/Saulsbury. Saulsbury has been given the contract to build the new Hazardous Materials Unit for Haz-Mat Company 1, on a Mack model MR chassis. It is expected by late Fall and will replace the current 1989 Mack/Saulsbury.