Make the Apparatus Manufacturer
Answer The Hard Questions
Items such as cost or manpower in any fire department or function in a diverse district become deciding factors when purchasing interface urban wild land apparatus. Here are seven of the most important considerations and why they are significant:
  • Manpower
    In a fire department, manpower is the most important issue. The "best" time to have a fire call is six o'clock in the evening when everyone is home while the "worst" time is between eight in the morning and four in the afternoon. Fire departments must consider how they can work a scene most effectively with the least amount of manpower during the first five minutes on the scene.
    Consider:
    Can tools be pre-connected on the truck? Can the truck be 90% effective with minimal manpower?
  • Water
    In an urban interface, water becomes important because of the lack of water resources. How can you increase the suppression power of the water supply available?
    Consider:
    The fire suppression capability of a foam injection system? CAFS system?
  • User-friendliness
    User-friendliness is an often over-looked item. When there is a life in danger, is the firefighter comfortable enough with the apparatus to handle the situation effectively?
    Consider:
    Since fire apparatus are not used everyday, how difficult would it be to re-familiarize with all systems in a crisis situation?
  • Service
    What is the fire apparatus manufacturer's track record in taking care of its customers?
    Consider:
    Will the company admit they have a problem with their product? How fast is it resolved?
  • Safety
    Many small wild land apparatus builders have jumped on the idea of a transverse walkway.
    Consider:
    Is the walkway designed to pump and roll? Does it have a restraint system? Is the apparatus built so as to withstand collision from every direction? Does the walkway have roll-over protection? Are the pump panel controls in unsafe locations such as the rear?
  • Function
    Many fire call are improperly dispatched or the apparatus need changes on scene. Multifunctional apparatus allow for a firefighter to be prepared and confident in most situations when he arrives. A true interface truck has the ability to change functions at a moments notice.
    Consider:
    If a structure fire starts a fast-moving wild land fire which causes a rescue situation, can the same truck handle all?
  • Cost
    How many features and how many functions can an apparatus perform for the cost?
    Consider:
    Is a hose reel more valuable than scene lighting? How much "bang for the buck" can we get in a single truck with our limited resources?

Make the apparatus manufacturer answer the hard questions--in the end your department, not the manufacturer, is responsible for the protection of your fire district and the safety of your firefighters.

-- Blanchat Mfg., Inc.
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