Emergency Vehicle Operations, Apparatus Placement and Purchasing

Contact Us:
Serious inquires only
mwilbur@hvc.rr.com

News provided in cooperation with
FirefighterCloseCalls

THE APPARATUS ARCHITECT

The concept of The Apparatus Architect started as an article that was never published in the articles original form. The article revolved around the concept that a fire department would not think of building a $500,000.00 fire station, addition without the services of a qualified architect. Yet that same fire department would think nothing of spending $800,000.00 on a Tower Ladder without anyone's help or expertise and be at the mercy of the apparatus salesmen. The premise of that article has allowed Tom and I to share our knowledge and expertise to create a variety of functional and cost effective fire apparatus for a variety of fire departments. Consulting services offered by firefighters for firefighters. With our collective back rounds it gives Tom and I the expertise to consult on a variety of Fire Service issues which include but are not limited to:

Fire Protection Master Planning

Fire Station Site Location Analysis
Apparatus Maintenance and Testing Procedures

Apparatus Deployment and Staffing

Fire Apparatus Fleet Replacement Analysis

Staffing And Training Needs Assessment

Tom Shand
Vehicle Ops Contributor
Tom Shand has been a volunteer firefighter for the past 36 years serving with departments in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York State

He has worked as a field engineer for the Insurance Services Office of New York in the Public Protection Department performing municipal fire protection evaluations of fire departments and water supply systems. Tom has worked for the past twenty six years in the fire apparatus industry designing fire apparatus and preparing specifications for fire departments across the county. He is a contributing editor for Fire Apparatus Journal and Firehouse Magazine.

Tom and Mike conduct numerous surveys of fire departments and conduct training classes throughout the country in the areas of fire apparatus design and fire department operations.

Apparatus Architect

Ground Ladder Compliments on Aerials

Friday, January 15, 2010

In the last installment of the Apparatus Architect we covered some of the considerations for the use of ground ladders on the fire ground together with some reasons why your department should carrying additional ground ladders on your ladder compa... [ more ]

   The Leesburg, Virginia Fire Department
      operates this tractor drawn ladder truck
      which carries over 256 feet of ground
      ladders. Tiller units have almost
      unlimited space for ground ladders and
      Truck 601 is an excellent example of a
      well designed ladder truck.

   Truck 1 of the Syracuse, New York Fire
      Department carries both a 30 foot and 35
      foot extension ladder on each side of
      the apparatus together with a 14 foot
      and 20 foot roof ladders.

Ground Ladder Compliments on Aerial Apparatus

Friday, January 15, 2010

At the scene of a three story wood frame dwelling fire the engine company is making a push into the attic to cut off the fire extension into this area. For some unknown reason the attack line goes limp and the engine crew is without water. Due to ... [ more ]

   This 1980 Seagrave rear mount ladder
      operated by the Freeland, Pennsylvania
      Fire Department depicts flat style
      ground ladder banking both under the
      turntable and full length on the right
      side of the body. Note the hose chute
      at the upper left hand side of the body
      under the turntable.

   This heavy rescue truck operated by the
      East Meadow, New York Fire Department
      carries eight different portable ladders
      totaling 167 feet. This unit augments
      the department’s two ladder companies to
      provide additional tools, equipment and
      ground ladders at any incident.

Setting Up Your Apparatus to Maximize Compartment Space

Friday, January 15, 2010

There are several dynamics that are changing the course of fire apparatus design during a period in time when we are “trying to do more with less”. First is the impact of our country’s economy and the resulting deployment strateg... [ more ]

   The Empire Friendship Fire Company
      outfitted their Sutphen pumper with a
      compliment of extinguishers, hand tools,
      salvage gear and electrical equipment on
      the right side of the apparatus.

   Engine 45 carries five attack lines and
      1500 feet of 5.00 inch supply line in
      the rear hose bed. Note the LDH
      manifold, low level strainer and
      portable deck gun mounted on the slide
      tray in the rear body compartment.

Setting Up Your Apparatus to Maximize Compartment Space

Monday, September 14, 2009

    Carlisle Engine 45 Rear #3: Engine 45
      carries five attack lines and 1500 feet
      of 5.00 inch supply line in the rear
      hose bed. Note the LDH manifold, low
      level strainer and portable deck gun
      mounted on the slide tray in the rear
      body compartment.

The Apparatus Architect Part 41 Innovations to Make the Job Safer

Friday, June 19, 2009

Sometimes it’s the little things that count. With all of the activities surrounding the fire service: response to alarms, training, physical fitness, meetings, staffing plans and budget reviews it is difficult at times to step back and ... [ more ]

   Tools and appliances are mounted on this
      short slide tray and shelf to enable
      personnel to gain immediate access to
      needed equipment. Note the color coded
      adapters on the shelf. Photo by Tom
      W. Shand

   The hydrant valve and five inch supply
      line are located within the rear body
      compartment by notching the floor to
      accommodate the supply hose. Note the
      use of plastic ploy angles to hold the
      hydrant valve and Siamese in
      place. Photo by Tom W. Shand

The Apparatus Architect
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - This is the first in a series of articles that will enhance the fire departments ability to obtain properly designed and functional apparatus. ... [ more ]

Gathering Technical Information
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - Now that your apparatus committee has been formed and you have begun the task of determining what type of equipment is required, you now should begin the task of gathering technical information from a variety of resources to expand your knowledge ... [ more ]

Working with Department Resources
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - In the first article we presented some concepts regarding the process of designing and writing specifications for a new piece of apparatus. For a variety of reasons apparatus committees need to have adequate time to define the fire department... [ more ]

Conducting Meetings with Vendors
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - So far in the Apparatus Architect series we have reviewed various concepts of how to evaluate your departments apparatus needs, how to initiate the apparatus committee and several methods for gathering technical information. In this article we wil... [ more ]

Developing the Specifications
Tuesday, March 3, 2009 - So far in the Apparatus Architect series we have reviewed various concepts of how to evaluate your departments apparatus needs, how to initiate the apparatus committee and several methods for gathering technical information. In this article w... [ more ]

Search for News stories:

Search by : Month | Year | Keyword | Category

site designed and maintained by

Contact the Webmaster | © 2002-2010 FireCompanies.com | Emergency Vehicle Response
Content on all sites is supplied by the fire departments, not by FireCompanies.com. FireCompanies.com
cannot be responsible for any content, either text, pictures, or any other form of media found on the sites.