Phoenix Metropolitan Area Fire Apparatus

[titan]

Ex foam 1 - now reserve rig 4500

[Image7801]

Caught a couple of "nothing" fires over the past week.  No decent photos but a couple of apparatus shots.

 

Here's a "mystery" rig - Sun City Engine 1340 (shows as such in CAD, too).  What makes it strange is the numbering.  First a little background:  Sun City is assigned the 130-series in the Phoenix metro fire consortium scheme.  So, Sun City Ladder 1 is Ladder 131, Engine 3 is Engine 133, etc...  The only time (In my memory) that companies go to 4 digits is if their Department exceeds the number of stations in their numbering range, which is typically 9 stations (i.e. Stations 151-159, in Glendale's case).  For example Gilbert is assigned the 250-series, but they have more than 10 stations (251, 252, 253, etc...).  So, when they built Stations 10 and 11, they became Stations 2510 and 2511. 

 

However, Sun City only has three stations (131, 132, 133).  So, what is Engine 1340?  This rig is x-Engine 133's 2003 Quantum (they now have a 2012 Spartan/CustomFire).  My guess is that it's a fully equipped reserve rig.  I'm not sure why they decided to give it it's own numbering, rather than having it assume the number of whatever rig it's acting for, which is more common.  Sometimes Cities and Fire Districts have permanently numbered reserves for strike team duty, but those are usually numbered at the top of the range.  Sun City had one such rig, numbered as Engine 139.  I'm not sure if they went away from that or not.

 

I'll have to make some calls and find out...

 

Here it is on a house fire in north Peoria on Friday.

 

Sun City, AZ Engine 1340 - 2003 Pierce Quantum, Ladder 131 - 1996 Pierce Lance

   

[Image7801]

Sun City Ladder 131

 

1996 Pierce Lance 100' Tower quint.

   

[Image7801]

Here's Glendale's Utility 159 rolling into a residential structure fire last week...

 

2010 Spartan Gladiator Evolution/SVI

   

[Guest]

I believe, 40 stands for a 40 hour engine co.

Like Gilbert E2540 at 253's & Chandler E2840 at 288's,  they run during peaks hours,  usually from Mon to Thur 7am to 5pm

Gilbert's adding a 2nd 40 hour engine co on the 1st at 255's to help fill the gaps untill Station 259 opens in 2015  

[Guest]

Sun City has an AWESOME paint scheme......

[Image7801]

I believe, 40 stands for a 40 hour engine co.

Like Gilbert E2540 at 253's & Chandler E2840 at 288's,  they run during peaks hours,  usually from Mon to Thur 7am to 5pm

Gilbert's adding a 2nd 40 hour engine co on the 1st at 255's to help fill the gaps untill Station 259 opens in 2015

That makes sense. I've heard E2840 but never paid much attention. I'll swing by Station 131 one of these days and see where they squeeze the second engine in...Thanks!

[SrFireOfficial]

Thanks for the information.

[Guest]

Goodyear's new engines in service yet ? 

Buckeye E701 & E702 got new Sutphen engines like E703 E705 & E706

[Image7801]

I went by Station 131 yesterday. Engines 131 and 1340 were both there, so that pretty much confirms what you were thinking. What I'm not sure of is what happened to LT-131. With E-131, E-1340, L-131 and BC-131, the house is full. They may have moved the LT to 132's, but it wouldn't have any staffing.

I believe, 40 stands for a 40 hour engine co.

Like Gilbert E2540 at 253's & Chandler E2840 at 288's,  they run during peaks hours,  usually from Mon to Thur 7am to 5pm

Gilbert's adding a 2nd 40 hour engine co on the 1st at 255's to help fill the gaps untill Station 259 opens in 2015  

[Image7801]

Here's one of the previous generation of Phoenix Utility rigs, still in service...

 

Phoenix Utility 10 - 2002 Freightliner FL80/SVI

   

[SrFireOfficial]

I remember years ago seeing one of the older IH utilities being operated by the Phoenix Police Department in their colors.  I'll have to see if I can find those pics.

[Image7801]

I remember years ago seeing one of the older IH utilities being operated by the Phoenix Police Department in their colors.  I'll have to see if I can find those pics.

Probably one of the original 1982 IH S1800/SuperVac (pre-"SVI") rigs. I have a photo of it in PFD colors, but never saw one in Police colors. I'll be interested to see it.

[Image7801]

The last L191 (1988-ish LTI Olympian) lasted until 2003. Ladder 191 is only a 2003, so it should be around for some time.

Engine 196 is a 2005 and 197 is a 2007, so they're still current. The next purchases are two new BC trucks, probably Ford diesels like the current 2006 F-350's. One of the two 2003 Ford F-550/E-One brush trucks is going to get a new chassis. I've heard rumors of a Dodge. Not sure if that's true. The other one I have no idea. After that, everything is pretty new.

I may be wrong about the Ram chassis. I think they're looking at a new Ford F-550 chassis to put it under. I'll have to dig a little more.

[Guest]

I believe U10 has a twin that's a reserve/spare

U29 & U50 have twin Freightliner/Pierce's

[derry86]

How are the Utilities used and staffed?

[Image7801]

How are the Utilities used and staffed?

Basically, they're air/light rigs, staffed with one FF. They do carry some rehab supplies, mostly drinking water and chairs. However, larger incidents will bring a dedicated rehab rig. A utility rig is dispatched upon a confirmed working fire.


In Metro Phoenix I don't know exactly how many there are, but I think Phoenix has 3 (U10, 29, 50), Glendale (U159), Avondale (U172), Buckeye Valley (U324), Chandler, Tempe (they call it Scene Support), Mesa has a couple, I think, Gilbert, Scottsdale. I'm not sure who else. Since everybody is on auto aid, not every City needs one.

[SrFireOfficial]

On one of the seven cloudy days each year in metro Phoenix, I found this Pierce pumper operated by Gila River FD in the parking lot of the local supermarket acquiring hunger prevention supplies.  Because of the clouds and the way other cars were parked; I just shot it with the iPhone and didn't bother with the DSLR.  No engineer or anybody else around to ask questions about the rig.

 

 

 

 

[SrFireOfficial]

I remember years ago seeing one of the older IH utilities being operated by the Phoenix Police Department in their colors.  I'll have to see if I can find those pics.

 

Found it....

[firechief14]

On one of the seven cloudy days each year in metro Phoenix, I found this Pierce pumper operated by Gila River FD in the parking lot of the local supermarket acquiring hunger prevention supplies.  Because of the clouds and the way other cars were parked; I just shot it with the iPhone and didn't bother with the DSLR.  No engineer or anybody else around to ask questions about the rig.

 

 

 

 

any ideas on how to get a patch and or a shirt from gila river? I had applied for gila river before they got huge and then my now exwife got cold feet and backed out thanks in advance guys. please message me if you know how. Thanks