Wilmington, DE New Squad

[Rob Pryor]

Squad 3, 2012 Pierce Dash CF 1500/750/30f (class <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />. Placed in service on 10/15. This was a demo unit that was "customized" for Wilmington.

[Rob Pryor]

Front view

[Rob Pryor]

Officers side. The "customization" on this demo unit included the addition of a 4 bottle 6000 psi cascade system, and the 30 gal Class B foam cell. Wilmington is expecting another squad later this year, going to Squad Company 1. The 2nd squad will be custom built with a 500 gal water tank, and otherwise similar specs. Squad 3 is the only company in the city with a 750 gallon water tank.

[BFD190]

This is a nice piece... I think we will begin to see more of this hybrid style ...

[marco17]

I know it was a demo, but is this the first Dash CF in service anywhere?

[senatobiafire704]

[quote name='marco17' timestamp='1350520781' post='500926']

I know it was a demo, but is this the first Dash CF in service anywhere?

[/quote]

I don't think so, as there are several in service. I know Cedar Hill, TX put one in service earlier, but they were not the first dept. to do so. Some of the other people could chime in and give you an exact dept. that put the 1st one in service.

[senatobiafire704]

[quote name='BFD190' timestamp='1350511307' post='500912']

This is a nice piece... I think we will begin to see more of this hybrid style ...

[/quote]

I believe that you are right on with this. With budget restraints and trying to do more with less, these rigs, although big and do not really fit into the sceme of most departments operations will become the norm soon.

[Juice]

Cedar Hill was the first to put one in service I believe. If I remember right, there were 4 of these demos, I wonder how many miles this one had on it when they got it, seems those demos went all over the place.



Trav!

[Rob Pryor]

[quote name='Juice' timestamp='1350522148' post='500929']

Cedar Hill was the first to put one in service I believe. If I remember right, there were 4 of these demos, I wonder how many miles this one had on it when they got it, seems those demos went all over the place.



Trav!

[/quote]



As of Monday when it went in service, 5335 miles were on it....not nearly as many as I thought there would be.

[Rob Pryor]

Rear

[Rob Pryor]

Squad 3 company patch

[Rob Pryor]

In memory of Past Chief James W. Ford, the previous fire chief who retired in 2006. Chief Ford passed away earlier this year of cancer. This was added above the jump seat windows.

[senatobiafire704]

Nice looking rig though. Our next purchase will be a very similar piece.

[BFD190]

Does this have a ground ladder compartment ?

[fyrfoto]

[quote name='senatobiafire704' timestamp='1350521428' post='500928']

I believe that you are right on with this. With budget restraints and trying to do more with less, these rigs, although big and do not really fit into the sceme of most departments operations will become the norm soon.

[/quote]



I am surprised at the "big" comment. These trucks have fairly short wheelbases in the 190" range and are only about 30' long. This one looks quite nice with the low hosebed, it appears to be a good pumper with loads of extra compartments. Why would this not fit into the operational scheme of most departments??

[chfc14]

[quote name='BFD190' timestamp='1350577463' post='500992']BFD, looks like a compartment driver's side between the outer compartments and the hose bed. Looks big enough for ladders in the pic. Hope this helps. Cheers, TJ <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/stirpot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Does this have a ground ladder compartment ?

[/quote]

[BFD190]

I was thinking along the lines of nfpa recs. I could see my company going with more of a rescue type with pump capabilities. But i would imagine they would want the typical ladder compmiment due to our first due needs.

[fyrfoto]

[quote name='BFD190' timestamp='1350589945' post='501013']

I was thinking along the lines of nfpa recs. I could see my company going with more of a rescue type with pump capabilities. But i would imagine they would want the typical ladder compmiment due to our first due needs.

[/quote]



Truck carries a 24' extension ladder, 14' roof and 10' attic and a couple of pike pole tubes in the ladder and storage compartment, pretty standard ladder complement.

[Rob Pryor]

A little more background on the formation of Wilmington's Squad companies. On Jan 1, 2011, Rescue Company #1 was placed out of service due to budget cuts. Engine Company's 1 and 3 were reformed as squad companies and given the added responsibility of rescue and special operations. The engines located at these stations had additional equipment placed on them, and both companies were given one of the existing rescue apparatus to cross-staff as needed, redesignated as Special Ops 1 and Special Ops 3. Shortly after the closing of Rescue 1, a grievance was filed by the Wilmington Firefighters Association (IAFF 1590) regarding the cross-staffing of the rescue companies. In short, according to the contract all in-service apparatus must start every shift staffed by four personnel, the rescues (or special ops units as they were called) were not. This past summer, an arbitrator ruled in the union's favor, essentially forcing the city to put Special Ops 1 in service full-time. The department's answer to this was to purchase 3 18 ft. cargo trailers, and equip the engine companies with hitches to pull them. When the Dash CF squad was placed in service, Special Ops 1 was placed out of service permanently. Here is a photo of Engine 6's 07 Pierce towing one of the trailers.

[Rob Pryor]

Also following the arrival of the new Squad, Specail Ops 3 (ex Rescue 1 and reserve Rescue 101) was designated for disposal, most likely as scrap, it is currently sitting at the city shops awaiting final disposal. It is a 1992 Pierce Lance, shown here inside Station 3 as it was being stripped.