Virginia apparatus - miscellaneous

[Guest]

Ive been reading with great interest regarding the Richmond situation.  Oh sure, the TQC sounds good on paper, the purse holders love the idea, combine two trucks into one, therefore we can save money.  Well the dimes that you are saving is now turning into dollars youre spending just to keep these rigs on the road.  They have to understand that there is alot of weight on that chassis and if your roads are not in the best of shape these rigs are going to get abuse.  Add the thousands of runs per year that they handle, and sure they are going to break down faster and be out of service for longer periods of time.  St. Louis who pioneered the idea of the TQC is going back to the traditional engine/truck concept.  Quints do have their place in the fire service, but not as an option to phase out engine companies.  Best of luck to the RFD in the return to traditional apparatus, I can only hope that this was a lesson learned......