Jason brings up a great point that departments must consider before they spend the time and compartment space on putting a pump & tank on a rescue truck. For some, it's greatly advantageous, while others have to live with their regrets for putting it on.
At work (link provided above), we run a 500/300 setup on our 2004 Quantums HR's. Although they have fought a couple of fires with them (room and contents, car fire, etc), they're rarely used. In fact, I believe that the pump on S13 has been OOS for a year or more. We're so saturated with engine companies, the pump & tank on the HR's just isn't a benefit.
On the flip side, I fought heavily to put a pump and tank on our new HR at the VFD in 1999, and was shot down every time I brought it up. Fast forward to 2014 as we begin the spec process for it's replacement, and the very people who shot me down on the idea 15 years ago now agree that it was a mistake not to put it on there. We'll likely do a 300/300 setup with a compact pump panel, 2.5" inlet and a single 1.75" discharge. It will also have the same style air cascade we have now, with a 4-bottle, 6000psi system and dual fill station.
It comes down to space, size, cost, staffing, responsibilities, planning, and a host of other factors.
At work (link provided above), we run a 500/300 setup on our 2004 Quantums HR's. Although they have fought a couple of fires with them (room and contents, car fire, etc), they're rarely used. In fact, I believe that the pump on S13 has been OOS for a year or more. We're so saturated with engine companies, the pump & tank on the HR's just isn't a benefit.
On the flip side, I fought heavily to put a pump and tank on our new HR at the VFD in 1999, and was shot down every time I brought it up. Fast forward to 2014 as we begin the spec process for it's replacement, and the very people who shot me down on the idea 15 years ago now agree that it was a mistake not to put it on there. We'll likely do a 300/300 setup with a compact pump panel, 2.5" inlet and a single 1.75" discharge. It will also have the same style air cascade we have now, with a 4-bottle, 6000psi system and dual fill station.
It comes down to space, size, cost, staffing, responsibilities, planning, and a host of other factors.
Taylor Goodman
Captain - Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire
Fire Chief - Huguenot VFD, Powhatan, VA
Captain - Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire
Fire Chief - Huguenot VFD, Powhatan, VA
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