Syracuse Mini-Pumper History

[fyreline]

After very careful consideration and review, a set of specifications was developed for a new, smaller series of Syracuse Minis. We don't call them Mini-Pumpers any more, as they have no pump or tank. We went over everything the companies liked about the shop-built 1994 Chevrolet/Astoria unit, and made changes accordingly. In the meantime, it was decided to get a few more years out of the existing fleet of International-chassis "big minis", rather than replace them immediately. It wasn't until 2002 that the new, smaller units started to arrive. Between 2002 and 2004, eight of the new units were received. They featured the Ford F350 Super Duty with the extended cab so that the EMS equipment could be stored inside, and it was decided that to keep costs low and the financial possibility of replacements more frequent, we would use the standard Ford dark red color, whatever it may be. It turned out all years but one to be "close enough", and actually looked pretty good with the striping and lettering package we came up with. In later years, there was only one time the color wasn't even close - in 2009 it was a very, very dark maroon and although it looked fine, it really didn't match the rest of the fleet.  Oh, well. This design became - and continues to be - the "standard" SFD Mini (or "Emergency Response Vehicle" as they are called in the specs). Generally speaking, two or three were acquired every other year and they have proven to be much better suited to their mission than the older, larger Mini-Pumpers. I have always asked the Chief of Fire to give me a mission statement for any vehicle he wanted to add to the fleet, and the Apparatus Advisory Committee would spec out the best possible vehicle to do that job. A few changes were made to specific vehicles if their assignment was different from the rest - such as a full crew cab for the one assigned to the HazMat company (they needed the room) or specialized compartments for the one used as part of the Rescue Company. Even the Syracuse Airport received a couple over the years. These units have proven to be efficient and effective - and a LOT cheaper to purchase and replace than the old ones! Here is one of the first of the new units, a 2002 model:

 

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Here's that one 2009 unit that was a little darker red than usual. Sorry it's filthy - but, hey, these are working units.

 

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. . . And the full crew-cab job for HazMat.  Engine Company 5 has the responsibility for HazMat responses in the City of Syracuse and surrounding county. You will notice a couple of these photos are from good friend John Kenealy's excellent website, CNY Fire Trucks, which I highly recommend if you want to see a LOT of Syracuse apparatus (among others). 

http://www.cnyfiretrucks.com/

 

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