Kansas

[chief60]

Did Wichita purchase a second mobile air unit?  If so, why would they purchase a second mobile air when they are not running with an actual hazmat truck and barely have a hazmat team in the first place?  The firefighters retrofitted an old engine for a HazMat truck and, put what useable equipment they have on it.  It would have made more sense to purchase a purpose-built hazmat unit than a second mobile air.

Wichita, KS 

Did purchase a new Mobile Air. This is a replacement for the 1994 Freightliner/ SVI that has been serving as the reserve. They always have maintained two Mobile Air units at Fire Station 1. The first or front line Moblie Air is staffed with a firefighter/ asst. fire investigator every shift. The second is the reserve. 

They have placed an order with Pierce for two Velocity two door walk in rescues. They will have seating the box for firemen. Rescue 1 will replace the current Rescue 4 at Fire Station 4. Rescue 2 will be placed in service at Fire House 10 and replace old 2006 Pierce Dash Engine 10 (reserve engine) that has been subbing the last 3-5 years as Haz-Mat 10. Rescue 2 will serve primarily as the Haz-Mat. However it will carry a small amount of ladders so it can work as a truck at fires if need. It will also carry hydraulic tools to handle pins. It will also have some additional rescue equipment, it is still evolving. Squad 10 will be disbanded when Rescue 2 enters service.

What will their staffing be for these? I didn't think they had dedicated staffing at Rescue 4.

They actually pulled Squad 4 out of service a few years ago and began staffing Rescue 4 with two. The new Rescue 1 @ 4 and Rescue 2 @ 10 will start with staffing of three. The plan is to move the five Trucks and two Rescues to staffing of four. 

Truck 5 just entered service at 18's last week.

Excellent, Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. Glad to see them staffed and a plan to get to 4 per staffing.