Kansas City area fire apparatus

[MFD76]

[quote name='Ladder 68' date='26 January 2010 - 04:33 PM' timestamp='1264544008' post='360605']

The rig mentioned for Houston was one of five leased for a year...



We had a number of Spartan/LTI 108' rigs fail their annual ladder testing and it was determined to not be financially feasible to fix them. They leased these 5 E\-One 75' quints to use until the arrival of new 100' rigs which had been ordered from E\-One.



While HFD had these an attempt was made to go to Quint Co.'s by closing an Engine Co. and Truck Co. That attempt failed and they were returned at the end of their lease.



L64, the one you had, ironically is 1st due truck company for Bush Intercontinental Airport. A location where a 100' aerial is needed, and who now runs a 105' ladder tower.

[/quote]



Larry, Thanks for the info on L-64, that is interesting. Funny thing we are part of IAFF Local 64. We though about leaving the 64 on it but the chief said no <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hysterical.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> . I agree Quint's suck and with 75ft you can't reach anything in our town. Quints also are a swiss army knife, they do a little of everything but nothing well. I'll take a pump and a dry truck any day over a quint. The loaner L64 was pretty well worn and I was not fond of it. It drove funny and rode funny too. The Cyclone II's also have a large step-in height compared to our Spartan or the old Pierce Arrow's. Without the Q siren most people figured the Ambulance or Police were coming to help. It did however have a good set of Grover's and pull chain which was redeeming.



Thanks Steve for the info on OKC. I never took any photos of the rig as Quint 61, I boycotted it.



Most of us told the City in 2005 they should return our 95ft mid mount since it had so many issues the ladder being the biggest. The chief wanted to work on the issues. The chief took a lot of heat from the city over this rig. In 2004, we really wanted a Smeal-Spartan 100ft Mid-Mount or the second choice was the Pierce Dash 95ft Mid-Mount. The city went against the truck committee recommendation and purchased the second lowest bid which was E\-One. We gave a list a mile long since both of our E\-One Engine's have had issues. Funny our old Arrows and Ward LaFrance never gave us any trouble. Oh well it feels good to vent.



Stay Safe Brothers,

Rick