TEXAS RIGS

[Ladder 68]

The "Booster" concept, atleast in the Houston area, is one of a light, all wheel drive, versatile unit for brush/grass fire responses. In Houston they were manned units with an assigned Chauffeur everyday. The only runs they were "Dispatched" to where brush/grass responses and wash downs after being outfitted with spray bars. They often ran extra on box alarms on their own initiative on the District/Battalion level. This was very helpful as an aide to IC and for positioning a pick-up truck size rig between apartment buildings as that little booster tank made the difference until an Engine Co. could get a line around to them. Not uncommon to see them jump curbs, go thru fences, alongside apartment complex pools and thru courtyards to cover an exposure, etc.



Around 2000 we lost or Chauffeurs on them and they are now unmanned units cross-staffed by the in house Engine Co. where they are quartered. They are no longer dispatched on any runs per the CAD, but have to be requested or have the in house Engine Co. respond with it as a 2nd piece on their own initiative when they are sent on necessary type call.



As a point of fact, many different types of vehicles/chassis have been used for Boosters with the pick-up truck chassis being the most successful with single tires and diesel engines. Very inexpensive (relatively speaking) and able to be beat-up regularly and come back for more.