seattle new rigs

[MFD76]

I agree with you. For many years we moved Q sirens from the retired rig to the new rig. Our city has had money issues for almost all of its sixty years existing. The chief always told us it was a money issue and to use the older Q sirens on the new rigs. You are right it is more cost effective to include it in the spec. We have missed out on some basic features over the years because the chief said we will add it later. At least the Q was added. Just like a AM/FM/CD radio is called an early civil defense warning device with weather band in our spec. My buddies on Engine 10 at Wichita Fire Department asked for a bell on the new Pierce Dash pump and sold the truck committee on it as a pedestrian warning device. They protect the Wichita State University Campus (WSU) so they can warn the students and not blow ear drums with the REAL Q siren. Some of the really good fire appratus makers are now producing demos with REAL Q sirens.



The funny thing is REAL Q sirens never wear out. Our 1991 reserve pump has the Q siren from our 1968 Ward LaFrance Mark I pump. It is still going strong and sounds great our old truck company had a Q from a late 1950's ambulance. One of our Lt.'s in 1980 found the ambulance in a used car lot in KCK and offered 100.00 for the Q siren. They wired it to our brand new 1980 Pierce Arrow/ LTI Tower Ladder. In 2001 when the our second Cheep-One or E\-One Engine was purchased we were able to get the chief to agree to purchasing a new Q siren. So our lead pump and the 2004 Cheep-One tower ladder have new Q sirens. Oh yea the Bell off the 1968 Ward pump is on our 2001 Cheep-One pump and it has never worn out either. Q and Bell great combo.



Now each of our rigs except the two newest has had at least two new Federal electronic siren control boxes over there life span. Those cheep electronic boxs burn out or parts break or speakers rot. That is the beauty of a REAL coaster siren long lasting. People know the sound of the Q means big soild red or black over red engine or truck is comming.