[quote name='MFD 61 KS' post='233092' date='Jul 27 2008, 00:24 ']Real Trucks do not have pumps. Some of the real Trucks bend in the middle (Tiller) but stright Trucks are good too. Real Trucks or Engines are also Solid Red, Soild White, or Black over Red with a REAL Q2B Siren. None of that fake eQ2b stuff. Just no Quints I have no use for them. Just my feelings and thoughts good times. Stay Safe Brothers
E\-One made it standard equipment on the Towers to have pumps. The sales brochure from the 1980's indicates a pump is standard and request must be made to have it built without a pump. Millwaukee's retired 1990's E\-One Hush Towers both had pumps. However the two new Pierce Towers do not have pumps which is great.[/quote]
I hesitate to jump in here, but I think it is important to qualify the description of a "real" truck....ultimately, the best system is engines that do engine work, and trucks that do vent and rescue work. That system works great if- and its a big if these days with cities having difficult financial times- there are enough engines to back up the truck with a hoseline. If your backup isnt too far away, if the engine isnt out doing a medical run, etc then a straight forward aerial or bucket without a pump works great. It gives lots of room for equipment and ladders, is easier to maintain without the added electronics of the pump.
BUT...if your back up is too far away or the engine does a hell of a lot of medicals or nuisance calls, some depts have opted to put a pump on their trucks. It doesnt make them stupid, it doesnt make their truck less of a truck, and it might even be serving their citizens well. I remember having a beer with a truck company "lou" out of FDNY who was telling me of a girl trapped in a fire and the engine was delayed. They had no water and couldnt get past the fire to get to her. He said the screaming of her burning was his most painful memory. Would having a pump on his truck made a difference? maybe not, but it is is a point to ponder. If it was your kid that was trapped, is a pump on a truck such a bad idea?
I know we cant trust the damn politicians not to close companies to save money, and I if there is no pump on the ladders it makes it harder for them to close a company to save some overtime.
I guess my point is that life isnt black and white, and we need to realise that not every dept has the same resources or manpower. I long for the old days of lots of rigs and lots of manpower. Until those days return, I accept that sometimes, grudgingly, I may have to accept some changes that I dont like.
E\-One made it standard equipment on the Towers to have pumps. The sales brochure from the 1980's indicates a pump is standard and request must be made to have it built without a pump. Millwaukee's retired 1990's E\-One Hush Towers both had pumps. However the two new Pierce Towers do not have pumps which is great.[/quote]
I hesitate to jump in here, but I think it is important to qualify the description of a "real" truck....ultimately, the best system is engines that do engine work, and trucks that do vent and rescue work. That system works great if- and its a big if these days with cities having difficult financial times- there are enough engines to back up the truck with a hoseline. If your backup isnt too far away, if the engine isnt out doing a medical run, etc then a straight forward aerial or bucket without a pump works great. It gives lots of room for equipment and ladders, is easier to maintain without the added electronics of the pump.
BUT...if your back up is too far away or the engine does a hell of a lot of medicals or nuisance calls, some depts have opted to put a pump on their trucks. It doesnt make them stupid, it doesnt make their truck less of a truck, and it might even be serving their citizens well. I remember having a beer with a truck company "lou" out of FDNY who was telling me of a girl trapped in a fire and the engine was delayed. They had no water and couldnt get past the fire to get to her. He said the screaming of her burning was his most painful memory. Would having a pump on his truck made a difference? maybe not, but it is is a point to ponder. If it was your kid that was trapped, is a pump on a truck such a bad idea?
I know we cant trust the damn politicians not to close companies to save money, and I if there is no pump on the ladders it makes it harder for them to close a company to save some overtime.
I guess my point is that life isnt black and white, and we need to realise that not every dept has the same resources or manpower. I long for the old days of lots of rigs and lots of manpower. Until those days return, I accept that sometimes, grudgingly, I may have to accept some changes that I dont like.