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Quints
Feb 5, 2002 11:11:52 GMT -5
Post by Gregg on Feb 5, 2002 11:11:52 GMT -5
A short while back I heard that CFD was considering purchasing a Quint or two. Is this still a possibility?
If they ever purchase a Quint(s), City Hall needs to be educated on this type of rig and realize that this does NOT mean that this takes the place of 2 fire companies. City Hall CANNOT buy a Quint and disband other fire companies! This is a great piece of firefighting apparatus, however, a 4 person Quint CANNOT operate as both an Engine Co. and a Truck Co.! It's one or the other!
Now if utilized properly this is a great rig. For instance, Los Angeles Co. is using the Quint, but they are using it as an ENHANCED TRUCK COMPANY. With the increase in EMS runs, the availability of Pumpers is often compromised. This can also occur during an extra alarm fire. One benefit of the Quint is it's flexibility for move-up purposes. If an Engine is unavailable, the Quint can operate as an Engine Co. if required. Simply stated, the Quint is a Truck Co. with the ability to operate as an Engine if necessary. City Hall MUST always realize this!
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scottknoll249@yahoo.com
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Quints
Feb 18, 2002 11:07:35 GMT -5
Post by scottknoll249@yahoo.com on Feb 18, 2002 11:07:35 GMT -5
Gregg, I agree. I do not work for CFD, but for 2 other depts. that operate quints. granted, the quint is a good concept, but it does have a few drawbacks. operating a quint company takes a lot of dicipline to realize what your job is on the fire ground. if you are operating as a ladder company, then operate as a ladder company. the pre-piped waterways that quints offer a definite plus. the quint makes ventilation a lot easier, because a handline is more readily available. the flying standpipe is easier to use because of the time that it takes to set up a ladder pipe. however, the weight differential due to the water tank and pump may take away from certain other advantages that you may enjoy from a "real" ladder truck. also, the compartment and storage space is limited for the same reasons. i'm not sure what role ISO plays on the quints, but whatever equipment you must carry on them will take away from the equipment that you carry on the trucks now. also, the turning radius on these rigs is a little bit different. something that st. louis found out when they went to a quint force was that they had to shorten the wheel base to make maneuverability more realistic for an urban setting. this was possible with the smeal apparatus, but each manufacturer may be different in this respect. your point about manning is a VERY important thing to keep in mind, just because the capabilities of the truck is expanded, the man-power on the truck is the same. the same number of people can only do a certain number of things.
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Quints
Feb 18, 2002 18:58:56 GMT -5
Post by George Bredestege on Feb 18, 2002 18:58:56 GMT -5
It just doesn't seem sensible at all for CFD to use this type of equipment. It would cause the double houses to become single company houses and further delay the one alarm compliment. As half of the houses already house both an engine and a ladder, it would always require a minimum four houses to respond instead of a minimum of two. Plus an additional house for the RIT. The uncovered area would be enormous and there would not be enough companies to cover move ups. The engine companies already make a zillion med runs with the trucks covering as second due. The 24's alone could add 1300 runs by losing the truck. Imagine a really busy house like the 19's. If anything, the CFD needs more houses. The Fire House Relocation Study of 1975 recommended a minimum of 30 engine houses. The budget led to having 26. The study is available from the Public Library of Hamilton County. As far as the prepiped waterway, the CFD rarely uses the Ladder Pipe, and as a old Lt told me once: "If your puttin up the ladder pipe, you've lost the building, so there's no need to rush. If you gotta put it up, you may as well look good doing it."
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Quints
Feb 18, 2002 23:07:54 GMT -5
Post by TRUCK4 on Feb 18, 2002 23:07:54 GMT -5
A past Chief wanted to put a Quint at Eng. 18, but after showing all the equipment that was needed for a combined company, it was found it couldn't be done. and for the case of ladderpipes, If you need them , We got them!!!!!!!!!
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