Posted by Arthur (in NY) on Monday, November 21, 2005 at 8:07AM :
In Reply to: not mine posted by Arthur (in NY) on Sunday, November 20, 2005 at 7:37PM :
I think you all missed the point. The description is "Brush Truck." It probably is the LAST truck to arrive at brushfires, and not just because it's the slowest.
Nowhere on the website does it imply that the PW is used for anything other than a slow, small attack on burning grass, off road. With 250 gallons, it would be pissing in the wind at a structure fire.
Our department, like most departments on Long Island, has an M35 that has been modified with tanks, roll cages and a pump to fight brush fires. Some other departments still have their PW's, M37's, M715's, and 5-tons.
It probably has, according to the bean counters and experts with Firefighting degrees, outlived its usefullness. But if you were in charge of a rural department, wouldn't you keep it on the roster, if for no other reason that it's a good-looking rig? I didn't intend to start a big discussion about the fire service and all its attendant problems. I just thought that the truck was cool.
Another thought about the house with no access for fire apparatus: Someone in the department should have the fire marshal or building inspector take a look at the situation. In NY, as in many other states, the Fire Prevention and Building Code has guidelines for just such accessibilty. A call to the insurance company who writes the policy for the house would be a quick way to address the issue, too.
Carry on.