American LaFrance Rescue Company

BCR · Apr 4, 2014

Just wondering if the 2002 American LaFrance on the Freightliner Chassis nick named the "Spirt of Oklahoma" donated after 9/11 was still around ? I know it served as pretty much the main spare rescue and occasionally as Rescue 6 when needed before the Ferrara rescues arrived in 2011 but I haven't seen it around in awhile I think some one mentioned on here that it might be placed at the rock as a display ? I imagine there is a decent inventory of rescues now so I'm wondering if it was donated or disposed of. I know they have disposed of at least one of the 2002 E-One Salsbury rescues. For spares they currently have ex rescue 1's 2007 Pierce, possibly 3 2002 E-One Salsbury's, another 2002 E-One Salsbury serving as the Fully Equipped reserve rescue when needed(Rescue 6) and the 2002 Mack / General Safety Rescue also donated after 9/11 which is currently serving as TSU-1. If I had to guess I would think that the ALF and the General Safety rescue would be in decent shape after serving as only spares. I know there was some issues with them not being able to carry the amount of Equiptment that there others rescues carrying, the Alf slightly less and the General a lot less. Assuming they are in good shape still and there limitations when it comes to carrying a full supply of rescue tools I wonder if they'd consider turning them into some sort of special unit that sees limited runs. Maybe some sort of collapse rescue support unit, a decon support unit, or a recall package vehicle that can be immediately dispatched and carries tools and air packs to get x amount of members working safely. I guess my point is something that would fill a void and utilize two expensive vehicles that probably will not be utilized much or at all once the new TSU's come in. However I doubt it will happen seeing nothing these days is re-utilized and everything as to be brand new.

NYBravest82 · Apr 4, 2014

To my knowledge its still bouncing around

FDNY793727 · Apr 4, 2014

R1 was using it Wednesday afternoon I believe

IRISH · Apr 4, 2014

Yea saw pics of it with R1. R5 were using the Pierce up till the other day (possibly still are)

Bulldog · Apr 5, 2014

IRISH said:
Yea saw pics of it with R1. R5 were using the Pierce up till the other day (possibly still are)

From what I've seen recently it seems like at least one if not several of the Ferrera rescues are out of service all the time! It's really doesn't say much for their durability.

FDNY793727 · Apr 5, 2014

Went past Rescue 1 again today, the "Spirit of Oklahoma" was there again.

STAjo · Apr 6, 2014

Remarkable ! :-\
That a Rig Donated to FDNY, is still being used as 1* Spare for Rescues !
It's a Complement for the Donors, and a Sad State of Affairs for FDNY, that in 2014,
This Rig is In-Service as Primary Back-up.

Bulldog · Apr 6, 2014

STAjo said:
Remarkable ! :-\
That a Rig Donated to FDNY, is still being used as 1* Spare for Rescues !
It's a Complement for the Donors, and a Sad State of Affairs for FDNY, that in 2014,
This Rig is In-Service as Primary Back-up.

I've read several places that this truck can't carry the full convoluted of tools the Rescues normally carry. I wonder if maybe that's one of the reasons that it holds up better? The extreme weight normally carried by the Rescues has to raise havoc with the chassis. That in addition to the fact that during the 12 years is been around it's only seem limited use are probably the reasons it's used as one of the primary spares.

BCR · Apr 6, 2014

STAjo said:
Remarkable ! :-\
That a Rig Donated to FDNY, is still being used as 1* Spare for Rescues !
It's a Complement for the Donors, and a Sad State of Affairs for FDNY, that in 2014,
This Rig is In-Service as Primary Back-up.

I agree

BCR · Apr 6, 2014

Bulldog said:
STAjo said:

Remarkable ! :-\
That a Rig Donated to FDNY, is still being used as 1* Spare for Rescues !
It's a Complement for the Donors, and a Sad State of Affairs for FDNY, that in 2014,
This Rig is In-Service as Primary Back-up.

Click to expand...

I've read several places that this truck can't carry the full convoluted of tools the Rescues normally carry. I wonder if maybe that's one of the reasons that it holds up better? The extreme weight normally carried by the Rescues has to raise havoc with the chassis. That in addition to the fact that during the 12 years is been around it's only seem limited use are probably the reasons it's used as one of the primary spares.

I agree that it's holding up well because it's only been a spare, where as other rigs are running 24/365. I have also read it doesn't carry the same amount of Equiptment, more than the Mack General but not as much as the pierce / E-One / Ferrara rescues. However with a couple E-One Salsbury's around, the Oklahoma must be capable of carrying at least pretty close to a full compliment if tools and supplies if they put it in service before them. Anyone from the fdny or a rescue company that could add or clarify ?

STAjo · Apr 6, 2014

Thanks All, for informative reply. I understand about the Heavier Load, and Wear & Tear on a
24/7 350 + Rig. My Thoughts were that w/an 'Assertive' PM Program for its Apparatus, FDNY
could be better able to provide a Service-Ready Fleet.
And 13 Years Later, a 'Big-Budget' Metropolis such as NYC should by now, take Financial
Responsibility for its Fire Department and provide its own Back-up Rigs.

It was a Generous and Noble gesture for Oklahoma City to donate the Rescue to NYC.
It would be a Generous and Noble gesture for O.C.F.D & FDNY to identify a worthy Dept. in-need,
and Pass-On the Gift.

TLTruckie · Apr 16, 2014

Bulldog said:
IRISH said:

Yea saw pics of it with R1. R5 were using the Pierce up till the other day (possibly still are)

Click to expand...

From what I've seen recently it seems like at least one if not several of the Ferrera rescues are out of service all the time! It's really doesn't say much for their durability.

Durability?with the large response area and extreme weight, just shy of 70,000lbs , that these rig see , they are holding up fairly well , Rescue 4's Ferrara is only in serves for two and a half years and has 45,000 miles on it already!!

BCR · Apr 16, 2014

Good point 70k that's probably close to the average actual weight of a tractor trailer on an interstate.

Bulldog · Apr 16, 2014

TLTruckie said:
Durability?with the large response area and extreme weight, just shy of 70,000lbs , that these rig see , they are holding up fairly well , Rescue 4's Ferrara is only in serves for two and a half years and has 45,000 miles on it already!!

Carrying that much weight is hard on any vehicle, especially one in the emergency services. The constant stop and go is also very detrimental to the vehicle holding up in the long-term. Maybe they would be better off breaking the rescues up into 2 piece units (okay, actually 3 if you consider their corresponding collapse unit). They keep getting bigger and bigger because of all the equipment they carry and they basically reached the limits of vehicle engineering.

FDNYrigs · Nov 7, 2014

http://www.firefighternation.com/sites/default/files/styles/default_article_style/public/Feb13appideas_1_web.jpg
Portland, OR Tractor Drawn Rescue with crane

A number of departments are turning to a TDR to carry their rescue gear, including some USAR units.
The tiller is great for access in tight areas.

Any thoughts about FDNY using them for the 5 Eescue Companies (plus keeping their Collapse Rescue units?

FDNYSTATENISLAND · Nov 7, 2014

Rescue 5 is currently using this rig as a spare, or they were a few days ago at least.

68jk09 · Nov 7, 2014

As far as an actual FDNY Rescue Rig it should be an open back stand up crew area type Rig as in use today by FDNY Rescue Units to allow suiting up for differnt ops or readying special tools or meters inside while responding........ I am a proponent of Tractor Drawn Aerials AKA Tiller Rigs for ALL LADs but that era has past.... aside from that i feel that SOC Support LADs should be Tiller Rigs since the longer Rigs w/a Tiller can not only respond into ANY area of NYC but also can have the extra length body to carry more equiptment on the Rig w/o depending on a second piece that might result in having to return to qtrs to pickup for a special response.

CFDMarshal · Nov 7, 2014

Good point chief! Every truck company in the city of Los Angeles is a TDA. I know the FDNY is unique in many ways, I guess you fit the tool for the job!

In2theJob · Nov 7, 2014

Just looking up pics of that Portland rig, I found another interesting one. The Tillers are definitely fun to drive

lad72der · Nov 7, 2014

BCR said:
Good point 70k that's probably close to the average actual weight of a tractor trailer on an interstate.

The 10 wheel dump truck I drive with the third lift axle is good for 80,000 lbs legally. When I am driving the the dump trailer I am good for 120,000 . Just to give you a weight perspective. I was shocked to hear the rescues weigh in at 70,000. Is that fact or speculation?