FDNY Pumpers awarded to KME

Stopped by 83 Engine the other night. They have their new rig. Also 52 Engine at the radio shop







 
Passed by KME in Pennsylvania on Sunday. Not one FDNY rig outside, in fact there were only a couple of tankers and a TDA from the Camden N.J. F.D.
 
I will try to keep everyone updated as much as possible....I am a co administrator in a different fire buff group on facebook called  NYC FIRE BUFFS......I was honored to get a new member recently who works for KME in Plant 1.....The other night we spoke on the phone for awhile and he explained there build process in regards to what all the seperate plants do when the rig does step by step....

Thanks  Doug...aka Aux War Years Capt
 
I know a large number of KME's are not in service. I am curious as to what the early reviews are from the firefighters and officers in the field who are working on the units in service. Not a lot of feedback from the field, which may mean the KME's are performing satisfactorily, or at least most are cautiously optimistic.  I know when the Ferrara's hit the streets, the feedback was almost immediate that the rigs, at least the first batch, were sub-par.
 
Spoke to a senior ecc he said the kmes are much more top heavy then the newer 2008 seagraves. He also said the rig feels a bit higher up and that the brakes aren't as responsive as the seagraves. Also said the seatbelt alarm was annoying but other then that very similar to the seagraves .
 
fdnycand89 said:
Spoke to a senior ecc he said the kmes are much more top heavy then the newer 2008 seagraves. He also said the rig feels a bit higher up and that the brakes aren't as responsive as the seagraves. Also said the seatbelt alarm was annoying but other then that very similar to the seagraves .
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Other than the brake problem, which could prove quite serious, the other problems don't seem like much of an issue and maybe just more perception than anything else.  Hope they continue to prove to be good pieces of equipment.
 
I've had the wheel a lot over the last couple weeks.  The KME feels great.  Terrific pick-up, handls better than the newer Seagraves and stops on a dime.  The seating position is a little higher and further forward, better driver visibility.  The dash layout puts controls in easier reach.  The seatbelt alarm is pretty annoying, but that's a job wide thing, has nothing to do with KME. 

The build quality seems up to par but time will really be the judge of that.  There's a lot less space in the front.  This isn't really a problem for the ECC, but the boss is pinched for space to stow his gear.  When out on BI, he really doesn't have any space to stow it up front.

All in all, most of the qwerks have to do with getting used to it.  The rig has performed without issue so far......but not enough time to really rate it's dependability.
 
Chowson said:
.  The seatbelt alarm is pretty annoying, but that's a job wide thing, has nothing to do with KME. 
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Are guys starting to use them, or put something over the alarm?
 
tbendick said:
Chowson said:
.  The seatbelt alarm is pretty annoying, but that's a job wide thing, has nothing to do with KME. 
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Are guys starting to use them, or put something over the alarm?
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Guys are using them, BUT not while getting buttoned up and masked up heading out on a run for fire.  Even though guys eventually put them on, it beeps nonstop until they do.  As for covering the alarm.....can't seem to find the source...
 
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