68jk09 -- It was a 2-part question and I much appreciate replies to both parts, first to the identity of the rig in the video clip and second to rescue rigs that could mount inflatable boats on the roof of the box. You said that "using eye bolts the Zodiac Boat tie down points were added to the roof" so in theory any box could be made to carry an inflatable boat on top with a little help from the shop guys depending on what a particular FDNY company's job requirements were, and for a rescue or special rescue company that would include water rescue given that NYC's 5 boroughs all border water. In the meantime I've seen photos of FDNY 1985 Mack/ Saulsbury rescue trucks with and without eye bolts or eyelets along the top edges of the box telling me that they didn't come standard from the manufacturer (ALF, Mack, or maybe even the newer 1996 HME / Saulsbury rescue trucks in service pre-9/11).
Were the heavy rescue trucks used for Rescue Cos 1-5 on some sort of scheduled replacement time table (say, every 10 years or so) or who exactly made/ makes the decision to replace the rescue truck fleet after so many years of service? Does somebody look at cost to maintain vs. cost of buying new? Do the chauffeurs who actually do the driving and day-to-day maintenance of the apparatus(es) get together and decide? I called Mand Library and found out that the FDNY Fire Rescue fleet of 1985 Mack/ Saulsbury fire rescue trucks were replaced with brand new 1996 HME/ Saulsbury rescue trucks between December 1996 (R1-Manhattan) and July 1997 (R4-Queens). Could somebody walk me through the procurement process? Once a brand new rig is delivered to FDNY Shops, how long before that rig goes on its first official run (weeks? months?)
Thanks,
dave