RCFD Eyes More Efficient, Versatile Vehicles

RCFD explains the benefits of new vehicle purchase

Rapid City, S.D. - As local media outlets have reported, the Legal and Finance Committee of the Rapid City Council recommended for approval the purchase of three new vehicles for the department. The potential purchase has generated curiosity for some in the community while a few have expressed concern regarding the “need” for three new vehicles. The Rapid City Fire Department would like to take the opportunity to provide further explanation on the vehicles slated for replacement, the capabilities of the new vehicles, and what these purchases will mean for the community and customers of the Rapid City Fire Department.

In October of 2016, the Rapid City Fire Department began utilizing what is known as the "Squad Concept". This concept was conducted on a trial basis at Station 1 in Downtown Rapid City. Instead of running a large fire apparatus on medical calls, minor traffic crashes and service calls not requiring a large apparatus, a light utility vehicle was utilized. Instead of purchasing a new vehicle for a concept that may not work for our organization, the department retrofitted the staff vehicle previously utilized by Fire Operations Chief Nick Carlson. The vehicle, a 2012 Ford F250 pickup, was retrofitted with an external light bar, slide out unit for breathing equipment, personal protective equipment and tools, and placed into service as Squad 1. 

Since implementation, the Squad Concept has proven to be effective in minimizing wear and tear on large apparatus. Only time will tell, but the hope is that this reduced wear and tear will then extend the service life of the larger apparatus. 

The Rapid City Fire Department has asked to purchase three pick-up based vehicles. They will be multi-function vehicles and will replace three vehicles currently in the fleet. Once such vehicle slated for replacement is located at Fire Station 6 which is home to the Rapid City/Pennington County Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team, or Hazmat Team. Hazmat 6, affectionately known among many as "Big Blue", is a 1991 Central States Fire Apparatus Hazmat truck on a Freightliner chassis. In addition to a large inventory of hazardous materials response equipment, the truck has an Onan generator for powering equipment and lights as well as computer equipment located in the rear of the truck.

Above: The current Hazmat 6 which is housed at Station 6.

Initially designed to haul the majority of the Hazmat Team's recognition, identification and mitigation equipment, the truck is very large. Hazmat 6 is 13-feet high, 40-feet long and weighs in at right around 13 tons. Since 1989 when the Hazmat team came into existence, the mission of the team has changed a great deal. With that change in mission, team response has also evolved. The current response model for hazmat is a modular response model which negates the need for a single, larger vehicle. The new response model takes advantage of smaller, more efficient vehicles and the use of utility trailers. 

Traditionally, Hazmat 6 was also used as a command center. The rear of the vehicle was set-up with radios, computers, and work space for incident command personnel. This function is no longer necessary because of WiFi, tablets and laptop computers as well as the availability of the Regional Command Center. 

The new hazmat unit will be a much smaller, efficient vehicle. In addition, the new unit will have a 150 gallon water tank and a high-pressure, low volume pump. The addition of water and a pump adds a measure of versatility to the vehicle. In addition to being smaller, lighter and more efficient, the new vehicle will have the ability to respond to medical emergencies or minor traffic crashes which will, in all likelihood, extend the service life of the large fire apparatus housed at Station 6 known as Engine 6. 

Above: The apparatus currently known as Engine 6. Through data collection, the RCFD feels that the service life of this vehicle will be extended through the purchase of a new hazmat unit.

Above: Conceptual drawings of the proposed new Hazmat 6. The new vehicle will be smaller, more efficient, and more versatile than the existing hazmat unit. 

Another of the vehicles slated for replacement is Fire Rescue 3 which is currently housed at Fire Station 3 on Federal Avenue on the west side of Rapid City. Station 3 is home of the light-rescue component of the departments Technical Rescue Team (TRT). Station 3 members specialize in response to rescue situations involving medium and high angle rope rescue, confined space rescue and water rescue. Station 3 is also one of two stations in the department equipped with hydraulic vehicle extrication equipment for use on traffic crashes in which victims are trapped. These tools are commonly referred to as "the Jaws of Life".  The current vehicle known as Fire Rescue 3 is an Amtech Rescue Truck body on a 1999 Ford F350 chassis and shows just under 93,000 miles as of the date of this article. The current chassis was not designed to hold the type of weight that is currently required to meet the mission of the Station 3 crews. 

Above: Fire Rescue 3 which currently operates out of Fire Station 3 on Federal Ave.

Above: One of the compartments on Fire Rescue 3 that contains rope rescue equipment. 

Above: The rear tool tray on Fire Rescue 3 that holds hydraulic extrication equipment.

The new rescue vehicle will be built on a Ford F550 chassis and, like the new Hazmat 6, will have a high pressure, low volume fire pump and a 150 gallon tank. The new Fire Rescue 3 will be longer than the new Hazmat 6 simply because of the equipment needs of the rescue vehicle. The addition of a water tank and fire pump provides an added measure of safety as well as an additional capability not possessed by the current rescue vehicle. 

Above: Conceptual drawings for the proposed new Fire Rescue 3 to be housed at Fire Station 3. The vehicle will carry a variety of technical rope rescue equipment, water rescue equipment as well as hydraulic extrication equipment.

As is the case with Station 6, having a pickup based vehicle in the station will extend the service life on another apparatus housed at Station 3. Currently, Station 3 is home of one of two aerial apparatus operated by the Rapid City Fire Department. Truck 3 is a 2007 Pierce Arrow with a 100 foot aerial ladder on top. Based on the current response model, Fire Rescue 3 responds to all medical emergencies and traffic crashes in the Station 3 district, or, outside of district when needed. By using Fire Rescue 3 on the calls not requiring a large fire apparatus, the service life of the large apparatus is extended. 

Above: Truck 3 on a scene earlier this year. Through utilization of a pickup based vehicle for medical calls and calls for service not requiring the use of a large fire apparatus, the service life of this vehicle will be extended.

The final vehicle slated for replacement is the vehicle currently being used as Squad 1. The vehicle currently in use as Squad 1 was never initially designed to serve as an everyday response vehicle. Although retrofitted as outlined above, there is very little room for gear storage. Medical gear is simply placed in the back seat and retrieving tools and equipment is in-efficient, at-best. 

Above: The current Squad 1 which operates from the Downtown Rapid City fire station. The 2012 Ford F250 pickup was a staff vehicle that was retrofitted for everyday emergency response.

Above: Squad 1 was retrofitted with a slide-out unit used to hold personal protective gear and equipment. While effective, the unit does not always allow for efficient deployment of tools and equipment.

Above: Squad 1 was retrofitted with a slide-out unit used to hold personal protective gear and equipment. While effective, the unit does not always allow for efficient deployment of tools and equipment.

The new Squad 1 will be very similar to the new Hazmat 6 unit. The new Squad 1 will be built on a Ford F550 chassis, will have roll-up compartment doors as well as a 150 gallon water tank with a low volume, high pressure pump. The mission of Squad 1 dictates response to virtually all structure fires within the city. The design of the new truck will allow the crew to carry more firefighting tools and equipment. While the low volume, high pressure pump is not designed for interior firefighting operations, should Squad 1 arrive on a fire (structure, vehicle, grass, etc.) first, the pump and tank combination will allow the crew to engage in suppression activities until the arrival of a large fire apparatus.

It is our hope that through publication of this document, the reader can see that the Rapid City Fire Department has the absolute best interest of our customers in mind with the purchase of three new vehicles. We believe that this article shows attention to fiscal responsibility through purchasing versatile, efficient vehicles that will help to extend the life of other vehicles in the RCFD fleet. Our mission is simple: Prepare, Prevent, Protect. We feel that the acquisition of these three vehicles will help us to better meet that mission and we hope that you do too.

For questions or comment related to this article, please contact Public Information Officer Jim Bussell, at (605)-394-4180.