Thread: Can someone please explain to me the "reasoning" behind this?

I mean, I can see a rescue being cross used as transport, but a full pumper!??


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Wow thats the first one Ive ever seen. How do you justify tying up a Engine for a Transport?

Only thing I can think of is the EMS departments are few and far between or they are extremely busy with other calls all the time.

Ha, where should I begin...

This is the Broward Co, FL Sheriff's new engine-transport unit. They feel that they can save money by allowing their engines, who already respond to medical calls, transport patients to the hospital. They are not first-due rigs, they only transport when the ambulance is OOS or on another call. Hate to say this but... it's old news. They have been in service for a few months now. No word on how they are doing. Many agencies around the county have experineced with thus concept to only realize that it doesn't work and just go back to 1 Ambulance and 1 engine.

To be honest, I never understood the rationale for rolling a full-sized engine on medical calls. I know a lot of places do it though.

Our ambulances carry everything they need for most cases. Rescue carries the jaws and other extrication equipment. We do roll FD on medicals, but it's usually a converted pick-up or a Suburban type vehicle. FD generally goes if they can get their first and render aid until the ambulance gets there but they would never transport under normal circumstances.

Originally Posted by BackYardSales

To be honest, I never understood the rationale for rolling a full-sized engine on medical calls. I know a lot of places do it though.

Our ambulances carry everything they need for most cases. Rescue carries the jaws and other extrication equipment. We do roll FD on medicals, but it's usually a converted pick-up or a Suburban type vehicle. FD generally goes if they can get their first and render aid until the ambulance gets there but they would never transport under normal circumstances.

Does your ambulance have enough manpower?

Wooow look at the distance between the tires. Good luck maneuvering that in a city. What a pita when you can just use an ambulance. Have fun driving that boat in traffic all the time.

Same concept is used in Valousa Co, Fl... These ambulances have a CAFS System...

All-in-one Ambulance, Rescue Vehicle, & Fire Truck

Originally Posted by firedude

Does your ambulance have enough manpower?

For most typical medical cases, 2 people are enough. Sometimes they need extra help for lifting a large patient.

Rescue calls always get FD.

Good looking truck, but not very practical for most areas.

Originally Posted by firedude

Same concept is used in Valousa Co, Fl... These ambulances have a CAFS System...

but that one isnt 12 miles long!

Do those flag poles come already mounted to it?

I don't think it is appropriate to transport a patient sideways, in terms of comfort and safety. The side-to-side acceleration/deceleration forces will be unpleasant for your patient.

I understand the niche market for these... and I'm sure there are some situations where this would be a good option.... however, in my experience once you try to combine too many types of units into one you lose a lot of the functionality of both.

The first side mounted ambulance has been on the road for about a year now. They are starting to say that sideways is safer.

When the cot is first placed on that front step that lifts up, is there no "catch" for the head end of the cot? Seems dangerous if the cot were to be pulled back, it would then fall to the ground.

The Broward rig was purchased specifically for Fire Station 106, which is located along the infamous Alligator Alley. It's located halfway between the only two exits in Broward, which are 26 miles apart. There's an ambulance stationed at 106 as well, but since they're so far from the other surrounding stations, having a transport capable pumper provides additional resources for the unique area that they serve.

It IS a very long wheel base, but the thing is going straight for a really long time. ;-)

EDIT: The first modern transport-capable pumpers in the US were also in Florida a little over 20 years ago. They are rare, however. Sycamore Twp, OH purchased one from Seagrave several years ago, and there's also one on the west coast in either OR or WA, but I don't remember which one off hand.

In related news, the idea of ambulances with pumps & tanks is nothing new. They've had them (once again, in Florida) since the 1990's.

Originally Posted by Travelin Man

The Broward rig was purchased specifically for Fire Station 106, which is located along the infamous Alligator Alley. It's located halfway between the only two exits in Broward, which are 26 miles apart. There's an ambulance stationed at 106 as well, but since they're so far from the other surrounding stations, having a transport capable pumper provides additional resources for the unique area that they serve.

It IS a very long wheel base, but the thing is going straight for a really long time. ;-)

EDIT: The first modern transport-capable pumpers in the US were also in Florida a little over 20 years ago. They are rare, however. Sycamore Twp, OH purchased one from Seagrave several years ago, and there's also one on the west coast in either OR or WA, but I don't remember which one off hand.

In related news, the idea of ambulances with pumps & tanks is nothing new. They've had them (once again, in Florida) since the 1990's.

There is a niche for them.... that's for sure. Then again there is a niche market for 203' bronto skylifts..... As long as people don't get the idea that you can replace a engine and an ambulance with such a unit in the majority of situations..... I'm ok with the idea. They are what they are.....

I think that this is a terrible idea.

Originally Posted by theroofable

Wooow look at the distance between the tires. Good luck maneuvering that in a city. What a pita when you can just use an ambulance. Have fun driving that boat in traffic all the time.

No different than a rear mount aerial... and no one seems to have trouble with those...

This rig is for a very specific location in the County where this type of vehicle is appropriate.

We have a 4 station department in this area that has extended cab Freightliner ambualnce at every station and each one has a CAFS system on it. They were returning from ER when a fire call went out. Responded and actually knocked a bedroom fire before first pumper even got on scene. They are a decent idea but as stated above its ok til the idiots at city hall think about replacing 2 with 1 to save $.

Originally Posted by OTFD211

We have a 4 station department in this area that has extended cab Freightliner ambualnce at every station and each one has a CAFS system on it. They were returning from ER when a fire call went out. Responded and actually knocked a bedroom fire before first pumper even got on scene. They are a decent idea but as stated above its ok til the idiots at city hall think about replacing 2 with 1 to save $.

Right... as long as they are an addition not a replacement....

when they invent a rescue pumper helicopter then i'll be impressed....

Originally Posted by firefighter31

when they invent a rescue pumper helicopter then i'll be impressed....

Be impressed then...

helicopter rescue pumper stock photo | PhotoXpress

Wow intresting

I like the 2nd video. Push 'em in one door, they fall out the other.

I find it interesting that it belongs to the Sherrif's office. Where I grew up it wasn't unususal for very small towns to have an all-in-one public safety office that had like three paid officers who also did fire and ems, but Broward County is not a small town in the middle of nowhere New Mexico! Can you imagine having that beast chasing down speeders?

On the other hand I suppose that having Fire/EMS housed under the existing hierarchy of the SO make for less overhead and management cost so from a taxpayer's perspective perhaps not a bad idea, particularly if the Sherriff is elected...

If I am remembering right, the only place that Broward Sheriff and Broward Sheriff Fire/Rescue are connected are at the top. The Fire/Rescue side has its own rank structure right up to chief made up of career firefighters. Also there is no cross training*, firefighters go to the fire academy and ride the apparatus, deputies go to the police academy and handle the police functions.

I put an asterisk because in Florida you can attend the police academy as a civilian if you pay for yourself. There may be some firefighters who have done so, but it would be strictly on an individual basis, and if they wanted to become a deputy they would have to go through the entire hiring process.

Originally Posted by SireLite

Do those flag poles come already mounted to it?

Along with it's own zipcode.

That would be challenging to get into some ER's entrances ....