Rescue

Apparatus Rescue 5

Purpose Special tools, lighting, air, and support

Year 2003

Chassis Ford F550

Body Custom by Hackney Emergency Vehicles

Dimensions 27' long, 9' 3" high

Weight 10 tons

Engine 325 HP turbo diesel

Drive 4-wheel

Officer Lt. Ted Wilkes (L-7)

Assistant Curtis Gunn

Description In 2002 the WVFD started the process of buying a new light duty rescue truck, realizing that in the 20 years since the old rescue was purchased, the town has changed in many ways. There are fewer fires now, but with so many synthetic based materials in our homes, fires now produce deadly toxic smoke, and hotter burn temperatures. The highways and roads in town have become busier and the speeds seem to have increased, which contribute to more accidents with increased severity. The open space in town has become a popular place and use has increased dramatically, therefore rescue calls in the back woods have become more commonplace. These and other factors led Captain Larry Roberts and all of the line officers to make some major changes in the new rescue truck, while keeping some other features the same.

A Ford F550 chassis, with a 6L turbo diesel engine provides the framework upon which our new truck was built. The chassis was purchased by the Town and shipped directly from the factory to Hackney Emergency Vehicles, in Washington, North Carolina. Hackney, working from a set of blueprints, custom built the body. These blueprints are the result of over a year of research, carefully thought out so the truck would serve our Town efficiently and safely. After the truck was completed, Captain Roberts and Lieutenant Dave Burns visited the factory to ensure everything was built correctly, and met our needs perfectly.

The most common emergency the WVFD rescue truck responds to is car accidents. The old rescue had a Jaws of Life hydraulic tool that can help extricate people from cars which have been so badly damaged the doors cannot be opened manually. The new rescue can now perform this emergency procedure on two vehicle simultaneously. With its new Hurst hydraulic power unit capable of operating two hydraulic power tools at the same time, we can work on both cars that have been involved in an accident. This new system is also set up so WVFD personnel can operate more efficiently, essentially ready to work as soon as the rescue truck arrives on scene.

Another improvement on the new rescue truck is the lighting system. A 12.5 kw generator powers up to 6000 watts of light, in addition to other electrical equipment on board. A light tower, mounted on the roof, can rise from its stowed position to 25' above the ground. A remote control allows personnel to direct 4000 watts of elevated light in any direction, essentially turning night into day. Increased lighting on scene is a crucial part of a safe, efficient operation.

With all that sunshine, how about a little air? Three new fans on board allow emergency personnel to ventilate in short order homes that have been charged with smoke. In addition, there is a new fan that allows ventilation of areas below grade, not unlike the fans utility crews use when working in manholes below the street. Compressed air is also available in two forms, utility and life safety. Utility air comes from an onboard air compressor, this can power hand tools and heavy lift air bags. There is also enough storage on the truck to carry 27 air bottles which we use for breathing.

The truck has a full assortment of Hurst tools (cutters, spreaders, rams); 12,500 pound electric wench; assorted hand and power tools (e.g., chain saws, cutoff saws); rescue equipment (ropes, harness, stokes baskets). Rescue 5 is carefully loaded with enough "stuff" to handle just about anything that comes our way.
2003 by Captain Larry Roberts & Lt. Ted Wilkes

Apparatus	Rescue 5

Purpose	Special tools, lighting, air, and support
Year	2003
Chassis	Ford F550
Body	Custom by Hackney Emergency Vehicles
Dimensions	27' long, 9' 3" high
Weight	10 tons
Engine	325 HP turbo diesel
Drive	4-wheel
Officer	Lt. Ted Wilkes (L-7)
Assistant	Curtis Gunn
Description	In 2002 the WVFD started the process of buying a new light duty rescue truck, realizing that in the 20 years since the old rescue was purchased, the town has changed in many ways. There are fewer fires now, but with so many synthetic based materials in our homes, fires now produce deadly toxic smoke, and hotter burn temperatures. The highways and roads in town have become busier and the speeds seem to have increased, which contribute to more accidents with increased severity. The open space in town has become a popular place and use has increased dramatically, therefore rescue calls in the back woods have become more commonplace. These and other factors led Captain Larry Roberts and all of the line officers to make some major changes in the new rescue truck, while keeping some other features the same. A Ford F550 chassis, with a 6L turbo diesel engine provides the framework upon which our new truck was built. The chassis was purchased by the Town and shipped directly from the factory to Hackney Emergency Vehicles, in Washington, North Carolina. Hackney, working from a set of blueprints, custom built the body. These blueprints are the result of over a year of research, carefully thought out so the truck would serve our Town efficiently and safely. After the truck was completed, Captain Roberts and Lieutenant Dave Burns visited the factory to ensure everything was built correctly, and met our needs perfectly. The most common emergency the WVFD rescue truck responds to is car accidents. The old rescue had a Jaws of Life hydraulic tool that can help extricate people from cars which have been so badly damaged the doors cannot be opened manually. The new rescue can now perform this emergency procedure on two vehicle simultaneously. With its new Hurst hydraulic power unit capable of operating two hydraulic power tools at the same time, we can work on both cars that have been involved in an accident. This new system is also set up so WVFD personnel can operate more efficiently, essentially ready to work as soon as the rescue truck arrives on scene. Another improvement on the new rescue truck is the lighting system. A 12.5 kw generator powers up to 6000 watts of light, in addition to other electrical equipment on board. A light tower, mounted on the roof, can rise from its stowed position to 25' above the ground. A remote control allows personnel to direct 4000 watts of elevated light in any direction, essentially turning night into day. Increased lighting on scene is a crucial part of a safe, efficient operation. With all that sunshine, how about a little air? Three new fans on board allow emergency personnel to ventilate in short order homes that have been charged with smoke. In addition, there is a new fan that allows ventilation of areas below grade, not unlike the fans utility crews use when working in manholes below the street. Compressed air is also available in two forms, utility and life safety. Utility air comes from an onboard air compressor, this can power hand tools and heavy lift air bags. There is also enough storage on the truck to carry 27 air bottles which we use for breathing. The truck has a full assortment of Hurst tools (cutters, spreaders, rams); 12,500 pound electric wench; assorted hand and power tools (e.g., chain saws, cutoff saws); rescue equipment (ropes, harness, stokes baskets). Rescue 5 is carefully loaded with enough "stuff" to handle just about anything that comes our way. 2003 by Captain Larry Roberts & Lt. Ted Wilkes