New apparatus

It's been a long time in the making, but the end is in sight. I took a trip over to Appleton today to visit Pierce Mfg., and see our new engine and ladder truck on the line. I'm told we will be the first department in the State of Wisconsin to take delivery on a new Ascendant 107 ladder truck next month.

http://i.imgur.com/5EDWC3Jh.jpg

Our rescue pumper is a bit further along in the process and should be on target for delivery the first half of February.

http://i.imgur.com/NIjUL8dh.jpg

I signed the door panel.

http://i.imgur.com/aaliEg7h.jpg

Nice sig.

Is that a mechanical siren on the front bumper? I ask because it appears that some of the local agencies have switched back to those from the electronic type over the last couple of years and I was wondering if it's some sort of trend in the profession.

Yes, that is a Federal Q, the gold standard in sirens. Connected to foot switches accessible by the driver and office.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q2B

The front bumper on that engine will also carry two hydraulic reels with 100' of hose on each, dump valves and a trash line. Hydraulics within 100 feet of the apparatus will be provided by an electric pump in a side compartment plumbed to those reels. Electricity will be provided from an onboard hydraulic driven genset. For ops more than 100' out, we will still used the same tools, just connected to a gas powered portable hydraulic pump.

Shirley it comes with a Dalmatian.

For what they charge, you would think

My brother had dalmations. Mean bastids. As I've heard it, back in the day they were used by FD's for that exact reason. When the fire was over, whoever was tapped in to the plug was the company that got paid. Dalmatians were used to guard the plug. And don't call me Shirley.

You. Are. Shitting. Us.

That really went on? WTF?

Oh, how about LaVerne then?

LaVerne works. I've always wanted a bowling shirt with a big L stitched on to it.

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Originally Posted by K6BSO

Is that a mechanical siren on the front bumper? I ask because it appears that some of the local agencies have switched back to those from the electronic type over the last couple of years and I was wondering if it's some sort of trend in the profession.

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I think the FDNY uses mechanical sirens on some of their new trucks. Of else,if they are electronic they sound an awful lot like the old sirens from when I was a kid. I would ask but just about all the FDNY guys I know are retired.

Actually from a brief read it appears that they are still using the Federal Q2B electromechanical's on many of their present day trucks.

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Originally Posted by KC9ECI

Yes, that is a Federal Q, the gold standard in sirens. Connected to foot switches accessible by the driver and office.

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Is switching back from electronic to mechanical sirens a trend in the profession?

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Originally Posted by K6BSO

Is switching back from electronic to mechanical sirens a trend in the profession?

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I have always used a mechanical siren in the Ratmobile. Never a break down, other than the mental kind.

I would have expected you to have one of these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OXfAPPckQU

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Originally Posted by K6BSO

Is switching back from electronic to mechanical sirens a trend in the profession?

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I think so. Sure seems like I'm seeing more of them now than I used to anyway.

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Originally Posted by KC9ECI

I think so. Sure seems like I'm seeing more of them now than I used to anyway.

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They do sound a lot better.

Louder and more fun. We have a foot switch on the floor. Super handy to mash on with a foot as we approach intersections. Heading back over to Pierce on the 27th to do the construction review on the 107' ladder truck. I'll have to look around and see if I can find some of the photos I took a year ago when I was over there.

Here are a bunch of photos from my first visit. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=2d12617c8b

The new 107' ladder truck is on the blue inspection floor. I'm heading to Appleton on Friday to pick it up.

Awesome equipment. For me however, I see an antenna platform.

Nice! But I'm a dork because I was expecting a 107' truck, like as in an articulated rig. My bad, this is still WAAYYYY nice. Only one driver too.

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Originally Posted by KG4CGC

Awesome equipment. For me however, I see an antenna platform.

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That's funny Charles, I thought the same thing when I focused on the end of the ladder!

Raise it up. Lower it. Change antennas. Take it out once a year for the town parade.

Trust me, if we'd have gotten it before today, I'd have been using it for the WI QSO Party. We brought the other engine home just under a month ago. Been out on a couple calls so far. Ran it to a MABAS call on Friday and had no issue with people not pulling over for us. Between that Federal Q and the air horns and LED strobes we must

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KC9ECI

The new 107' ladder truck is on the blue inspection floor. I'm heading to Appleton on Friday to pick it up.

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The only fire trucks or fire vehicles I've seen around here with that color scheme belong to the City of Pittsburgh.

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Originally Posted by WZ7U

That's funny Charles, I thought the same thing when I focused on the end of the ladder!

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Grape minds/

The view from the top.

From the ground.

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Originally Posted by KC9ECI

The view from the top.

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Makes my toes tingle and my butt pucker.

That's what makes it fun. Trainer said I was the first Chief he'd seen climb it.

How much wobble does it have as you are going up or down? That would be the deal breaker for me.

I guess that's why you do that stuff and I don't.

Thank you for your service. I appreciate it lots. Here, there and anywhere.

Woooo! Dang!

Thanks. It's amazingly stable. Especially when compared to our old 1975 Pirsch 75' rig. That thing was terrifying. I'll get another photo at the top at some point as soon as I replace the main board in my quadcopter and can run it up with me for a gopro selfie.

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Originally Posted by WZ7U

How much wobble does it have as you are going up or down? That would be the deal breaker for me.

I guess that's why you do that stuff and I don't.

Thank you for your service. I appreciate it lots. Here, there and anywhere.

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When are you going to attach the tri-bander?

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Originally Posted by K6BSO

When are you going to attach the tri-bander?

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You have to wait until the weather comes up a storm.

At $717K, I think I can find a cheaper tower.

Maybe, but not one a fun or as portable.

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Originally Posted by WZ7U

Maybe, but not one a fun or as portable.

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In the flatlands, anywhere you go with it you're mountain topping.

I seriously thought about putting a bid in on our old 75' Pirsch, but fear of the reaction from SWMBO and plain common sense prevented me from doing so.