Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino
NOT all fire engines are built the same. There are units especially designed for a more complex application. When it comes to these particular fire engines, Pioneer Trucks and Paccar Global Sales are proud to bring in probably one of the most advanced units ever built—the state-of-the-art Kenworth T370/Spartan Emergency Response 1,500 gallon/1,000 Gallon Per Minute Pumper Tanker. The first-ever unit was delivered to and ready to serve Pearl Energy & Power Plant in Quezon.
Built on a Kenworth T370 chassis, this new fire engine has a factory-built “Pinnacle Series” four-door crew cab with fully enclosed seating to accommodate up to five fully outfitted firefighters. Each seating allows each firefighter to be settled according to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standard. This configuration enables each seat (other than the driver’s) to accommodate a vital piece of equipment that every firefighter relies on—their SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus).
Moreover, each seat is equipped with bright colored seat belts with alarms to enable occupants to differentiate seat belt system from harnesses of the SCBA. In turn, notifying the driver if everybody is mounted correctly into place. Also, there is a built-in VDR (vehicle data recorder), which captures vital information during operation such as vehicle speed, occupant status, cornering speeds, braking, and other critical information which can be used in the event of an accident or situation. More important, to validate that the driver and crew were properly using all safety equipment during transit.
Under the hood is a Cummins ISB 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine dishing out 300hp and over 800 N-m of maximum torque. It is mated to an Allison 3000-EVS six-speed automatic transmission, providing plenty of power to propel the vehicle with ease of driving, and allowing the driver to focus on steering rather than manually shifting gearboxes. The chassis is equipped with a full antilock brake system, and driver-operated traction control for maximum traction and control against slippery conditions, whether mud or snow. The Fire Engine body, meantime, consists myriad of essential features to serve the fire team at the Pearl Energy Quezon plant.
This unit can carry 1,500 gallons of water. Also, it has a midship mounted Hale Fire Pump, which is tested and certified by UL (Underwriter’s Laboratories) to pump no less than 1,000 gallons per minute minimum fire flow—capable of more, based upon water supply conditions. More so, the unit has a 50-gallon foam tank for specialized firefighting foam, along with a Foam System that supplies the element through a pre-connected attack line.
This kind of foam is utilized to take out petroleum-based fires, but can also use for fighting structural fires, depending upon the foam type utilized. To facilitate maximum water movement, involving multiple operations, the unit carries a 1,500-gallon portable folding water tank. It has a 10×10 inches swivel dump valve on the rear that allows water to be discharged into the portable tank at a rate of approximately 1,000 GPM. That enables the truck to operate as a water tender, where it can dump water in the tank to another fire engine to use, and make multiple runs to a water source to refill and return to dump another load. Specialized hoses are also available for utilizing other water sources (lake or bay).
Operation of the firefighting pump is simplified by the use of an electronic pressure governor. This mechanism enables the operator to hit a “preset” button for the unit to automatically increase the pressure to a specific fire department level while water pressure is consistently maintained. As such, operations are more straightforward and safer than older designs, which requires more operator involvement. The apparatus also has three preconnected handlines for rapid deployment, allowing firefighters to take out the fire quickly, and in large quantities for a quick knockdown.
There is also a “Master Stream” appliance on the top providing flows over 1,000 GPM from the top of the truck, in the event of a large-scale fire, necessitating substantial streams to extinguish. Likewise, it is preconnected and can be rapidly put into service.
Meanwhile, there’s an LED lighting system, providing safety, low electrical draw and extended component life. Past apparatus with the weak electrical system often had issues with electrical systems, due to excessive amperage draw. This apparatus, on the other hand, features a high output electrical system with the significantly reduced electrical load.
Built out of heavy-duty Marine Grade aluminium sheet and tubing, the apparatus body is not only lightweight but also corrosion resistance. There are four equipment compartments and each equipped with an aluminium roll-up door for maximum access. Each of these compartments has LED lighting as well, providing excellent visibility during nighttime operations.
In addition to the folding water tank (left side), there is a 24x14x10 inches ladder carried on the right side for both rescue and firefighting operations, along with firefighter pike poles. These are commonly used in both firefighting and overhaul operations after a fire has been extinguished.
The Kenworth T370/Spartan Emergency Response 1500 gallon/1000 Gallon Per Minute Pumper Tanker unit is designed to operate dependably for years, with many of the warranties lasting a minimum of 10 years.
To know more about this particular fire engine, you can visit www.pioneertrucks.ph or Pioneer Trucks Facebook page.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino