LACo Bat Chiefs Ride.........

[Weruj1]

In this months FAJ I see they are protyping F450s w/ext cab with a stuby box on it. The article said it would have the same "footprint" as the current suburbans, to make sure they can fit in the stations...........anyone got anymore info ?

[seagrave7]

Chief Side
http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2747&Size=med_

http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2746&Size=med_

http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2744&Size=med_

http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2739&Size=med_


Driver Side
http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2743&Size=med_

http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2745&Size=med_

http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2742&Size=med_


Rear
http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2741&Size=med_

http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2740&Size=med_

[FTMPTB15]

Haha.. SHORT bus!

[FTMPTB15]

Reminds me of Miami-Dade's Battalion Chief rides.


And also, Houston FD's 'new' squads.. or as some refer to them "dog catchers." (as they resemble an animal control vehicle)



**Edited to add a pic from MDFR.**

[mcaldwell]

Funny Lookin for sure...

But surely practical.

[FTMPTB15]

Funny Lookin for sure...

But surely practical.

Oh yea.. I agree. I think this pic shows how practical they will be: http://www.emergencyrigs.net/viewpho...2742&Size=med_

But I must say... FUNNNNNY looking!
I don't think they are much shorter than the MDFR rigs, but for some reason, the MDFR rigs look a little more proportional. But hey.. whatever works for them! They sure look like they spec'd out these rigs well. Hope they work out well!!

[Weruj1]

well thems is those ...............I think they look pretty fucntional ...........but I loved the short bus comment ......LOL ..............thanks for the info.

[SBrooks]

#1 it's LAFD not LACoFD

#2 The box is a good 2' shorter than the Miami Dade box, and a bit taller, so the proportions are quite different.

#3 Why didn't they just buy a van: http://www.fl-sprinter.com/Pass/wheel.html

[medicmaster]

They are interesting little response vehicles, but I am curious...

What is the difference in cost between a suburban, and having an E-450 with a custom built "rescue" box built onto it?

Of course, if it makes operations more efficient, I'm one to say who cares what it costs!

I also have to add...they look like a rebirth of "Squad 51"!

[Ledebuhr1]

Why do you need so much storage in your command vehicles? We have an 05 Excursion as command, and i think that is a little big. A near by town uses a Crown Vic. We also have a Heavy rescue and a HAZMAT truck with anything we would ever need.

[FTMPTB15]

What do the Houston units do?

The Houston units are "Squads." They run EMS calls (amoung other things). And just so my facts don't get screwed up, this quote is directly from their website:

In an effort to minimize the response time to citizen's emergency calls, we implemented a "Squad" program in the 2001. A Squad consists of two paramedics, usually in a suburban or other vehicle, that respond to an incident to administer advanced care. If they are not needed to actually transport the patient, once a BLS unit has arrived, the BLS unit can take the patient to the hospital and the Squad can return to service ready to provide additional care to citizens.

In 2001 they ran nearly 215,000 EMS calls. That's JUST EMS. Houston FD operates approximately 15 Squads.

[skipatrol8]

#1 it's LAFD not LACoFD

#2 The box is a good 2' shorter than the Miami Dade box, and a bit taller, so the proportions are quite different.

Yah, when you look at how the bodies are, the LA ones compartments forward and aft of the wheel wells are pretty small, while the Miami one has more of a light rescue style body.

#3 Why didn't they just buy a van: http://www.fl-sprinter.com/Pass/wheel.html

I am sure they are just as durable as an F450, but Equipment storage would be a problem, as it would be a pain to have to walk inside to get something everytime--though it would make a better command area. I don't know, I guess if I was BC, I would want to be outside so I could have better visibility of the incident.

What do the Houston units do?

[firetdriver99]

The back part is most likely built by LA counties shop it they probably got a gross of f-450 cabs on a county bid with another dept like county maintenece that would have no use for vans or a SUV type vehicle so it was probably cheaper for them to go this route and build what they acually wanted. That would be my guess if they purchased a bunch of them the cost savings was probably considerable.

They are interesting little response vehicles, but I am curious...

What is the difference in cost between a suburban, and having an E-450 with a custom built "rescue" box built onto it?

Of course, if it makes operations more efficient, I'm one to say who cares what it costs!

I also have to add...they look like a rebirth of "Squad 51"!

[medicmaster]

The back part is most likely built by LA counties shop it they probably got a gross of f-450 cabs on a county bid with another dept like county maintenece that would have no use for vans or a SUV type vehicle so it was probably cheaper for them to go this route and build what they acually wanted. That would be my guess if they purchased a bunch of them the cost savings was probably considerable.

That makes sense...I never thought of that.

[ctxffman]

Re: the LA squads,
has the frame been chopped ?
sure looks short.