Off-Road Rescue Vehicle- What do you use?

[nomad1085]

Here's a question for all you Vollie's with lots of woodland and trails. What do you use for off-road rescue situations? Does your department own a Vehicle for this or do use whoever has the biggest pick-up truck? What about ATVs or snowmobiles? If you have an ATV, how do you transport a patient on it?

Thanks,
Matt

[RJE]

We use the "brush buggy". Each station has a brush rig, varies but generally a 1-ton dually 6wd with small (read light) tool sides (more like contractor sides) for rakes and shovels, and a 250gpm portable pump and 250gal plastic tank. These were '76 GMC built from scratch on a flatbed (when I started in '80) through an '84 GMC 3500 to a '90 GMC and a '94 Ford F-350, but all were set up basically the same.

The area included lots of woody areas, as well as river bottom (lots of plowed fields). For a grass/brush fire, first due was a pumper plus a brush rig. For "difficult access" med/rescue, we'd run pumper (for manpower, this is normal) plus med squad (not transport ambulance, but med. duty rescue) plus (or special call) the brush rig). The rescue squad was too heavy to off-road, but the brush rigs could go just about anywhere short of ATV trails. And in a swampy field (I remember a flipped tractor - driver pinned rescue) we pumped out the tank and dropped the pump off, then carried medics in and patient out between the tool sides.

[Adler]

Ford F-350 4x4. It carries most of our rescue equipment. We also have two trailers that we use for (1) Scuba equipment (2) Trauma and Medical equipment, as well as ropes, a basket, and other various gadgets. We were looking at ATV's, but there isn't that much need for them. We have a lot of farmers on our squad that will let us use ATV's and other equipment if we need.

[firefighter26]

We use an 1999 F-350 4X4. It has a slide in package that has a 23hp portable pump and 150 gal of water. It also carries SCBAs, FR equipment and a huge pile of hose.

[DRA-252]

Ford F350 4X4 outfitted with the necessary gear. But if they're really "off road" then we get our biggest guys and a backboard

[canman]

We have a 1944 Dodge weapons carrier that's 6wheel drive with a big a#% winch on the front. Along with all our rescue gear on the truck, we transport them to a clearing and call the helicopter to haul them out.

[Islander]

We use whatever we can find to do the job! Our department does not have a specialized off-road vehicle for fire or rescue. We do have access to a specialised rescue team which has training and equipment for remote search and rescue.

Many fire departments around our province do use modified 4X4s or 6X6s for those hard to get at places. Up north fire departments depend on snow machines, kamatiks (sleds) and portable pumps for fire protection in the winter months. (no roads)

Most common method for seriously injured victim transfer beyond walking distance is helicopter. The Candian Forces operate a SAR squadron equipped with Labrador (boeing vertol) helicopters within one hour of our location we also have a private helicopter charter service that provides assistance as well. We've actually transported our holmatro tools and pump along with FFs to an aircraft accident site by helicopter.

[esvfdfirefighter]

We would use our 1944 dodge power wagon brush truck in this situation. the truck is basically only equipped for brush fires, but we could take any necessary gear from our rescue that is needed and place it on the brush.



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Tom Pysh
President/Lt38-1
Ellsworth/Somerset V.F.D.
www.geocities.com/esvfd3870

[Les.H]

Would like to answer but I'm not a Vollie.

Oh go on then, we use a long wheel based Land Rover with front mounted 500 gpm pump and a 100 water tank. Carries 2 BA, hose, suction, beaters, tool kit, shovels, stand pipe, Co2 & Dry Powder extinguishers and a short ext ladder. This is the only vehicle kitted out like this in the Brigade (20 stations). Planned to be upgraded in the very near future and will be changing to a different unit.

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Kindest regards & keep safe,

Sprinkle (UK)
www.crowthorneinfo.co.uk

[snowmankw77]

We are currently using a 1982 Ford F-250. It is primarily our brush truck but if necessary it can get the job done.

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Matt Briskey
Eastern Garrett County
Station 80
www.easterngarrettvfrd.hoemstead.com/home.html

"What's in it for me?

Hard Work
Injury
Possible Death
A deep and abiding feeling of personal satisfaction found in few aspects of life"

"Nobody ever called the fire department when they did something smart!!"

[FIREMAN6911]

For Off-Road Rigs we have, A 1950's Mack Forestry Tanker truck (Ex-Army) 6x6, 1950's Jeep Forestery (Also ex army) 4x4, 1989 Ford Bronco 4x4, 1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4, 1996 International Pumper 4x4, 1998 International/Hackney Rescue truck with Winch,1989 International tanker 4x4.

[Adze]

we have a 1996 Hummer



We also have a 1985 Chevy Pickup which we got from army surplus. But completely done over...new engine, new interior, new doors, new windows, new other stuff...


[This message has been edited by Adze (edited 01-24-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Adze (edited 01-28-2001).]

[Lewiston2Capt]

We will be geting our 2001 Ford F-350 Crew cab Diesel 4X4 with 250 gal skid mounted pump and tank. The truck will be used predominantly for brush fires but can be used for wildland rescue by draining the tank and lifting the skid out.


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Shawn M. Cecula
Captain
Lewiston Fire Co. No. 2

[RescueDude]

Well didnt know if you were trying to leave the career firefighters out, but I am answering anyway.
I am in a city with alot of bike trails and offroad area where people motocross.
We use a John Deere Gator, it is a 6 wheel ATV that has 4 wheel drive, will carry 3 people plus the patient, it is equipped with a optional rack for securing the patient and a seat so you can be at the patients head during transport, doesnt go very fast, about 20, and isnt worth a darn in the snow, but for what we use it for it works fine.
Stay Safe !

[This message has been edited by RescueDude (edited 01-24-2001).]

[Firefighter2197]

Sorry about your gator
you need to get the big daddy
a kawasika mule
set up for patient car with a stokes and med equiment
all so used for brush fires
2197
stay safe and have fun