Fireturck riding the rails

Pierce's Rail Rescue Vehicle is a walkaround heavy-rescue unit built on an Enforcer chassis that deploys hydraulic railway gear,allowing it to operate on railroad tracks.


I want to thank Bob, KB3MOJ, for the pointer to this story.

PIERCE

Pierce's usual big showing of new products included the premier of a commercial multi-cab design that can be built on the Kenworth T300 and T800 heavy-duty chassis in both the Pierce and Contender lines. The vehicle features a 6', 4" cab height and can be configured to operate as a top-mount pumper, a command center or a crew cab. As an enclosed top-mount pumper, the cab has windows on all sides, providing the pump operator with a better view of the entire fire scene and pump operations. The pumper also provides space to rehab the crew if needed. As a command center, the cab can be configured to include a workstation and EMS compartments.

The enclosed-cab design protects pump operators from the elements, allowing them to concentrate more on operating the vehicle safely. A pumper that operates in both severe cold and high heat environments is a great asset to the fire service.

Pierce also displayed an addition to its aerial product line: a 100' aluminum aerial ladder with a tip load of 750 lbs., the largest in the industry. The ladder features H-style stabilizers with a 12' spread; it also has a replaceable egress section. Options include mounted breathing air at the ladder tip, a quick-lock waterway, creeper controls and various tool-mounting configurations.

Another unique offering from Pierce: the Enforcer Rail Rescue Vehicle. A walk-around heavy-rescue unit built on an Enforcer chassis, this rig deploys hydraulic railway gear in the front and rear of the vehicle, allowing it to operate on railroad tracks for easy movement. The response areas of many fire departments feature major rail lines. For such departments, the Rail Rescue Vehicle will increase operability and reduce response times for incidents in hard-to-reach areas.