CSFD is doing what it can to keep the older model fire trucks running, as well as another 15 percent of the fleet with model years in the early 2000s. It doesn't have a choice.
That chief is concerned about 1990s fire trucks. I’ve heard certain fire departments have 1980s fire trucks that need updated. Some department still have fire trucks from the 1970s still in active service they probably need updating
Problem with that logic is, you have to compare each department. Most likely those departments running 1980's & 1970's trucks are NOT very busy at all. They're more than likely small, rural volunteer fire departments with relitively few calls a year. Where as the Springs, is a major metropolitan fire department, with single engine companies running thousands of calls a year (IE: CSFD Engine 8 running almost 5000 calls a year by itself)
There is a lot bigger and busier huge city departments that have lots of rigs from the 90s that are front line. This department needs to relax lol. Psh unreal
Older trucks are cheaper to maintain and keep running than buying new period. Electronics are simpler, no emissions systems, and minimal creature comforts and gadgets to break. only reason to replace is when repair costs from high hours on pumps and engine exceeds feasibility of buying a new one. A new mid spec engine is $1.2M with no equipment not sure where the the experts in the comments are getting their numbers. not to mention TVM of build and delivery time to order a basic engine is approaching 3 years with many manufacturers. You have to pay to play these days. Most departments not in metro areas don’t have the funds to go out and purchase a new truck and they must finance or buy on bond and rates suck. Not to mention Every piece of equipment you have to buy for that truck is also up 40%.
You know if they feel the destruction safe there are a number of companies out there that will refurb these trucks some small company some big companies like Pierce and seagrave.. black fire department saved a lot of money by having a truck referred instead of showing up $500,000 for a new engine
Concerning? Absolutely. But ask any of the men and women who ride those rigs into battle if it matters. Firemen are used to doing more with less. We're like Marines, Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.
Where im from, both of my local departments are using a mix of 80s and 90s equipement with the largest truck being from the 60s. Outdated equipment is bullshit and is an excuse to receive money that always gets spent wastefully. 90s equipment??? It worked then, it will still work now. It is cheaper to repair what you have, then buy all new. Todays prices for a 100k firetruck, you can rebuild your whole fleet for the cost of one new truck. I call bullshit. Most houses get demolished after the fire fighters wreck the place anyways.
There's a difference between purchasing a truck at a cool million dollars today and it only sees about 20 calls throughout the year versus spending the same amount on a truck that's going to see that same amount in a day. Also too, if the truck hasn't ran that much, but is still in somewhat decent working condition, ok then, yes, maybe dump at least 2 or 3 grand into the critical points of the apparatus and then you get a good 5 to 7 years out of it still. I am starting to see a lot more fire departments take on a former piece and refurbing it because it still had some potential use out of it, and also too, depending on the fire department purchasing said used apparatus. Times it may not roll as much, other times it'll catch more than one call.
@@chazman4461here is the truth. Those trucks aren’t running that many calls. The numbers are very inflated. Because if a station has 3 vehicles they count all 3 vehicles as a call each going to the same call . Big departments will send 15 units to an EMS call . Ain’t enough time in the day to run that many calls they say they are having. The numbers are done this way to get more people and stations.
@@stevenpivornik9982lots of departments are refurbishing old equipment that are pre emissions. To get around it . Because they have been nothing but trouble
here our trucks are supposed to last for at least 20 years, but there are quite a few in service which are also 30 years or more in service. As long as they're kept in good condition there's nothing to be concerned about. Often old mechanical trucks and equipment are more reliable than modern ones with all the electrics on board
Yup. Our oldest truck is pre emissions and it never fails us . Our newest tower and engine tear up monthly. A lot of departments are buying pre emission trucks and having the refurbished . So they don’t have to deal with emissions . Plus a new custom engine starts at 700k
the main difference is that the newer rigs have more storage and better filtration. the main problem with this is maintenance costs, however, you at least don't need to deal with dpf or such
Buying fire apparatus and PPE for firefighters is a very expensive undertaking. PPE for firefighters are to be replaced every 10 years. Engines that have worn out cost $400,000-$700,000 with aerial apparatus $1,000,000-$1,800,000 each. If towns/cities want good fire/EMS protection they have to be willing to pay for it. I realize, this is above and beyond all other municipal costs. Taking care of apparatus with preventative maintenance and proper training on it's use is vital to keeping cost as low as possible.
The city I grew up in was buying those Pierce apparatus but their prices went up so much they switched to E-Ones and saved a ton of money. And E-Ones delivered much fasted than Pierce.
Bro this brand new trucks start messing up after 2 years, I can only imagine how much they’re suffering with a 17 year old truck. Plus NFPA requires that you replace or update the vehicles every 10 years
It’s even harder now due to the significant backlog of emergency apparatus production. My ambulance agency just ordered new ambulances; we’re expecting to get them in 2027.
Exactly. I know of several volunteer depts running all older trucks. Simple fact is they can work on them. They can’t afford emissions repairs either. If you have a major emissions issue like I’ve done many of its not uncommon for a 15k and up bill.
Ummm, sorry to burst your bubble here, but the FDNY, the busiest fire department in the country, is only now replacing their rear mount ariels, which date back to 2011. That's 14 years out now already, but let me not forget to mention that those trucks are also running about 10 calls a day.
First off, I would like to correct MYself by putting out there that it was not 14 years ago, more like 12. Secondly, I was making a point there, whether the apparatus is 12, 14, or 30 years old, regardless, there are some fixer uppers out there and others that are just meeting their time and are just running on borrowed time now.@@OJdidit93905
It’s the busiest department because it’s the biggest. That comment holds no weight. There’s hundreds of Fire Depts in the U.S. that are FAR busier than FDNY per capita. Those same Depts Engines and Trucks each run well over 10 runs a day with apparatus that are 20-35yrs old. I’d kill for only 10 runs a day in a 14yr old Truck, but I’m the moron who for whatever reason loves to work in the ghettos.
