EMERGENCY! PART II
Last month, I harkened back to the '70's TV show EMERGENCY! I wrote about how firefighter/paramedics Gage and DeSota responded to medical and rescue calls in Los Angeles County and I focused on the medical side of their job. This month, staying with that same TV show, I am writing about the fire and rescue side.
In their Rescue Squad truck, along with medical equipment and supplies, the crew carried rescue equipment such as ropes and tools for all types of rescue responses. They also responded to fire calls along with the station's pumper truck. So two trucks housed at the same station going to the same location. Not the most efficient of operations, but keep in mind that this is the '70s. Over time, in the real world the small rescue truck grew to a full size apparatus, but still two trucks.
Now let's fast forward to today. There is a truck made today that is a combination fire truck and rescue truck. It is called in some circles a "Wet Rescue" truck. At ESD 47/Westlake, we have been buying this type of apparatus since 2013. We call it a "Squad" truck. (The more things change, the more they stay the same.) It is two trucks in one. This saves on space in the fire station. This saves on maintenance costs. This saves on staffing. Our Squad trucks are a regular fire truck (water tank, pump, and hoses) along with compartments to carry rescue tools and equipment, a power generator, breathing air cascade system, and a light bay for nighttime calls. It is the Swiss Army Knife of fire apparatus! Here is the best part: the cost of one of the trucks is only slightly more than a regular fire truck. So why haven't other agencies went this route instead of the traditional fire truck? Good question. Afraid of change maybe?
Westlake has two Squad trucks, Squad 41 (2013) and Squad 42 (2015). You can see their photos on the Westlake website: westlakevfd.com. Well the family is growing. I am happy to tell you that ESD 47 has just purchased another Squad truck and it is soon to be placed in service. That will give us three combination Fire/Rescue trucks. The news gets even better. ESD 47 paid cash for the new truck, saving years of interest payments to the tax payer. It's decisions such as this that allow us to consistently lower property tax rates while providing the highest level of service to the people and property of the District. I have attached a few photos of the new truck below. Shipment was delayed due to weather issues up north, but it should be at the Westlake station any day now.
Until then, stay safe.
Brian Havran
