Planning Apparatus Compartment Space

If you’re in the initial stages of speccing out a new vehicle, whether it be an engine, truck or heavy rescue, the thought process should begin with a systematic plan on where you are going to mount your equipment on the vehicle. Most departments that I’m familiar with are buying a vehicle to replace an outdated unit that lacks space for some of the newer equipment that’s on the market, compared to what was available 20 years ago.

You have to be mindful in not overloading the vehicle and exceeding weight limits. To accomplish this, as I have mentioned in the past, consult the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association website (FAMA; www.fama.org) and look up their weight calculator matrix. This shows just about every tool out on the market and its weight. After you decide what you are planning to carry, you can also consult with the manufacturer’s engineers to see if you will exceed the vehicle’s GVW.

Obviously, the equipment you’re planning to carry on a heavy rescue would be more substantial than a pumper, but I’ve seen many rescue engines that are pretty hefty with equipment.

A key: Know your response area and carry the equipment for the task at hand. Do you really need six hydraulic cutting and spreading tools, or can you make due with a bumper-mounted unit and a side-mounted unit, or even a portable unit that can be taken off a vehicle? Several companies make battery-powered units that are lightweight and can do just as good a job. They can even be attached to a power cord supplied from a truck-mounted reel for added power.

Coffin compartments are an added feature on top of some apparatus. Although they can be used to store added equipment, make sure they can be accessed easily without causing injury to firefighters who must climb atop the apparatus to gain entry.

Also consider this question: Will you be mounting the equipment when you take delivery, or will it be mounted at a local dealer or even at the factory? Some manufacturers offer this as an option when you purchase a vehicle. Will the standard roll-out trays or adjustable shelving be enough for your needs? Will you need the compartments specially designed for specific types of equipment?

Budget considerations will also come into play with your design. Can you afford some bells and whistles or can you make due with some simple peg board designs. You really want to optimize the space you. Buying a new vehicle and having wasted space because of poor tool-mounting planning is a waste of money and time.

There are several companies that offer some great ideas related to tool- and equipment-mounting. Search the Internet and see what is available, and attend some local fire industry shows to see what other departments are doing. You can even get some ideas from local apparatus dealers on their websites where you can see various apparatus compartments. So, what’s stopping you? Go check it out!