If you had the chance to visit FDIC 2009, you most certainly came across a really large vehicle in the Alexis display area. The truck caught my eye and, of course, I had to find out more about this huge apparatus. After looking over the vehicle, I wasn’t disappointed.
I’ve written positively about other Alexis vehicles, and this one was no exception in terms of quality and workmanship. Built for the Morrison (Ill.) Fire Department (MFD) to replace its aging brush truck, the end result is an apparatus built for the wildland/urban interface, capable of a lot more than just putting out grass fires.
Speccing It Out
The MFD was founded in 1876 with 10 volunteers; it was originally called the Jackson Hose Company. Today, the department has 30 volunteers and operates not as a tax district with a board of directors, but as a non-profit corporation that survives by collecting operating expenses generated through direct billing of rural subscribers. The MFD also contracts with the City of Morrison, which provides an additional source of revenue.
The apparatus committee consisted of five members–the chief, a captain and three firefighters; they began planning in September 2007.
“We had a 1969 International John Bean brush truck that we were in need of replacing,” says Scott Allison, one of the apparatus committee members. MFD 1st Asst. Chief Joe Bielema had the idea to “design a vehicle similar to the John Bean type of operation, but meeting today’s standards,” Allison says.
The vehicle they designed was to be used primarily for brush fires, but also for relay pumping on the fireground. “Our response district serves and protects the city limits of Morrison and a rural area of 160 square miles,” Allison says. “The area consists of hilly and flat terrain in both an urban and rural environment, and the truck had to work well in both areas. Our biggest target hazard is the Union Pacific Railroad’s main east-west line running through our response area.”
The MFD sent out a request for proposals to five different apparatus manufacturers, but Alexis was the only apparatus manufacturer to come close to meeting the specs.
Working with Alexis
Following a preconstruction meeting with Alexis, the committee decided to have the manufacturer build a mock-up of the body so they could see the overall height of the vehicle. “It worked to our advantage, because once we saw it, we realized we had to redesign the vehicle and cut off 1 foot of the height,” Allison says.
The MFD found a willing partner in Alexis. “We made nine changes to the vehicle during the construction process,” Allison says. “They were receptive and willing to make the vehicle fit our standards.”
Another good fit with Alexis: The manufacturer is located just 90 minutes from the MFD’s response district, allowing for frequent visits. “Their open-door policy allowed our apparatus committee access to their factory at all times,” Allison says. “They also provided us with weekly e-mail updates and photos so we could see everything that was going on with the build.”
This is no ordinary brush truck. It features a two-stage Waterous pump that provides 500 gpm at 150 psi for volume and 60 gpm with 500 psi for pressure–just about equal to the MFD’s old John Bean. The whole vehicle can be operated from the cab with the exception of the valves. It also has a drive-control differential lock, rear doors with electric shutter controls and an electronic tank-to-pump valve.
As with any apparatus purchase, service after the sale was an important part of the equation, and the MFD wasn’t disappointed. “We couldn’t be happier with Alexis,” Allison says. “There were no major problems with the vehicle. It’s one of the easiest trucks to operate in our station.”
Check Your Specs
The MFD covered all of its bases with the design and delivery of this unique vehicle. Requesting the mock-up proved critical, since they had to make a major height modification for the vehicle to fit their needs. I’ve heard many horror stories about departments failing to measure correctly during the speccing and building processes, only to have the vehicle delivered too long or too high to fit in their station.
Check all your specs before and during the construction phase of your apparatus. Doing so after it’s completed is definitely too late. Note: Although you might not have the convenience of the manufacturer being located close to your area, you can hire outside consultants to make several trips to the factory to check on the status. If cost is a deterrent to that, then at least have weekly photos sent to you for review.
Remember: This is a large investment for your department. In some cases the vehicle might be in service 20 years or more. Get it right the first time with proper planning.
