From the Fire Service, Inc. Facebook page:
Fire Service, Inc. congratulates the Melrose Park Fire Department (IL) on the delivery of their 4th Wheeled Coach Type III ambulance today. This unit’s custom ALS cabinet, Duralite CN 10 compliant interior cabinets , and Per4Max restraints are key elements to the performance and durability that Melrose Park depends on. Whelen M series warning and interior domes and the new underride bumper assembly compliment this unit well. Melrose Park will provide the final touch with graphics and it will soon begin servicing the City of Melrose Park for many years to come. We thank the Melrose Park Fire Department administration for the continued trust in Wheeled Coach and Fire Service, Inc. to provide solutions to their needs !
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
Fire Service, Inc. photo
#1 by Braeden on February 9, 2019 - 8:10 PM
Harry,
I’m not sure where you get your numbers from, but Niles doesn’t run 8000 runs a year. Even if they are close to 8,000 runs, that doesn’t mean each vehicle is running 8,000 runs. They are a busy department, but your number are a bit inaccurate.
#2 by MABAS 21 on February 9, 2019 - 2:36 PM
Harry, their Station 2 Engine 665 is a 1999
#3 by harry on February 9, 2019 - 1:02 PM
last I was at south Holland there engines and ladder are 2008
#4 by Rusty on February 9, 2019 - 7:56 AM
@ Harry
Why don’t you check your facts before commenting. Also, these departments put a lot of hard work specing the apparatus. Like they need some arm chair buff criticizing every move they make. Give the fire depts credit. There are alot of smart and well respected men/woman that decide what they need for their Dept. Just because you don’t like it really means nothing. This ambulance will serve Melrose Park just fine. Also, The City of Chicago’s Ambulances are all gas and the engine is holding up just fine. I believe they are some of the busiest ambulance companies in the country.
#5 by MABAS 21 on February 9, 2019 - 12:35 AM
Harry, enough already! As Matt stated, departments spec/purchase what works best for them and what they can afford on limited budgets.
Some departments have had bad experiences with diesel motors in ambulances and are seeking alternative options to reduce maintenance woes.
And there are plenty of departments that are running old frontline apparatus besides Chicago. In my area alone, Summit, Roberts Park, Bridgeview, Harvey, South Holland, Cal City and Cal Park are ALL running frontline engine companies that are over 15 years old.
#6 by harry on February 8, 2019 - 9:59 PM
diesel is the way to go matt as for a dept running a frontline rig for 17 years that is hard to believe aside from Chicago if it is a small not busy dept I can see a gas ambo but if niles il running almost 8000 calls a year out of 2 houses had gas ambos they would not last plus last I heard an e series cant be 4×4 unless converted
#7 by matt on February 8, 2019 - 8:46 PM
harry: you’re finally making it to the point I have to say something on this website. Enough with the negativity about how you don’t like things. Enjoy the apparatus for what they are and what people are buying. Its not for you, me or anyone but a department to decide. Emissions is the reason most departments if not all will be going to gasoline engines. Elk Grove has a fantastic fire station they are building, who cares if it looks plain to you and also due to erosion or whatever its not for you to decide what apparatus departments use or how they purchase vehicles and why. I think most places are happy to just get something especially if you are the firefighter working on a 17 year old front line apparatus at a busy fire station. Any thing is welcomed at that point as long as it runs, goes into pump, or if its a truck the pedestal and jacks work.
#8 by Joe on February 8, 2019 - 4:27 PM
I think you will see a lot of departments go to the F series with the V10 when it becomes available. The added expense and maintenance nightmares with the Diesels is not worth the aggravation. The new generation of diesels do not like to idle and causes all kinds of issues with the particulate filter plugging and the units needing to go through regens on a continual basis.
#9 by CrabbyMilton on February 8, 2019 - 3:03 PM
Perhaps not every dept. wants to hassle with DEF and the added purchase cost of a diesel engine.
Besides, the FORD V10 is a long tried and true engine.
#10 by harry on February 8, 2019 - 1:35 PM
looks nice but is a shame a lot of depts. go to the gas engine ambulances not a fan