From a reader:
Frankfort’s old snorkel on the demo listing for spartan erv
From the SpartanERV website:
At a Glance
- Preowned
- Metro Star MFD flat roof w/L9 engine
- Cummins ISL9 – 450 HP engine
- 195” wheelbase / 392” OAL
- Waterous CSUC20 1,500-GPM
- 500-gallon tank / 20-gallon foam cell
- 750 lb (dry) or 500 lb (wet)
- Joy stick controls in platform rear of pedestal on body
- 1,000-GPM flow capacity
Truck Number #1501155
SpartanERV photo
SpartanERV photo
SpartanERV photo
thanks Kevin
#1 by Bill Post on June 15, 2019 - 1:00 AM
Austin you overlooked one thing. The Snorkel is a genuine Snorkel and not an imitation. I’m not sure if you realize that American LaFrance purchased the rights to manufacture the Snorkel from the Snorkel Corporation, however after a short time American LaFrance was sold by Daimler Chrysler’s Freightliner truck division to Patriarch Partners an investment firm based in New York. They stopped marketing the Snorkel and refused to manufacture it which is why it took the Chicago Fire Department so long to get the current Rosenbauer Snorkel squads. Rosenbauer had to engineer the product because of the issues with American LaFrance. While that was transpiring, American LaFrance went bankrupt and they sold the Snorkel rights to Smeal actually built one. Had American LaFrance sold the rights about a year or two earlier, the CFD wouldn’t have had to wait as long to get the current squads. From the time the current squads were ordered until they were delivered was about 4 years. So while the Smeal chassis itself might be a one off, the Snorkel would not be. Any way it is only a pipe dream.
#2 by Drew Smith on June 14, 2019 - 11:01 PM
I won’t presume to know the motive for the original purchase of this apparatus by Frankfort, or that of any other department on this site. However, with regards to whether or not city managers/mayors/councilmen monitor such purchases and ask appropriate questions I will say this: We see plenty of criticisms on this site that go the other, repeatedly asking if something is truly needed when the fire chief of a department has laid out his or her case with facts and figures and professional opinion.
And as far as Frankfort goes, they are a Fire Protection District so it is their board of trustees and not a mayor, or a village president, or any city council or village board who oversees this purchase or any other.
#3 by Austin on June 14, 2019 - 10:47 PM
Bill, I don’t think Chicago would want a one off Smeal in their fleet. Even though most Smeals were on Spartan chassis before the merger, it is still a different manufacture and has different features and specs.
#4 by Bill Post on June 14, 2019 - 5:37 PM
While I wouldn’t expect this to happen. It wouldn’t be a bad idea if Chicago purchased the rig and retro fit it as as Spare Snorkel Squad for use in the future.
#5 by Mike Mc on June 13, 2019 - 1:19 PM
This comes as no surprise. It was nothing more than a toy that they could take to the fire academy muster and show off. Shameful that city managers/mayors/councilmen do not monitor apparatus purchases and ask if it is really needed and if so, why. An obvious case of CFD envy syndrome. Someone predicted this sad ending about three years ago. He was widely ridiculed.
#6 by Localguy on June 13, 2019 - 7:50 AM
I asked the guys at FDIC. I was told gremlins in the electrical system. Company was in a hurry to push the 1st one out the door. All issues have been corrected and fixed. Per
#7 by Michael m on June 13, 2019 - 12:29 AM
Anyone know what the issues were? How long was it actually in service?
#8 by BIll Post on June 12, 2019 - 8:23 PM
As far as Snorkel squads, go Memphis has been using 55-foot Snorkels for quite awhile. Two of their three rescue companies are single piece units unlike Chicago’s two-piece companies. In Memphis like in several other cities they refer to them as rescue companies. The squads in Memphis are small SUVs with enclosed cabinets on the rear half of the apparatus and are used primarily as jump companies on EMS runs in their districts. Either the engine or truck can choose to respond with the squad unit instead of the engine or truck on EMS first responder runs. Memphis has eight squads.
Regarding smaller elevated streams, the Philadelphia FD runs four engines with 55-foot articulated waterways. Two are called Squrts and the others are water towers. Since the 1970s, quite a few departments tried them however Philadelphia is one of the few that still use them.
Philadelphia is also one of the few departments that uses an 85-foot Snorkel as a truck company. The two in service now are in the process of being replaced with tower ladders. These have already been remounted on new chassis. Philadelphia got many good years of use from them. They were manned companies unlike Chicago’s last Snorkel which was a special call unit.
#9 by Rj on June 12, 2019 - 5:33 PM
True. Like Chicago, a large city with a couple snorkels running as s heavy squads is a benefit, but usually only at these larger incidents. As a specialty piece they have limited value to most departments on a day to day run basis. These units have a limited vertical, and mainly, horizontal reach and their real value is setting up a relatively “light” aerial fire vehicle in a small space to provide an elevated stream for defensive operations.
#10 by Michael m on June 12, 2019 - 5:09 PM
I think it is a 2016 snorkel.
My guess is there is not a big market for these things.
#11 by Marty Coyne on June 12, 2019 - 3:16 PM
That has been up for sale for quite a while. Doesn’t seem too many dept’s are interested in it. They have a second snorkel listed too for a long time. https://emergencyresponse.spartanmotors.com/products/stock-units/55-snorkel-articulating-platform/
#12 by Brian on June 12, 2019 - 1:34 PM
I wonder if the issues that caused the rig to be sent back have been properly corrected
#13 by CrabbyMilton on June 12, 2019 - 11:55 AM
Looks great and impressive features.
What year is it? Nothing on the link either.