New Engine for Prospect Heights (more)

Updated production photos of the new engine for Prospect Heights

Alexis Fire photo

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Tags: Alexis Fire Apparatus, chicagoareafire.com, fire engine being built for Prospect Height, New Engine for Prospect Heights, new engine for Prospect Heights FPD, Prospect Heights Fire Department, Prospect Heights Fire Protection District, stainless steel fire engine being built

This entry was posted on November 10, 2020, 11:48 PM and is filed under Fire Department News, Fire truck being built. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

9 Comments (and one trackback)

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#1 by Drew Smith on November 12, 2020 - 7:35 PM

Please allow me to address the many questions about this apparatus:

HOSE BEDS
Up top will be 1500 feet of 5-inch hose. We carry this amount of large diameter hose on all engines as 70 percent of Prospect Heights is without fire hydrants.
The lower hose bed is a pull out tray. It accommodates a flat load of 400 feet X 2&1/2 finished with shoulder loads and a 1&1/4-inch smooth bore nozzle, a flat load of 400 feet X 2&1/2 finished with 100 feet X 1&1/2 in a reverse horseshoe with a 15/16 smooth bore nozzle, and a flat load of 200 feet X 3 inch connected to a TFT Blitzfire with a 1&3/8 smooth bore nozzle. Above this tray will be three 75 feet X 2-inch hose packs with 2&1/2-inch couplings in a Denver load. One pack will have a 1&1/8-inch smooth bore nozzle.

PUMP MODULE
Alexis builds both ways: assembled on vehicle as shown with this vehicle or a fully-built pump module that is then set onto the chassis. When we were at Alexis’ plant this week and they had a few vehicles awaiting their already-built pump modules. Personally, either way is fine by me when done by a pro. On our engine, ladders extend into the module so perhaps the build-in-place approach is being used to ensure nothing conflicts.

ALEXIS CONSTRUCTION
Currently, Alexis is using all stainless steel for framing and compartments (unless otherwise specified). Two water jet cutting tables work all day, every day, cutting parts that are then assembled to make the body. Alexis has the same worker build the entire body. Fasteners are used versus welding.

CLEAN CAB
We chose to implement a clean cab concept with the premise and understanding that we are attempting to REDUCE contaminates versus eliminating them. We cannot ever completely eliminate the contaminates that may enter the cab so we will do our best to reduce them by limiting PPE in the cab and storing all equipment except portable radios and EMS gear in the other compartments. We do not employ any single-role paramedics.

SEATS
The seats are USSC Valor seats constructed with a military grade, high strength, wear resistant, fabric made of durable ballistic polyester. A synthetic coating is bonded to the back side of the material to help protect the seats from UV rays and from being saturated or contaminated by fluids. The fabric has integrated VALORTech XD®, a proprietary antimicrobial agent, designed to resist toxicity and contaminants. This was the best option for us to meet our clean cab concept.

Keep the questions coming. I am more than happy to share our reasons and plans. What we feel will work for us may not work for others and that’s fine.
#2 by Rj on November 12, 2020 - 3:35 PM

So the rear of the rig hose wise … LDH/supply on top and skidload/blitzline/handline loads (whatever they carry/call them) in the pull out bed?
#3 by Josh on November 11, 2020 - 4:25 PM

Clean cab concept but chose to go with cloth seats? Doesn’t that Defeat the purpose.
#4 by MABAS 21 on November 11, 2020 - 2:35 PM

Mike C,
I believe my comments did not articulate properly. When the larger apparatus manufacturers build the pump module section separately, they finish it almost completely, as awhile, before mounting it on to the chassis frame. All of the plumbing, valves, wiring harnesses, panels, gauges and handles are installed then. My observation is that Alexis is building/fabricating the pump module section on the vehicle afterwards. Is there an advantage of this way instead of prefabrication?
#5 by Mike C on November 11, 2020 - 1:02 PM

MABAS 21 – The design of the two different modules isn’t uncommon. This is a big enough body where if it was built as one module it leaves the risk of stress cracks/fractures from body and frame rail flex. Alexis is doing it the right way.
#6 by Tim on November 11, 2020 - 11:36 AM

They’re probably storing the SCBAs in an outside compartment…..for the “clean cab concept.”
#7 by Rusty on November 11, 2020 - 11:10 AM

The whole truck was modular built like that. I wonder why they do that. Maybe someone can explain the building methods.
#8 by MABAS 21 on November 11, 2020 - 6:32 AM

With no disrespect to Alexis, I find it interesting that they built the pump panel assembly as the vehicle is built unlike the bigger apparatus builders like e-one or piece who build it as a complete entire module. Are there any advantages of this? One would think it would be easier for the fabricator building a module because of unrestricted access. Any thoughts?
#9 by Dave Connors on November 11, 2020 - 6:00 AM

I wonder if that is a temporary seat in the jump area. There isn’t a recessed spot for the SCBA. Does anyone know what that is all about? Do they have a single-role Medic assigned to this rig?