Updated drawings plus photos of the Spartan chassis for the new Prospect Heights FPD engine – delivery is expected in October
click to download
click to download
Alexis Fire Apparatus photo
Alexis Fire Apparatus photo
thanks Chief Smith
Tags: Alexis Fire Apparatus, chicagoareafire.com, drawing of Alexis fire engine being built for the Prospect Heights FPD on a Spartan chassis, New Engine for Prospect Heights, new engine for Prospect Heights FPD, new Spartan chassis for fire engine, Prospect Heights Fire Department, Prospect Heights Fire Protection District, video of new Spartan chassis for the Prospect Heights FPD
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#1 by Tim on April 22, 2020 - 6:14 AM
Chief, you forgot to mention that cascade systems always seem to leak. 🙂
#2 by harry on April 21, 2020 - 6:55 PM
when is ph getting a new tower ladder or just a new ladder truck glad ph has found a manufactor that u like alexis may be small but in a lot of cases customer service is better the town I like in fl palm beach gardens they have had 3 towers since 93 there last was a 2004 and it only had 9500 miles on it now they are going away from pierce and going to seagrave by 2022 they should have 4 seagraves 2 ladders and 2 engines
#3 by Brian on April 21, 2020 - 6:04 PM
Chief Smith, thank you for your service and sharing so much about PHFD. The cascade vs bottle argument is very well thought out as are your rigs.
#4 by Drew Smith on April 21, 2020 - 3:51 PM
For those interested in my cascade comment, a four-6000 PSI cylinder cascade will only fill 26, 4500 PSI/30 minute cylinders before it needs to be refilled. Measuring the space required for an NFPA-rated fill station and the four 6000 PSI vessels, we found that 26 30 minute SCBA cylinders took up half the space and cost about half of what the cascade cost. Also, you can get the 30 minute SCBA cylinders hydrostatically tested on a rotating basis not having the take half the cascade down to do so. Finally, we looked back at working fires over ten years and couldn’t identify one where we needed to refill SCBA on scene so companies could return to working the fire. Typically, we just refilled those who were being released and could have done so once back in quarters.
#5 by Drew Smith on April 21, 2020 - 3:46 PM
The story behind the Freightliner squad is a long one and money (or the lack of enough) played a role. Also, some ideas seem good until you have experience with the actual concept. By no means is it a poorly constructed or useless rig. Alexis did a great job. The best analogy is that all pickup trucks are pickup trucks but some pickup trucks can carry more than others and some can go places others cant. The current squad just cant do all the things we need it to do in the way we need it done, and we learned that after a few years of running it front line in place of an engine. Except that the new engine lacks a light tower (FireTech HiViz lights put out more light than the light towers we have) and a cascade (it’s cheaper and takes up less space if we just buy more SCBA cylinders) the new engine is nearly identical to our old Squadzilla.
#6 by Sebastian on April 21, 2020 - 11:04 AM
You’re awesome Chief Smith!! Thank you for the imput!! One more question.. who spec’d that 2014 squad? And who made the decision to go to that freightliner squad from squadzilla? Why not get another rig like squadzilla?
Thank you again,
Sebastian
#7 by Drew Smith on April 21, 2020 - 10:48 AM
Prospect Heights does not currently have a reserve engine in the fleet. We use that Freightliner squad as an engine (less than ideal) when one is needed. If E39 goes down, we move E9 to E39 because it has a large pump and 1500 feet of 5-inch hose then run Squad 9 in place of E9. E9’s district is predominately non-hydranted so this allows our water supply plan to still function.
We have planned to replace the tower ladder for the past five years but we do not have the finances to do so. We are exploring other options including grants and leasing. We also considered a hybrid auto aid agreement for truck coverage but our two closest auto aid departments do not have a reserve truck so take our truck and then their two trucks and there’s a coverage gap. Maybe you’re thinking that’s not likely? That was the situation on July 17, 2018 when we hosted that seven alarm condo fire. Both FDs trucks were down for maintenance. So, if anyone has an extra million dollars to spare we’d be happy to hear from you.
#8 by Sebastian on April 21, 2020 - 5:57 AM
Chief Smith,
Due you guys currently have a reserve engine? are there any plans to replace the tower ladder in the future ? And i must say that i miss looking at the old squadzilla!! She was a beautiful rig!!
Thank you,
Sebastian
#9 by Drew Smith on April 20, 2020 - 9:49 PM
This new engine will replace the engine currently at Station 39 which is the 2001 ALF/Alexis. That engine will then become our reserve.
#10 by Mike C on April 20, 2020 - 5:56 PM
Chief – You’ve done well. Thank you for honoring the taxpayers by utilizing their money wisely. Alexis doesn’t have the name recognition that others have but over the past decade, I’ve seen their quality dramatically improve! The Spartan Metro Star is a phenomenal chassis equip with the Cummins L9. Plenty of power! I’m very confident this rig will last several years.
#11 by Michael m on April 20, 2020 - 5:48 PM
With this engine replacing the Squad, will it be assigned to station 9 or will it go to 39, and the 2001 will become a reserve engine?
#12 by Drew Smith on April 20, 2020 - 5:09 PM
To some, thank you for your kind words about the PHFD. To some others, please let me know what station you’ll be at your next shift here so I can stop in and get your thoughts on what works best for our members. Our committee would be happy to hear from those who use our apparatus.
The age of the PHFD fleet is as follows:
2001 ALF/Alexis pumper: Engine 39
2008 Spartan/Alexis pumper: Engine 9
2014 Freightliner/Alexis squad pumper: Squad 9
1993 Pierce 100 foot aerial platform: Tower 9
2017 Freightliner/Alexis tanker/tender: Tanker 9
Average age of the fleet is 13 years. Oldest apparatus is 27 years. Youngest is three years.
The new engine is very similar in size, configuration, and capabilities compared to the 2001 and 2008 models. We choose Alexis after writing a performance specification that did not favor any particular builder, was sent to 14 manufacturers and published per state law, yet received only two proposals: Alexis and Marion.
The new engine will replace the 2014 squad as it cannot substitute well for an engine. It has a 1000 GPM pump and only carries 600 feet of 5-inch hose. It was purchased at a different time in our organization.
We are trading in the squad when we take delivery of the pumper.
The tanker was an emergency purchase replacing the then 23-year old tanker that was not cost-effective to repair.
We have had blue and red lights on our fleet for more than 25 years.
Both engines carry a full complement of ground ladders and truck equipment as we do not run our aerial into the 70 percent of Prospect Heights that is non-hydranted. We require the tanker, instead, and you can only staff so many rigs with the people working any given day.
Prospect Heights is made up of two different areas: One highly urban, dense, and multi-story. The other large lots with home ranging from 2000 square feet to nearly 10,000 square feet and mostly non-hydranted. Add in the airport and we have challenges yet only two stations and limited personnel. SO, we choose to use apparatus that helps us meet our mission. We aren’t interested in a popularity contest; that doesn’t put out fires. We seem to do well more than most of the time as I have a desk drawer full of accolades from our taxpayers.
Always happy to share what’s happening here at the PHFD regardless.
-Chief Smith
#13 by CrabbyMilton on April 20, 2020 - 9:19 AM
It’s a matter of local pride that appearances matter. Also, we’re all apparatus fans here so it’s fun to banter such things. I guess some would rather just have a plain white rig with nothing but black lettering. That would be the prerogative of the department too as well as the money clip.
#14 by Mike C on April 20, 2020 - 7:30 AM
Why is appearance so important to many? Let’s look at the big picture and some of the benefits of this rig! I’m actually pretty impressed! A few observations I’ve made are the hooks for jackets on the grab handles. The Whelen C6 light heads and the HiViz LED brow light along with the heated JW Speaker headlights. Power windows is also a nice feature! One thing I don’t see is a VMux display which if this is a hardwired chassis Prospect Heights did a fantastic job specking out this chassis. Galvanized frame rails. Prospect Heights isn’t an amateur fire department. They know what serves their needs and this rig appears to accommodate them. Great job Prospect Heights. Looking forward to it coming together!
#15 by CrabbyMilton on April 20, 2020 - 6:53 AM
The blue light is a bit unorthodox but it looks alright.
But then again, we should think of the blue light as a tribute to law enforcement. Lord knows they need it.
#16 by Sebastian on April 19, 2020 - 11:44 PM
Um… what the heck are you guys talking about?? The freightliner?? They haven’t bought new rigs in a very long time! Squad 9 was replaced after 18 yearsbin service! The tanker wad also 20’years old when replaced. Neither of the two engines are less than 15 years old. Their tower ladder is from 94. So how are they replacing rigs often? So many people post on this site with no clue about what they are talking about!! Sorry for my rant!
#17 by Big Moe on April 19, 2020 - 11:30 PM
They do seem to buy a lot of apparatus for a small department. I liked the Freightliner unit they sold after only a few years.
#18 by Rj on April 19, 2020 - 10:18 PM
Yeah they build some real weird Frankenstein apparatus. Doing it in a budget trying to make the next big thing.
#19 by Mike on April 19, 2020 - 5:35 PM
This looks like it could be nice. Small sized cab but lots of storage and lots of ground ladders besides the tank water.
#20 by The DH on April 19, 2020 - 5:26 PM
Mike – looks like a well-designed rescue engine that will fit their needs. It may not be the “prize-winner” for looks in your book…but if it works well for them as designed, who cares? I am sure Squad 9, although different in looks, works just fine for them…You sound like Harry.
#21 by Mike D on April 19, 2020 - 12:38 PM
Why does that department continue to build the most hideous fire apparatus in north America? When will these departments stop trying to be “trend setters?”