|
Paris Fire Department
<br />Aâ–ºDMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AT FIRE STATION NO. 1
<br />1 444 NORTH MAIN STREET - PARIS, TX 75460
<br />(903) 784-9225 - (903) 784-5304 F.4x
<br />To Chief Ronnie Grooms:
<br />As per your direction and the parameters presented, an Apparatus Committee was established and tasked with
<br />making a recommendation for the purchase of a new pumper for the Paris Fire Department. The committee
<br />consisted of Drivers Chad Graves, Jay Daughtrey, and Matt Barbee; and Firefighters Patrick Lynch and Joey
<br />Rickman. Apparatus vendors were notified and asked to provide information regarding current stock pumpers
<br />(Commercial chassis and Cab-over chassis) that met the following parameters: a) stock units already built and
<br />available for immediate purchase, b) able to participate in a hands-on evaluation at the PFD during 11/7-9/2011,
<br />and with an overall cost below $300,000.00. Such restrictive parameters certainly narrowed the window of
<br />opportunity, reduced the field of available apparatus, and made the process more difficult as time was of the
<br />essence. However, we were able to complete the evaluation process and have, what we feel to be, good data.
<br />The evaluation process consisted of 12 major categories that each received a score graded on a scale from 1-5 (1
<br />being the lowest and 5 the highest). The 12 categories themselves were determined to be those components of a
<br />pumper type apparatus, we felt were needed to best meet the needs of our department and City and included:
<br />1. Maneuverabi.lity (steering, wheelbase, turning radius, etc.).
<br />2. Cab design (space, number of seats/arrangement, accessibility, safety, noise reduction, visibility, etc.).
<br />3. Mechanics (acceleration; transmission shifting, etc.).
<br />4. Brakes (stopping distance, auxiliary braking system-retarder, engine exhaust, etc.).
<br />5. Warning System (visible lighting, audible siren, etc.).
<br />6. Compartmentation (number, size, accessibility, durability, etc.) '
<br />7. Maintenance (routine fluid check, major component accessibility, etc.). .
<br />8. Vendor provided service center (location and proximity from Paris, capabilities, etc.).
<br />9. Pumping (pump capacity, shifting, plumbing, gauges, foam capability, etc.).
<br />10. Ergonomics (comfort, efficiency, safety, etc.).
<br />11. Hose-loads (capacity, number of crosslays, accessibility, hose-bed, dividers, etc.).
<br />12. Equipment Add-ons (what is needed to put the truck in service).
<br />We evaluated six different apparatus from five different manufacturers; all had pros and cons. Two of the pumpers
<br />were built using a commercial chassis and cab while the other four were of the cab-over design. Each unit was
<br />evaluated using the criteria listed above and graded accordingly. The scores were tallied and the pumpers ranked
<br />from 15L to 62h (most preferred to least preferred). Additionally, we compared each stock apparatus to our current
<br />fleet to determine how well adaptable each would be (how would each accommodate the current inventory of
<br />equipment we carry on a pumper, utility, any additional equipment or components needed, etc.). The committee
<br />feels our current engine/pumper configuration is very user friendly and we feel these trucks have been, and
<br />continue to be, quality pieces of equipment. After the scoring was completed and tallied, all the members of the
<br />committee had actually ranked the same pumper as their top choice; the pumper produced by Crimson Fire. It
<br />surpassed the other trucks in each category, except for Maintenance/Service Center location. Crimson Fire's
<br />service center is 62 miles further away from the City of Paris than the next closest. However the company does
<br />have two service trucks that can come to our location if needed.
<br />Though more compact than our current fleet of pumpers, the Crimson pumper offers more compartmental space.
<br />The truck provides a very smooth ride and a shorter turning radius than the other demos we evaluated. It has a
<br />quiet and roomy cab that provides much needed space for personnel and PPE and filters out outside noise better
<br />than the other stock, models (which is very irnportant for operators being able to effectively communicate with
<br />dispatch and FD personnel). The Crimson pumper more aptly matches the overall layout (cab, compartments, etc.)
<br />of our current pumper fleet (which reduces the overall acclimation time). Handline crosslays are installed in a
<br />" 92
<br />
|