Apparatus & Equipment
Having the best apparatus and equipment is just as critical as having trained firefighters. The City of Wyoming recognizes this need and has reacted responsibly. Motor Pool not only strives to maintain a sensible turnover of apparatus which is equitable to our City’s interest but also sustains a high level preventative maintenance schedule which assures the public that when the machines are pressed into services under adverse conditions for long periods of time, they will perform without hesitation. This has been proven on several occasions to everyone’s appreciation.
We also make sure the equipment is the best on the market for the money expended which will not only give the desired return on investment over the life cycle of the apparatus but also meets the requirements of the job it is intended to perform. Without a doubt, Wyoming has been a pioneer when it comes to state-of-the-art equipment. With an eye for practicality, our Department has been a leader for surrounding communities in utilizing the latest, up-to-date apparatus and equipment.
We have had to do some extensive research as to how we may protect the City with our current manpower and equipment. The City has a large commercial and residential area that continues to grow, putting a huge demand on the Department. With the many cul-de-sac's contained in our present subdivisions along with the proposed future subdivisions, it has become increasingly difficult to get the much-needed equipment to some of these areas because of the size of the newer equipment.
In addition, when there is only one way into some areas, once we connect to a hydrant and tie up the street, it becomes impossible to maneuver more apparatus into these areas to protect exposures, complete necessary roof ventilation and rescue. Many of the new construction homes are three stories in height which, in turn, increase the possibility of exposures.
Our apparatus must be designed to handle many types of situations and future unknown applications. As more services are demanded by the public, we must design our apparatus to meet these challenges. Currently, our fleet consists of 7 apparatus which includes 4 Quints, 1 truck and 2 engines. We also have special response vehicles such as hazardous incident unit, technical rescue truck and 2 medical squad units.
The four ‘Quints’ are capable of performing five distinct functions; they can pump water, carry fire hose and water in a booster tank, carry a quantity of ground ladders and rescue tools and are equipped with an aerial device. These apparatus are very versatile, giving the Department an engine and ladder truck combination for the price of a traditional engine.
In 1999, the department was able to take delivery of a 100-ft aerial platform. This unit, designated as ‘Truck 82’, is fully-equipped with a 100’ extending ladder with a work platform at its tip, a large supply of hose, a pump capable of producing 2,000 gallons of water per minute and the ability to transport an assortment of firefighting tools. This new apparatus was added to the Department’s fleet to enhance the ladder capabilities, which is needed as the City’s commercial and industrial base continues to grow.
The medical squad is currently a Ford Expedition which has been outfitted to carry medical supplies and equipment. This vehicle was replaced in 2009 and the interior was overhauled, designed and re-built by Department personnel. We have retained possession of our previous medical squad as a back-up.
The hazardous materials, or Special Incident Response (S.I.R.), unit contains air support equipment, a command center with computer equipment, phone and fax capabilities and a resource library with information regarding the handling of chemicals. This unit is used by our Hazardous Materials Response Team.
The technical rescue truck was purchased in the beginning of the year to transport equipment, tools and supplies used by the Technical Rescue Team. The set-up for this vehicle was also done by Department personnel.