Holloman units combine to refurbish fire truck

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jamal Sutter
  • 49th Fighter WIng Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) --  Members of the 49th Maintenance Squadron Aircraft Metals Technology Shop and the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron's Station No. 2 here recently came together and completed the refurbishing of a fire truck, combining the abilities of two trucks into one.

"We were trying to come up with new ways of doing the same job with the cut in manpower we're facing," said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Fraga, the 49th MXS Metals Technology Shop assistant noncommissioned officer in charge. 

"Our civilian force came up with a rescue pumper concept, where we combined two together into one truck," he said. 

The idea was to unite a traditional fire truck with the equipment of a rescue truck and form one truck that does the job of both, Sergeant Fraga said.

Added to the truck were eight compartments which could be used to carry extra equipment, said Master Sgt. Chuck Robertson, the 49th CES deputy fire chief.

These compartments were measured, cut and welded by the aircraft metals technology Airmen, said Tech. Sgt. John Hurt, the 49th MXS Metals Technology Shop NCO in charge.

"The whole idea of building something that really affects the lifesaving techniques of our base fire/rescue team really sent the guys to doing some of the best work I have seen out of them to date," Sergeant Hurt said. "They really raised the bar on this one."

Also added to each side of the truck was a folding ladder to allow entrance to an F-22 Raptor cockpit.

"This is really stepping forward into the F-22 era," Sergeant Robertson said. "The rescue truck could go out with only a three man crew. It could carry ventilation, confined space and medical equipment along with equipment for extricating vehicles on car accidents. The structural pumper could only carry a hose line and was very limited on anything for ventilation and medical emergencies but could carry a four man crew."

Because of the combined strengths, the new truck can hold a four to five man crew and can respond to aircraft emergencies, something a traditional pumper truck was unable to do, Sergeant Robertson said. Also, with the new truck being able to carry more equipment and host a larger crew, more manpower can assist the medical group with their emergencies if needed.

The rescue pumper truck, with its improved abilities, is a step into the next generation of fire trucks at Holloman AFB.

"Through (Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, this will be standard for the Air Force and Holloman will be the test base for the new concept," Sergeant Fraga said. 

The development of the new fire truck started before the Christmas holiday and took about four weeks to complete, Sergeant Fraga said.

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page