Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. announced today that Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services has ordered twenty-four custom fire apparatus, including nine custom pumpers, five custom rescue-pumpers, and 10105-foot (32 M) heavy-duty aerial ladders. This order will bring the total number of Smeal™ fire apparatus purchased by Vancouver to 56. Vancouver’s entire front line fleet will be Smeal apparatus.
The contract is valued at approximately US $24 million and is the largest, single order in Smeal history. Safetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd., Smeal’s Canadian dealer, sold the apparatus and will provide warranty and service support throughout their life cycle.
“We could not be more honored and appreciative of this award from the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services,” said Mark Huber, Smeal’s president. “It marks a milestone for Smeal in that it’s one of the largest, single orders in North American fire service history, and because it speaks to the confidence that such a well-respected, metropolitan department has in Smeal’s ability to deliver outstanding, highly customized fire apparatus that can live up to their intense performance demands.”
“We recognize that there is a real opportunity to utilize our fleet in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly manner,” said Vancouver Fire Chief John McKearney. “The use of GREEN POWER technology to help reduce idling time and minimize the generation of greenhouse gases is one of the ways we contribute to the City’s goal of becoming the greenest city by 2020. We ordered our first Smeal in 1996, and this order demonstrates our continued confidence and decade’s long partnership with Smeal and Safetek."
The New Fire Trucks
GREEN POWER SG-09 Anti-Idle Technology will be installed on each of the new apparatus to be delivered to Vancouver. This system, which was developed by Smeal, reduces fuel consumption by up to 75 percent while at idle, and up to 20 percent overall depending on the response profile. Carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by up to 20 percent as well. Also, all the apparatus feature Smeal’s proprietary QL-12 peer-to-peer electrical system for enhanced reliability.
The new pumpers and rescue-pumpers are equipped with Waterous® CMUC20 2,250-gpm (8,500 L/m) two-stage pumps, Waterous OneStep® CAF systems, 500-gallon (2,000 L) water tanks, and 72-gallon
(288 L) foam cells. A Command Light 3,000-watt light tower provides on-scene illumination.
The 10 new 105-foot (32 M) heavy-duty aerials will be equipped with Waterous CMUC20 2,250-gpm (8,500 L/m) two-stage pumps, Waterous OneStep CAF systems and 500-gallon (2,000 L) water tanks, and 72-gallon (288 L) foam cells, similar to the pumpers. The aerials have a 750 lb. (340 kg) tip load, dry and while flowing 1,500 gpm (6,000 L/m). In addition, all are configured with Smeal’s exclusive Ergonomic Hose Load (EHL) hose bed, which places the hosebed at waist height for easy deployment and reloading of up to 1000 feet of 5” hose.
The Waterous CMUC20 water pumps have a two-stage, high-pressure feature that provides 600 gpm (2,400 L/m) at 600 PSI (40 bar), making them particularly well suited to high-rise firefighting incidents, often faced by the department due to many commercial and residential high rises in the downtown area.
The aerial ladder is constructed of 100,000-psi steel and features Smeal’s exclusive AL-11™ aerial monitoring system, electric positional waterway, and “creeper” controls at the tip. The extra penetration stabilizer system provides full operational capability on a 12-percent grade.
All of the apparatus are built on Smeal Sirius custom fire chassis powered by Cummins ISX12 and SX15 500-horsepower engines and include Advanced Protection Systems with side-impact air curtains,
front air bags and knee bolsters.
Delivery of the apparatus is schedule to begin in January 2016 and continue throughout the year. All will be delivered fully equipped.
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services
Founded in 1886, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services has 20 fire stations and more than 800 employees protecting over 600,000 residents. With its scenic views, mild climate and friendly residents, Vancouver is known around the world as one of the best places to live and is a popular tourist destination. The city is also one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada with 52 percent of the population speaking a first language other than English. Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
Safetek Emergency Vehicles Ltd.
Founded in 1993, Safetek is Canada’s leading provider of firefighting and rescue apparatus, parts and service. Safetek represents the full line of Smeal brand apparatus along with US Tanker Co., and Ladder
Tower Co. The company offers a diversified range of products and services, including new apparatus, previously owned vehicles, parts and service.
To learn more about Safetek visit firetrucks.ca.
Smeal Fire Apparatus Co.
Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., including US Tanker Fire Apparatus LLC and Ladder Tower Co., is recognized as a premier manufacturer, inventor and innovator of customized fire apparatus. The company offers a full
line of custom and commercial pumpers, rescue pumpers, mini and rescue pumpers, stainless steel tanker/ tenders, aerial ladders, platforms, TDA’s, wildland, and urban interface vehicles. Smeal is committed to
leading the industry in high quality fire apparatus, delivery times and customer experience. Smeal sells its products worldwide and is based in Snyder, Neb.
To learn more, visit smeal.com
