Changes in the fire service’s mission and staffing have caused fire department apparatus specifications to grow in complexity over the years. Designing a chief’s vehicle no longer is the exception to that rule.
Often referred to as “the car,” “the buggy” or “the livery,” the conveyance of the modern operational chief officer has evolved from a sedan, station wagon or van that’s outfitted with little more than a radio and limited emergency lighting to SUVs and pickups that are specially upfitted with the technology and connectivity that’s required to meet the demands of the all-hazards environment. Although chief’s vehicles, generally, are replaced more frequently than the rest of a department’s fleet, equal time and planning should be given to their design.
Needs assessment
On the surface, procuring a chief’s vehicle might seem as straightforward as heading to the local dealership. However, the process should be approached much differently than that by considering how the vehicle will be used.
Although administrative vehicles can be accommodated with a minimalistic approach, all staff vehicles still should provide some level of operational command capability and space to transport personnel and have towing capability to move trailers and equipment. Those who primarily operate in the field will utilize their vehicle for far more than just personal transportation and must plan for the storage, power and data needs of operational positions.
Regardless of to whom the vehicle will be assigned, as budgets and resources continue to shrink as fast as call volumes and expectations continue to grow, versatility is the best practice when procuring these vehicles.
Vehicle type
As our mission has expanded, the use of smaller vehicles has declined, with the SUV and pickup becoming more prevalent options today. The pros and cons of each vehicle type weighed against the needs assessment determines the correct fit. For example, an SUV might maneuver better on tight city streets and provide cheaper upkeep than a pickup but sacrifices storage space and payload. Conversely, a larger pickup might not handle as well as an SUV but can accommodate a variety of storage solutions, ranging from generic slide-out trays and tonneau covers to full bed remounts that include custom cabinets. This makes the SUV more common for administrative use, while the pickup continues to emerge as the popular choice for operational positions, such as battalion and district chiefs, training chiefs and safety officers.
Although the use of the vehicle should be the primary selection factor, other considerations exist. Vehicles that are intended for civilian use aren’t necessarily a bad option, but vehicles that are purchased through fleet programs tend to have greater availability of aftermarket parts, such as push bumpers, consoles, cabinets and even camper shells that commonly are used in emergency vehicles. Fleet vehicles can be less expensive through contract purchase pricing but might not be available with certain features, such as four-wheel drive, comfort systems, driving sensors and vehicle-integrated connectivity. They also might be limited in color, which would add wait time for a factory run of a desired shade or the additional cost to repaint or wrap the vehicles to match the rest of the department fleet. A little planning can balance these factors. Overlooking them can negatively affect budgets and timeframes.
Operational design
Designing a vehicle for an operational chief should center on two main uses: field supervision and incident command. For example, if the department runs incident command from the cab of the vehicle, choosing a functional, ergonomic console in the cab would be a primary consideration; departments that run command from the rear of the vehicle or the street are better served by investing in the layout of a command box or the storage and access of portable command boards.
If the department routinely uses operational chief officers as forward supervisors in the immediately dangerous to life or health environment, a slide-out or command box that provides easy access to PPE is crucial to rapid donning. Those who function primarily in command rolls at or near the vehicle instead might prioritize access to command boards, communications equipment and accountability systems. Although that seems fairly straightforward, good intentions can blur the line between primary functions and lesser utilized capabilities when one is trying to maximize utilization of the vehicle.
The location and the accessibility of equipment might not seem problematic when dealing with passenger vehicles, but still, it’s important that both of these matters be assessed. For example:
- Are running boards or steps required?
- How far will the slide-out extend? Will its contents be obstructed by a tailgate, hatch or the sides of the vehicle?
- Can a person who is of average height access items that are stored within the cargo area or bed?
- Can the camper shell integrate toolboxes? If so, what are the dimensions?
- Is there space to transport supplies and equipment or a need to access-control certain items?
- Is there storage space for maps, manuals, forms, references materials and writing utensils?
- Could a portable printer be advantageous? (This is more common in law enforcement.)
The design phase also should recognize that the chief’s vehicle is a hub for interoperability and information-sharing at a range of incidents, from structure fires to active shooters. It isn’t uncommon to find two or more mobile radios for monitoring multiple radio channels or systems simultaneously or for the vehicle to be utilized as a mobile repeater. One or more devices likely are employed as mobile data terminals in conjunction with accountability software, live feeds from cameras and other equipment, or as secondary display monitors.
It also might be advantageous to incorporate secondary work areas for command aides or operational liaisons. These features might be integrated into the passenger compartment, mounted on slide-out cabinets, built into specially designed compartments or a combination thereof.
The design also should consider use of electronics and connectivity.
- Will cellular data be provided by a vehicle-specific plan, portable device or other system?
- Can the vehicle function as a hotspot for other units or devices?
- Where should power and data ports be positioned in the cab and in the cargo area or command box?
- Will an inverter be required to charge equipment? If so, what size?
- Does the vehicle need an additional battery or larger alternator?
- How will the vehicle’s battery charge when the vehicle isn’t used?
Many of these design elements can be added later but are much easier to install on the front end.
Upfitting
The vehicle itself tends to dominate the planning process, so the upfitting of equipment often goes overlooked. Upfitting includes the installation of aftermarket vehicle equipment, consoles, communications equipment, warning lights and devices, and mountings.
Because of its relatively small size compared with other fire apparatus, the chief’s vehicle should be outfitted with carefully designed warning packages, to make it more visible both responding to the scene and operating at it. Warning technology now can incorporate multiple-color light heads, high- and low-frequency siren tones, and different flash patterns for day and night use. A robust package of spotlights and floodlights is an easy, affordable addition that pays dividends when operating at night or after larger support units leave the scene.
As for equipment mounting, this should be done, of course, securely but in places that don’t obstruct view.
Proper upfitting ensures that the vehicle is laid out efficiently and permits changes, repairs and upgrades to be made easily.
Yes, some departments have their own maintenance division that’s suited to completing the upfit process, while other departments are fortunate enough to be capable of utilizing members who possess upfitting knowledge and skills. For departments that don’t have these specialties available to them, third-party companies can procure, install and program aftermarket items.
Remember, although upfitting is a common area where a “do-it-yourself” approach can be used to cut costs, improperly integrating with the electronic systems in modern vehicles can result in costly repairs. This means that installation by trained, experienced upfitters is a sound investment.
The final touches
When the general public sees their fire department’s livery, they don’t see a vehicle; they see a solution. All department vehicles should be equipped with basic items, such as jumper cables or a jump-start box, traffic cones, a medical bag, an AED and a fire extinguisher. All operational positions should carry a minimum of a water extinguisher, a set of irons and SCBA, because those members might find themselves in a position to effect rescue before suppression apparatus arrive.
As departments struggle to meet the impossible task of doing more with less, items that traditionally are carried on suppression apparatus might need to be carried in the chief’s vehicle. Although doing so can require a tradeoff in cost and storage, it could be the best option to ensure that items arrive at an incident in a timely manner because of the likelihood of a chief responding to incidents of greater scale and/or complexity for departments that have limited funding, staffing and resources.
Current and future needs
Chief vehicles often are overlooked in both function and design but should be approached no differently than any other apparatus. With the increasing availability and rapid proliferation of technology, planning for future needs can be just as critical as meeting current needs, particularly with extended replacement cycles and manufacturing times. The costs of equipping and upfitting must be considered, because they can double or triple the price of the vehicle.
Building your next buggy likely will be limited more by budget than options, but putting operational needs first always is a recipe for success.
Marc Aloan
Marc Aloan is a battalion chief with the West Columbia, SC, Fire Department and the creator of The Fire Inside blog. He is an active speaker, author and instructor who has 20 years of combined volunteer and career service. Aloan holds a bachelor's degree in fire protection administration and a master's degree in organizational leadership.
