Fire department receives early Christmas present

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amy Abbott
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs
It's big, bright, shiny and even though it couldn't fit under the tree, came just in time for the holiday. The 452nd Fire Department received a new addition to its fire fighting fleet - a Striker T 1500. The most modern vehicle in Air Force fire fighting inventory, it is equipped with the latest and greatest technology and according to the firefighters, just like a brand new toy. 

Jake McClure, a 452nd Fire Department Engineer, jumping out of the truck after his first spin said, "These other trucks here, even though they are big and impressive, they're are all like Chevys and Fords and this is a Porsche." 

The Striker is outfitted with both a roof and bumper turret. It also boasts the ability to shoot foam, carrying 220 gallons, as well as dry chemical of which it carries 450 pounds. As the foam discharges, it ejects around the Purple K (dry chemical) that is released through the middle. This improves its efficiency to fight a three dimensional fire  - a fire that continues burning a stream of fuel in mid air and is most common in aircraft.

"When we use the roof turret we can actually fight a fire of that type (three dimensional) sitting in the truck rather than getting out and having to handle it where you are putting a fire fighter at risk," said Chief Jeff Konersman, 452nd Fire Department Fire Chief. "The fire fighters can stand 150 feet away and put out a fire like that without getting close to it so it makes everything we do a lot safer. 

The Striker, which goes 0 - 60 miles per hour in 27 seconds and tops out at a speed of 75 mph, also has among its many features a forward looking infrared camera that can identify heat sources. This affords fighters to see a fire inside a house or aircraft without having to enter the area. 

"One thing we can do with the infrared is, say an aircraft came in with hot brakes, we can tell how hot the brakes are just by pointing the infrared camera on it," said Tech Sgt. Roderick Rambayan, a crew chief for the 452nd Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Protection. "Normally we have to get out and feel for it to check it; we would pretty much be there right on the wheel well. The danger is the wheel could explode. This makes it safer, because we do not have to be as close." 

Sergeant Rambayan said many other Air Force bases and deployable locations worldwide have begun using the Striker. For Reserve members of CES, like himself, who are deployable, having access to the new vehicle provides more training opportunities. 

"We have a 36-man fire protection unit, so when we deploy, this helps us get ready by being able to better familiarize ourselves with the Striker," he said. "We're already trained and can go in and do our thing. It makes us more mission capable." 

Some of the Striker's other features are its ability to hold 1500 gallons of water. That is one-third more than the P-19 it is replacing - a truck which has been in the department's inventory since 1985. It is also designed to have spectacular handling and maneuverability. 

"I'm very pleased with this vehicle," said Fire Chief Konersman. "This thing is so cool. It has more whistles and bells than any truck I've ever driven. It's all computerized. It's joy stick operated and the younger firefighters we have now are of a generation that works with that kind of equipment." 

The vehicle was assigned to March ARB by the Air Force Reserve Command who determines which vehicles are necessary for each base and it came as an unexpected, yet much appreciated, surprise. 

"The trucks they have here are running out of time. They're old," said Jim Lindsay, the certified factory representative from Oshkosh, the truck's maker. "These (Strikers) are the latest, state of the art vehicles." 

The Striker has been on base about a month and rolled into the fire department  Dec. 3.  Mr. Lindsay flew down to March ARB from Toronto, Canada, to teach a week long course on the vehicle's operations to both the fire fighters and mechanics. 

Striker T 1500
   * 0-60 mph in 27 sec
   * joy stick operated
   * center seat driven
   * infrared capabilities
   * 1500 gallons of water
   * sprays foam and dry chemical