Houston’s high-tech vehicle

Published: 01 April, 2009

Houston FD ordered two bespoke Ferrara HazMat Response Vehicles, with some very special features.

Recently, the longstanding partnership between Ferrara Fire and Houston Fire Department culminated in two really special vehicles for the brigade’s HazMat responders. Vehicle manufacturer Ferrara Fire – based in Holden, Louisiana – counts Houston Fire Department (Texas, USA) as one of its most prized customers and the two organisations have maintained an excellent working relationship for many years now, explains Jonny Carroll, International Sales Director for Ferrara Fire.

“Our flexibility to build custom trucks based upon a department’s requirements is a huge advantage for us. We manufacture a wide variety of custom apparatus, ranging from mini pumpers to large aerial platforms all customised to the specific departments request. In addition, we use only the highest-grade materials tried and tested by firefighters. Satisfied customers are our best sales people - once they have bought one of our vehicles they endorse us willingly,” he explains.

The city of Houston is the fourth largest city in the US, and features a large petrochemical, aeronautical and biomedical industry. “Houston’s interstate system is very intricate and possibly one of the largest in the US, and right now there are many hazardous materials that are shipped straight through the city to reach the industrial areas in the south. Therefore the main purpose of these trucks is to respond to road spills and chemical clean ups.”
Based on a tandem axle Ferrara Igniter chassis, this truck features an in-vehicle command centre fitted with the latest communication technology, including three computers with spill and pollution modelling software and a weather prediction system.

Carroll explains that the superstructure of the vehicle is made from 3.16 inch extruded aluminium. “This type of marine graded aluminium provides the strength that keeps firefighters safe and enables a crash capacity of 66,000 pounds, extremely strong compared to other types of materials.”

The company specifically chose to use aluminium because it is stronger and lighter than steel, and another benefit is that this type of material keeps better in corrosive environments, and is therefore especially advantageous in the south of the US where the climate is hot and humid and the air content salty.

The new HazMat vehicles have a wealth of equipment and features on-board, such as a Harrisson 30 kw hydraulic generator, a Supervac light mast, a rooftop oil dry compartment, reversing cameras, customised drawers and swivel seats.

Houston Fire Department designed several aspects of the vehicle itself. For instance the firefighters requested an awning for field command situations, and on the back of the vehicle a speedy dry hopper for spill control has been built in, which enables the HazMat team to safely dispose of the chutes which have been used to clean up spills. In addition the Fire Department added customised steps on the back of the vehicle, so personnel can get on the roof safely.

Bookmark this

PBI garments put to the test
Senior fire personnel from across Europe invited to witness a series of six test burns in Manchester, UK, at a neutral testing ground – the British Textile Technology Group (BTTG) test lab.
Respiratory devices set to hit the market
Rescue and emergency equipment supplier SP Services (UK) introduces the O-Two CPAP with Adult Mask and Harness in its 2012 catalogue.
CTE aerial ladder platforms head for Thailand and Algeria
CTE SpA delivers an A B-Fire 360 aerial platform in Thailand for the Lampang Municipality. The aerial device has a working height of 36 m with 450 kg of capacity in the basket.
Solar-powered emergency communications system
Engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas (US) are developing an emergency communications network that will maintain operation during natural disasters and provide critical warnings and geographic information to people affected by the disasters.
Polaris – a new way of inducting foam
Angus Fire, the manufacturer of a wide range of firefighting foams and firefighting equipment, is launching Polaris, a foam-induction water motor that complements its existing range of foam-making equipment. Polaris has been designed to accurately and reliably deliver 1%, 3% or 6% or dual rate foam induction within Underwriters Laboratory (UL), Factory Mutual (FM) and EN standard limits, across a wide range of flows and pressures.

Sign Up

For the latest news and updates from Hemmingfire.

Company Profiles

Angus Fire – global innovation in fire fighting

Angus Fire is a global leader in fire fighting technology with a long history of pioneering innovation. The company occupies a unique world position in the development and manufacture of fire hose, foam concentrates and fire fighting equipment.

Holmatro - Mastering Power

Holmatro Rescue Equipment develops, manufactures, sells and services high-pressure hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical rescue equipment. With a comprehensive dealer network on all continents, manufacturing plants in the Netherlands (head office) and USA, and sales offices in China and UK, we supply our products and services to fire and rescue organizations all over the world.

Dr Sthamer - Hamburg: foam fights fire

Dr Sthamer – Hamburg, has been developing and manufacturing state-of-the art firefighting foams since the 1920’s. Having been founded in 1886 by Dr Richard Sthamer, we are still proudly owned and managed by the Sthamer family. Our base is still at the original site where we started in, on the banks of the Bille River in Hamburg Germany.