The Humboldt No.1 Fire Protection District has recently placed into service a new command vehicle. The 2009 Ford Expedition will replace a 2001 Dodge pick up with over 100,000 miles and greatly improves the Fire District’s on scene command capabilities. The new vehicle contains computers, radios and a work area so incident commanders at emergency scenes will have the necessary tools required to successfully manage and mitigate all types of emergency incidents. The rear of the vehicle is equipped with a command box which incorporates various features including a white board area, files, storage cabinet and radios that allow incident commanders to monitor various radio frequencies simultaneously and give them the ability to control multiple emergencies if required. In addition the vehicle carries a full complement of medical equipment including a defibrillator. This new command vehicle greatly enhances the Fire Districts ability to handle a wide range of emergencies and the public is invited to drop by station 11 at 3455 Harris St. and examine the new unit.
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HFD’s New Command Vehicle – 2009 Ford Expedition | |
| From the driver’s seat, the Duty Officer has
access to multiple radio systems, a GPS unit, and a Mobile Data
Terminal (MDT) with mapping information, building preplan information,
and a multitude of other tools. |
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Part of the back seat has been removed to facilitate
storage of the Duty Officer’s Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE), map books, and other reference material. |
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| The Command rig also carries a Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus (SCBA) and fire extinguisher in the back seat. |
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The vehicle carries a full compliment of medical gear.
If the Duty Officer happens to be closer to a medical aid than the
engine, we will respond and render medical care until the arrival
of the engine or ambulance. A full airway bag (with oxygen) and
a defibrillator makes the Duty Officer capable of performing the
same level of medical care as the engine companies. |
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| The back of the vehicle is the command work area for
incidents. The Incident Commander has access to all of the vehicle
radios, a pull out dry erase board/desk area, and multiple files,
forms, and reference materials to facilitate effective command of
major incidents. Not pictured here is the forthcoming rear computer
screen (will be placed in the top-left area) giving the officer
full MDT access at the rear of the vehicle. |
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The pull our dry erase board/ desk area in the rear
of the vehicle. |
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| The rear radio bank giving the Incident Commander
access to three HFD department radios with hundreds of radio frequencies,
and one UHF radio giving the Commander the ability to talk on all
local MED-NET, Hospital, and MCI Frequencies. |
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