From Page to Production Line:
How a fire engine goes from idea to reality
In the spring of 2008, the Apparatus Committee met to begin building the latest addition to Fern Creek's fleet. As a starting point, the members began with 7134 as a model and deconstucted the truck:what they liked about it & what they wanted to change. |
Various issues surfaced including interior space, storage of equipment, new NFPA NFPA NFPA lighting and striping requirements, rear storage and access (hosebed), scene lighting, generator, cab configuration, and instrumentation. All of these were tackled over the course of several meetings. Within a few months, the ideas were submitted to Seagrave Manufacturing and a blueprint was presented. After poring over the plans, the committee made several changes to the rear compartment height, the light tower, right side pump panel layout, the risers and the tank among others. In October, the final version was approved and the project went into the building phase.
In November of last year, Chief Mike Schmidt & Deputy Chief Robert Storrie met with Seagrave represenatives at the manufacturing plant for the first of two in-process inspections to discuss the status of the truck and to resolve any problems. The second of the two inspections occurred in February. During this time, Chiefs Schmidt and Storrie were able to visually inspect the truck. Some pics from their trip are below along with pictures taken approximately three weeks after their visit. |
 |
 |
At the time of their visit, the rear section (at left) comprising of the hosebed & tool compartments had just come out of the paint booth. On the right is the same section 3 weeks later after much work had been done. |
 |
 |
C3 weeks later, the exterior of the cab (right) is almost completeab
Cab interior and the new pump panel are below. One other change (seen in the picture on the left) is that the rear cab area now has forward-facing seats. All other Fern Creek apparatus have rear-facing seats. |
 |
 |
The re-designed console (below)
Some cosmetic changes were needed that were necessitated by new NFPA standards (as evidenced by the new striping pattern on the rear of our new truck). |
On April 7, Chief Schmidt along with other members of the Apparatus Committee will travel to Wisconsin for the final inspection of our new pumper. Below are some recent pictures of Fern Creek's nearly completed truck. Final delivery is expected April 26 after a week-long display at this year's FDIC. |
Several members of the apparatus committee left yesterday (4/7) for the final inspection. This process will last approximately three days. Below is the new 7134 they will inspect and finalize. The new pumper will make its debut the week of April 20 at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis. |
 |
 |
Deputy Chief Storrie inspects the crosslays and pump panel |
Captain James Epley witnesses a quick pump test |
.png)
.png)
.png) |
The final version of the new pumper as it will be seen at FDIC. After FDIC, the new 7134 will make its debut April 26 at Station 1 where a small reception will take place. After that, tools, hose, and other equipment will be loaded and the truck will reside with the duty crews at Station 4. Some of the changes to the truck include: - cab-mounted light tower - wide array of scene-lighting - reconfigured cab interior - changes to the rear hosebed section, including layout of storage compartments - LED light package & new striping
|
Some members check out the new engine during the reception. The truck was delivered to Station 1 on April 26.
 |
 |