We were interested in getting a snapshot of where fire departments were in terms of replacing old apparatus. So, we posed this question to our readers on Facebook: When did your department switch to rigs with fully enclosed cabs?
The results, of course, ran the gamut. The National Fire Protection Association passed a requirement in 1991 that all driver and crew cabs be enclosed. So given this economy, it was not surprising how many reported that these older rigs are still front-line apparatus.
Below is a sample of the comments we received. As always, please add your own remarks below.
1.“Unfortunately, we take what we can get. Our newest is a 1982 Van Pelt with open jump seat area. The other three are two-door, two-seat rigs from the early 1970s.” — Lowell Burdell
2.“We still have an open cab. It’s our only engine.” — Brinda Baird
3.“Back in the early 1980s right after they forced enclosed cabs.” — Carl Youngblood
4.“Still have one open-cab truck, however no one is allowed to ride in the open seat area any more.” — Nick Walton
5.“We still got two in service: an ’87 Ford/E-One and its younger ’91 sister.” — Ryan Healy
6.“Still using horses and a tanker ... budget cuts for healthcare reform.” — Stephen Didot
7.“We have four open cab engines and a ladder.” — Kenneth Ferrell Sr.
8.“We have one that’s been sitting in the station for years, never sees the light of day.” — Steven Sporer
9.“Our open-cab Engine 2 (front line) finally got replace with a closed cab in January 2013. We’re still running an ’87 American LaFrance open cab. It even has the signal button on the back from when they ran on the tailboard.” — Shawn Maglothin
10.“Our last open cab went out of service in 2008.” — Kyle Daniel Hofland
11.“All enclosed now. Last open cab left two years ago for a fire department in Cuba. We donated our engine plus turnouts, hose and other equipment.” — Darren Phillips
12.“Just got rid of our 1983 Mack open-air cab, and I am really going to miss it.” — Scott Kelman
13.“We still have open cabs with man savers. The newest is a 1980.” — Cory White
14.“1987 first rigs fully enclosed; 2006 all rigs fully enclosed.” — Ken Sikora
15.“We have four and they’re going to be retired in two years; one will be a reserve pumper.” — Mckenzie Uhl