One apparatus manufacturer that has been busy the last several years introducing new products is KME. In addition to rolling out new apparatus, its engineers have been designing new technology to go with those rigs.
We have seen a great many new multi-functional apparatus that allows responding firefighters to perform many tasks on the fireground. As we see all over the country, doing more with less is the new common denominator among fire service leaders.
KME’s new rescue pumper addresses storage space with compartments that are 29-inches deep and are full height for a combination of 496 cubic feet of space. The unit also can carry stokes baskets and a little giant ladder from driver-side roof storage compartments that can be deployable from the rear.
The unit also has rescue equipment compartments.
Firefighter have ground-level access to the hose bed, which may reduce stress on firefighters deploying and repacking hose. The bed holds 1,000 feet of 5-inch supply line.
The most unique feature of the new vehicle is a small 37-inch pump panel, which is all digital and has a touch screen that displays pressure and flow readings as well as a central control for all valves. The pump puts out a maximum 1,500 gallons per minute from a 975-gallon tank; the truck also has a 25-gallon foam tank.
The pumper has a tight turning radius, a 187-inch wheelbase and a 31-foot 7-inch overall length. The unit on display at FDIC 2012 was built on the company’s Predator chassis.