Newbie.

[firemedic3404]

Hey all… joined up due to my department purchasing an XD1500. I've already installed warning lights and a firefighting/rescue skid unit. Looking forward to learning the ins and outs of these units and helping out where I can.

 

[Big Red]

Welcome to the group firemedic3404!
Looks like your department has a great brush truck for getting to fires and rescues where the big ones won't go.

 

[JTBarlow]

Howdy and welcome!

 

[Mr.C]

Welcome to the group. Out of personal curiosity, what is a firefighting/rescue skid? Thank you for what you do!

 

[firemedic3404]

Welcome to the group firemedic3404!
Looks like your department has a great brush truck for getting to fires and rescues where the big ones won't go.

man this thing is awesome! I've used XP 1000's for a while now, and they were great. But this thing is on another level. And of course the drive system just works so well for this type of stuff. Imagine trying to teach a bunch of FFs how UTV's don't drive like regular vehicles.. much fun! This 1500 is just more intuitive as far as accelerating and low speeds.

 

[firemedic3404]

Welcome to the group. Out of personal curiosity, what is a firefighting/rescue skid? Thank you for what you do!

So the unit you see on the back is referred to as a skid unit. This particular one is equipped with 85 gallons of water, 5 gallons of firefighting foam, a high pressure water pump, and the little area to put a patient. That thing you see where the patient goes is called a Stokes Basket. it allows us to carry injured victims as well as utilize ropes to rescue them from steep angles like cliffs and the like. Usually we use trucks like F550s and the like with around 400 gallons of water and a pump to fight brush and wildland fires, but this thing can get where they don't, and that high pressure pump really knocks the fire away from the unburned fuel. Works really well for the thick grasses we have down here in south Texas!

 

[firemedic3404]

Howdy and welcome!

Howdy and thanks!

 

[Mr.C]

So the unit you see on the back is referred to as a skid unit. This particular one is equipped with 85 gallons of water, 5 gallons of firefighting foam, a high pressure water pump, and the little area to put a patient. That thing you see where the patient goes is called a Stokes Basket. it allows us to carry injured victims as well as utilize ropes to rescue them from steep angles like cliffs and the like. Usually we use trucks like F550s and the like with around 400 gallons of water and a pump to fight brush and wildland fires, but this thing can get where they don't, and that high pressure pump really knocks the fire away from the unburned fuel. Works really well for the thick grasses we have down here in south Texas!

Ok, well that makes since with the water and foam, why it’s so heavy. 85 gallons probably goes pretty quick with a HP pump.

 

[firemedic3404]

Ok, well that makes since with the water and foam, why it’s so heavy. 85 gallons probably goes pretty quick with a HP pump.

Actually lasts alot longer, less GPM than usual. Theoretically those 85 gallons, with foam, has the same extinguishment capabilities as 500 Gallons of just water on a standard pump. A big part of it is centered around how effectively it knocks the fire out also.

 

[Mr.C]

Actually lasts alot longer, less GPM than usual. Theoretically those 85 gallons, with foam, has the same extinguishment capabilities as 500 Gallons of just water on a standard pump. A big part of it is centered around how effectively it knocks the fire out also.

Interesting, that’s cool and effective.

 

[oneal]

Welcome aboard fire medic, great to have you.

 

[firemedic3404]

Welcome aboard fire medic, great to have you.

Thanks!

 

[bchar1]

Hey all… joined up due to my department purchasing an XD1500. I've already installed warning lights and a firefighting/rescue skid unit. Looking forward to learning the ins and outs of these units and helping out where I can.

Welcome aboard

 

[wagers]

Welcome! You'll definitely enjoy your new 1500. I've used mine already for a rescue with a downed aircraft. Luckily no injuries. Had to go back and get a ranger 1000 unstuck from a snow drift.

 

[wagers]

With your stretcher mounted, are you noticing much more body roll?

 

[firemedic3404]

With your stretcher mounted, are you noticing much more body roll?

I do notice it for sure. But not as too heavy as I thought it would be

 

[firemedic3404]

Welcome! You'll definitely enjoy your new 1500. I've used mine already for a rescue with a downed aircraft. Luckily no injuries. Had to go back and get a ranger 1000 unstuck from a snow drift.

Nice!