Hey everybody, Check out the sweet new electric fire truck. It’s one of the world's first
electric-hybrid models and there's a good chance it's coming to a city near you. Imagine
how good you could look on this thing as we dive into its features, what it does better
and if it’s worth the price.
Built by the Austrian Company Rosenbauer, this shiny Shiny chick magnet will cost taxpayers
a little more than $1.5 million a piece. Compare this to $1.2 million for a traditional diesel
and thus evil pumper engine.
This beautiful truck has already begun operating in several American cities and is now on its
way to grab some poutine in Vancouver as part of their goal to reduce greenhouse emissions
by as much as 60 percent by 2030 and Hay that's gonna cost extra monies.
Rosenbauer calls this model the RT for revolutionary technology and they claim that its groundbreaking
innovations will make this truck the most modern emergency vehicle in the world. Whew
Ok, F*ck me I guess. In all seriousness, this company makes some beautiful trucks and their
design and engineering process is reputed to be second to none.
Starting from the ground up by using a newly developed wheel suspension system, The RT
is designed to provide high levels of torque with a low center of gravity and an impressive
all wheel turning radius. Plus, it can do that bus trick where you can lower the entrance
height allowing you to shuffle on when you're weighed down with gear - Worth it.
The truck has a total range of 100km or about 90 minutes depending on use. Now, This may
not sound like much but consider that the average response time to an incident in North
Vancouver sits at 5 minutes and 42 seconds. (Simpsons: Sorry I shouldn’t have stopped
for that haircut)
The diesel engine will act as a range extender and provide additional means of go juice when
needed outside of this shorter range or when conducting extended pumping operations. The
batteries will ensure no fuel will be combusted while driving and are advertised to be quickly
rechargeable both at the station and when you're burning diesel.
Better yet, that engine will automatically deactivate when the vehicle comes to a standstill.
This means that The Lighting and most equipment can run virtually silent on battery power
ensuring that the 6 am grease fire across from your building will no longer become your
problem.
Many clever ergonomic and storage updates have been made for quick and easy equipment
access in the event those firemen are sore from their morning workout. While the overall
model itself can also be tailored by the needs of any particular fire service by specifically
scaling the pump pressures or the water and foam tank capacity.
The sleek and highspeed cab is no longer separated from the crew compartment. There is a clean,
almost starship design that is intended to foster interaction between up to 10 crew members.
While the cockpit chairs are advertised as fully rotatable allowing for maximum wink
and gun opportunities to star-struck motorists.
Thinking ahead, the RT has its own integrated communication system that can link back to
any data or dispatch center to share information.
It’s on board features are controlled by multiple detachable touchscreens and use a
built-in wireless network. This makes the RT the first fire truck that allows you to
update your instagram on scene (is my shirt off?) while also having the ability to simultaneously
launch aerial drones with the touch of a button.
After you’ve locked down that cute paramedics number you can then use the integrated software
to link those drones together and send the collective image-based analysis to every screen
in or out of the truck.
The RT comes with a scene lighting suite so cool it almost makes me want to set something
on fire. The 300,00 lumen LED strips are said to create shadowless illumination that will
out shine any modern light pole. Can someone please hack these to neon for the DJ at my
next birthday?
Pairing all of this with an array of electronic cameras and mirrors that come included, the
RT becomes so advanced it's provided with its own IT Security and software support.
Overall this smaller truck is designed to be safer, quieter and more maneuverable while
still running the latest fire fighting technology and all with considerably less greenhouse
emissions. It’s European look and size is definitely a step away from our traditional
looking Fire apparatus but it's a distinguished change and one purpose built for a new generation.
The first truck is expected to be delivered to vancouver in 2023 with cities in ontario
following with their own orders and while they may cost a little more up front, the
long term maintenance expenses are anticipated to be much cheaper over their lifespan.
Finally, what do local firefighters think? Well after having an opportunity to play on
an early concept model, fire crews have applauded the refined ergonomics. Notable excitement
was also shown on the prospect of breathing in considerably less exhaust fumes while also
having an opportunity to work with the latest generation of this iconic piece of equipment.
So I say, come on, isn't protecting these guys worth a little bit more?
Check out this other video detailing the major changes to modern firefighting here. Thanks
for watching!