JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Fire
suppression on Langley Air Force Base has taken a step up in technology with the
newest fire truck, which joined the 11 “big truck” vehicle fleet at the 633rd
Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department, during Fall 2017.
The
Striker 3000, a 39 and half foot, 3,000-gallon high performance fire truck, brings
new and improved technology to the flightline and community.
“Having
the new fire truck online and in action, brings capabilities that we have never
had on Langley, allowing the fire department to be ready for any type of call
we receive, “said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Tellish, 633rd CES station
captain. “The water flow alone can do four times more than our previous
vehicles, making a tank of water last upwards of nine minutes.”
The
first noticeable difference of the truck is the front bumper that is equipped
with a high-pressure nozzle. Controlled by an electronic joystick, this nozzle
produces a smaller droplet size of water. The smaller droplets absorb the heat
of the fire faster and suppress it with less water, said Antonio Blackwell, 633rd
CES fire department driver operator.
“Everything
is tailored as you walk in to the cab, so the driver can reach everything,
allowing him to solely drive it if necessary,” said Blackwell. “This is
probably the best crash truck we have in our fleet and it goes above and
beyond.”
Attached
to that high-pressure nozzle is the gray scale infrared camera, giving the
driver and crew chief the ability to find hot spots inside an aircraft or structural
fire. The camera also identifies human beings with a yellow box ensure
firefighters are aware of the location’s surroundings.
Additional
capabilities the truck provides:
-
Tighter turning diameter, 78 feet to be
exact
-
Computerized water supply control panel
on outside of truck
-
238-degree horizontal visibility from
the center steering console
-
Drafting from static water source
-
Hand lines to use in structural fires
“This
truck allows our Airmen and crew chiefs to focus on their mission and make sure
everything is working properly,” said Blackwell. “Where the driver can focus on
getting water to the fire and maneuvering the vehicle.”